On the second day of Big Ten Media Days, Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning advocated for a schedule that mirrors the NFL with no open weeks, referencing Oregon's bye week in 2024 before losing to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

On Oct. 11, the Illibuck rivalry resumes, and the game is going to take place in the wind tunnel of Memorial Stadium. Ohio State quarterbacks over the years have struggled to adjust to the wind, and the Fighting Illini have a growing football program. They may not be quite the pushover as in recent years.