2025 Big Ten Media Days: Ohio State QBs, Nebraska Transfers Among Day 1 Storylines

Talking season in college football began earlier this month when the Big 12 kicked off the sport’s annual media days caravan at The Star in Frisco, Texas, where commissioner Brett Yormark and the league’s coaches were inundated with questions about implementation of the House v. NCAA settlement, potential tweaks to the College Football Playoff format and the offseason spending habits of Texas Tech. 

Next came the SEC’s turn in the spotlight, which began on Monday in Atlanta, with commissioner Greg Sankey describing his league as a "super conference" and then waxing poetic about both its strength of schedule and sphere of influence in the ongoing discussions about playoff structure. 

One week from now, on July 22, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti will have his chance to respond to everything his colleagues have said when the league begins its three-day media event in Las Vegas, a locale that reflects the conference’s coast-to-coast membership. For the second straight year, each day will feature representatives from six programs:

Day 1: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio State, Rutgers

Day 2: Minnesota, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Washington, Wisconsin 

Day 3: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA, USC

To preview the event, FOX Sports analyzed every team ahead of the 2025 campaign. Here’s what to expect from Day 1 at Big Ten Media Days: 

Illinois

Luke Altmyer #9 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after a touchdown in the first half against Northwestern. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Last year: 10-3 overall, 6-3 Big Ten
Postseason: 21-17 win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl
Head coach: Bret Bielema, fifth season, 28-22 at Illinois
Coordinators: Barry Lunney Jr. (offense); Aaron