With 44 games slated for the Big Ten Network this upcoming season, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington will join the Big Ten Conference after coming over from the former Pac-12 Conference.
This marks the first time that a conference will broadcast coast-to-coast games with some fun matchups on tap. It will provide the Big Ten Network not only with new challenges. But also with a new set of broadcasters joining the network this season.
Big Ten Network Announcers
As for in-booth announcers, analysts will include former Michigan tight end Jake Butt. Butt has been announcing games for the Big Ten over the past couple of seasons. Former Pitt wide receiver Yogi Roth, who also served as USC quarterbacks coach between 2005-09, also will be there. Others include former Iowa defensive end Anthony Herron and former Washington offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy. Meanwhile, back for their ninth seasons are former Penn State and NFL linebacker Matt Millen and former Illinois linebacker Jeremy Leman.
When it comes to play-by-play announcers, the Big Ten Network's lead announcer will be Jeff Lovering. Milwaukee Brewers fans are used to hearing Lovering as he's one of their announcers. New to the network is Guy Haberman, who previously worked for the Pac-12 Network. Mark Followill, who also calls games for the Dallas Mavericks, is back for his fifth season.
Lisa Byington returns for her seventh season. Jason Ross Jr. is back for his third season. Additional play-by-play voices include Jason Horowitz, Indiana Fever lead voice Pat Boylan and Washington Capitals broadcaster Joe Beninati.
Roaming the Sideline
On-field reporters are Brooke Fletcher for her fourth season and Rhett Lewis, who is a host for the NFL Network. Melanie Ricks, who works for the Milwaukee Bucks, and NBC Sports Philadelphia on-field announcer Taryn Hatcher also will be on the sidelines.
Rules analysts Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino, best known for their work on NFL on Fox games, will be back, too. Pereira is a former vice president of officiating for the NFL; Blandino is a former NFL referee.
Take note, fans. The first Big Ten Network broadcast will be at noon on Saturday, August 31, when Indiana State takes on Purdue.
Comments