Tag: Big Ten Media Days

David Braun had a clear message to Northwestern football: ‘Go attack the opportunity’

David Braun responds to questions about taking over Northwestern football as interim head coach.

David Braun, the interim head football coach at Northwestern, knows and understands that there is an uphill battle for his program this season. Complicating matters is that Braun, who has never been a head coach, opens the season in five weeks at Rutgers football.

Speaking at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday, neither Rutgers or the season opener was mentioned by Braun or the media during his press conference. Northwestern, embroiled in the fallout of a hazing scandal that took down head coach Pat Fitzgerald, was picked to finish last by the media in the Big Ten’s West division.

Braun has had to address the team, doing so against the backdrop of what is a huge scandal in college football. Asked about his message to the team in the wake of the firing of Fitzgerald, the message from Braun has been one of unity.

Braun was hired two weeks ago to be Northwestern’s head coach.

“The first thing I told them was my responsibility moving forward to give them clarity and direction. My intent was to be there to support and serve them moving forward,” Braun told reporters.

“I challenged the group. A lot of people have been impacted by decisions made, by the decisions that have been made over the course of the last couple weeks, and our guys right now in that facility are going through a lot.

“We have an opportunity to either run from that or an opportunity to truly stare that adversity in the face, stare it down, and go attack this opportunity to make this fall an incredible story that truly embodies what this team is all about. I’ve challenged them with that, and I can say that they have responded to that challenge in an absolutely inspiring fashion.”

Last season, Northwestern went 1-11, a rare down year for a program that had been overall consistent under Fitzgerald. In 17 seasons under their previous head coach, the Wildcats had 10 bowl game appearances and won five of them.

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Braun was hired by Northwestern in January to be their defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator at North Dakota State.

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Gary Danielson: 2023 Michigan football is Jim Harbaugh’s best team

Can’t wait to see him calling #Michigan games! #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s been a long time since former Purdue quarterback Gary Danielson politicked for Florida to get the opportunity to face Ohio State in the championship game following the 2006 season. Then, he drew the ire of Michigan football fans, but nearly two decades later, with CBS joining in on Big Ten media rights, the prolific color commentator will be on the call for Wolverines games this fall. And he’s a bit more high on the maize and blue now than he was back in 2006.

On Wednesday at Big Ten media days, several CBS personalities were made available to the media at a breakfast. WolverinesWire asked Danielson at his roundtable (he was the most popular of those made available) what he sees in Michigan and why it’s been getting a lot of hype lately in his eyes.

“I think there should be growth at quarterback, I think (J.J. McCarthy) should have that next step,” Danielson told WolverinesWire. “And he if he does, they’re going to be dynamic. I mean, they’ve got two running backs, receivers, they’re loaded on defense. This could be a really — I think it’s going to be Jim’s best team. And having Ohio State at home, beating them twice, I think they’re a legitimate contender.

“But I do think there’s three contenders in the conference. I really do. And then will somebody from the West pop up? I’m not sure. I don’t know if they can play to that level. We’ll see.”

So those are a series of strengths, but does he see any weaknesses? Danielson says he hasn’t delved in too deep just yet, but from what he has seen — well, the answer is clear.

“No, not that I’m aware of,” Danielson said. “Not that I’ve studied close enough yet.”

Michigan’s first game on CBS will come in Week 2 on Sept. 9 in the contest against UNLV. That game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

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Photos of Ryan Day and Ohio State players at Big Ten media days

Some of the best photos of Ryan Day and the three players at Big Ten media days Wednesday. #GoBucks

The first day of 2023 Big Ten media days has come and gone with another day set to come to a high-definition television or streaming device near you on Thursday.

Since we are an Ohio State homer site here at Buckeyes Wire, we were more interested in all of the pomp and circumstance and festivities of Wednesday than what will take place on Thursday. Although, I’m always game for an awkward Jim Harbaugh press conference so I’ll be tuning in for that tomorrow (will he wear a hat with a suit again?).

To that end, Buckeye head coach Ryan Day took his turn at the podium on the grand stage and spent more time at a smaller table with reporters afterward. He was accompanied by three OSU players, Marvin Harrison Jr., Cade Stover, and J.T. Tuimoloau, and all four were dressed to the nines.

We had photographers on hand in Indy and thought we’d share some of the best photos of the Ohio State contingent for your scrolling and viewing pleasure.

Photo gallery: The first day of two Big Ten media days

Fun first day of festivities in Indianapolis!

INDIANAPOLIS — The unofficial start of football season is here with Big Ten media days kicking off at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Half of the Big Ten contingent got their chance to meet with the media, as Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, and Rutgers all had their representatives discuss the season that was while looking forward to the upcoming 2023 campaign. What’s more, representatives from NBC, CBS, BTN, and Fox were all on-hand, with the new stations with media rights made in-roads with the conventional media.

Here are some sights from the first day of the event, with several head coaches as well as media personalities and Michigan alums who made appearances.

Ryan Day believes moving Michigan game to earlier in season is ‘worth a conversation’

How would you feel about this? #GoBucks

So, here’s something that’s sure to make waves for traditionalists and the like, and we have our sister site “Wolverines Wire” to thank for it.

The Ohio State vs. Michigan contest — somewhat affectionately known as The Game — has been steeped in emotion, high-stakes play, and maybe most importantly, tradition. You can mess with a lot of things, but putting a fly in the ointment of all things colored scarlet and gray and maize and blue is seen as almost untouchable.

One might raise some eyebrows and shake a stick at the comments Ohio State head coach Ryan Day made during Big Ten media days Wednesday.

When the topic of The Game came up and the potential to play in back-to-back weeks when the conference moves away from the division format, Day said the timing of the matchup between OSU and Michigan, should be looked at.

“I do think we should consider when we play it, just because you may end up playing them back-to-back weeks, which would be awkward,” Day said. “I know that we need to consider the tradition. But I think it’s worth a conversation because I think that’s significant just on how the season plays out.

“Where it is, I think, yeah — I think it’s worth a long discussion about where that game should be, should be placed. I think if it was the same way, as it was this past year, we’ve been playing back-to-back games, and then who knows? Maybe even playing again in the playoffs? So I just think that needs to be taken into consideration, not that we shouldn’t move it, but I think it’s worth talking about.”

Say what? I mean, yeah — just from a competitive standpoint it makes sense, but Woody and Bo might dig themselves out of the grave (rest in peace to both) if that actually came to fruition. Here is the video and audio thanks to Isaiah Hole of Wolverines Wire.

The biggest concern that would occur from moving The Game (other than outrage by fans of both programs) would be minimizing the importance of it. Day seemed to think that wouldn’t necessarily be the case.

“If both teams are in the Big Ten Championship already, could it minimize The Game? That’s my concern,” Day said. “Even if you played it Week 11, Week 10, no matter what — it’s gonna matter. But if you know you’re playing them in the Big Ten Championship game already, it could be something we haven’t experienced before, that’s all. Again, I think it’s worth the discussion.”

It’s really a fine balance between tradition and reacting to the changing landscape of college football. Would it really be that bad for the two ancient rivals to meet in back-to-back contests — and who knows — with a 12-team playoff, perhaps three matchups in one season. That would be odd for sure, but something tells me not having The Game the Saturday after eating turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie the Thursday before would feel more odd.

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.”

So does every Ohio State and Michigan fan on the planet. Can we just drop this conversation now?

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Everything Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said at Big Ten media days

The Buckeye boss spoke at Big Ten media days. #GoBucks

Wednesday was [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] football head coach [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag]’s turn at the podium to speak with the media at Big Ten media days.

There were plenty of topics the Buckeyes’ head coach talked about during his 15 minutes, including the quarterback derby, adjustments on offense, what his role will be with [autotag]Brian Hartline[/autotag] now calling plays and more.

Day was the final coach to speak on the day. While we may not have learned a lot, it was still good to see the head coach begin what feels like the official countdown to the season.

See the transcription of what Day said while he was speaking at the 2023 Big Ten media days below.

Everything Ryan Day said at Big Ten media days

Ohio State football head coach Ryan Day stepped to the podium at Big Ten media days on Wednesday. Here’s everything he said to the media.

Wednesday marked the unofficial start of the college football season, or at least the countdown to it with the kickoff of 2023 Big Ten media days. With 14 teams in the conference, the coaches now appear over two days at the podium, with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day taking his turn on Wednesday along with six other coaches.

Of course, everyone is interested in where the quarterback battle between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown is, but there were other questions Day fielded from the media throng. In case you missed any of what the head coach said we have it here for you in transcript format for your reading pleasure.

It was only about a fifteen-minute appearance, but anytime Day heads to a press conference, it has to make you excited for the start of the season.

After being shocked at the state of Rutgers football, Greg Schiano is confident in his rebuild

Greg Schiano talks about the confidence and growth of his program.

As he enters his fourth season with Rutgers football, head coach Greg Schiano believes that the product on the field as well as off of it is beginning to take shape.

Rutgers hasn’t had a winning season since 2014, which was also the last time the program made a bowl game outright. In taking over Rutgers, Schiano’s second strint back with the program sees him having to do more than just rebuild the Scarlet Knights on the field.

In fact, much of the mechanisms in and around the program needed just as much help as the actual personnel on the roster.

In the four seasons prior to Schiano’s arrival, the team went a combined 9-39. They didn’t win a game in the Big Ten during the two years before Schiano returned to the program.

“It’s a little different in our situation because I had been there 11 years before I had left, and then I’d been away for 8 years. I was a little bit shocked how much things had changed. And I’m not just talking about the athletes or the football, I’m talking about the infrastructure,” Schiano told reporters on Wednesday during Big Ten Media Days.

“So we had to really rebuild a lot of the things, whether it’s medical coverage, the way the players ate, nutrition, training, all that. You know what, I didn’t complain at all because you know when you’re taking a job what has to get done. I think we’re in a great place right now. I think our support for our student-athletes is unparalleled in college football, what we do for the players, and I’m proud to say that, and I think our guys know that.”

Rutgers certainly is trending up in terms of talent. The vaunted 2021 recruiting class is now entering its second season with the program and there is now a solid contingent of upperclassmen within the program that could be considered NFL caliber.

In fact, seven Rutgers players made the watchlist for the Shrine Bowl, a sign of the upward progress of the program.

Bult the culture and infrastructure is a key part of what Schiano is trying to build at Rutgers. He says it is paying dividends.

“It’s one of the reasons that, in this age of transfer portal and those things, our guys are staying put. The minute you say that, you might lose a guy, but I really feel like those things had to be rebuilt while simultaneously the recruiting and developing of the players in our program,” Schiano said.

“So it’s a lot to do, but certainly I feel like we’re right where we need to be moving forward.”

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Everything Illinois HC Bret Bielema said about hiring former Wisconsin DC Jim Leonhard

Bielema spoke on the Leonhard hire at Media Days:

It is still a strange headline to write: legendary Wisconsin All-American safety and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard took a job yesterday with former Wisconsin Head Coach Bret Bielema at Illinois.

He will serve as a senior analyst, working with the team to prepare for each game during the week.

Leonhard’s path had been meteoric since joining the coaching ranks. He moved from DBs coach under Paul Chryst in 2016, to defensive coordinator in 2017 — and quickly to one of the sport’s best coordinators at that. He obviously then became Wisconsin’s interim head coach after Chryst’s firing before the program elected to hire Luke Fickell.

Bielema spoke on the Leonhard hire at Big Ten Media Days earlier today. Here is his full podium answer, and separate time with select media:

2023 Big Ten media days: How the media ranked the full Big Ten this year

.@WolverinesWire beat Purdue in last year’s #B1G football title game. What’s the predicted matchup this year?

The 2023 college football season marks the end of one era in the Big Ten. The era of divisional play in the conference will come to a conclusion at the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. This year’s conference championship showdown will be the last Big Ten title game between two division champions. Next year, in 2024, the Big Ten title game will feature the teams with the two best records in the conference. USC will be part of that world, so it’s worth passing along the results of the Big Ten football preseason media poll, as gathered by Wolverines Wire.

We have given you the votes for each separate division in 2023. Now let’s give you the full 1-14 Big Ten football rankings based on point totals: