Big Ten at Ten 7.27.12: LOL TIM BECKMAN LOL

How awesome is the Big Ten? So awesome that we, the fans, broke Twitter during the Big Ten Media Days. That's something the SEC couldn't manage to do PAWWWWWL. Then again, we're not sure how many southerners have what they call "magic picture boxes with the clicky thingy" at their disposal. That's right Johnny Rebel. Come get me.

Day one went about as expected. Bill O'Brien remained as cool as the other side of the pillow when faced with difficult questions. Bret Bielema started sweating within 16 seconds of being on stage, bragged about how awesome the Badgers are, popped his collar and finished with "On Wisconsin." No one knew who Danny Hope was. Kirk Ferentz was about as entertaining as watching paint dry. Kevin Wilson spoke like a man who already knew he was getting fired in three years. Mark Dantonio mentioned the word "respectful" which made the audience laugh hysterically. And then...then there was Illinois head coach Tim Beckman.

On Wednesday a few Penn State players Tweeted that they being contacted/stalked/harassed by a group of unnamed coaches who were lurking around their apartment building. Then, head coach Bill O'Brien actually ran into a few coaches outside of the Lasch Football Building. Turns out, these six to eight coaches (I've heard conflicting numbers) were from the University of Illinois. They weren't doing anything wrong or illegal as the NCAA essentially declared an "open season" on Penn State's players. However, it seems like professional courtesy if you call the compliance department or ask BOB how he'd like you to approach the situation. Illinois didn't do that. They just sent their coaches in like they were Nicaraguan Contras.

Naturally, Tim Beckman was asked about the incident yesterday and gave the following responses (via BHGP):

"We were in State College, but we weren't on campus."

"We called a few individuals, but we weren't recruiting them."

"We did not go after them, but they had the opportunity to come to us."

Um. What? What do you mean you were in State College but weren't on campus? Bill O'Brien literally saw your coaches outside the Lasch Football Building. Is that not on Penn State's campus? Furthermore, what part of State College isn't on Penn State's campus? What do you mean you called a few individuals but you weren't recruiting them? What were you talking about? Kristen Stewart getting caught doing naughty things in a parking lot? What do you mean you didn't go after them? You just said you called a "few individuals" and Penn State players saw your coaches outside their apartment(s). That would be like a guy who is stalking a woman saying "I'm not going after her, I'm just giving her the opportunity to come to me" as he's sitting in her driveway.

This prompted the usual batshit insanity from Black Heart Gold Pants with a post entitled Big Ten Media Days 2012: Other Things Tim Beckman Did Not Do. And we thought that things were going to get stale in Champaign-Urbana after the Zooker left. Meet the old boss. Same as the news boss. Hit the jump.

Day two isn't on a fixed schedule. It's basically where the coaches and a couple players sit around a table and take questions from the media. It's not televised and the only recap we'll get is at 7PM CT tonight on the BTN.

Oh, and if you wanted a complete recap of day one, here you go. On to the links.

Team Links:

• IlliniHQ continues its countdown to kickoff by briefly profiling long snapper Zak Pedersen.
• A Lion Eye does the same but profiles tight end Eddie Viliunas.
• Kevin Wilson knows Indiana's offense must improve as much as defense. Wow, Indy Star, thanks for that epic title. Also, thanks Kevin Wilson for that epic quote.
• Indiana isn't pursuing Penn State players but Danny Hope needs all the fresh ACL's he can get.
• Iowa will be wearing Nike Pro-Combat Uniforms at one point this season. Wait. WHAT? Iowa?! Apparently they'll be silver.
• Hawkeye Nation anaylizes Iowa's two-deep. Speaking of, Iowa's current backup RB was charged with a disorderly house last night. Translation: his music was too loud and someone called the cops.
• Michigan will be wearing special uniforms for their season opener against Alabama. See the video:

• MGoBlog does some roster (over)analysis.
• Michigan State reveals its plans on how to stop Shoelace. I imagine it's "something something make him actually throw the ball."
• Sparty will listen if Penn State players call. Michigan won't.
• FBT continues profiling the 15 most important Gophers with punter Dan Orseske. They followed it up with a statistical breakdown of his punts.
• Got an e-mail from Jesse this morning about Nebraska's rumored new uniforms. SC&C also posted a fanshot over at Corn Nation but it appears that the video has been removed. As you can see from the video's screenshot there is a very large N on the front. Here's a possible photo.
• Nebraska's backup RB's are ready to contribute. I wish Iowa had backup RB's.
• Eleven Warriors summarizes how successful Urban Meyer has been in his second year. Yes. I'm skerd.
• Buckeye Empire profiles future tOSU opponent UCF.
• Michael Mauti doesn't think highly of the NCAA's "transfer guidelines" regarding Penn State.
• The Nittany Lions get a commitment from linebacker Brennan Franklin. I was disappointed when I had to double check and saw that his name, in fact, was not Benjamin Franklin.
• Hammer & Rails profiles their favorite opponent: Indiana.

Conference Links:

• Delany Ceasar talks schedules and scandals.
• IlliniHQ has a piece on how ineligible teams leave a void the Big Ten West Division.
• Bleacher Report slideshows are usually intolerable. Unless they're done by Oops Pow Surprise.
• How does the Big Ten catch up with the SEC? Win bowl games, per URBZ.
• SI's article on how B1G coaches lack a consensus on recruiting Penn State's players.
• Is Purdue a threat to win the West?! No, this isn't an Onion article.

Have you liked our Facebook page? If you haven't. Why not?

If you want to keep up on all of today's action I suggest following Brett Yarina of the BTN. He does a solid job.