The Big Ten’s New NFL Rule Is NOT What It Seems + CFP Picks, B1G awards & USC Preview

Big Ten football news: Tony Petitti’s new NFL eligibility rule, why the SEC followed the Big Ten, CFP playoff picks, Big Ten award predictions, and USC vs. San Jose State with Jaden Maiava and Gary Patterson.

The Big Ten has officially drawn a line on former NFL players returning to college football — but Jon and Zack argue this move could tell us much more about Tony Petitti’s long-term vision for the conference and the Big Ten’s growing relationship with the NFL.

Is the Big Ten positioning itself to become college football’s most NFL-aligned conference? And what does that mean as the NCAA continues struggling to govern the sport?

We also reveal our 2026 College Football Playoff bracket projections, make our Big Ten Player of the Year, transfer, freshman and breakout predictions, and preview USC vs. San Jose State.

Topics include Tony Petitti, the Big Ten, SEC, NFL, NCAA, LSU, Lane Kiffin, UCLA, Trent Hendrick, Bob Chesney, Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Dante Moore, Jeremiah Smith, Josh Hoover, USC, Jaden Maiava, Gary Patterson and more.

The Big Ten Huddle with Jon Rhoades and Zack Gugenheim — All Big Ten Talk. All Big Ten Fans. All Big Ten, all the time.

Chapters

0:00 – Big Ten Acts, SEC Follows on NFL Players
5:52 – Why the Big Ten’s NFL Rule Is Bigger Than It Looks
23:26 – Our 2026 College Football Playoff Picks
35:29 – Big Ten Player of the Year & Award Predictions
43:55 – USC vs. San Jose State Preview

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