Tag: Big Ten

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dragon seats with the Big Ten conference logo on the Wisconsin Badgers team benches are seen before a game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Big Ten distributes $1.37 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024-25

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After recent expansion and success in the College Football Playoffs following the 2024 season, the Big Ten Conference announced a record $1.37 billion distribution to its 18 league members for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The Big Ten became the second conference to reach the $1 billion plateau. The Southeastern Conference announced that it had divided up $1 billion to its 16 member institutions in February. That figure represented an increase of $200 million from the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The Big Ten’s $1.37 billion largess represents an increase of $487 million from the 2023-24 fiscal year. The two primary factors were the additions of UCLA, Southern California, Oregon and Washington in August of 2024 and the participation of Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State and Penn State in the 12-team College Football Playoffs in December and January.

Ohio State defeated Notre Dame, 34-23 to win the 2024 national championship in a game played in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. The Buckeyes’ program earned a league-high $91.57 million, while Penn State, a national semifinalist in football, received $88.29 million.

All full-time members received between $76.01 million and $79.87 million, while new members Oregon and Washington took in $48.4 million and $46.7 million respectively. UCLA and USC are considered fully-vested members and earned the higher payout amounts.

–Field Level Media

Jan 17, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of a 2026 logo during media day for the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship at Miami Beach Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Report: Document details Big Ten’s 24-team CFP format plan

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Big Ten didn’t get its wish of a 24-team College Football Playoff field starting in 2026, but that isn’t deterring the conference from pushing for its goal.

The Big Ten reportedly shared an internal document detailing how it sees a 24-team CFP playing out with the conference’s athletic directors and head coaches. ESPN also received a copy of the document, reporting on the details.

The document, which the conference is referring to as the “24 team CFP Format Compromise,” wants to see the CFP expand to 16 teams for 2027 and 2028 and to 24 teams no later than the 2029 season.

The Southeastern Conference reportedly was willing to grow the field to 16 teams for the upcoming season, but the Big Ten would only agree if the SEC agreed to a future 24-team playoff in the near future — which the SEC refused to do.

In the proposed 16-team format, there would be five automatic bids and 11 at-large spots. The bottom four teams would play the second weekend of December, No. 13 vs. No. 16 and No. 14 vs. No. 15.

There would then be six on-campus games in the next round, with the top-two seeds earning byes to the quarterfinals held at traditional New Year’s Six bowl locations on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

That would align with a mid-January national title game, much like it has the last few seasons. It would maintain conference championship games the first weekend of December.

Those would not remain in the proposed 24-team format, which would not have any automatic bids, according to the Big Ten’s vision.

Instead of conference title games, the top eight teams would receive byes while the remaining 16 would play on-campus games, ideally the second weekend of December.

That would be followed by eight more on-campus second-round games, hosted by the eight teams who earned first-round byes.

Like the current format, quarterfinals would be played around New Year’s, semifinals the following week and a mid-January national championship would follow.

The Big Ten also believes that regular-season rematches should be avoided in this 24-team format, although conference opponents who didn’t face off that season could be paired up for opening-round games.

Much of the Big Ten’s desire for a larger playoff stems from its belief that a larger field would allow for more room for error.

“In today’s transfer portal/player movement era, teams may lose a game or two early and gel together later in the season — more playoff opportunities late provides an appropriate safety net,” the Big Ten’s document said.

The debate about expansion will rage without a likely resolution in the coming months. ESPN has mandated a Dec. 1 deadline in order for the 2027 CFP format to be finalized.

–Field Level Media

Reports: No CFP expansion decision with Friday deadline looming

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With the deadline for College Football Playoff expansion next season approaching on Friday, there is still no resolution after a Sunday meeting of CFP’s leadership in Miami, according to reports.

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey hold much of the power over CFP expansion because of a memorandum of understanding signed by all 10 FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua, who make up the CFP management committee.

Petitti reportedly wants to expand to a 24-team field, while Sankey and the SEC prefer adding four more teams to create a 16-team format. Although there is reportedly support within the committee for a move to a 16-team field, Petitti will not agree to this starting in 2026 unless Sankey agrees to move to a 24-team field starting in 2029, according to an ESPN report.

If the two sides cannot agree on a new format by Friday, the 2026 College Football Playoff will stay with 12 teams.

“Still more work to do,” Petitti told reporters as he left Sunday’s meeting.

A 24-team College Football Playoff would eliminate the need for conference championship games, which is reportedly a sticking point for Sankey and the SEC.

–Field Level Media

Big Ten title, No. 1 playoff spot on line for Indiana, Ohio State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Never before in the 15-year history of the Big Ten Championship Game has there been more at stake than when No. 1 Ohio State plays No. 2 Indiana on Saturday.

This is the first time since its inception in 2011 that both teams enter the championship game undefeated with 12-0 overall marks and 9-0 conference records.

The closest comparison would be last season when top-ranked Oregon puts its perfect record against No. 3 and once-beaten Penn State. The Ducks won 45-37.

While the winner on Saturday will get the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, Ohio State coach Ryan Day feels the loser should still be ranked among the top four.

“I think both deserve a first-round bye,” he said. “(But) I think it’s important to win this game and be the No. 1 seed. Everything matters.”

Counterpart Curt Cignetti is not so sure. He doesn’t feel the loser is guaranteed a top-four spot.

“I don’t expect any handouts,” he said. “We’ve earned everything up until this point and we’ve got to earn it on Saturday.”

That’s all from the team standpoint. On the personal level, the winner of the Heisman Trophy may be decided between quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza of Indiana and the Buckeyes’ Julian Sayin.

Mendoza has passed for 2,758 yards with 32 touchdowns and five interceptions. He will go against the best scoring defense (7.8 points per game) and total defense (203.0 yards) in the nation under first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and led by All-American safety Caleb Downs.

“My job is to stick to the process against a fantastically-led defense by Coach Patricia and Caleb Downs,” Mendoza said. “We just need to stick to the process and stick to what’s gotten us to this point.”

Downs sees a leader in Mendoza, who has guided the Hoosiers to the second-best scoring offense (44.3) and No. 5 total offense (483.8).

“He can see the field well, which puts them in the right position,” Downs said. “Their running backs are running hard and their receivers are making plays.”

Sayin showed his mettle against Michigan last Saturday in the California native’s first game played in snow. After an incompletion and interception on his first two throws, he completed 19 of his final 24 for 233 yards and three touchdowns in the 27-9 victory.

It helped that receivers Carnell Tate (five catches, 82 yards, touchdown) and Jeremiah Smith (3-30-1) returned from injuries just in time and will be available again Saturday.

Sayin has passed for 3,065 yards and 30 touchdowns against five interceptions while having the top completion percentage nationally (78.9%).

“I really respect Julian. He is so effective and he fits the offense perfectly,” Mendoza said. “Every QB prides himself on completion percentage and his completion percentage is out of this world.”

Ohio State has not won a Big Ten title since the COVID season of 2020. Indiana’s last championship came in 1967.

Day credits Cignetti in his second season at Indiana for the program’s rise to prominence.

“Look at what he’s done,” Day said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s put on the field. I mean, this is a really good team and it’s going to be a great atmosphere.

“I know our guys are looking forward to going to Indy. It’s been a long time. So, we’re going there to win the game against a great opponent.”

–By Craig Merz, Field Level Media

Matt Rhule brings Nebraska ‘home’ to face pupil, Penn State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

TJ Lateef and Ethan Grunkemeyer have been thrust into important roles and found some good fortune last week.

The quarterbacks at the center of the Big Ten matchup between Nebraska and Penn State on Saturday in University Park, Pa., look for more of the same with the regular season winding down.

Lateef made his first career start on Nov. 8 — prior to the bye week for Nebraska (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) — with starting QB Dylan Raiola out for the season with a broken leg. A true freshman, Lateef went 13-of-15 for 205 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-21 win over UCLA.

“I want him to go there and let it rip,” said Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule, a former linebacker at Penn State. “Sometimes the second game you start to — no, don’t overthink too much. Just go out there and play.”

Grunkemeyer prepares for his fifth start for Penn State (4-6, 1-6) under similar circumstances. Starter Drew Allar was lost for the season with a knee injury before Penn State fired head coach James Franklin.

The redshirt freshman threw two touchdown passes in last week’s 28-10 win over Michigan State that snapped a six-game losing streak.

There is less drama simmering around Rhule’s return to Happy Valley. The Nebraska coach was immediately connected to the vacancy at Penn State because of his connection with current Nittany Lions AD Patrick Kraft, who hired him as head coach at Temple.

Rhule knows Penn State interim coach Terry Smith pretty well, too.

“I hired him out of Gateway High School, and he was on my first staff at Temple. I have a lot of respect for him,” Rhule said.

But Rhule isn’t leaving Nebraska for Penn State, not after signing a contract extension to stay in Lincoln. He said he “doesn’t have very many” emotions about his trip “home” on Saturday.

“It’s just different for me because I’ve been back so many times,” Rhule said. “The only things I feel is my grandfather had season tickets at Penn State and he’s no longer living. My grandmother’s no longer living. Just the people who poured into me and meant a lot to me in my life, they won’t be there for this.”

Grunkemeyer was only asked to throw the ball 13 times against the Spartans, as the Nittany Lions leaned on their rushing game. Kaytron Allen ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while Nicholas Singleton chipped in with 56 yards on the ground.

“We do know in our keys to victory every week is for Kaytron and Nick to touch the ball,” Smith said, “and if they’re touching the ball, that means we’re going to get closer to that goal.”

Nebraska has a dynamic backfield threat of its own in Emmett Johnson, who posted 129 yards rushing and 103 receiving against UCLA. Johnson, who accounted for three touchdowns in that win, is aiming for his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game and his seventh overall this season.

The Cornhuskers are 4-1 against the Nittany Lions since joining the Big Ten, including a 30-23 triumph in the last meeting in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Northwestern prowling for bowl bid, welcomes Minnesota to Wrigley

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck holds a special place in his heart for Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Fleck, who grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago, will revisit the historic landmark when Minnesota (6-4) visits Northwestern (5-5) on Saturday afternoon.
The game will take place at the Cubs’ 111-year-old stadium, where Northwestern also played last week as its new stadium is constructed about 15 miles north in Evanston, Ill.

The Golden Gophers secured bowl eligibility and are attempting to improve their postseason standing with two games to go. Meanwhile, the Wildcats need one more win to become bowl eligible for the second time in the past three seasons.

Both teams hope to bounce back from disappointing losses.

Minnesota is coming off a 42-13 loss on the road against No. 8 Oregon. The Golden Gophers fell behind 28-6 at the half and never threatened to make a comeback.

Fleck pointed to the return of running back Darius Taylor as a bright spot in the loss. Taylor finished with 57 yards on 10 carries, and he will look to take another step forward this weekend as he prepares to face Northwestern.

“You want to make sure you give him enough, but you also want to make sure you continue to have him the rest of the year,” Fleck said. “… He just adds a different dynamic to our offense.”

Meanwhile, the Wildcats will try to regroup after a heartbreaking 24-22 loss against No. 18 Michigan at Wrigley Field last weekend. Northwestern lost on a 31-yard field goal as time expired, spoiling what had been a mostly impressive performance by the team.

Northwestern coach David Braun wants his team to focus on the remaining challenges instead of lamenting one that got away against a nationally ranked rival.

“None of us want to hear, ‘Hey, good effort, guys. You gave Michigan a run for their money,’” Braun said.

Preston Stone has passed for 1,706 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season for Northwestern.

Minnesota’s starting quarterback is Drake Lindsey. He has thrown for 1,881 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in his first season as a starter.

–Field Level Media

DC Ryan Walters, Washington primed to welcome Purdue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, Saturday’s Big Ten game against visiting Purdue will be all business.

Walters will face the Boilermakers in a reunion of sorts. He was fired as their head coach last season following a 66-0 loss to Indiana in the game for the Old Oaken Bucket.

“I’ve already had these reflection periods as far as my time there,” said Walters, who went 5-19 over two seasons in West Lafayette, Ind. “For me personally, it’s another Big Ten game that we need to play well, especially coming off of last week. The focus has been now to improve and give our guys a chance to win a ball game at home and right the wrongs of a week ago.”

Walters was referring to an ugly 13-10 defeat at Wisconsin last Saturday that knocked the Huskies (6-3, 3-3) out of the College Football Playoff conversation just after they had entered it.

Walters’ defense kept the Huskies in the game against Wisconsin, which hadn’t won a conference game all season, but they couldn’t overcome injuries to running back Jonah Coleman, wide receiver Denzel Boston and a pair of starting offensive linemen in right tackle Drew Azzopardi and center Landen Hatchett. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was pressured a season-high 21 times by the Badgers and sacked on four occasions.

“Protection,” said Huskies coach Jedd Fisch, “wasn’t as good as we wanted it.”

The Boilermakers (2-8, 0-7) have lost eight in a row, including a 34-10 defeat to No. 1 Ohio State last weekend.

Purdue has had some success against dual-threat quarterbacks like Williams, who ranks fifth in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (250.1) and has nearly 500 yards rushing.

“He’s most talented when he’s been able to move and run,” Purdue defensive coordinator Mike Scherer said. “His arm talent when he’s on the run is extremely good, too.”

The Boilermakers will be without leader rusher Devin Mockobee, who recently underwent season-ending ankle surgery.

–Field Level Media

No. 18 Michigan on playoff outfield, digs in for Northwestern at Wrigley Field

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Big Ten rivals redefine “play ball” at Wrigley Field on Saturday when Northwestern and No. 18 Michigan battle at the “Friendly Confines” in Chicago.

Michigan (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten), which moved up in the College Football Rankings from a debut at No. 21, was idle last week after holding off Purdue 21-16 two weeks ago for its third consecutive victory. The Wolverines are among 10 two-loss teams ranked outside the 12 playoff spots.

The Wolverines likely would have to run the table for playoff consideration. Michigan follows Northwestern on the schedule with a road game at Maryland and then close at home against top-ranked Ohio State.

Six days after temperatures fell below freezing and winds howled at 25-30 mph at Soldier Field for the Bears’ sixth win of the 2025 season, sun-soaked Wrigley is expected to see unseasonably warm 60-degree weather for what is officially a “home” game on Northwestern’s schedule.

The Wildcats (5-4,3-3 Big Ten) lost at USC 38-17 last Friday. Northwestern has dropped two straight after a four-game winning streak.

“The urgency with me, with the coaches, with the players is at an all-time high to make sure that we’re prepared and because when opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare, right?” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “So, you’ve got to you got to go attack it right now. And I feel like our guys are doing that.”

Sophomore Jordan Marshall ran for a career-high 185 yards and all three Michigan touchdowns in the win over Purdue. The Wolverines outgained the Boilermakers 398 yards to 276, holding Purdue to a season-low 138 passing yards.

The Wolverines average 28.1 points and 409.4 yards per game, yielding 17.2 points and 304 yards.

Freshman Bryce Underwood throws for 185.7 yards per game with seven touchdowns and three picks. Donavan McCulley has 26 catches for 383 yards and Andrew Marsh 25 for 376 yards.

Leading rusher Justice Haynes — who averages 122.4 yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns — suffered a foot injury last month and is week-to-week, Moore said. Haynes’ status is questionable for the rest of the regular season. Marshall has 729 rushing yards and eight scores.

Michigan leads the FBS with seven rushing plays of 50 yards or more, including six for touchdowns.

“Michigan is a really good football team, 7-2,” Northwestern coach David Braun said. “Coach Moore has done a great job of running the football at a high level. Young, talented quarterback starting to settle in. He is playing at a really high level.”

Northwestern was tied 14-all against USC until the Trojans scored a touchdown late in the first half. USC then scored on its first possession of the third quarter for a two-touchdown lead.

The Wildcats were outgained by USC 482-280 and allowed the Trojans to score on all six trips to the red zone.

“Ultimately, you know, we didn’t get the job done,” Braun said. “I have to do a better job coaching this team. We need to do a better job of performing on game day and I am really excited to bounce back and get back to our winning ways.”

Northwestern averages 21.9 points and 351.3 yards per game, allowing 19.1 points and 324.0 yards.

Quarterback Preston Stone averages 169.1 passing yards per game with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Griffin Wilde is the top target with 43 receptions for 593 yards and five scores.

Leading rusher Caleb Komolafe averages 80.7 yards per game with eight touchdowns.

Michigan has dominated the series, winning 13 of the last 14 meetings. Northwestern’s only win in that span was 21-14 at Michigan in 2008. The Wolverines have won 35 of the last 39 matchups.

–Field Level Media

Still No. 1, Ohio State ready for roller coaster UCLA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UCLA’s roller coaster season is on the downswing again and the Bruins picked quite the time and place to try ending another losing streak.

No. 1 Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) has been relentless in pursuit of back-to-back national championships and hits the home stretch of the regular season mindful of its form against the erratic Bruins (3-6, 3-3 Big Ten) in Columbus on Saturday.

The Buckeyes maintained their hold of the Big Ten and the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday. Ohio State’s resume is even better this season than it was at this time last year.

They lead the nation in scoring defense (7.2 points game), total defense (211.6 yards per game) and red-zone defending, allowing nine scores (five touchdowns and four field goals) in 16 attempts for 56.2%.

Junior linebacker Arvell Reese, a first-year starter who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has emerged as one of the stalwarts.

“There’s talk about him with awards, or maybe there’s talk about him in the draft. That doesn’t affect Arvell,” Ohio State coach Ryad Day said. “Arvell just focuses on what matters. It starts with a mindset but I think early in his career he could have very easily been discouraged because maybe he didn’t play as much.”

Reese leads the Buckeyes with 55 tackles and has 6 ½ sacks, second on the team.

“They have a lot of big time players and the most impressive thing is they’re playing complimentary football, playing as a team,” UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper said. “It’s good to see that can still happen. Their offense, defense, special teams, is all tied into each other; the offensive ball control and getting the defense off the field, and the defense getting the ball back for the offense and the special teams getting out there making a difference.”

The Ohio State offense is led by Heisman Trophy contenders Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith. Sayin threw for 303 yards and a 35-yard TD to Smith in the 34-10 win at Purdue on Saturday.

Smith had a career-high 10 catches for 137 yards despite extra attention because receiver Carnell Tate did not play as a precaution due to an undisclosed injury. He is expected to be available against the Bruins.

It’s been a strange season for UCLA. An 0-3 start cost DeShaun Foster his job. Skipper lost his first game then reeled of three straight wins, including Penn State, before losing to No. 2 Indiana, 56-6, and Nebraska, 28-21.

Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava may have flashbacks when he steps onto the Ohio Stadium field for a second time. Eleven months ago, he was playing for Tennessee on a 25-degree night for a CFP first-round matchup.

It didn’t go well. The Buckeyes routed the Vols 42-17 and he was 14 of 31 for 104 yards, sacked four times for 35 yards and had 20 rushes for 47 yards.

Last week, Nebraska sacked him three times and Iamaleava took a beating while rushing for a team-high 86 yards.

“Obviously, starting quarterback, you don’t want to take big hits and things like that, but if they’re going to give him running lanes, you might as well take them,” Skipper said. “I kid with him all the time, every now and then you might want to slide a little bit. But when you have a natural runner like he is, you kind of just let them go do their thing.”

–Field Level Media

No. 2 Indiana braces for Badgers after close call at Penn State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indiana realized that remaining at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff ranking was likely after rallying to win at Penn State last week while Ohio State rolled to keep wraps on the No. 1 spot.

That hasn’t kept the Hoosiers from aspiring to keep climbing in other areas as they prepare for Saturday’s home finale against Wisconsin.

“The team has always, like I said, been about pushing one another,” Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy said. “I could definitely feel it. We try not to let it get into our heads too much, because of course we’ve got to go ahead and finish the year, which is the target to the national championship. But we definitely feel that, and we appreciate it.”

Indiana (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) solidified its hold on a first-round CFP bye with a 27-24 win at Penn State, highlighted by Omar Cooper Jr.’s acrobatic touchdown catch in the back of the end zone on a pass from Fernando Mendoza.

The Hoosiers, who appear on a collision course with Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, have won just two games by single digits this season.

To Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, that goes with the territory of being a power for the second straight season.

“We’re not sneaking up on anyone anymore,” Cignetti said. “We got Iowa’s best shot at Iowa. We got Penn State’s best shot at Penn State. Oregon was obviously a big game on the road, and we’ll get Wisconsin’s best shot. So, we’ve got to have a good week of preparation.”

Wisconsin (3-6, 1-5) stopped a 10-game conference losing streak dating to last season with last week’s narrow home victory against then-No. 23 Washington.

Freshmen linebackers Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa were on the spot for the Badgers, continuing a recent trend. Catalano (27) and Posa (24) have collected the most total tackles for the team over the past two games since entering the starting lineup.

Badgers coach Luke Fickell especially lauded Posa’s “competitive spirit” and its impact on a 13-10 win against Washington, including a forced and recovered fumble that put Wisconsin in position for its lone touchdown.

“There’s guys that work hard and those guys, when the ball goes down, just have this competitive nature to them that continue to rise to what they do,” Fickell said. “And I think that’s just where he is. … He’s just a guy that has a lot of confidence in what he does.”

Wisconsin also may rely on a freshman to lead a fledgling attack. Punter Sean West finished as the Badgers’ leading passer against Washington, as freshman Carter Smith went 3-for-12 for eight yards in relief of injured starting quarterback Danny O’Neil.

Smith or Hunter Simmons appears likely to get the start under center.

“Either way, we know we got to be able to throw the ball down the field,” Fickell said. “We know we’ve got to be able to do the things that whether Carter or Hunter can do, but the things that we need to do to make sure that we’re not just completely one-dimensional. So we got a lot of work to do.”

Indiana has won two straight in the series on the heels of Wisconsin’s 10-game winning streak from 2005-17.

–Field Level Media