In this episode of Big Ten Huddle, hosts JR and Zack dive into three major college football topics, delivering engaging analysis for Big Ten fans. Drawing from best podcast practices outlined by platforms like Spotify for Podcasters and Apple Podcasts, we ensure a clear structure, listener interaction, and actionable calls-to-action to boost engagement. Below is a detailed breakdown of the episode, including timestamps, topics, and additional resources.

Wisconsin’s NCAA Punishment (00:04:52 - 00:12:29)

The NCAA issued Wisconsin a $25,000 fine, one-year probation, and show-cause penalties for coaches Greg Scruggs and Max Stienecker due to 139 impermissible recruiting calls in 2023. JR and Zack question the punishment’s effectiveness, calling it a “slap on the wrist” and highlighting the NCAA’s inconsistent enforcement. They discuss how this adds to the narrative of Luke Fickell struggling to adapt to the Big Ten’s competitive demands.

Justice Haynes Compares Sherrone Moore to Nick Saban (00:12:29 - 00:14:28)

Former Alabama RB Justice Haynes, now at Michigan, compared Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore to Nick Saban, citing Moore’s discipline and focus on running the ball. JR and Zack analyze whether this comparison holds, noting Haynes’ limited experience with Saban (one year) and Moore’s early tenure. They discuss Moore’s 8-5 record in 2024 and his potential to emulate Saban’s leadership style.

Reference: On3 Interview with Justice Haynes.

ESPN’s College Football Future Power Rankings through 2026 (00:14:28 - 00:44:07)

The hosts debate Adam Rittenberg’s ESPN Future Power Rankings, focusing on Big Ten teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. They question Iowa’s high ranking at #23, citing defensive losses and an aging coaching staff, and argue Michigan State at #51 is too low given their quarterback and coaching potential. JR and Zack also highlight Indiana and Illinois as teams to watch.

Listener Interaction: JR and Zack engage with fans in the YouTube comments, addressing Gopher, Wolverine, and Iowa fans (00:02:27 - 00:04:48). They respond to feedback about Iowa’s ranking and a Twitter poll about eliminating a Big Ten quarterback, humorously noting Adrian Martinez as the consensus pick (00:44:44 - 00:46:01).

Community Engagement: Fans are encouraged to join the conversation on X with #BigTenHuddle and vote on polls at @BigTenHuddle.

Podcast Best Practices: Following Spotify for Podcasters’ advice, we keep the intro concise (under 90 seconds) and include clear calls-to-action (like, subscribe, rate). Apple Podcasts’ guidelines inspired our detailed show notes with timestamps for easy navigation.

00:00:00 - 00:04:52: Intro, listener shoutouts, and episode overview

00:04:52 - 00:12:29: Wisconsin’s NCAA punishment discussion

00:12:29 - 00:14:28: Justice Haynes’ Moore-Saban comparison

00:14:28 - 00:44:07: ESPN Future Power Rankings debate

00:44:07 - 00:46:46: Twitter poll discussion and episode wrap-up

Podcast Resources: Learn podcasting tips at Spotify for Podcasters and Apple Podcasts Creators.

Big Ten Huddle Social Media:

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Share your thoughts on Wisconsin’s punishment, Moore’s comparison, or the 2026 rankings! Email us at [email protected] or DM on X. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify for daily episodes Monday through Friday by 9 AM ET, or join our live YouTube shows at 9 PM ET on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Thanks for listening—go Big Ten!

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