The Big Ten’s media days opened Tuesday in Chicago, marking the start of a week‑long series of briefings that will shape the narrative around the conference’s upcoming football season. Journalists, coaches and analysts gathered to discuss expectations, key storylines and the early betting lines that have already begun to circulate.
Preseason Outlook
According to the latest preseason polls from Cleveland.com and USA Today, Ohio State emerges as the clear favorite, collecting the most overall votes and the highest number of first‑place selections. The Buckeyes are followed by Oregon and Indiana, while the Iowa Hawkeyes are projected to finish eighth in the league.
Iowa’s placement reflects a mixture of optimism and caution. The Hawkeyes earned three spots on the preseason All‑Big Ten team, with defensive back Zach Lutmer and offensive linemen Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck receiving the honors. Their inclusion signals that the program’s core talent is being recognized by the conference media.
The conversation around individual accolades also dominated the discussion. Ohio State’s freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith is the early favorite for offensive player of the year, while Minnesota’s Anthony Smith leads the vote for defensive player of the year. Several other names, including Oregon’s defensive standouts, are also being mentioned as potential contenders.
Beyond the rankings, the data reveals a competitive balance across the league. Purdue is slated to finish at the bottom of the standings, while the defending national champion Indiana is projected to land third. The spread of votes suggests that the conference’s power dynamics could shift dramatically once the season unfolds.
Coaches will have their first chance to address the media on the opening day, with Iowa’s long‑time head coach Kirk Ferentz scheduled to speak on the first day of events. His remarks are expected to focus on the team’s preparation, the development of the All‑Big Ten honorees and the broader goals for the Hawkeyes.
Overall, the preseason buzz sets a high bar for excitement, with fans eager to see how the predicted order will translate into on‑field results. As the schedule unfolds, each game will be scrutinized for its impact on the conference hierarchy and the individual narratives that have already begun to take shape.