Big Ten Media Days 2023 schedule, storylines to watch for this year
A key date on the college football preseason calendar has arrived as the Big Ten meets up for the annual Media Days event, bringing together coaches and players with members of the media to answer questions about the season to come and give fans a preview of what to expect as teams move into fall camp across the country.
Media members revealed their preseason football rankings prior to the event and, as expected, it's defending Big Ten champion Michigan that earned the most votes to repeat and take the crown in what would be the third straight season. Ohio State came in second place, followed by Penn State in preseason predictions.
Related: Big Ten football power rankings for 2023 season
This year finds the Big Ten at a historic crossroads as the conference prepares to welcome USC and UCLA to its ranks starting in the 2024 football season, opening a new era of expanded conference realignment, and helping the league sign what is the most valuable media rights contract in college sports.
Big Ten Media Days schedule
When: July 26-27
Day 1 time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. ET
Day 2 time: 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
When each school takes the stage
All times Eastern
Wednesday, July 26
10:30 a.m.: Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti opens Media Days
Illinois (11 a.m.): Head coach Bret Bielema, defensive lineman Jer'zhan Newton, defensive lineman Keith Randolph, Jr., wide receiver Isaiah Williams
Iowa (11:15 a.m.): Head coach Kirk Ferentz, defensive back Cooper DeJean, tight end Luke Lachey, linebacker Jay Higgins
Michigan State (11:30 a.m.): Head coach Mel Tucker, guard J.D. Duplain, linebacker Cal Haladay, wide receiver Tre Mosley
Northwestern (11:45 a.m.): Interim head coach David Braun will attend alone after NU players said they will not appear, saying, in part, "we did not want our participation to be dominated by the hazing issue and steal the focus away from football and the upcoming season."
Ohio State (12 p.m.): Head coach Ryan Day, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr., tight end Cade Stover, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau
Penn State (12:15 p.m.): Head coach James Franklin, safety Keaton Ellis, offensive lineman Olu Fashanu, defensive Adisa Isaac
Rutgers (12:30 p.m.): Head coach Greg Schiano, linebacker Deion Jennings, tight end Johnny Langan, defensive lineman Aaron Lewis
Thursday, July 27
Indiana (11 a.m.): Head coach Tom Allen, linebacker Aaron Casey, running back Jaylin Lucas, defensive back Noah Pierre
Maryland (11:15 a.m.): Head coach Mike Locksley, running back Roman Hemby, defensive back Tarheeb Still, quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa
Michigan (11:30 a.m.): Head coach Jim Harbaugh, running back Blake Corum, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, cornerback Mike Sainristil
Minnesota (11:45 a.m.): Head coach P.J. Fleck, wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell, defensive back Tyler Nubin, tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford
Nebraska (12 p.m.): Head coach Matt Rhule, guard Ethan Piper, linebacker Luke Reimer, quarterback Jeff Sims
Purdue (12:15 p.m.): Head coach Ryan Walters, quarterback Hudson Card, defensive back Sanoussi Kane, wide receiver TJ Sheffield
Wisconsin (12:30 p.m.): Head coach Luke Fickell, running back Braelon Allen, quarterback Tanner Mordecai, linebacker Marma Njongmeta
Storylines to watch for
The new guy: This preseason marks the first for new Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, and at quite an interesting time for the conference, fresh as it is off the major $7 billion media deal it just signed, and there are questions about the logistical issues to come when its two Los Angeles-based members join next summer.
Hazing: The biggest story around the Big Ten this offseason was the revelation of a hazing culture and sexual assault claims in the Northwestern football program and an investigation that resulted in the departure of long-time coach Pat Fitzgerald, what are already a series of lawsuits, and more appear to be coming. All eyes are on David Braun, the Wildcats' interim coach, to do his best answering questions about things that allegedly happened before he even arrived at the school.
Harbaugh: Media Days opens up after revelations that the Michigan coach will serve a four-game suspension to start the season after the NCAA said he gave them misleading information during their investigation into alleged recruiting violations. It's not ideal, but given those first four games should be easy wins for a Big Ten title contender, the team shouldn't suffer too much from his absence. And what a team it is, returning its offensive core, a secondary stacked with game-changing talent, and a front seven that should be able to get to the quarterback.
Gambling: It was revealed that Hawkeyes defensive lineman Noah Shannon was one of 26 Iowa athletes under investigation for possible NCAA violations relating to sports wagering. Shannon was originally slated to appear at Media Days for Iowa before those revelations came out, but he decided to stay away in order to avoid being a distraction from talking about the team. But that doesn't mean coach Kirk Ferentz won't be asked about it, among other things: namely the state of Iowa's offense, which should look better this year after adding Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara to inject some life into it.
We Are: A conference contender? There are high hopes for Penn State this season as the defending Rose Bowl champs project to have one of the more physical defensive fronts in the nation, combined with a solid blocking unit in front of some of the more gifted tailbacks in the Big Ten. Add in 5-star quarterback Drew Allar, and the Nittany Lions are in position to inch closer to Indy, provided they can beat either OSU or Michigan, or preferably both.
Husker Power: Matt Rhule has a reputation for turning around programs at the collegiate level during stints at Temple and Baylor and now he steps into Nebraska with a mandate to return to the national stage. Amid some recruiting and transfer portal gains, Rhule will now face questions about how he intends to put the pieces together and get the Cornhuskers back where they belong.
On Wisconsin: Luke Fickell steps in to lead the Badgers program and judging by his acquisitions, including offensive coordinator Phil Longo, transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai, and transfer receivers C.J. Williams and Bryson Green, among other pickups, it appears things are about to open up. The media poll projects Wisconsin will win the West Division, but first it will be nice to hear some details on how this will work.
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