Big Ten preseason polls and Tony Petitti’s letter to the NCAA gave us plenty to talk about on the eve of Big Ten Media Days.
The release of unofficial preseason polls before the start of Big Ten Media Days has become an annual tradition for writers around the conference, and this year’s polls show a media consensus that Penn State will win the Big Ten over Ohio State this year.
On a new episode of Press Coverage, we discuss why the Nittany Lions could be the team to beat in the Big Ten this year and what Drew Allar and James Franklin will need to do for Penn State to take the conference crown. We also share some of our other takeaways from the Big Ten preseason poll including Illinois’ potential to make a College Football Playoff run this season, why Washington and UCLA are intriguing middle-of-the-pack teams and why Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin Badgers face a tough road to a winning season.
The other big storyline of Big Ten Media Days eve came from a Monday morning report by ESPN’s Dan Wetzel that Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti sent a letter to the NCAA urging no further punishment for Michigan related to its sign-stealing operation. That report ensured the Michigan scandal will be a topic of discussion during Petitti’s press conference on Tuesday – which Michigan perhaps wanted – while also instantly making him an enemy for Ohio State fans.
We share our thoughts on how that report could shape the conversation around the Michigan scandal at this year’s Big Ten Media Days and discuss what we expect to see from Ohio State’s media sessions on Tuesday, which will likely include a massive crowd for Jeremiah Smith and a more comfortable vibe for Ryan Day than last year.
The full rundown for this episode of Press Coverage:
- 0:00 Why Penn State is the Popular Pick to Win the Big Ten
- 8:22 Why Illinois Could Be This Year’s Indiana and Make A CFP Run
- 12:00 Why Washington and UCLA Are Intriguing, and Why Things Look Tough for Wisconsin
- 18:36 Tony Petitti’s Letter Brings Michigan Scandal Back Into Spotlight Entering Media Days
- 22:48 Vegas Trip Will Spotlight Jeremiah Smith’s Star Power, Ryan Day’s Champion Status
