July 30, 2025

Will a Big Ten Powerhouse Face NCAA Fallout? | SEC vs. Big Ten: Is the Media War Heating Up? | Can the Big Ten Conquer These Must-Win Battles?

46 minutes

In this lively episode of The Big Ten Huddle, hosts JR and Zack tackle the latest Big Ten football storylines, blending humor and analysis for college football fans. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the episode, incorporating the provided transcript and updated discussion points:

Topics Discussed

Central Michigan’s NCAA Notice of Allegations: Will It Impact Michigan?

JR and Zack dive into the controversy surrounding Connor Stallions, who was allegedly on the sidelines of the Central Michigan vs. Michigan State game in 2023, potentially scouting for Michigan. They discuss whether this NCAA notice of allegations against Central Michigan could affect Michigan, citing concerns about "lack of institutional control" (07:51-08:01). The hosts debate if Michigan’s staff knew of Stallions’ actions or if he acted independently, and whether the NCAA will hold Michigan accountable (05:15-08:29). They express frustration with the ongoing Stallions saga, with Zack humorously calling for him to be “fired into the sun” (08:42-08:45).

Paul Finebaum’s Critique of Big Ten Media Days

The hosts react to Paul Finebaum’s appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, where he called Big Ten Media Days a “bust” and criticized Commissioner Tony Petitti for pushing a narrative against the SEC (12:04-13:30). JR and Zack counter Finebaum’s claims, arguing that the SEC feels threatened by the Big Ten’s nine-game conference schedule and Petitti’s push for four automatic CFP bids (31:48-32:05). They highlight Finebaum’s SEC bias, noting that ESPN sent reporters to both SEC and Big Ten Media Days, undermining his claim that the latter was unnecessary (32:25-32:58).

Top 10 Nonconference Games the Big Ten Must Win

JR presents a list of the 10 most critical nonconference games against Power 4 opponents for the Big Ten to assert conference supremacy in 2025 (33:14-39:14). The list includes high-stakes matchups like Texas at Ohio State (No. 1, Ohio State favored by 2.5 points) and Michigan at Oklahoma (No. 2, Oklahoma favored by 2.5 points). Zack emphasizes games like Illinois at Duke (No. 3) and Wisconsin at Alabama (No. 5) for their playoff implications, noting that losses in these games could hurt the Big Ten’s reputation (37:09-39:13). The hosts discuss how these games impact conference perception and playoff chances, with JR focusing on bragging rights and Zack on avoiding losses that weaken the middle of the Big Ten (39:11-41:06).

Useful Timestamps

00:00 - 02:30: Intro and episode overview

02:31 - 11:04: Central Michigan’s NCAA notice and potential impact on Michigan

11:05 - 32:41: Paul Finebaum’s critique of Big Ten Media Days and the SEC-Big Ten rivalry

32:42 - 44:45: Top 10 nonconference games the Big Ten must win

44:46 - 46:07: Outro and call to action (subscribe, follow, etc.)

46:08 - End: Preview of the next segment (fall camp questions, YouTube only)

Additional Notes

The episode references the ongoing Connor Stallions controversy, with JR and Zack noting his appearance in a Netflix documentary and Dave Portnoy’s defense of him (04:17-04:26). They question why some Michigan fans celebrate Stallions despite the team’s talent not needing his actions (09:52-10:54).

The hosts touch on the Big Ten-SEC rivalry, with Finebaum’s comments framed as a “media hit” driven by SEC insecurity (31:51-31:57). They cite Petitti’s push for a 4+4 CFP model (four automatic bids for Big Ten and SEC) versus the SEC’s 5+11 preference.

JR’s nonconference game list excludes Group of 5 and FCS opponents, but the hosts acknowledge viewer comments about games like Maryland vs. Northern Illinois and Washington vs. Washington State as notable (43:40-44:28).

For more on the Stallions controversy, check ESPN’s coverage or The Athletic. For Big Ten Media Days analysis, visit CBS Sports.

Connect with The Big Ten Huddle Twitter/X: @TheBigTenHuddle Instagram: @TheBigTenHuddle TikTok: @TheBigTenHuddle Subscribe: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Contact: Reach out at [email protected] for feedback or inquiries. Why Listen? This episode is packed with insights for Big Ten fans, covering everything from bold coaching statements to playoff predictions and recruiting drama. Whether you’re rooting for Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, or Penn State, JR and Zack deliver expert analysis and lively discussion to keep you informed and entertained. Don’t miss out—subscribe and join the conversation!

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