After six long months, the unofficial kickoff to the 2016 Big Ten season is almost here.
Next week, the conference will host its annual media days in Chicago, which will be followed shortly by the start of fall camps all across the league.
But before the Big Ten players and coaches can take the field, they'll first have to face the press. Compared to the SEC's four days' worth of festivities, however, the Big Ten's two-day media affair is practically half the event—literally—that their friends in the South put on each summer.
Nevertheless, even with a much tamer setup relative to the SEC, the conference's upcoming media days should provide some memorable moments, especially with some of football's most powerful coaches involved. Factor in a league that appears wide-open as far as its championship race is concerned, and this year's Big Ten media days should make for must-watch programming for any college football fan.
Bleacher Report will be live on scene, reporting on Monday's and Tuesday's happenings in the Windy City. But in order to get you primed for the week—or days—that will be, here is your ultimate guide to the Big Ten's 2016 media days.