I-80 Football Show: How successful can USC and Washington be in Year One in the Big Ten

Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Podcast Network’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we travel down I-80 to talk all things Big Ten Football. This is the only Big Ten Podcast that’ll cover all 18 teams. After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to for the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan. Rutgers, we’re ready to get hurt again. After believing in Minnesota and Illinois to rise and conquer the Big Ten West Division just to be left heartbroken when those teams underachieve, Jordan is ready to put his faith in Rutgers. With an upgrade at quarterback, a small one but an upgrade nonetheless, another strong defense, and Kyle Monagai to lead the rushing attack, Rutgers should be in a position to capitalize on a weak schedule, and dare we say flirt with double-digit wins? Wisconsin struggled in year one under Luke Fickell and there are still question marks on the Phil Longo hire but the Badgers should bounce back in year two of the Fickell tenure. Wisconsin is having to replace stud running back Braelon Allen and is hoping that transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke can live up to his promise but they have a very talented defense and are bringing back three starters on the offensive line. Luke Fickell is one of the best coaches in the country, Wisconsin could be a tough team to beat in 2024, the only thing getting in their way is the football scheduling gods.  USC and Washington are entering the Big Ten in a precarious position. Washington was in the national championship game but is replacing almost every starter from its national championship run and a head coach after Kalen Deboer headed to Alabama to replace Nick Saban. Lincoln Riley and USC are coming off a 7-5 regular season after losing five of its last six games to end the 2023 season. Riley is losing star quarterback Caleb Williams and is breaking in an entirely new defensive staff. There has been a lot of hype around USC in the Riley tenure but 2024 looks like it may be too much to overcome while facing tougher competition in the Big Ten.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sign up with MyBookie using our link to receive your welcome bonus: https://mybookie.website/Grant23 Follow the show on YouTube: @JordanW330  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @I80FootballShow  Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and Dante: @DanteM10216 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices