3 Wolverines, 3 Spartans tabbed to All-Big Ten offensive squads

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After announcing their all-defensive teams on Tuesday, the Big Ten Conference announced their all-offensive honorees on Wednesday.

Three players each from both Michigan and Michigan State were given team honors by either coaches and/or media personnel.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Senior tackle Mason Cole and sophomore guard Ben Bredeson were both named second-team by both Big Ten coaches and media.

Cole switched back over to left tackle this season after setting up under center in 2016. His 50 consecutive starts is tied for the most by any offensive lineman in Michigan history, and a start in the team’s upcoming bowl game will put him a tie for the most starts in school history regardless of position played. Cole is also a 2-time Outland Trophy preseason watch list honoree.

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Bredeson has played in all 25 games for his career thus far, 20 at the left guard slot, including starting all 12 games this season. The former Gatorade POY in the state of Wisconsin was an All-Big Ten honorable mention a year ago and also named an All-American freshman by the FWAA.

Junior running back Karan Higdon had a bit of a breakout season, a career year if you will, albeit splitting much of the duties with sophomore Chris Evans. Higdon finished with 929 yards net rushing to lead the Wolverines, punching it into the end zone 11 times. He had just three games of 100+ yards rushing, but he exploded for 200+ yards in two of them.

Higdon led a Michigan rushing attacked that ranked third in the Big Ten at 186.3 yards per game. It was also the first time in 26 years that Michigan featured a trio of running backs — Evans and Ty Isaac, in addition to Higdon — to accumulate at least 500 yards rushing in a single season.

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Senior center Brian Allen, junior guard David Beedle and junior wide receiver Felton Davis III were all named second- or third-team honors in some capacity by Big Ten coaches and media members.

This is the third consecutive second-team All-Big Ten selection for Allen, whose older brother Jack put together a decorated career himself years prior at Michigan State. Brian this year started at center in all 12 games and is regarded as one of if not the highest-rated at his position in the conference. He’s played in 50 career games, including 27 straight starts.

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Beedle was limited to just eight games this season due to injury but started in seven of them. The Clarkston native has bounced around the offensive line through his career thus far at MSU, playing at left tackle and both guard positions up front. He played majority of the snaps at left guard this season, making four of his seven starts this season there.

Davis was not only Michigan State’s top receiver all season, but was one of the better targets in the entire Big Ten. The 658 yards receiving and eight touchdown grabs were major spikes from his sophomore season a year ago. The 6-foot-4 Davis had a field day against No. 7 Penn State back on November 4 when hauled in 12 passes for 181 yards.

Additionally for Michigan and Michigan State, four players from each team were listed as honorable mentions for All-Big Ten offense recognition. On Thursday, the conference will be handing out the individual hardware.