Latest news with #BigTenChampionshipGame
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Franklin stresses importance of handling expectations
Franklin says blocking out outside noise is the difference between consistency and collapse James Franklin doesn't want to hear the noise and he's making sure his players feel the same way. At Big Ten Media Day, Franklin was asked about the expectations surrounding Penn State after last season's breakthrough to the Big Ten Championship Game. He didn't flinch. In fact, he leaned into the idea that success brings more pressure, more attention, and way more distractions. But that's not something Franklin fears, it's something he plans for. He's made it a huge focus heading into the 2025 season. One thing Franklin emphasized repeatedly is the importance of consistency. Not just on game day, but every single day. That means being locked in, whether it's a walk-through in July or a must-win game in November. He said the teams that fail aren't necessarily less talented — they're the ones that start listening to the hype, scrolling through the praise, and losing the edge that got them there in the first place. Penn State is going to be talked about a lot this fall. That's what happens when you return a senior quarterback, bring in a respected new offensive coordinator, and carry real momentum from the previous season. But Franklin said his job is to remind everyone in the building that none of that matters if they don't show up every day ready to work. He's been in this spot before. Penn State has had talent and preseason buzz before, but it hasn't always translated to a playoff push. Franklin clearly wants this year to be different, and he's counting on the maturity of the roster to handle that spotlight without losing focus. A big part of that message is about blocking out the outside world. Franklin talked about controlling the controllables — showing up early, studying film, practicing with intent, and ignoring what fans or media are saying. He said when you're chasing a championship, you don't need to prove people wrong — you need to prove yourself right, over and over again. He even mentioned that leadership plays a huge role here. Veterans on the team have to be the ones reminding everyone that nothing is given. Franklin said the minute a team starts reading their own headlines is the minute things start slipping. That's not the standard in State College this year. This is a team with real expectations and real pressure. But if Franklin has his way, they won't be listening to any of it.
Fox News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart sounds alarm on blood shortages, why campaign hits close to home
Matt Leinart achieved numerous accomplishments in his football career. He was a two-time national champion and Heisman Trophy winner at USC and was a first-round draft pick when he tried his luck in the NFL. While he pushes on into the next phase of his career as a college football analyst on FOX Sports' "Big Noon Kickoff," he recently partnered with Abbott in hopes of tackling the need to address blood shortages in the U.S. The "We Give Blood Drive" campaign is something that hit a little closer to home for Leinart. "Gosh, my mom passed away from cancer years ago, but she needed blood transfusions," he explained to Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "We have friends that have kids who are dealing with pretty severe illnesses that needed transfusions to live, and they're gonna be OK, which is great. "One in 83 new moms need blood after childbirth. My wife just gave birth to our third child. Fortunately, she didn't need it but when you start to sort of hear the stats around this, and then you're like, 'Oh wow, that could've been us.' It just means more. It impacts you in that way. Those are just a few examples of why it could kind of hit home." Leinart expressed the importance of giving blood as some blood centers only have less than a day's supply of blood available. "One donation could save up to three lives, which I just want to hammer that point home," he said. "That's how important this could be and the impact it could have." Abbott's campaign will also pit Big Ten Conference schools against each other to see which one can donate the most blood over the course of the season. The winning school will receive $1 million to advance student and community health initiatives. The competition will begin on "We Give Blood Day" on Aug. 27, and it will run through the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 6.
NBC Sports
10-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Who will make 2025 Big Ten Championship Game?
Joshua Perry, Nicole Auerbach and Ahmed Fareed discuss the teams they believe can reach the Big Ten Championship Game, mentioning favorites such as Ohio State and Penn State and dark horses such as Iowa and Nebraska.
New York Post
28-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Jim Harbaugh added to lawsuit in Matt Weiss phone hacking scandal
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was named as a defendant on Friday in one of multiple ongoing lawsuits against the University of Michigan. The newest lawsuit is an amended class-action complaint that was filed by 11 women accusing former Michigan offensive coordinator Matt Weiss of hacking into their personal accounts and taking personal photos. It also names current Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel as a defendant. The Detroit News first reported the update Friday. The original lawsuit, filed on March 21, alleges that Weiss viewed private information of the school's female students between Dec. 21-23, 2022. Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Harbaugh, who served as head coach of Michigan's football program from 2015-23, failed to act to protect students, the lawsuit alleges. 'Naming Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and Athletic Director Warde Manuel in this complaint reflects our belief that leadership at the highest levels either knew of these threats or deliberately ignored them, prioritizing athletic prestige and profit over the safety and dignity of students,' one of the women's lawyers, Parker Stinar, told the Detroit News in a statement. The lawsuit also alleges that Michigan officials let Weiss coach in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl despite knowing that he hacked into the personal accounts of female athletes at the university. 'In this way, the university placed profits before people, particularly women and female student athletes,' lawyers for the women wrote in the lawsuit. Michigan Wolverines Offensive Line/Co-Offensive Coordinator Sherrone Moore and Quarterbacks Coach Matt Weiss look on during the Big Ten Championship Game on December 04, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, IL. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images This newest lawsuit is one of at least 13 civil cases filed against Weiss by lawyers who represent over 80 female athletes across the nation. The allegations against the former Ravens assistant coach surfaced three months after he was federally indicted and accused of illegally obtaining access to a database of college athletes at more than 100 universities that was maintained by a third-party company. Weiss then allegedly downloaded the personal information of over 150,000 individuals and ultimately gained access to their social media, email and cloud storage accounts of at least 3,000 athletes. With this access, Weiss allegedly downloaded intimate digital photos and videos 'that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners,' federal prosecutors said.
Fox Sports
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 CFB Odds: Who Will Be Crowned the Big Ten Champion?
College football kicks off in just two months. After winning the College Football Playoff championship last season, sportsbooks are favoring Ohio State to win the Big Ten title this year. Additionally, the Michigan Wolverines took home the national title the previous year. It's safe to say the Big Ten has recently been one of the most successful conferences in college football. So, which other team do oddsmakers think will have a shot at the conference title this year? Let's take a look ahead at the 2025 Big Ten title odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 23. Big Ten Conference Championship Winner 2025-26 Ohio State: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total) Penn State: +265 (bet $10 to win $36.50 total) Oregon: +285 (bet $10 to win $38.50 total) Michigan: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total) USC: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Illinois: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Fresh off a CFP title win, the Buckeyes sit at the top of the oddsboard to win the Big Ten title. It has been five years since Ohio State was crowned Big Ten champs, last achieving this in 2020 when they defeated Northwestern 22-10. Since the Big Ten Championship Game began in 2011, the Buckeyes have claimed the Big Ten title five times: 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Ohio State finished its 2024-25 season fourth in the conference with a 7-2 record. Next on the board sits Penn State, with +265 odds. The Nittany Lions secured their sole Big Ten title in 2016, defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 38-31. They made it to the championship game in 2024 but fell short of winning the title. Last season, Penn State tied for second place in the conference with Indiana, each finishing with 8-1 records. Oregon is another team that sportsbooks see as a top contender to win the title. The Ducks earned their first Big Ten title last year, outlasting No. 3 Penn State 45-37. Prior to that, Oregon last won its conference championship in 2020 while in the Pac-12. Coach Dan Lanning, who holds the most wins by any Oregon head coach through his first three seasons, will return for his fourth year in Eugene. Michigan won the Big Ten Championship Game for three consecutive years: 2021, 2022 and 2023. Head coach Sherrone Moore returns for his second season after finishing with a 5-4 record in the conference, which tied for fourth place with Minnesota. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
