Big Ten Media Days 2015: Biggest Takeaways from Day 1

CHICAGO — The buzz in the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom for Day 1 of Big Ten media days was palpable.

There was a national championship trophy in the building with a strategically placed “Do Not Touch” sign resting at its base. Ah, maybe next time.

There were new coaches making official introductions. There were stars and future stars speaking at length about a variety of topics. And, perhaps most notable of all, there was a newfound sense of swagger for a league that has assumed the role of the piñata in recent years.

The current face of the conference could sense it.

“When I came here in 2012, I was shocked. It was like the Big Ten was an afterthought,” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer told a tightly packed group of reporters huddled anxiously around his table. “That is certainly not the case this year, but it can go right back unless we all do our jobs.” 

Half of the conference’s coaches and players spoke on Thursday in a new format, including Meyer, Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio and new Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst.

Harbaughmania—and it will be just that—will be Friday’s main course. 

The first major news item of the day came before any coaches stepped to the podium. Here’s what stood out in Chicago.

Ohio State Coping with Week 1 Suspensions

Paul Beaty/Associated Press

The release arrived in my inbox at 11:03 a.m. CT on Thursday, less than one hour before Mark Dantonio took the podium and kicked off the two-day event.

Ohio State announced that defensive end Joey Bosa, H-backs Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, and wide receiver Corey Smith were suspended for the team’s Week 1 road game against Virginia Tech. According to ESPN.com's Austin Ward, the suspensions were due to either marijuana or academic violations. Meyer wasted little time addressing the situation when he spoke.

"I kind of knew about this for a little bit," Meyer said. "We are playing an extremely talented team, very well-coached team on the road in a tough environment. However, we have recruited very well. So get going, move forward." 

The loss of Bosa, in particular, is monstrous. Meyer could only use the word “awful” when describing how his star defensive end took the news and how hard he was on himself.

In terms of filling in a gaping leadership hole, however, Meyer insisted that his star player would still play a significant role. 

“I’m going to go out on a limb here,” Meyer said. “I think Joey Bosa steps up.”

The fact that they have had time to brace for the news is critically important. However, despite magnificent depth at every position—including the defensive line—this development was the biggest item to come out of Day 1 and will play a significant role in Week 1.

But What About the Quarterbacks...

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

It should come as no surprise that the two biggest stories to come out of Big Ten media days involved Ohio State.

While Meyer did not name a starting quarterback in Chicago, he did provide some surprising (albeit limited) details as to what we can expect from the race in the coming weeks and months.

For starters, if his plan plays out, Ohio State will not reveal the starter until most games in Week 1 have already been completed. He plans to wait as long as possible.

"The first guy that jogs out at Blacksburg will be the starting quarterback,” Meyer said. “In my mind, we’ll know before that.”

As for some wrinkles that Ohio State might unveil with so much talent at the position, Meyer was asked plainly if we will see Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones on the field at the same time. 

“Yes,” he responded plainly. Unfortunately, he decided this was not the appropriate time to draw up plays, but you should still be giddy about this development.

While the depth at the position is both a blessing and, in a weird way, a matter of concern, Meyer did not dwell on the fact that he has a difficult decision ahead of him.

"I am the most fortunate coach in the country," he said.

Tim Beckman Sidesteps Controversy

Paul Beaty/Associated Press

Coming off a bowl appearance that was supposed to cool his warm seat, Tim Beckman’s offseason was injected with controversy after multiple players alleged misconduct while in the program.

On Thursday, the turbulent developments surfaced as Beckman was pelted with a handful of questions regarding the matter as he took the podium. No one expected him to really explore a sensitive issue in-depth, at least not here. But Beckman essentially sidestepped the matter entirely.

“You know, we're focused right now on a 2015 football team,” Beckman said. “We took off from last year after a great end of the year. And we've been focused since January on becoming a better football program. The philosophy that we continue to use is what these football players believe in.”

When asked again about the controversy, Beckman budged a bit. While he refused to dive deeper than surface level—and legally he's likely limited in what he can say—Beckamn did explore the current relationship between player and coach. 

“We're fathers,” Beckman said. “I think that each one of our coaches would say the same thing. We're in the process of providing avenues for our football players to become better men, become better football players."

Randy Edsall Sells This Glorious “Lineman League”

Paul Beaty/Associated Press

The head coach of Maryland sees your league full of exciting skill position players and he raises you the “lineman league." That was the expression Randy Edsall used to describe the Big Ten.

This also happens to be a one-way ticket straight to my heart.

On a day where so much was made about the conference’s rapid change in perception—and rightfully so—the Maryland head coach brought us back to its roots. He also complimented just how much recruiting has improved since making the switch.

“We found out that it was really a lineman league,” Edsall said, reflecting on his team's first season in the B1G. “That you had to be able to win in the trenches if you were going to be successful, week in, week out, year in, and year out.”

For most, it’s not the sexiest way to sell it. But it is to those of us who live here and have lived this large-man reality for longer than one year, but it may not garner massive interest. Asked to elaborate further, Edsall added more on the differences between conferences.

“I think from the standpoint for our players, it was just the physicality and also different from the ACC where, again, it was more of a lineman league so to speak,” Edsall said. “And I don't mean that there are not skilled people in the Big Ten. But there, you better be able to control the line of scrimmage if you're going to give yourself a chance to win.” 

Big Ten, here is a moneymaking concept. Print up a “Lineman League” T-shirt immediately, and I promise you will have at least one buyer.

Day 1 Quick Hits

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Ohio State

Regardless of what podium you visited or table you sat down at, Ohio State conversation was unavoidable. Every player and coach I engaged with answered at least one question regarding:

• Playing Ohio State
• Not playing Ohio State
• What Ohio State did to improve the image of the conference.

Although every question I heard was answered, you could sense the frustration at times.

When talented Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun was asked about the most talented Ohio State quarterback on the roster, he quickly fired back an answer: “Conner Cook. He’s the best quarterback on team offense.”

Michigan State Initiation Practices

Speaking of Cook, he unveiled some Michigan State initiation practices that have undoubtedly caught a handful of unseasoned players off guard.

Well played, sir.

"

MSU's Connor Cook apparently likes to initiate incoming recruits by calling completely made up plays in the huddle.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) July 30, 2015"

Corey Clement

Wisconsin running back Corey Clement sounded like a young man ready to grab the baton from Melvin Gordon and run with it. Clement didn’t shy away from setting the bar high now that he has finally gotten his shot without Gordon stealing his touches. 

“No less than 2,000 yards and winning the College Football Playoff,” he said.

Given the fact that he ran for nearly 1,000 yards in a limited role last year, this first part might be doable. The second part? Well, let’s wait and see.

Lineman Eats a Raw Egg

Have you ever wanted to watch an Iowa defensive lineman eat a raw egg?

Congratulations, friend. You are in luck. Here is Iowa senior Drew Ott eating an egg and then grading it on camera. Don’t ask why. Just enjoy it.

Even with Jim Harbaugh yet to speak, this will be a difficult moment to top.

Adam Kramer is the College Football National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Unless noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.