Big Ten football is coming. The 2017 Big Ten Football Media Days, the first taste of the new season, are underway from the McCormick Center in Chicago. This is the first media availability we’ll receive for many Big Ten programs since the spring, and Northwestern will be making its appearance on Tuesday.

Media Days unofficially mark the beginning of football season and give us our first glance at what will transpire once the season begins in late August/early September. While Media Days usually do not provide earth-shattering news, we should get updates on injuries, position battles and playing time for the various programs.

For Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald will certainly have to address a few questions regarding his team’s defense. Northwestern will need to fill the void left by Anthony Walker’s departure to the NFL, as well as cornerback Trae Williams’ season-ending achilles injury. Perhaps the biggest question remains on the defensive line, where an already-thin group became further desolate with Xavier Washington’s suspension.

Fitzgerald is scheduled to appear at 8:15 a.m. CST on the Big Ten Network and BTN2Go. He will be the second coach to appear, following Minnesota’s new hire P.J. Fleck. Northwestern student athletes Clayton Thorson, Justin Jackson, and Godwin Igwebuike will later join Fitzgerald on BTN Live between 2-6 p.m. In case you miss it, the press conference will be played on tape-delay by ESPNU.

Full Schedule:

Monday

12:00 – 12:15 p.m. - Paul Chryst, Wisconsin

12:15 – 12:30 p.m. - Tom Allen, Indiana

12:30 – 12:45 p.m. - Lovie Smith, Illinois

12:45 – 1:00 p.m. - Mark Dantonio, Michigan State

1:00 – 1:15 p.m. - DJ Durkin, Maryland

1:15 – 1:30 p.m. - Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

1:30 – 1:45 p.m. - Urban Meyer, Ohio State

2 – 5:30 p.m. Podium Interview Session

Coaches/students available to all media at individual stages for 60 minutes.

Tuesday

8:00 – 8:15 a.m. - P.J. Fleck, Minnesota

8:15 – 8:30 a.m. - Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

8:30 – 8:45 a.m. - James Franklin, Penn State

8:45 – 9:00 a.m. - Jeff Brohm, Purdue

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. - Mike Riley, Nebraska

9:15 – 9:30 a.m. - Chris Ash, Rutgers

9:30 – 9:45 a.m. - Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. On-Site Radio Show Availability (Interviews with on-site radio shows before and after required media commitments.)

9:45 – 10 a.m. Media Session for Big Ten and Q&A with Bill Carollo, Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials

10:00 – 11 a.m. Fan Session for All Coaches and Students

11:30 – 2 p.m. 46th Annual Kickoff Luncheon

2:15 - 6 p.m. Podium Interview Session

4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Fitzgerald will be at the podium

5 - 6 p.m. Justin Jackson, Clayton Thorson and Godwin Igwebuike will be at the podium

TV/Online streaming

- BTN will televise all 14 opening coach press conferences, beginning at noon CT on Monday and 8 a.m. CT on Tuesday.

- BTN Live will hit the air from McCormick Place from 2-6 p.m CT on Monday, and again from 2-6 p.m. on Tuesday.

- ESPNU will air coaches' press conferences both live and on delay on both Monday and Tuesday.

- BTN's coverage can be streamed live online here.

- ESPNU's coverage can be streamed live online via WatchESPN.