By Mario Williams
All 14 Big Ten head football coaches were on call Tuesday morning to field questions from media around the conference.
New early signing
Last week the NCAA addressed two major controversies in college football in correlation to satellite camps and early signing dates for recruits.
The NCAA submitted a proposal in hopes of having two 72-hour periods (one in June and the other during mid-December) that gives the opportunity for recruits to sign letters of intent.
If it is passed, it would be effective for the 2017-18 season. This would be a game changer, since recruits usually sign letters of intent in February.
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio believes the change is inventible.
“I guess I would be in favor of doing these things to some degree,” Dantonio said.
Northwestern’s new policies
Some of the policies in the Northwestern team’s football handbook have changed.
Changes to the team rules include some of its social-media policies, health information, dispute resolution, and media relations.
The program changed some of the policies so that the players won’t be regularly monitored on social media, players will be allowed to talk about media issues with members outside the program, and players are also allowed to speak to members of the media on their own time.
“My focus is on coaching the team,” Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “My job is to make sure I educate our guys on the choices on they make in every aspect of their lives. That’s what I’ve always done and will continue to do. Which is in the best interests of the student athlete.”
Spartans falling down
Michigan State has lost three games in a row, which it hasn’t suffered since 2009.
The team now sits at 2-3, its losses coming to Wisconsin, Indiana, and BYU.
Dantonio said the team lacks focus right now.
“It’s very difficult to win,” Dantonio said. “When you have these type of situations, you have to dig yourself out of the hole. You have to have one focus; and that’s the next game, the next moment. You have to make sure your players are not being bombarded too much.”
The Spartans, next moment will be against the not so solid Wildcats.
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
There are only three teams that remain undefeated in the conference: Michigan, Ohio State, and Nebraska.
Ohio State has not had many challenges so far this season other than Oklahoma, but the Buckeyes’ biggest challenge thus far will happen this weekend, when they face the Badger defense.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has no worriers, though.
“I’m pleased with where we’re at,” he said.
