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CHICAGO (AP) — Penn State's James Franklin should have earned some long-term job security with last season's 11-3 record, Big Ten title and Rose Bowl appearance. But the fourth-year coach isn't taking chances. He suggested the parents of running back Saquon Barkley should get to work right away on producing another Heisman Trophy-caliber son in one of the lighter moments at this year's Big Ten media days.
CHICAGO (AP) — Big Ten officials are promising to push back against coaches who treat the sideline like a stage. Too many times last season, arguments with refs brought out the Hamlet in too many coaches. Bill Carollo, the conference's coordinator of officials, says enough is enough. "We wouldn't take a tenth of what some coaches do and say from a player," he said.
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is set to become the second Big Ten school to ban participation by college athletes with a history of sexual or domestic abuse. In April, Indiana said it would not accept athletes convicted of a felony involving sexual violence. The Illinois policy is expected to include similar wording.
CHICAGO (AP) — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh took his Wolverines to Rome and called the trip "the best thing I've ever done personally as a part of a football team." That kind of bonding experience will have to pay dividends if the Big Ten's youngest squad _ which lost more starters than any team in the country _ is going to develop in time to challenge rivals Ohio State and Penn State.
CHICAGO (AP) — Urban Meyer looks like the CEO of a Fortune 500 juggernaut for good reason. After five seasons in Columbus, he's built another college football dynasty, having won a third national championship, a conference championship and two division titles. Just like Kentucky's basketball program, the Buckeyes don't rebuild, they just reload.
CHICAGO (AP) — Ohio State coach Urban Meyer doesn't just believe the Big Ten has closed the gap with the more heralded Southeastern Conference. He is convinced the race is a dead heat already. The SEC dominated the Big Ten the last two seasons, when it won six of the eight meetings between them. Meyer says he no longer sees disrespect for the Big Ten when it comes to recruiting.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Big Ten conference will triple its primetime national TV exposure during the football season thanks to new deals announced with broadcast partners FOX, ESPN and CBS. The conference's own network will also expand coverage, adding new personalities and feature a 10-year anniversary package.
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — Ohio State, Penn State, Northwestern and Wisconsin each placed two players on the preseason Big Ten all-conference list chosen by a media panel. Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett and defensive end Tyquan Lewis were joined on the East Division team by Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley.
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