Big Ten media days were eagerly anticipated by USC fans this summer, given that the Trojans will enter the conference next year. However, real life and the course of current events took the focus of the college sports world elsewhere.
Colorado, the fate of the Pac-12, and a new round of realignment moves overshadowed everything which happened at Big Ten media days in Indianapolis.
Buckeyes Wire and Nittany Lions Wire covered notable stories, but they didn’t make a national splash because of the Pac-12’s existential crisis.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day addressed the topic of where the OSU-Michigan game will exist on the calendar in future Big Ten football schedules.
(h/t Phil Harrison of Buckeyes Wire)
“Remember, Day isn’t a native to this rivalry. He isn’t an Ohio guy but is from New Hampshire. Don’t get me wrong. He’s fully embraced all things Ohio State and we keep saying and believing he’s the right guy for the job despite the last two losses to TTUN. However, I don’t know that Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, Woody Hayes, and certainly, Earle Bruce, would even entertain messing with the calendar of The Game.
“And based on comments Day made further, it sure sounds like there are conversations already taking place.
“’I know they’re talking about it, I just don’t think any hard decisions have been made, and I don’t think they’re gonna be made here real soon,’ continued Day. ‘I just want to be part of those conversations.’”
James Franklin of Penn State commented on Big Ten scheduling.
(h/t Brad Wakai of Nittany Lions Wire)
“There’s going to be some things that are gained, and there’s going to be some things that are lost. But I think for the most part, the benefits will outweigh those things. You talk about some of the historical games and some of the exciting games that have been played and opponents, I think for the most part, those will still happen, but there will be some times where there’s different teams or a lack of a team on your schedule that you’re used to playing.”
These comments would ordinarily have made news in the college sports world, but with Colorado leaving the Pac-12 and joining the Big 12 to usher in another round of realignment, these stories from USC’s future conference didn’t make a big dent in the college sports news cycle this week.
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