7 biggest storylines at the 2019 Big Ten Media Days

The 2019 Big Ten Media days will kick off Thursday and run through Friday in Chicago and here’s a look at the biggest storylines going into the annual event.

Although some people might be over the preseason frenzy heading into the 2019 college football season, for fans of the Big Ten, it’s hard not to be excited about Big Ten Media Days.

The 2019 Big Ten Media Days will get underway Thursday in Chicago with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Nebraska head coach Scott Frost highlighting the schedule. The press conferences will then conclude Friday, which will feature Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh.

Like him or hate him, Harbaugh always seems to draw the attention of fans, but truth be told, he is far from the only big storyline to watch this week and with that in mind, here are the top seven storylines to watch at 2019 Big Ten Media Days.

Ryan Day takes over for Urban Meyer

Last year at this time, Ohio State was embroiled in the Zach Smith controversy. Now, the Buckeyes will be getting attention for a different reason and that’s because they are getting prepped for their first season with Ryan Day as their head coach. Day takes over a program that has dominated the Big Ten and enters as the two-time defending Big Ten champs. Of course, the big question is whether Day can continue the domination over Harbaugh and Michigan, which many view as the favorite. Ohio State isn’t used to being the underdog and it will be interesting to see how Day handles that and his first Big Ten Media Days as head coach.

Can Nebraska keep the momentum going?

It might seem strange for a team to be getting as much hype as Nebraska is getting following consecutive 4-8 seasons but with a head coach like Scott Frost and a Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback in Adrian Martinez, you can see why. The Huskers won four of their last six games and also have a favorable schedule with Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Ohio State all at home. Frost led UCF to an undefeated season and a Peach Bowl win in the second season there and fans are undoubtedly hoping he can have the same magic touch in Lincoln. The Big Ten could certainly use another strong team in the Big Ten West and with Martinez only being a sophomore, 2019 could be the start of something special. However, don’t expect a national title run yet, although winning the west or the Big Ten can’t be ruled out.

Pressure on Jim Harbaugh

Since Harbaugh took over as head coach of Michigan football, the expectations have been out of control and that’s the case once again in 2019. The Wolverines are a trendy pick for the College Football Playoff and seemingly, the odds-on favorite to win the Big Ten. Yet, Michigan has had these expectations before and failed to live up to them. That’s why there will be an interesting dynamic when Harbaugh takes the podium on Friday. Not only is he leading the preseason favorite and maybe the league’s best team, but he also has more pressure on him than any college football coach in America. Let’s see how he handles it.

What will Justin Fields’ impact be?

One of the biggest storylines this week and throughout the Big Ten football season will be the play of new Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. The transfer from Georgia is a former five-star recruit and was ranked as the top dual-threat quarterback as well as the No. 2 player in the 2018 class. He only attempted 39 passes last season with the Bulldogs but accounted for eight total touchdowns and much like Shea Patterson a year ago, his play will be critically important. While the Buckeyes have had no shortage of great quarterbacks, Fields has the potential to be a unique weapon and if he starts firing on all cylinders, the rest of the Big Ten better watch out.

What about the Wildcats?

Speaking of big-time transfers at quarterback, one name that probably isn’t being mentioned enough when it comes to Big Ten football is that of Hunter Johnson, who is set to be Northwestern’s starting quarterback in 2019. I don’t blame you if you don’t know Johnson’s name, however, if you follow recruiting, you should. He was a five-star quarterback coming out of high school and went to Clemson before transferring last summer. Under Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern has just continued to churn out wins but after reaching the Big Ten title game in 2018, you have to wonder if they will get back, especially with teams like Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota ready to pounce in the Big Ten West. At the same time, it will be fascinating to see the Wildcats with a five-star QB. Everyone wants to talk about Michigan and Ohio State, but could Northwestern be the team to win a Big Ten title with a high-profile transfer?

Who is being overlooked?

A big theme of Big Ten Media Days is going to be Michigan and Ohio State. That’s just part of the Big Ten dynamic, especially with Jim Harbaugh and his struggles beating the Buckeyes. But is that attention causing some other teams like Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State to be underestimated? While many Michigan fans focus on losing to Ohio State, Harbaugh is only 2-2 against Mark Dantoni and has yet to defeat him in the Big House. The Wolverines were supposed to be better in 2015 and 2017 too, only to see the Spartans beat them and use that momentum into successful seasons. It’s possible that could happen again. Michigan State returns a ton of starters and even though Penn State lost Trace McSorley, it has a bunch of talent too. The Badgers also have Heisman contender Jonathan Taylor at running back and following a disappointing season, it seems like they are due to bounce back.

 Which head coach will join the elite?

With the departure of Meyer, the Big Ten only has a few coaches who have ever won Big Ten championships. Kirk Ferentz at Iowa is one, Dantonio also did it at Michigan State and James Franklin at Penn State is the other. No other head coach, not Harbaugh, Frost, P.J. Fleck or Chryst have won a conference championship in a Power-5 league. You can include Ryan Day and Jeff Brohm in that group too. Only one head coach in the league, Dantonio has led his team to the College Football Playoff. That opens the door for guys like Harbaugh, Day, Frost, Fleck, Brohm, Fitzgerald and all the rest to finally join the elite.