When the Big Ten announced its landmark TV deal in August 2022, weeks after swiping USC and UCLA from the Pac-12, yours truly remarked that the deal made the B1G the NFL of CFB.
Fox can now show Michigan-Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon, and Lions-Packers on Sunday afternoon. Hours later, if CBS wants to capture a major audience for Ravens-Browns on Sunday afternoon, it can start by showing Maryland-Ohio State on Saturday afternoon. And at night, NBC can show Penn State-USC on Saturday and Eagles-Rams on Sunday.
At Big Ten media days this week, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule made the same observation.
"This is the NFL of college football, in my mind," Rhule said. "It stretches from coast to coast, different time zones, different weather. That's not to diminish any other league. The SEC is amazing, these other leagues are great. But the challenge in the Big Ten is going to be really difficult. Travel, weather and great teams."
But, this being Talking Season, Rhule then took some of the Kool-Aid the Big Ten passed out to media members and drank some himself.
"I think we'll have a lot of access to the College Football Playoff," Rhule said. "I think four teams from this league should get in every year because this is the best league."
Richest? Sure. Most-watched? No argument here. But, best?
That statement is... not backed up by recruiting, NFL draft or College Football Playoff data, even if the Big Ten does boast the reigning national champion. But I'm still glad Rhule made it.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.