Bret Bielema's Calls Out an SEC Team, EA Sports Team Ratings, and Harbaugh Included in Weiss Lawsuit

In this episode of Big Ten Huddle, hosts JR and Zack break down the latest controversies and developments in Big Ten football. They tackle three major topics shaking up the college football landscape:

Bret Bielema’s Tampering Allegations Against Georgia (3:15 - 15:30)

JR and Zack discuss Illinois coach Bret Bielema’s claims that Georgia tampered with former Illini running back Josh McCray during the spring transfer portal cycle. Bielema hinted at foul play on The Triple Option podcast, noting McCray’s swift move to Georgia just 12 hours after entering the portal. The hosts analyze the implications of tampering in college football and whether Bielema’s public call-out will spark further NCAA scrutiny.

EA Sports College Football 25 Team Rankings (16:00 - 30:45)

The hosts dive into the newly released EA Sports College Football 25 overall, offensive, and defensive team rankings, with a focus on Big Ten teams. They debate how teams like Illinois, Michigan, and others stack up, highlighting Arizona State’s ratings as discussed in the Sun Devils Insider Podcast. JR and Zack also explore how these virtual rankings reflect real-world expectations for the 2025 season.

Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel in Hacking Lawsuit (31:10 - 45:20)

The episode wraps up with a deep dive into the hacking lawsuit against former Michigan assistant coach Matt Weiss, now implicating former head coach Jim Harbaugh and athletic director Warde Manuel. The hosts discuss allegations that Harbaugh knew of Weiss’s unauthorized access to private information in 2022 but allowed him to coach in a College Football Playoff game. They explore the potential fallout for Michigan’s program and its leadership.

Additional Notes:

The hosts share their takes on how these stories reflect broader trends in college football, including the evolving landscape of NIL, transfer portal dynamics, and off-field controversies.

Listener questions from X are addressed at 46:00, focusing on fan reactions to Bielema’s outspokenness and Michigan’s legal troubles.

Stay tuned for next week’s episode, where JR and Zack will preview Big Ten media days!

Links and Social Media:

Follow us on X: @TheBigTenHuddle

Email us: [email protected]

Check out The Triple Option podcast for more on Bielema’s comments: The Triple Option

Explore EA Sports College Football 25 rankings: EA Sports Official Site

For updates on the Michigan lawsuit, visit: Sports Illustrated

Contact Us: Have feedback or topics you’d like us to cover? Reach out via X or email!

Additional Notes

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The Big Ten Huddle is a podcast dedicated to providing honest, humorous, and insightful analysis of Big Ten football and basketball. With a focus on challenging the national bias, especially against the SEC, hosts JR and Zack offer unfiltered discussions that engage fans of all Big Ten teams. Though critical at times, they always aim to defend the conference and give credit where it’s due, bringing humor and deep analysis together for a unique listening experience.

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