Big Ten Media Days: Illinois’ Bret Bielema Says SEC Wants to Live in 2005; Tony Petitti Talks CFP Expansion
Bret Bielema and other coaches will preview the season as Big Ten programs open three days of media sessions.
- On Tuesday, Big Ten Football Media Days began at the Hilton Chicago, with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti opening the three-day event to discuss the league's future and upcoming 2026 season.
- Illinois coach Bret Bielema sparked debate during Tuesday's news conferences, suggesting the SEC wants to "live in 2005 forever" while defending the Big Ten's recent national championship success and competitive depth.
- Expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams is supported by Petitti, who noted the conference is willing to eliminate its own championship game to facilitate the change.
- The Protect College Sports Act, discussed by Petitti, proposes a $25 million retention pool—including $5 million for women's NIL—to help schools retain players on their rosters.
- Oregon coach Dan Lanning joins the podium Wednesday at the Hilton as the Ducks prepare for their September 5 season opener against Boise State at Autzen Stadium.
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31 Articles
2026 Big Ten Media Days, day one
Big Ten Football Media Days kicked off at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday. Following an opening statement from Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, coaches held press conferences on the main stage, as other coaches and players held individual podium interviews around the room. When asked about who would be stepping into the... The post Photos: 2026 Big Ten Media Days, day one appeared first on The Daily Iowan.
The Billings Gazette
Big Ten is king, and one coach says SEC wants 'to live in 2005 forever'
Big Ten coach Bret Bielema emphasized during Media Days that NIL and the transfer portal have transformed college football, allowing teams like Illinois to compete nationally and challenge the SEC’s dominance, which he suggests is stuck in the past.
Chicago Tribune
Big Ten media days: Illinois’ Bret Bielema says SEC wants to live in 2005; Tony Petitti talks CFP expansion
Illinois coach Bret Bielema wasted no time adding to the debate about whether the SEC or the Big Ten is better when it comes to college football.
Bret Bielema roasts Nick Saban, SEC, at Big Ten media days: 'They want to live in 2005 forever' - NEW YORK TIMES POST
Well if there’s one thing we can be sure of with the 2026 college football season, it’s that the budding rivalry between the Big Ten and SEC is only going to get more intense. At SEC media days recently, several prominent figures spent lengthy press conferences telling anyone who would listen that the SEC deserves all 16 teams in the College Football Playoff. In fact, maybe they’d consider inducting an honorary 17th member if necessary, just to …
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