Tweet and Video Roundup from Day 2 of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago

By D.J. Byrnes on July 26, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Mark Dantonio: B1G Media Days Roundup
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Day 2 of Big Ten Media Days commenced in Chicago Tuesday morning, where the big storyline was if James Franklin accused Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, and Notre Dame of negative recruiting. (Franklin denies this, while Reading Eagle reporter Richard Scarcella doubled down on his reporting.)

Illinois' Lovie Smith, Indiana's Kevin Wilson, Michigan State's Mark Dantonio, Wisconsin's Paul Chryst, Maryland's D.J. Durkin, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Ohio State's Urban Meyer all addressed the media from the podium in Chicago.

A full recap of Day 1's interviews can be found over here.

Now, without further ado, the tweets and full interview videos.

LOVIE SMITH, ILLINOIS

Last year, then-Illinois head coach Tim Beckman delivered a bizarre, rambling soliloquy about the Illini's usage of "Oskee."

This year, 11-year NFL veteran head coach Lovie Smith took the podium as the frontman of the Fighting Illini. That's a talent gap the Grand Canyon couldn't accommodate.

Smith kept it real with reporters—the Illinois won't compete for a Big Ten title this year. Though, he may need to work on his slogans. 

 

KEVIN WILSON, INDIANA

Indiana coach Kevin Wilson feels this will be his best team in his six years in Bloomington. He took to the podium in Chicago and launched into a filibuster in which he basically listed off his entire roster. It was an impressive performance of oratory stamina. 

 

MARK DANTONIO, MICHIGAN STATE

Reigning Big Ten champion Mark Dantonio fondly remembered deceased former punter Mike Sadler before denying allegations he negatively recruited against Penn State. He also refused to name an heir to new Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook.

He did this without ever breaking from his superb Grumpy Cat expression. 

 

PAUL CHRYST, WISCONSIN

The echoes of history will not remember Paul Chryst's 2016 Big Ten Media Days opening address. But that's okay! Public speaking is difficult, and Wisconsin pays him to wow reporters with his team's play, not his speaking.

The big news to come out of his presser is that Joe Stave, who came to Madison in ~1968, finally graduated.

D.J. Durkin, MARYLAND

D.J. Durkin attacked his first Big Ten Media Days presser with an enthusiasm previously unknown to mankind. Terrapin cornerback and return specialist Will Likely will likely play in all three facets of the game, according to Durkin, who probably spent the morning slugging coffee with Indiana's Kevin Wilson. 

KIRK FERENTZ, IOWA

Kirk Ferentz, contrary to my pre-conference speculation, did not take to the podium in a suit of stitched $100 bills while holding chalice of Hawkeye fans' tears.

He did, however, handle the conference in typical Ferentz fashion, even going as far to call his punting and kicking situation "significant."

 

URBAN MEYER, OHIO STATE

A full recap of Urban Meyer's presser can be found over here.

Meyer denied allegations he negatively recruits against Penn State, tabbed redshirt freshman Mike Weber as his starting running back entering fall camp, and said true freshman Michael Jordan would "probably" be in the starting lineup when Ohio State kicks off its season Sept. 3rd against Bowling Green.

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Prognosticating: Indiana

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