Save USC vs Notre Dame, Ferentz Needs RESPECT, Bryce Underwood QB1? | Big Ten Media Days Day 3 Recap

In this episode of The Big Ten Huddle, hosts JR and Zack break down the highlights from Day 3 of the 2025 Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, covering Iowa, UCLA, Purdue, Michigan State, USC, and Michigan. From Kirk Ferentz’s pursuit of Big Ten history to Lincoln Riley’s advocacy for the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, this episode is packed with insights, player updates, and bold takes on the upcoming college football season.

Topics Discussed

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz Nears History: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa’s head coach, is one win away from tying Woody Hayes for the most wins in Big Ten history. JR and Zack discuss his incredible consistency and the Hawkeyes’ upgraded quarterback room, with Ferentz noting, “The whole room is an upgrade from what we’ve had the last two years.” Mark Gronowski is the anticipated starter, but a competitive QB battle looms for 2026. Source: The Athletic

Purdue’s Massive Rebuild Under Barry Odom: First-year Purdue coach Barry Odom faces a daunting task with 54 transfers and only one returning starter. The Boilermakers’ roster includes 82 transfers or freshmen, and they’ll take on three 2024 playoff teams: Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Indiana. JR and Zack analyze Odom’s strategy to rebuild the program. Source: FOX Sports

UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava on His Tennessee Exit: UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava addressed misconceptions about his spring transfer from Tennessee, emphasizing family and his goal to “bring a championship back to Westwood.” JR and Zack explore how Iamaleava’s leadership could elevate the Bruins. Source: On3

Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith on Retention: Coach Jonathan Smith highlighted the importance of retaining players and coaches, noting “leaps and bounds” in progress from year one to year two at Michigan State. The hosts discuss how this stability could impact the Spartans’ 2025 season.

Lincoln Riley on USC-Notre Dame and Automatic Qualifiers: USC coach Lincoln Riley passionately advocated for preserving the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, citing it as a reason to adopt automatic qualifiers in the College Football Playoff. JR and Zack debate the implications for USC’s schedule and the broader playoff format. Tweet from Brett McMurphy

Michigan’s Derrick Moore vs. Sherrone Moore on Ohio State’s Title: Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore questioned the legitimacy of Ohio State’s national championship, while coach Sherrone Moore gave credit, saying, “They won the national title. They were the best team.” The hosts unpack this intra-conference tension and what it means for the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. Tweet from Brett McMurphy

Useful Timestamps

Intro and overview of Big Ten Media Days Day 3

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz and the QB room upgrade

Purdue’s Barry Odom and the transfer-heavy roster

UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and his championship vision

Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith on team retention

Lincoln Riley on USC-Notre Dame and playoff qualifiers

Michigan’s conflicting views on Ohio State’s title

Closing thoughts and listener Q&A

Additional Notes

The episode dives into the evolving dynamics of the Big Ten, with new faces like Nico Iamaleava at UCLA and Barry Odom at Purdue shaking up the conference.

JR and Zack answer listener questions from the YouTube live chat, offering predictions on how these teams will fare in the 2025 season.

For more Big Ten insights, check out our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts and follow our live shows on YouTube.

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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!