The 2009 Big Ten football season saw defensive backfields across the conference hold their own along with the nation’s top players. Safeties and cornerbacks made a lasting impression.

Three conference teams—Penn State, Iowa, and Ohio State—finished among the top 25 teams in the country for passing defense. The Hawkeyes ranked fourth nationally in passes defended, and finished in the top five in the nation for total interceptions along with the Buckeyes.

While the Big Ten loses several star players to the NFL like Amari Spievey, Kurt Coleman, and Donovan Warren, a huge pool of defensive back talent still remains in the conference.

And yes, that presents the perfect opportunity for another preseason power ranking.

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