I Almost Missed Mad Dog Radio... Then the Big Ten Reminded Everyone Who’s Winning College Sports
A beach morning, a full-blown panic, and why the mood around the Big Ten couldn’t be more different than the SEC. Presented by AR’s Hot Honey.
Today featured one of the dumbest mistakes I’ve made in a long time.
And it was completely my fault.
I’m down on 30A with my family, and for those of you who don’t know, 30A is on Central Time. Apparently, I forgot that little detail.
This morning we went to the beach, played in the ocean, had an absolute blast. The whole time I was thinking, “I’ve got plenty of time. Mad Dog starts at 3.”
Except... it starts at 3 p.m. Eastern.
That means it starts at 2 p.m. here.
Our rule at SiriusXM is to connect about 30 minutes before airtime. Meanwhile, I’m standing in the Gulf completely oblivious while everyone back in New York is wondering where the heck I am.
Apparently there were multiple missed calls.
Finally I looked at my phone and saw a text from Colin telling me to connect immediately. I remember thinking, “Why are they wanting me so early?”
I was unsure, but I joined the Zoom as he asked. I connected at about 1:57 local time, and suddenly I was live three minutes later. Needless to say, I was sweating through that entire first segment. Full-on panic mode was happening inside. I was so confused!
I was embarrassed. Mad at myself. And honestly still trying to figure out what day and what time zone I was in.
Sometimes life humbles you.
Thankfully, the show settled in after that.
One of the highlights was catching up with my longtime partner, Rick Neuheisel. Since Full Ride has been preempted this week for conference media days coverage, it was fun getting to talk football together again.
Rick is at the Big Ten Media Days, and one thing immediately stood out.
He said the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different from what we heard coming out of SEC Media Days last week.
The SEC felt... frustrated.
There were conversations about congressional help, the future of college sports, playoff politics, and even whether the conference could someday split away from the NCAA. It felt tense.
The Big Ten?
Rick described it as a celebration.
Commissioner Tony Petitti made another strong push for a 24-team College Football Playoff, and the entire league seems to be walking around with tremendous confidence.
Honestly, why wouldn’t they?
The biggest story in college athletics right now isn’t coaching.
It isn’t recruiting.
It isn’t X’s and O’s.
It’s money.
Indiana has gone from being one of the sport’s underdogs to a legitimate power because resources have exploded. Curt Cignetti has become one of the hottest names in coaching.
Michigan State suddenly has significant NIL backing.
Illinois has wealthy alumni stepping up in major ways.
In today’s pay-for-play era, the schools with billionaire and millionaire support have enormous advantages.
Right now, the Big Ten feels like the conference of the “haves.”
Until meaningful rules exist around NIL and revenue sharing, that’s probably not changing.
Rick also ran into Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel.
Considering everything that’s happened—from the $12 million investigation into Michigan athletics to the announcement that he’ll be leaving his position—it had to be an awkward week.
Rick told Warde he respected him for showing up despite everything surrounding the situation.
Warde’s response was simple.
“I did my job. I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Whether everyone agrees with that is another conversation entirely.
It was certainly one of the more interesting moments Rick shared from Chicago.
As for me?
I’ll be setting multiple alarms before every show the rest of this trip.
Trust me.
I’m not making that mistake twice.
Presented by AR’s Hot Honey 🍯🔥
If you haven’t tried AR’s Hot Honey, you’re missing out. It has become a staple in my house, and after trying plenty of hot honeys over the years, this one is still my favorite. Time to stock up for tailgate season!
Use promo code SHOWPONY15 to save 15% on your order.
Thanks to AR’s Hot Honey for supporting Show Pony Media—and thank you for reading.