NBC announces host, team of analysts for 'B1G College Countdown' pregame show

NS_headshot_clearbackgroundby:Nick Schultz•07/20/23•

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As NBC gets ready for its first season of Big Ten football, the network has announced its plans for the pregame show. “B1G College Countdown” will set the table for its primetime slate of games under the league’s new media rights deal.

Maria Taylor will host the show and the panel of analysts consists of former Ohio State star Joshua Perry, former USC quarterback Matt Cassel and former Penn State star Michael Robinson. NBC Sports reporter Ahmed Fareed will serve as the show’s reporter.

The show will make its debut Sept. 2 before Penn State hosts West Virginia. It will also film ahead of two Notre Dame games, including the matchup with Ohio State.

“The college football atmosphere is unlike anything in sports and that’s why we’re going to be on campus every week with B1G College Countdown,” NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “Matt, Joshua, and Michael hail from three of the most fabled programs and energized scenes in college football – USC, Ohio State and Penn State, respectfully. Ahmed grew up in Big Ten country and has a deep passion for the sport and its fans.

“As the host of the NFL’s show of record and a two-sport collegiate athlete, Maria is the perfect choice to lead this new Saturday night tradition. We can’t wait to kick things off on September 2 from Happy Valley.”

NBC joined CBS and FOX as media partners with the Big Ten as part of the conference’s multi-billion dollar media rights agreement, which was announced in August 2022. Under the deal, the Big Ten will receive nearly $7 billion over the seven-year agreement. Three games will be broadcast exclusively on Peacock, including the first game of the deal between Michigan and East Carolina at noon ET on Sept. 2.

Noah Eagle will serve as NBC’s play-by-play announcer with Todd Blackledge as the analyst. Blackledge, a former Penn State quarterback, spent the last 13 seasons as an analyst at ESPN and worked alongside Sean McDonough since 2020.

NBC’s primetime schedule of Big Ten games starts Week 1 with the matchup between Michigan and East Carolina on Peacock at noon ET. The day will end with the second half of the doubleheader as Penn State takes on West Virginia from Beaver Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. “B1G College Countdown” will start at 7 p.m. ahead of all 7:30 p.m. ET kickoffs, according to the announcement.