2023 Big Ten media days: How the media ranked the Big Ten West Division
The arrival of Big Ten media days in Indianapolis gives USC fans a chance to see what’s going on in their future home. Last summer, USC and UCLA made their “B1G” move on June 30. When Big Ten media days were held just weeks later, no one knew if Oregon and Washington would also join the Big Ten. Realignment dominated the conversation, to the extent that USC’s Big Ten identity was harder to pin down.
Now we have 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules which include USC. The Big Ten does not seem likely to continue to expand in the near future. USC in the Big Ten is beginning to feel more like home, but the Trojans do have to wait one more year.
At any rate, Big Ten media days certainly feel different for USC fans this year. Let’s look at the preseason Big Ten media poll for the Big Ten West Division, keeping in mind that divisions will not exist in 2024 when USC joins:
NORTHWESTERN, 38 POINTS
This will be a brutal year for a hollowed-out, disgraced, depleted, and dispirited Northwestern program reeling from the hazing scandal which took down coach Pat Fitzgerald and is creating a transfer portal exodus.
PURDUE, 89 POINTS
Purdue starts over under first-year head coach Ryan Walters, who was previously Illinois’ defensive coordinator. Previous head coach Jeff Brohm is now at Louisville.
NEBRASKA, 116 POINTS
Matt Rhule, who very nearly led Baylor to the College Football Playoff in 2019, begins his much-anticipated rebuild in Lincoln with the Huskers.
Get more Nebraska news, analysis and opinions at Cornhuskers Wire.
ILLINOIS, 152 POINTS
Illinois made major news the other day when it hired former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as a defensive analyst for this season.
MINNESOTA, 176 POINTS -- 1 FIRST-PLACE VOTE
Can P.J. Fleck win the West? He has had chances but has not been able to break through with the Golden Gophers.
IOWA, 232 POINTS -- 16 FIRST-PLACE VOTES
Iowa has a manageable schedule. Can Kirk Ferentz take advantage? Many voters in the Big Ten preseason media poll think he will. The offense’s limitations might get in the way.
Get more Iowa news, analysis and opinions at Hawkeyes Wire.
Check out our summer podcast series with Hawkeyes Wire, part of our USC Big Ten Tour.
WISCONSIN, 233 POINTS -- 20 FIRST-PLACE VOTES
One point separated Wisconsin and Iowa in the poll voting. Voters were basically split between the Badgers and Hawkeyes. First-year head coach Luke Fickell brings a stellar track record to Madison.
Get more Wisconsin news, analysis and opinions at Badgers Wire.
