Michigan football, fresh off an 8-5 season, is poised for a 2025 comeback. ESPN's SP+ ranks them No. 10, with a shot at Big Ten glory.

For a second, pretend the school’s name isn’t Penn State and forget James Franklin is the head coach. Throw away the well-deserved assumptions about the Nittany Lions, at least for this conversation.

Mascots play a role in firing up the crowds at college football games. That is true at Big Ten contests where fans love their ...