Welcome back for another year of Big Ten football, now featuring 18 teams! These are getting as long as the basketball schedules.

All times CENTRAL. All games available nationwide unless otherwise indicated.

First, the NU game:

Miami (OH) @ Northwestern
Saturday, August 31
2:30 PM, BTN*
PxP: Lisa Byington
Color: Jared Thomas

And the rest:

Thursday, August 29

Howard @ Rutgers
5:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Jason Horowitz
Color: Matt Millen

North Carolina @ Minnesota
7:00 PM, FOX
PxP: Jason Benetti
Color: Brock Huard

Eastern Illinois @ Illinois
8:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Mark Followill
Color: J Leman

Friday, August 30

Florida Atlantic @ Michigan State
6:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Jason Ross Jr.
Color: Brock Vereen

Western Michigan @ Wisconsin
8:00 PM, FS1
PxP: Tim Brando
Color: Devin Gardner

Saturday, August 31

#8 Penn State @ West Virginia (Big Noon Kickoff)
11:00 AM, FOX
PxP: Gus Johnson
Color: Joel Klatt

Illinois State @ #25 Iowa
11:00 AM, BTN*
PxP: Mark Followill
Color: Anthony Herron

Indiana State @ Purdue
11:00 AM, BTN*
PxP: Pat Boylan
Color: J Leman

Connecticut @ Maryland
11:00 AM, FS1
PxP: Connor Onion
Color: Mark Helfrich

Akron @ #2 Ohio State
2:30 PM, CBS
PxP: Brad Nessler
Color: Gary Danielson

UTEP @ Nebraska
2:30 PM, FOX
PxP: Jason Benetti
Color: Brock Huard

FIU @ Indiana
2:30 PM, BTN*
PxP: Joe Beninati
Color: Matt Barkley

UCLA @ Hawaii
6:30 PM, CBS
PxP: Rich Waltz
Color: Ross Tucker

Fresno State @ #9 Michigan
6:30 PM, NBC
PxP: Noah Eagle
Color: Todd Blackledge

Idaho @ #3 Oregon
6:30 PM, BTN
PxP: Guy Haberman
Color: Yogi Roth

Weber State @ Washington
10:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Jeff Levering
Color: Jake Butt

Sunday, September 1

#23 USC vs. #13 LSU @ Las Vegas, NV
6:30 PM, ABC
PxP: Rece Davis
Color: Kirk Herbstreit

*These are regional telecasts; check your local listings or the BTN GameFinder.

Some players aren't suited for "Prime Time," or at least that's what the CU staff wants everyone to believe. But conversations with those who've left Boulder reveals the true nature of the culture within the Buffaloes program. A few former players have spoken anonymously to Athlon, fearing retaliation, if they went on the record.

"It's like a real-life Grand Theft Auto video game," one former player said. "There are many distractions with fights, guns, and money floating around. The environment is unlike any I’ve come from before."

Another former player went deeper into the violent incidents within CU's football program, recounting three separate alleged occurrences over the past year, each unfathomable in any normal locker room. This insight sheds light on what happened with former five-star talent Cormani McClain and why his experience in Boulder was negative.

"Cormani was taking a lot of heat from everyone," said the former player. "At the same time Coach Prime was saying he was in the doghouse and needed to improve, Cormani was getting bullied by Shilo (Sanders). After the Oregon State game, Shilo slapped him several times, which left Cormani screaming 'I'm going to kill you' repeatedly. After that, you could tell he wasn’t mentally there. It’s hard when the coaches you trust are calling you derogatory names on the practice field."

If we somehow make a bowl game, then I hope we avoid Utah this time!

Rising is risen.

We are one day away from the return of Wildcat football! @lou v and I log our Week 1 predictions.

If you are a Northwestern fan and watching the game on TV (or streaming it), you are welcome to join us for a live Zoom discussion during the game. It's a great way to share the experience with others as you watch.

One thing you should be aware of is that TV and streaming are not always in sync with real time. It is not unusual for some viewers to be 30 or 40 seconds ahead of others, which leads to an interesting dynamic during the game watch. You can often tell by the reactions of others if something good or bad is about to happen. To me, it just makes it more interesting.

I hope to see you on Zoom on Saturday @ 2:30 CT.

Topic: Zoom In-Game Discussion: Miami (Ohio) @ NU Saturday August 31 2:30 PM
Time: Aug 31, 2024 02:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 823 8989 9802
Passcode: 042411

Go 'Cats

- Astro

We are one day away from the return of Wildcat football! @lou v and I log our Week 1 predictions.

I’m heading to the game to meet a buddy. I was too late to buy through NU. Does anyone know what section the alumni section is?

Really hoping NDSU shocks the world tonight!

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A selection only. NIL is coming to NU

Saturday feels like a game that could go either way. I think I saw the line favoring us -2.5 which isn't exactly a vote of confidence from the book. I don't know about who Miami lost or gained since last season but they had an 11-win season last year including the MAC championship. They apparently lost to App State 13-9 in their bowl game but my general impression of App State is they are typically capable of fielding a very formidable team.

Just 12 seats left on the NU website, and 10 of those are the $495+ variety. Should be a great crowd for the inaugural game lakeside.

There will be a full notebook later this evening but here are my initial notes and a few premium takeaways.

Braun non-committal on all position battles: defaulted back to listing depth charts and complimenting each player for QB, OL, MLB and nickel. QB competition is Lausch and Wright, they gave them even snaps during the open portion of practice

He did make it clear that he does not have an appetite for a dual-QB system so whoever wins by Miami (OH), expect to have a vast majority of the workload.

Quarterbacks: I talked to Jack Lausch and Mike Wright. A lot of platitudes but they seem to get along well and have a lot of respect for each other. Far from an empirical method but when questions were asked to both, Wright answered first.

Both like Lujan’s system and think they fit in well. Get ready to hear plenty of “players, not plays” from any player interview we do on offense this year.

Wright said he really likes how Lujan is flexible and talks with players about which play they like or think work best, and “calling the plays [you] love”. Wright has been up in Evanston since he graduated in May. Said it was made very clear that he’d be in a battle for the starting spot in his recruitment.

Administration: I was able to talk to Pat Goss, the interim senior deputy director for athletics, on the record for a couple minutes. He took on the role on July 1 and has served as the de facto AD since.

Dr. Derrick Gragg was not associated with the core NU party of administrators, coaches and players at Media Days. He was not present today.

Goss said that since July 1 he has been in charge of the day-to-day which has opened Gragg up to focus on strategy. Goss came across very well, as he did at Media Days, saying “as a Northwestern alum and someone who has been here their whole life, I’m just honored to be here and contribute how I can.”

I asked about an AD hire timeline and said that they are moving as fast as they can and hope to have someone in place “early this fall”.

I asked if he was a candidate and he gave a polite pause then asked Sean Dennison, the Associate AD for comms, what his answer was. The result after a brief conference? “We’re keeping search information private”.

Field sponsors: the news broke this morning, the Wildcats will play at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium for the next two seasons.

Marks declined to share a budget or give insight into what percentage of funds came from the university, athletics and new fundraising. He was effusive in his praise for Braun and Schill for making it possible.

Video boards: there will be two at midfield, each angled 10 degrees to slightly face a half of the field.

Capacity: I asked Jesse Marks if there was an exact capacity and he said not yet. It’s coming in a bit less than previously rumored, he said it will be 12,000+ with the chance to expand up to 15,000 in the corners.

Nfm

Here's @mshelton33's story from the first game-week press conference of the year.

I counted around 40 players on the roster that are either true freshman or 2nd year players who did not play last year.....Any of these guys going to see the field ?

My story for WildcatReport with an overview on new athletic director Mark Jackson's deep ties to high-level football, even though he was hired from a department with an FCS program.

My story for WildcatReport with an overview on new athletic director Mark Jackson's deep ties to high-level football, even though he was hired from a department with an FCS program.

@lou v previews Miami (Ohio) and their sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert.

@lou v previews Miami (Ohio) and their sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert.

Coach Braun will not name a QB for Miami of Ohio until game day. I know the actual first play is the kick-off. The Cam Porter choice is actually the first offensive play.

Tomi A makes the Indy 53 man roster. Hoping Hull makes the practice squad.

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