STORYLINES AT BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS
Behind Fitzgerald, Northwestern has chance to return to Big Ten title game; Illinois still trying to find its identity
One year ago at Big Ten media days, Northwestern and Illinois focused on progress within their program. But this year, it’ll be different. While one continues to preach optimism and patience with a young roster, the other
will be riding the high of being the reigning West Division champs.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know who is who.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Northwestern’s $270 million Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center was a “big step forward” for the football program, and, by golly, he meant it.
Northwestern went on to win its division and beat Utah in the Holiday Bowl. Granted, several of the Wildcats’ victories last season were a coin flip.
It’s not impossible for Northwestern to repeat as division champs, especially with the exciting potential of Clemson transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson. But the Wildcats have to get through a tougher schedule, including games against Ohio State at home and road games against Stanford, Wisconsin and Nebraska.
While things are looking up in Evanston, this season is expected to be more or less the same as the last few years in Champaign.
In a Big Ten football media poll released by cleveland.com, all 34 of the beat reporters picked Illinois to finish last in the west.
Coach Lovie Smith is 9-27 over the last three seasons. Despite his team’s poor performance, Illinois continues to show faith in him. Athletic director Josh Whitman extended Smith’s contract through 2023 in December. Smith will try to say this season will be different, but Illinois fans will likely be disappointed.
Here are 10 other storylines to follow Thursday and Friday at Big Ten media days at the Hilton Chicago: