INDIANAPOLIS — Big Ten media days has a much different flair this year. With four West Coast teams joining the conference, the annual event was extended from two days to three. And on day two, we got to meet the two programs from Los Angeles.
Big Ten play will kick off in style, with Michigan football hosting usual-Rose Bowl rival USC in The Big House for a mid-afternoon game. It will be a much different experience than meeting in Pasadena in the postseason, and Trojans quarterback Miller Moss is eager for that game to come.
But still, there’s work to be done for both programs (Michigan hosts Texas in Week 2 while USC opens the season against LSU) before that contest arrives.
“Super excited,” Moss said. “Coach Riley always puts a premium on conference road games. When it comes to how things play out at the end of the year, those conference road games are gold. And I think having our introduction to the Big Ten be the defending national champs at their place, that’s why you come to USC, to play in games like that.
“I think as a team and a collective, we’re really excited, but at the end of the day, we can’t circle games, we can’t look forward to certain things. Our focus is on LSU at the moment, then it will be on Utah State, and then it will be Michigan.”
For third-year USC head coach Lincoln Riley, it’s more than just experiencing something new — though he’s also eager for the Week 4 tilt. While Riley can look at the matchup from a coaching perspective, the fan in him recognizes just how intriguing it is that the two blue bloods, the storied programs, will open up the new era of Big Ten football in such a way.
“We’re looking forward to the game,” Riley told WolverinesWire. “I haven’t had a chance to coach in many Big Ten venues — I think just Ohio State. My first year we got to go there our second game, which was fun. This will be another fun one.
“Just the college football fan in me, that’s pretty damn cool that USC and Michigan are opening up the new Big Ten. To me, no surprise that the Big Ten would pick those two schools and brands to kick this thing off. I think that’s awesome.
“The coach in me is like it’s gonna be great to go compete against a really good football team and I’ve always loved coaching on the road. Perfect way to be introduced to the Big Ten.”
The Week 4 game will take place at 3:30 p.m. EDT at The Big House and will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
Wolverines Wire
