NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK After tabbing Kenneth Grant as my pick for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, I turned my attention to the offensive side of the ball. Candidates: Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel Dillon Gabriel would need to play awfully for Oregon's offense not to be a force this season. That's hard to envision after he threw for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions at Oklahoma last season. He threw for 2,925 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions the year prior. Remember what Bo Nix's numbers looked like at Oregon? Imagine how they'll look for Gabriel, a clear upgrade in an offense that got even better with additions like Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart. Gabriel can do it with his legs as well, rushing for 373 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Michigan RB Donovan Edwards Donovan Edwards is finally the headliner after serving as RB2 behind Blake Corum for the last few seasons. He is a home run threat, as displayed against Washington in the CFP National Championship Game and Ohio State in consecutive seasons. Though he is a worthy candidate, it is tough to envision Edwards actually winning it unless Michigan's starting quarterback can make defenses respect his passing ability. Things could be interesting for the Wolverines if Alex Orji wins the job due to his dual-threat ability. Defending a read option against Michigan's stout offensive line with Orji or Edwards carrying the ball is a difficult way to spend a Saturday. USC QB Miller MossIf you don't trust Miller Moss' breakout performance in the Holiday Bowl against Louisville, https://www.gamedaywashington.com  look no further than Lincoln Riley's track record. He has helped Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams capture Heisman Trophies. Blind faith is reasonable when projecting what a passer will do in his system. USC's defense will need to help win games this season, or Moss will have little to no shot at the award. If the Trojans are in the mix for the Big Ten crown, there's a good chance Moss will be the frontrunner. The presence of wide receiver Zachariah Branch allows Miller to rack up passing yards on short throws that turned into big gains and bombs down the field. Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins Yes, Ohio State's running back room is a two-headed monster. But honestly, the Buckeyes not marketing Judkins as the best running back in the nation might be their way of showing respect to the returning starter. If both remain healthy, Judkins should log more carries than TreVeyon Henderson by a large margin. In this case, Judkins is even better than advertised. He emerged as one of the best running backs in the nation as a true freshman when he rushed for 1,476 yards and 16 touchdowns on 251 carries. Then he logged 1,052 yards and 15 touchdowns on 237 carries. Winner: Dillon Gabriel I slotted Oregon's offense as the best unit Washington will face this season. So projecting the Offensive Player of the Year wasn't overly difficult. Gabriel could be a game manager and have a shot at capturing this award. He's more than that, making him the favorite in my eyes. He'll have opportunities for a signature moment at home against Ohio State, on the road against Michigan and when hosting the Huskies to conclude the regular season.