Sorry, Lincoln Riley: New Big Ten peers aren’t scared of old PAC-12′s finesse football — Jimmy Watkins
The air crackled with anticipation as the Big Ten Media Days unfolded in Indianapolis. The theme? A sense of unease, a whisper of doubt swirling around the newcomers—Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA—freshly transplanted from the sun-kissed shores of the PAC-12 to the unforgiving embrace of the Big Ten. And at the heart of this unease lay a simple, yet potent question: can these finesse-oriented teams, accustomed to the wide-open spaces and balmy temperatures of the West Coast, truly thrive in the physical, cold-weather gauntlet of the Big Ten?
The message was clear, delivered by established Big Ten players like Penn State safety Jaylen Reed: “It’s gonna be tough and gritty,” he proclaimed, adding with a pointed emphasis, “We’re not just gonna be throwing the ball around out here.” This was a direct jab at the perceived weakness of the PAC-12’s offensive style, a style often reliant on a pass-heavy approach.
The new recruits, however, were quick to push back. USC tackle Jonah Monheim, who bulked up over the offseason in preparation for the Big Ten’s physicality, dismissed Reed’s statement as a “stereotype.” USC quarterback Miller Moss, sporting his trademark California-blonde hair, echoed the sentiment, albeit with a touch of media training caution. “I’m trying to follow my media training,” he said, carefully choosing his words.
USC coach Lincoln Riley, known for his offensive prowess, joined the fray. His response was a blend of defiance and confidence, a clear indication that he was not about to let his team be pigeonholed. “All that’s gonna get proven out here (on the field) no matter what I say in front of a mic,” he stated. “You want to go compare football histories, I’ll put ours against anybody’s. The Big Ten’s got some teams with phenomenal histories. But we’re not just learning how to play football.”
- New Big Ten teams from the PAC-12 face skepticism about their finesse football style transitioning to the physical Big Ten.
- Established Big Ten players emphasize the need for toughness and grit in the conference, challenging the PAC-12’s pass-heavy offensive reputation.
- USC players and coach Lincoln Riley defend against stereotypes, preparing physically and mentally for the Big Ten’s demands.
- Despite confident statements, USC and Washington struggled in yards per carry allowed rankings in the 2024 season, raising doubts about their readiness for Big Ten play.
- The transition of PAC-12 teams to the Big Ten will be a test of their ability to adapt to a more physical style of play in colder weather conditions.
The Big Ten’s Skepticism: A Cold, Hard Truth
While Riley’s words were bold, the numbers paint a different picture. USC and Washington, in the 2024 season, ranked 110th and 103rd, respectively, in yards per carry allowed. While Oregon (27th) and UCLA (3rd) fared better, the question lingered: could their success be attributed to facing a weaker PAC-12, lacking the physicality and tenacity of the Big Ten?
The Big Ten’s dominance in rushing attempts per game further fueled the skepticism. Five of the top-20 power conference teams in this category were Big Ten members, compared to only two (UCLA and Utah) from the PAC-12. This statistical disparity contributed to the belief that the PAC-12, with its lighter emphasis on the run game, was simply not prepared for the Big Ten’s ground-and-pound style.
Penn State defensive lineman Dvon J-Thomas, echoing this sentiment, declared, “It’s a given” that West Coast teams would face an adjustment period when transitioning to the Big Ten. “The PAC-12 didn’t run the ball like the Big Ten,” he said, highlighting the disparity in offensive styles. “It didn’t recruit the same sized linemen on offense or defense.”
The Cold Factor: A New Challenge for the West Coast Teams
The Big Ten’s reputation was not just about brute strength; it was also about the unforgiving weather conditions. J-Thomas, in a playful yet pointed way, emphasized this factor: “They gone feel this cold. They’re out there in sunny, Southern California, wherever they’re at. They gonna feel this East Coast cold.”
He elaborated on the impact of the weather on the game: “They’re gonna wear five pounds of clothes to stay warm. Catching the ball is gonna be completely different. It’s just gonna be a whole new experience for them. And I feel like that’s gonna play to our advantage, especially when we get to the winter months in November.” This was a direct jab at the West Coast teams’ supposed lack of experience in playing in harsh weather conditions, a factor that could potentially hinder their performance.
The UCLA players, however, had a different perspective. Wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, taking a lighthearted approach, dismissed J-Thomas’s comments as a sign of jealousy. “Just jealous they can’t go to the beach,” he quipped. UCLA run-stuffer Jay Toia, on the other hand, was more direct, suggesting that J-Thomas was simply uninformed. “I don’t know if being in the sun really like makes you not be able to stop the run,” he said, emphasizing that weather wouldn’t be a determining factor in their ability to defend the run.
The Dean of Defense Weighs In: Football is Football
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, a veteran coach known for his defensive prowess, brought a more balanced perspective to the debate. While acknowledging the Big Ten’s reputation for physicality, he felt that the “finesse West Coast” narrative was overblown. “Football is football,” he stated, emphasizing the universal nature of the game.
Ferentz also addressed the cold weather factor, expressing a desire to host USC or UCLA in Iowa City in November. “I hope it’s rotten, miserable, which there’s a 50/50 shot of that in Iowa City,” he said, acknowledging the potential impact of harsh weather. However, he maintained that the game itself would remain the same. “I think that’s a little overblown,” he said, suggesting that the weather advantage was not as significant as some might perceive.
Lincoln Riley’s Counter: Defense is a Priority
Riley, echoing Ferentz’s sentiment, dismissed the weather concerns. “I think weather hurts fans more than players,” he said, suggesting that the players would adjust to the conditions. He also addressed the criticism surrounding his team’s defense, pointing out the hiring of former UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who had helped UCLA rise from 42nd in run defense in 2022 to third in the nation last season. This move, Riley implied, was a clear indication of his commitment to improving his team’s defensive capabilities.
The Big Ten’s Doubts Remain
However, despite Riley’s efforts to dispel the skepticism, the doubt remained. The Big Ten, accustomed to a certain style of play, continued to view the newcomers with a wary eye. The PAC-12’s reputation as a finesse conference lingered, and the question of whether the new recruits could truly match the Big Ten’s physicality and toughness remained unanswered.
As one Big Ten player put it, “Football is not football. Football is very different wherever you go.” This statement, while seemingly a bit extreme, encapsulated the inherent bias and skepticism surrounding the new arrivals. The Big Ten, in essence, was waiting to see if the West Coast teams could truly adapt to their new environment, their new style of play, and their new reality.
The 2024 season promises to be an intriguing one. The Big Ten, with its long-standing reputation for physicality and toughness, is ready to test the mettle of the newcomers. The West Coast teams, with their own brand of finesse and confidence, are ready to prove their doubters wrong. The stage is set, and the game is on. The only way to truly determine who’s right and who’s wrong is to watch the action unfold on the field, where the true story of adaptation, resilience, and football dominance will be written.
