The Big Ten is taking a page out of the ACC’s playbook.
During select Friday matchups this season, the Big Ten will give viewers an inside look at the replay review process being conducted by officials in the conference’s replay center. Per the announcement, networks will be provided live audio between the game referee and replay official during reviews, as well as a live shot from inside the Big Ten Replay Center.
The announcement comes after the ACC completed its first full season of providing networks with similar replay review insights in 2025, and as the Big 12 plans to roll out similar access this season.
The Big Ten’s new enhancements will debut across three separate games this Friday: Purdue-Indiana State (Big Ten Network), Michigan State-Toledo (FS1), and USC-Fresno State (Fox).
Below is the full list of Big Ten games that will have the additional replay access:
Friday, September 4 – Purdue vs. Indiana State (BTN)
Friday, September 4 – Michigan State vs. Toledo (FS1)
Friday, September 4 – USC vs. Fresno State (Fox)
Friday, September 18 – Oregon vs. Portland State (BTN)
Friday, September 25 – Rutgers vs. Howard (BTN)
Friday, September 25 – Indiana vs. Northwestern (Fox)
Friday, October 2 – Northwestern vs. Penn State (Fox)
Friday, October 9 – Washington vs. Iowa (TBD)
Friday, October 16 – Purdue vs. Washington (Fox)
Friday, November 6 – Illinois vs. Nebraska (Fox)
Friday, November 13 – UCLA vs. Illinois (Fox)
Friday, November 20 – Michigan State vs. Oregon (Fox)
Friday, November 27 – Iowa vs. Nebraska (CBS)
Friday, November 27 – Wisconsin vs. Minnesota (Fox)
Fans welcomed the ACC’s replay-transparency initiative with open arms last season, praising the inside looks at the replay center and being able to hear the referee’s dialogue. The effort even won the 2025 Awfulie Award for Best Broadcast Innovation!
It’s good to see that other conferences are picking it up, even if it’s in a limited capacity like the Big Ten. Soon enough, it is likely all conferences will adopt the tactic, and perhaps even the NFL.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.