In this exciting episode of The Big Ten Huddle, hosts JR and Zack dive into a comprehensive preview of the Big Ten’s wide receiver talent for the 2025 season. They kick off with their definitive top 25 wide receiver rankings, spotlighting standout players like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who they rank as the top two (00:08:00). The hosts discuss game-changers expected to dominate, such as Indiana’s Elijah Surratt and USC’s Makai Lemon, while also identifying sleepers like Rutgers’ Ian Strong and DT Sheffield, who could surprise this season (00:11:19, 00:19:56).

The episode also explores the best and most underrated wide receiver rooms in the Big Ten, with Ohio State, USC, Penn State, Indiana, and Rutgers emerging as top contenders (00:25:58). JR and Zack debate the impact of young talent, transfers, and quarterback play on these rankings, noting Oregon’s potential despite uncertainties with their second receiver (00:26:10). They address fan feedback, incorporating projections for freshmen and unproven players, as requested by their audience (00:02:33).

Additional topics include Wisconsin’s wide receiver room, which has generated buzz but raises concerns if it’s their strongest position group (00:32:19), and a lighthearted mention of Kansas State chatter in the context of conference realignment (00:38:05). The episode wraps with a nod to Father’s Day and a call to action for listeners to engage with the show (00:39:49).

Useful Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - Intro and episode overview

• 00:03:13 - Top 25 wide receiver rankings discussion begins

• 00:08:00 - Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate ranked #1 and #2

• 00:19:56 - Rutgers’ underrated receiver room highlighted

• 00:25:58 - Best wide receiver duos in the Big Ten

• 00:32:19 - Wisconsin’s wide receiver room analysis

• 00:39:49 - Father’s Day shoutout and closing remarks

Additional Notes:

• Catch The Big Ten Huddle daily Monday through Friday by 9 AM, or join live on YouTube Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 9 PM Eastern.

• Engage with us! Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, like and subscribe on YouTube, and share your thoughts in the comments or on social media.

• Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more Big Ten content.

• Contact us: jrsrankings@gmail.com

Thanks for listening, and let’s keep the Big Ten conversation going!

In this episode of Big Ten Huddle, hosts JR and Zack dive into three major college football topics, delivering engaging analysis for Big Ten fans. Drawing from best podcast practices outlined by platforms like Spotify for Podcasters and Apple Podcasts, we ensure a clear structure, listener interaction, and actionable calls-to-action to boost engagement. Below is a detailed breakdown of the episode, including timestamps, topics, and additional resources.

1. Wisconsin’s NCAA Punishment (00:04:52 - 00:12:29)

   • The NCAA issued Wisconsin a $25,000 fine, one-year probation, and show-cause penalties for coaches Greg Scruggs and Max Stienecker due to 139 impermissible recruiting calls in 2023. JR and Zack question the punishment’s effectiveness, calling it a “slap on the wrist” and highlighting the NCAA’s inconsistent enforcement. They discuss how this adds to the narrative of Luke Fickell struggling to adapt to the Big Ten’s competitive demands.

2. Justice Haynes Compares Sherrone Moore to Nick Saban (00:12:29 - 00:14:28)

   • Former Alabama RB Justice Haynes, now at Michigan, compared Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore to Nick Saban, citing Moore’s discipline and focus on running the ball. JR and Zack analyze whether this comparison holds, noting Haynes’ limited experience with Saban (one year) and Moore’s early tenure. They discuss Moore’s 8-5 record in 2024 and his potential to emulate Saban’s leadership style.

   • Reference: On3 Interview with Justice Haynes.

3. ESPN’s College Football Future Power Rankings through 2026 (00:14:28 - 00:44:07)

   • The hosts debate Adam Rittenberg’s ESPN Future Power Rankings, focusing on Big Ten teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. They question Iowa’s high ranking at #23, citing defensive losses and an aging coaching staff, and argue Michigan State at #51 is too low given their quarterback and coaching potential. JR and Zack also highlight Indiana and Illinois as teams to watch.

• Listener Interaction: JR and Zack engage with fans in the YouTube comments, addressing Gopher, Wolverine, and Iowa fans (00:02:27 - 00:04:48). They respond to feedback about Iowa’s ranking and a Twitter poll about eliminating a Big Ten quarterback, humorously noting Adrian Martinez as the consensus pick (00:44:44 - 00:46:01).

• Community Engagement: Fans are encouraged to join the conversation on X with #BigTenHuddle and vote on polls at @BigTenHuddle.

• Podcast Best Practices: Following Spotify for Podcasters’ advice, we keep the intro concise (under 90 seconds) and include clear calls-to-action (like, subscribe, rate). Apple Podcasts’ guidelines inspired our detailed show notes with timestamps for easy navigation.

• 00:00:00 - 00:04:52: Intro, listener shoutouts, and episode overview

• 00:04:52 - 00:12:29: Wisconsin’s NCAA punishment discussion

• 00:12:29 - 00:14:28: Justice Haynes’ Moore-Saban comparison

• 00:14:28 - 00:44:07: ESPN Future Power Rankings debate

• 00:44:07 - 00:46:46: Twitter poll discussion and episode wrap-up

• Podcast Resources: Learn podcasting tips at Spotify for Podcasters and Apple Podcasts Creators.

• Big Ten Huddle Social Media:

  • X: @BigTenHuddle

  • Instagram: @BigTenHuddlePodcast

  • Email: jrsrankings@gmail.com

Share your thoughts on Wisconsin’s punishment, Moore’s comparison, or the 2026 rankings! Email us at bigtenhuddle@gmail.com or DM on X. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify for daily episodes Monday through Friday by 9 AM ET, or join our live YouTube shows at 9 PM ET on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Thanks for listening—go Big Ten!