B1G 2017: Intro to our weekly previews and analysis

As the days warm up and spring finally inches towards summer, you like the rest of us are thinking one thing: it’s about damn time to think about this fall’s Big Ten football season! However, you might not know how your favorite team (or your archrival) is going to be this fall, and we’re here to tell you you’re not alone.

For those of you coming here for the first time, an eclectic crew of volunteer sportswriters will spend the next 15 weeks diving deep into one team each week, with a break around the 4th of July. (We’ll write random stuff that week).

How’s this going to work week to week? Good thing you asked!

Mondays: The Cocktail Party Preview: Have you ever found yourself at an awkward Cocktail Party? Have you ever thought to yourself, “Huh, I should find some common ground with the boss so I don’t sound like an idiot.” The answer to both of those questions is probably, “no,” but that’s the thought here. We’ll be previewing each team, potluck style, so that you can know exactly how to BS your way through a conversation about each Big Ten team.

Tuesdays: The Coaches: For those of you who want to know, we’ll be writing about the guys in charge. And for those of you who have a Jabrill Peppers who is the most amazing thing to ever happen to your school, well, I assume your ‘writer’ will be doing something about that person, because he is probably in charge anyways.

Wednesdays: School Traditions: Did you know Purdue has a big drum? Did you know Rutgers once lost a football game by forfeit after not having enough players? Did you know Illinois has heavy machinery buried under its football field? While only one of those facts is verifiably false - most likely - the point is that this day is about quirks, traditions, and good times. I fully expect some writers to talk about the Midwest a lot.

Thursdays: NON-REVENUE SPORTS DAY WOOOOOOOOOOO: Also, this would probably be a good day for personal stories from you, the fans. Also from us, the fans. I mean, we’re working on this stuff here people. WORK WITH US.

Fridays: HATE HATE HATE: Look, this is going to go one of two ways. 1) We’re going to write something scathing about another team’s school whose week it is because we hate them and they are the worst -or- 2) We’re going to write something scathing about our team’s school whose week it is because we hate them and they are the worst. Bottom line, everything is the worst and yes, wisconsin* is the worst.

*feel free to insert Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Rutgers, buttgers, rutger, just Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana, Penn State, Maryland, and/or Purdue[ERROR: 404 not found], probably not Purdue though. Let’s just mostly feel bad for them.

For those of you who are new that are still reading this, one of the best parts of OTE is our readership that actively comments in our articles. OTE’s been around since 2008 and our community drastically grew in 2013. Don’t be shy, join in on the fun! It’s easy to join OTE and start commenting. And if you have more to say than just a comment, by all means we welcome you to write a fanpost (sign up and click the New Fanpost button). Especially on hate fridays. There’s always room for more hate! There’s a good chance I’ll put them on the front page and share them on social media.

We’re going to feature teams in this order (unless something changes)

• Rutgers: week of 4/24/2017
• Purdue: week of 5/1/2017
• MSU: week of 5/8/2017
• Illinois: week of 5/15/2017
• Maryland: week of 5/22/2017
• Indiana: week of 5/29/2017
• Northwestern: week of 6/5/2017
• Minnesota: week of 6/12/2017
• Iowa: week of 6/19/2017
• Nebraska; week of 6/26/2017
• (OFF WEEK): 7/3/2017
• Wisconsin: week of 7/10/2017
• Michigan: week of 7/17/2017
• Penn State: week of 7/24/2017
• Ohio State: week of 7/31/2017