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INDIANAPOLIS – The giant inflatable Oregon Duck mascot meandering down the White River in Indianapolis gave it away. There was something entirely different about Big Ten Football media days this year.
The conference officially expands to 18 teams with the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington on Aug. 2, and this week’s media gathering at Lucas Oil Stadium is serving as an introduction of the Ducks, Bruins, Trojans and Huskies to their new conference brethren.
The Big Ten and the SEC, which poached Oklahoma and Texas from the Big 12, give college football two super conferences and others trying to keep up with varying degrees of success. With the four former Pac-12 teams in the Big Ten fold, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule on Wednesday staked a claim for his league.
“This is the NFL of college football,” he said of the Big Ten.
Wednesday’s second day of media appearances featured newcomers USC and UCLA. Oregon and Washington get their podium time Thursday, the same day Gophers coach P.J. Fleck brings quarterback Max Brosmer, running back Darius Taylor and linebacker Cody Lindenberg to the event.
Players both steeped in the conference’s traditions and new to rivalries spoke about how seeing fresh faces and competing in new venues will provide a spark. Strong opinions from those on the Big Ten side posited these suntanned Californians with their fancy passing games won’t be able to match the physicality and grit from the mostly Midwestern conference.
Penn State defensive lineman Dvon J-Thomas looks forward to seeing how the former Pac-12 teams will do when the gales of November come early. “They’re gonna feel this cold,” J-Thomas said. “They’re out there in sunny California, and they’re gonna feel this East Coast cold.”
Nittany Lions teammate Jaylen Reed, a versatile defensive back, expects to see footballs flying from…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/four-big-ten-newcomers-ready-043700668.html
Author : Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Publish date : 2024-07-25 04:37:00
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