Cignetti & Bielema TORCH the SEC's Hype Machine | Bigger Ten #213
Release Date: 08/05/2026
Cignetti & Bielema TORCH the SEC's Hype Machine | Bigger Ten #213
Bigger Ten
Steve and Aaron break down the biggest storylines from Big Ten Media Days, from Cignetti and Bielema's brutal shots at the SEC's 'hype machine' to debating whether the Cleveland Plain Dealer preseason poll has Illinois too high and UCLA too low. They also dig into CBS Sports' surprising coaching hire rankings, make the case for (and against) Wisconsin and Minnesota as dark horses, and break down whether the newly passed Protect College Sports Act can actually survive legal challenges.
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Phil Steele's Trends Say Indiana's Luck Is RUNNING OUT | Bigger Ten #212
Bigger Ten
Steve and Aaron kick off preseason coverage by breaking down Phil Steele's trend lines, including Indiana's bear-market luck factor and Penn State's soft-schedule bounce back under Matt Campbell. Steve unveils his full college football playoff and Big Ten bowl projections, capped by a bold call that Oregon finally breaks through for its first national title.
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It Just Means More | Bigger Ten #210
Bigger Ten
Steve Deace and Aaron McIntire react to the Big Ten’s absolute domination of the 2026 NCAA Tournament! With four teams in the Elite Eight and two (Michigan & Illinois) advancing to the Final Four, the conference has embarrassed the SEC (0-6 combined in NCAA + CFP) and proven its superiority in the NIL era.
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Big Ten DOMINATES NCAA Tourney | Bigger Ten #209
Bigger Ten
Steve Deace and Aaron McIntire break down an historic first weekend for the Big Ten in the 2026 NCAA Tournament! With six teams in the Sweet 16 (tying an all-time record), dominant wins by 20+ points, and elite guard play shining through, the conference is making a statement.
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Which Big Ten Team Faces the MOST Pressure in the Big Dance? | Bigger Ten #208
Bigger Ten
Steve Deace and Aaron McIntire dive into the 2026 NCAA Tournament as March Madness kicks off! From Purdue's stunning Big Ten Tournament title run turning them into a #2 overall seed, to five Big Ten teams landing top-4 seeds and the conference's elite guard play, this episode breaks down the biggest storylines, key trends (like hot offenses predicting deep runs), and our no-compromise "sheet of integrity" brackets. Will Nebraska finally break through? Can Michigan cut down the nets? Get our full predictions, upsets, and Final Four calls before tip-off!
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Big Ten MBB Recap; Tournament Preview | Bigger Ten #207
Bigger Ten
Steve Deace and Aaron McIntire break down an incredible week in college basketball on Bigger Ten! Michigan delivers one of the greatest regular seasons in Big Ten history: 29-2, 24 double-digit wins, 16 double-digit Big Ten wins, undefeated on the road for the first time since Indiana’s 1975-76 teams, and a top-five strength of schedule. We debate if this is the most dominant Big Ten basketball season ever and why the NCAA Tournament will define its legacy. Plus: Purdue’s surprising fall, Nebraska’s best season ever, Wisconsin’s wild shooting team, dirty play concerns, and Steve’s...
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Big Ten Football Schedule BONANZA | Bigger Ten #206
Bigger Ten
Steve and Aaron spend the entire show breaking out the 2026-27 Big Ten football schedule: who benefits, who has it rough, and Penn State.
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INDIANA | Bigger Ten #205
Bigger Ten
Indiana completes the greatest turnaround in college football history, beating Miami to win the College Football Playoff National Championship, with Curt Cignetti cementing his status as a legend. The two discuss Kyle Whittingham to Michigan, Matt Campbell to Penn State, and Would You Rather.
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Can Indiana Cap Off Its HISTORIC Run? | Bigger Ten #204
Bigger Ten
On Bigger Ten, Steve Deace & Aaron McIntire begin by breaking down Indiana’s historic run—the oldest team in college football history?—as the Hoosiers chase the Big Ten’s THIRD straight national title. They demolished Oregon & humiliated Alabama. Could they rank with Burrow’s LSU if they beat Miami Monday? They also discuss: Demond Williams’ portal flip-flop vs. Ty Simpson’s loyalty stand Iowa State exodus to Penn State & portal chaos Would You Rather: Nebraska hoops/football, Purdue vs Nebraska, 2023 Michigan vs 2025 Indiana & more
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UNDERDOGS: Are the Ducks Being OVERLOOKED? | Bigger Ten #203
Bigger Ten
The first episode of Bigger Ten for 2026 covers Indiana's humiliation of Alabama in the Rose Bowl, proving Curt Cignetti’s turnaround is historic. We debate whether NIL/player pay has rewritten college football history and if the SEC’s dominance was built on a black market. The two also discuss Ohio State’s “empty calorie” season, Kyle Whittingham to Michigan, Matt Campbell to Penn State, and Would You Rather.
info_outlineSteve and Aaron break down the biggest storylines from Big Ten Media Days, from Cignetti and Bielema's brutal shots at the SEC's 'hype machine' to debating whether the Cleveland Plain Dealer preseason poll has Illinois too high and UCLA too low. They also dig into CBS Sports' surprising coaching hire rankings, make the case for (and against) Wisconsin and Minnesota as dark horses, and break down whether the newly passed Protect College Sports Act can actually survive legal challenges.