The Big Ten West might not be best, but it is getting closer to challenging the East Division’s conference dominance.

Wisconsin returns the entire offensive line and a 1,900-yard rusher from its record-setting 13-win team, and some see the Badgers as a contender for the College Football Playoff.

Iowa has the nation’s top tight end in Noah Fant, Northwestern is coming off its second 10-win season in three years and Purdue is on the rise under Jeff Brohm.

Nebraska, mostly a non-factor since joining the league in 2011, is poised to make a move up after native son Scott Frost was brought home to revive the proud program.

Teams from the current East, dating to the years of the Legends and Leaders divisions, have won five straight conference championships. Ohio State, which will break in a new quarterback, is the favorite again.

Penn State has a favorable schedule and a quarterback who’s passed for more than 3,500 yards two straight years.

Michigan State returns a bevy of skilled players from last year’s 10-win team.

Michigan, winless against Ohio State and 1-2 against Michigan State the last three years, is looking for more in year four under Jim Harbaugh.

“The West will be the most competitive it’s been since the Big Ten has been split up geographically,” said Big Ten Network analyst and former coach Gerry DiNardo, who also noted facility upgrades across the West, Brohm’s fast start and how Frost’s hiring has energized Nebraska fans.

The East is the flashpoint for off-the-field issues this preseason. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is on administrative paid leave while his handling of domestic violence allegations against former receivers coach Zach Smith is investigated. Maryland coach DJ Durkin is on leave amid allegations of an abusive culture in the program and the team’s failure to properly react after offensive lineman Jordan McNair fell ill during a May 29 workout and later died.