Todd Blackledge doesn\u2019t have catchphrases or shtick, and he keeps a pretty even keel. When you\u2019re one of the best college football analysts on TV, you don\u2019t need any of that.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s how a lot of viewers see Blackledge, who has been a network analyst for over 30 years. He\u2019s in his third season on NBC\u2019s \u201cBig Ten Saturday Night\u201d with Noah Eagle and reporter Kathryn Tappen, and they\u2019ll be on the call for No. 9 Illinois\u2019 visit to No. 19 Indiana on Saturday (6:30 p.m., NBC 5, 890-AM).<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s two things I try to do; it\u2019s very simple,\u201d Blackledge said. \u201cI try to answer the question \u2018Why?\u2019 as often as I can. The second part is, I try to say it in a way my wife would understand. I don\u2019t want to only speak in football language that only coaches and players would understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blackledge, 64, frequently accomplishes both alongside Eagle, 28. Despite their age disparity, they\u2019ve clicked from the start. Eagle has broadcasting in his blood as the son of renowned sportscaster Ian Eagle, and Blackledge is as easygoing as they come.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have so much respect for [Noah]. He\u2019s so talented, so well prepared, buttoned up,\u201d Blackledge said. \u201cOur age difference is significant, and yet we have a blast together. I think part of that is because Noah\u2019s kind of an old soul for as young and hip as he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Illinois-Indiana game features two top quarterback prospects in Luke Altmyer and Fernando Mendoza. As a former quarterback who led Penn State to the national championship in 1982, that\u2019s right up Blackledge\u2019s alley.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had Luke last year at Penn State,\u201d Blackledge said of the game he called last September. \u201cI was impressed by his toughness and some of the plays he made. Both of them are considered NFL-type guys. Mendoza\u2019s a little bigger, but Luke Altmyer knows how to play the position.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big believer in experience at the position, and I know Mendoza had experience at Cal, but this is his first time as the Indiana quarterback playing in the Big Ten, and Altmyer\u2019s got those couple of years under his belt. I think that that\u2019s an advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blackledge also thinks Illinois (3-0) is more battle-tested, having beaten Duke convincingly on the road, whereas Indiana (3-0) walloped three lesser teams at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing on the road and playing Duke, and it\u2019s a one-point game at halftime and then pulling away and taking the ball away,\u201d Blackledge said, \u201cI think that win is much more impressive than anything that\u2019s on the Indiana slate right now, including their 73-0 win a week ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t think the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention \u2013 \u201cSo much can happen between now and Week 12,\u201d he said \u2013 but the winner certainly will have a leg up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard a lot of people say Illinois can be like Indiana was last year,\u201d Blackledge said. \u201cI said, \u2018Well, no, this was a team that won 10 games. They\u2019re not sneaking up on anybody.\u2019 Everybody knows they were good last year, and they have a chance to be even better this year because of their quarterback, who I really, really like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Todd Blackledge’s simplicity and straightforward approach to analysis have made him a beloved figure in college football. His ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand language has endeared him to fans and made him a valuable asset to NBC’s coverage.<\/p>\n
Q: How long has Todd Blackledge been a network analyst?
\nA: Todd Blackledge has been a network analyst for over 30 years.
\nQ: Who are Todd Blackledge’s broadcast partners on NBC’s "Big Ten Saturday Night"?
\nA: Todd Blackledge’s broadcast partners are Noah Eagle and reporter Kathryn Tappen.
\nQ: What is the key to Todd Blackledge’s success as an analyst?
\nA: Todd Blackledge’s success can be attributed to his simple yet effective approach, which involves answering the question "Why?" and explaining complex concepts in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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