Welcome to another exciting episode of The Big Ten Huddle, your go-to podcast for in-depth Big Ten football and basketball coverage! In this episode, hosts JR and Zack break down the highlights from Day 2 of the 2025 Big Ten Football Media Days, held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. From fiery quotes to bold predictions, the episode covers Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Penn State, with a focus on key storylines shaping the 2025 college football season. Below are the key topics discussed, complete with timestamps and additional details to keep you in the loop.

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Key Topics Discussed

Viva Las Vegas!
Minnesota’s head coach P.J. Fleck kicked off Day 2 with enthusiasm, declaring, “Viva Las Vegas, baby! I actually love this city.” His energy set the tone for a vibrant media day. Follow @TheBigTenHuddle on X for more.

P.J. Fleck’s “Delusional” Playoff Hopes
Fleck encouraged his players to be “delusional” in their pursuit of College Football Playoff (CFP) dreams, emphasizing high aspirations for the Golden Gophers. He also shared that freshman Koi Perich’s recruitment came down to the wire with Ohio State. See the tweet here.

Northwestern’s Ambitious Stadium Plans
Northwestern’s David Braun made waves by claiming their new football stadium will “truly be the best football stadium in the country.” He also announced that quarterback Jack Lausch is stepping away from football to focus on baseball.

Agent Certification Proposal
Braun called for a “certification process” for agents in college athletics to address the chaotic landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Read more in this post.

Wisconsin’s Traditional Identity
Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell reaffirmed, “Wisconsin is and will continue to be a traditional football program.” He also addressed the shift from the Big Ten West, saying, “This isn’t the Big Ten West anymore... Everybody knows what they signed up for.” Check out the tweet. Fickell also discussed filing an NCAA appeal for player Nyzier Fourqurean.

Oregon’s “Double Down” Mentality
Oregon’s Dan Lanning introduced the team’s 2025 theme, “Double Down,” and took a subtle jab at Ohio State and Penn State hype, saying, “I don’t mind being the silent assassin.” He also commented on Wisconsin’s lawsuit against Miami for tampering, stressing the need for consequences. All Oregon’s NIL deals have been approved, Lanning noted. See the post.

Big Ten’s National Dominance
The hosts highlighted that three of the last four teams in the past two national championships were from the Big Ten, underscoring the conference’s strength. They also discussed the need for four automatic CFP bids to reflect the conference’s national prominence.

Jedd Fisch’s Scheduling Critique
Washington’s Jedd Fisch fired shots at the SEC, saying, “The NFL doesn’t play the CFL in the middle of the season,” advocating for a more cohesive college football schedule. Read the tweet.

Penn State’s High Expectations
Penn State’s James Franklin praised his team’s personnel, including hires like Jim Knowles and Stan Drayton, calling it the best in his tenure. He addressed national championship expectations, saying, “These are always the expectations at Penn State,” and expressed confidence in quarterback Drew Allar’s growth. Franklin also noted the unique vibe of holding Media Days in Las Vegas. See the tweet.

Additional Notes
The hosts discussed the broader implications of conference realignment, the transfer portal, and the need for a structured college football calendar. They emphasized keeping the school year focused on academics and the portal for transfers, advocating for a “national football league” approach over regional models.

Additional Notes
The episode was recorded live from Las Vegas during the 2025 Big Ten Football Media Days, July 23, 2025. For more on the event, visit BigTen.org.
JR and Zack encourage listeners to engage with the show on social media for updates and to share their thoughts on the Big Ten’s 2025 season outlook.

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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!