In this episode of The Big Ten Huddle, JR and Zach tackle three pivotal topics shaping the 2025 college football season, with a focus on the Big Ten conference. They also announce a significant update: the podcast is joining the Believe Network, resulting in two weekly episodes (news on Mondays, team previews on Tuesdays) while maintaining the YouTube live stream format. The hosts reaffirm their mission to challenge the perceived SEC bias in national media and provide in-depth Big Ten analysis, engaging listeners with humor and listener interaction.

House vs. NCAA Settlement

Overview: The settlement, finalized on June 6, 2025, allows schools to pay athletes up to $20.5 million annually, funded from athletic revenue, and includes a $2.8 billion back-pay fund for athletes since 2016 (The Athletic). An NIL clearinghouse (“NIL Go”) ensures fair market value, aiming to curb “pay-for-play” deals.

Implications: Roster limits will phase out walk-ons, with current players grandfathered. Administrative challenges and potential legal disputes over the clearinghouse are anticipated.

Big Ten Impact:

Winners: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, USC, Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington, and Indiana benefit from strong markets and fan bases. For example, Indiana doubled its football spending from 2023 to 2024.

Potential Losers: Rutgers, Maryland, Purdue, Northwestern, and Minnesota face challenges due to market competition or inconsistent revenue.

Controversy: Critics, including the Department of Justice, argue the settlement’s revenue cap may violate antitrust laws, and smaller conferences feel burdened by funding contributions (Forbes).

Evan Stewart’s Injury

Details: Oregon’s star wide receiver Evan Stewart is out for the 2025 season, a major blow to the Ducks’ offense.

Impact on Oregon: Stewart was a key playmaker, and his absence leaves Oregon reliant on freshmen (e.g., DeCorey Moore, Jeremiah McClellan) and transfers (e.g., Malik Benson). Early-season chemistry issues with a new quarterback (likely Dante Moore) and running back are expected, especially against defenses like Penn State’s.

Outlook: Oregon’s quick-distribution offense should adapt, but the first half of the season may be challenging.

ESPN FPI and SEC Bias

Criticism: ESPN’s FPI ranks SEC teams (Texas, Georgia, Alabama) above Big Ten teams (Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon), prompting accusations of bias. The hosts argue FPI relies on outdated recruiting rankings and preseason data, ignoring actual performance (e.g., Ole Miss’s high ranking despite losses).

Big Ten Perspective: SEC teams are seen as overrated due to NFL draft losses, while Big Ten teams like Ohio State and Michigan have comparable returning production. The hosts suggest FPI adjustments post-week 3 or 4 using real game data.

Debate: The perceived bias may reflect ESPN’s promotion of SEC teams, though quantifying bias is complex due to unmeasurable factors like coaching and culture.

Podcast Network Announcement and Listener Engagement

Bleav Network: The podcast’s move to the Believe Network enhances its reach, with no changes to YouTube live streams.

Listener Interaction: JR and Zach respond to live chat comments (e.g., from Philip, Max, Mitch), encouraging subscriptions and follows on social media platforms like X and Instagram.

Best Practices Applied: Titles are concise (60-80 characters), keyword-rich, and avoid clickbait, per podcasting guidelines (The Podcast Space). The summary is brief, and notes are detailed with timestamps for accessibility.

Keywords for SEO: Big Ten, NCAA Settlement, Evan Stewart, Oregon Ducks, ESPN FPI, SEC Bias, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, USC, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington, Indiana, Rutgers, Maryland, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Dante Moore, DeCorey Moore, Jeremiah McClellan, Malik Benson.

Listener Engagement: The hosts’ casual style, humor (e.g., addressing a “suspension” rumor), and live chat interaction foster a loyal audience.

Believe Network: Believe Network

The Big Ten Huddle X: Big Ten Huddle X

The Big Ten Huddle Instagram: Big Ten Huddle Instagram

Podcast Platforms:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

YouTube

X: @TheBigTenHuddle

Email: [email protected]