Big Ten Media Days 2013: Interviews You Don't Want to Miss in Chicago

If the 2013 Big Ten Media Days are half the circus that this year's SEC Media Days were, then the interviews with players, coaches and other conference officials will be worth watching. 

Big Ten pundits will gather in Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday for the annual dog and pony show that is the conference's media days schedule, and with it, we will hopefully be given a window into a few storylines to follow before the 2013 college football season begins. 

If not, then at least college football—and Big Ten—fans will get a brief taste of the sport as we await Week 1's arrival. 

This year's Big Ten Media Days will be hosted by the Hilton Chicago. Representatives from all 12 conference teams will answer questions and remind us all why college football is one of America's greatest traditions. 

There's going to be plenty of choices when it comes to what you should focus on during the two-day event. While you decide on where you want to place your focus, here's a look at three interviewees you won't want to miss when they step up to the mic. 

2013 Big Ten Media Days Information

When: Wednesday, July 24 and Thursday, July 25

Where: Hilton Chicago; Chicago, Ill. 

Watch: Big Ten Network/ESPNU (Check local listings)

Live Stream: BTN2Go

Interviews You Don't Want to Miss

Michigan QB Devin Gardner

Gardner will be facing heavy expectations, both personally and for Michigan, when the 2013 season begins. 

Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News profiled Gardner prior to his first trip to Big Ten Media Days, and the prevailing opinion is simple: Gardner is ready to step into the spotlight for good. 

The quarterback-turned-receiver-turned-quarterback again filled in admirably for Denard Robinson after the NFL's first "offensive weapon" missed time with an injury during his senior season. Now in his final season in Ann Arbor, Gardner will be Brady Hoke's starting QB as Michigan looks to win the conference for the first time since 2004. 

Gardner got off to a hot start taking over for Robinson, going 3-0 in his first three games back under center. The Wolverines lost their final two games against Ohio State and South Carolina, but he would finish the year with over 1,200 yards passing in five games and a respectable 11-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. 

He also rushed for seven touchdowns, proving that Michigan can still use its QB in space to create matchup problems for the defense this year. 

Offseason chatter about Gardner has been positive, too. CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman heard some chatter about Gardner at Manning camp that should have Big Blue supporters chomping at the bit for the season to begin:

The 2012 numbers were solid, but Gardner will be expected to throw for more yards, more touchdowns and less interceptions in 2013. Michigan will also expect him to keep the number in the loss column low while racking up wins against conference opponents. 

We know that Gardner has a better arm than Robinson. How he handles full-time pressure, media attention and expectations as a starter is something no one can really know. 

It will be interesting to see how Gardner handles his first taste of Big Ten stardom on Wednesday and Thursday. He has been a Wolverine since 2010, but Wednesday will be his first full taste of the spotlight in the Big Ten. 

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany 

SEC commissioner Mike Slive opened up SEC Media Days with some shots at the NCAA, and if Delany does the same, then it should be a huge tell that athletic programs everywhere are planning to leave the governing body in the dust if changes aren't made soon. 

As ESPN's Brian Bennett and Adam Rittenberg discussed on Tuesday, whether or not Delany takes aim at the NCAA is one of the big talking points for the entire gathering of Big Ten representatives. 

Delany is scheduled to take the podium at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Since 1989, Delany has been in charge of the Big Ten. His oversight has helped the conference become one of the strongest in the BCS era, and the Big Ten has its own network, seven guaranteed bowl spots and a total of 14 teams (when Maryland and Rutgers join next year) to show for his efforts. 

Delany has also been a strong voice in the BCS's role with college football since its inception. 

The growing frustration over the NCAA's resistance toward change has quietly threatened to shake up the entire college sporting scene, and that includes the Big Ten.

Slive took aim at the NCAA in his address at SEC Media Days, going as far as questioning the specific role of the NCAA Board of Directors and what their purpose should be for college athletics.

If Delany joins Slive, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and ACC commissioner John Swofford's comments about the governing body on Wednesday, then he will be taking us one step closer to at least the possibility of life without the NCAA. 

Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer

What Urban Meyer should be talking about in Chicago and what he will be talking about in Chicago are two very different things. 

Meyer should be answering questions about Braxton Miller's Heisman candidacy, how he plans on improving the program in year two and what Ohio State must do to transition their 2012 success (12-0) into being a 2013 national title contender. 

Instead, he'll be answering questions about why player discipline and embarrassing off-the-field issues continue to taint the success he's had as a head coach at both Florida and Ohio State. Expect media members in attendance to mention Aaron Hernandez's name as a topic of conversation, too. 

As CBS Sports' Gregg Doyel puts it, every time you want to believe that Meyer is a stand-up guy who plays by the rules, his actions speak louder than his words. 

Assuming softball questions are off the table in Chicago, how will Meyer address concerns that he gives his players a free pass with very little threat of discipline in college?

On Monday, Ohio State "disciplined" four players in connection to various illegal activities. That list includes running back Carlos Hyde and cornerback Bradley Roby, the latter of whom was scheduled to attend Big Ten Media Days but will now be replaced. 

In the school's official press release on that news, athletic director Gene Smith applauded Meyer for his immediate action.

Come again?

Meyer's name has been in the news quite often since the 2012 season ended. While that can be expected for a college coach of his stature, the reasons why he has been in the news have been anything but positive. 

From player arrests to a strong national gaze at his efforts to curb off-the-field issues at Florida, Meyer continues to draw attention at Ohio State about matters that have nothing to do with whether or not the Buckeyes will join Alabama, Stanford and others in the national title picture this year. 

Tweets like this from ESPN's Danny Kanell should show you exactly where media members will lob their questions toward Meyer in Chicago:

Deadspin's Barry Petchesky reported on Monday that numerous reporters have left questions and requests for Meyer through email but have been turned away by an Ohio State assistant SID Jerry Emig. 

There will be no one between Meyer and the music on Wednesday. For 15 minutes (or more, depending on the events that unfold), Meyer will have a chance to either take the diplomatic approach or defend accusations that he has dropped the ball at both Florida and Ohio State. 

Much like Steve Spurrier, Les Miles and Nick Saban, Meyer is a coach you stop and listen to. At this year's Big Ten Media Days, he'll have all the ears he can handle. 

Follow B/R's Ethan Grant (@DowntownEG) on Twitter.