A primary storyline at 2024 Big Ten media days has been the conference’s West Coast newcomers, highlighted by the Oregon Ducks.
The Ducks are expected to contend to win the conference in 2024. They enter the season ranked No. 3 in the nation in ESPN’s SP+ and are the popular No. 2 pick in the Big Ten behind only Ohio State. The consensus is that the Ducks are well-equipped to avoid any growing pains upon joining the now-18-program conference.
Related: The 6 most likely scenarios for Wisconsin’s 2024 football season
Head coach Dan Lanning and his program are not shying away from the spotlight at Big Ten media days. It made its presence known from the start — first by sending a large inflatable Oregon Duck down the White River through downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
Lanning addressed that move, saying “I hope we get to take that big floating duck to all our away games.”
Connecting the dots, Lanning and the top-ranked Ducks are set to visit the Wisconsin Badgers on Nov. 16. That is a few months before Lake Mendota and Lake Monona freeze for the winter, allowing Oregon the opportunity to execute Lanning’s goal.
The Oregon Duck has arrived in Indianapolis for #B1GMediaDays! 😅#B1GFootball x @TheOregonDuck pic.twitter.com/cpL1quw4Lk
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 23, 2024
Wisconsin will need to play a near-perfect defensive game to contend with star quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the high-flying Oregon offense. That defense may begin with ensuring that no inflatable ducks make it on to either lake in the city in advance of the game.
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