The 200 Level with Mike Carpenter: A Fighting Illini Fan Podcast

Big Ten Football is back . . . yet again! Mike Carpenter breaks down the announcement of a 9-game season beginning October 24, and analyzes how all the interested parties (players, coaches, admin, and disgruntled parents) come out on the other side of a month-long debate. 

Ryan Day is peeved, James Franklin is confused, and angry parents are probably writing even more letters to Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren. Mike Carpenter tries to answer the question of "why can't they play?" as campuses quarantine, move to remote-only learning, and initiate partial shutdowns.

The Illini-Ohio State game that wasn't got the attention of Pat Forde, who wrote an article on the economic impact on Champaign-Urbana. Mike Carpenter discusses how the community is affected, along with the latest murmurs of Big Ten football possible restart from Dan Patrick.

On the night Illinois would have welcomed Ohio State to Memorial Stadium, Mike Carpenter wonders what could have been as COVID-19 cases rise at UIUC. Meanwhile, days after Illini athletes and coaches marched for Black Lives Matter, a local website refused to cover the event despite an absence of newsworthy sports stories.

Led by Illini football standout Kendrick Green, the University of Illinois athletic department came together for a Black Lives Matter protest. Mike Carpenter discusses the impact of Josh Whitman, Lovie Smith, and Brad Underwood's solidarity with the hundreds of students who marched.

The NBA boycott highlighted the increasing role of athletes in social and political issues. Mike Carpenter looks at the impact of professional athletes on discussions of racial injustice, and why "sticking to sports" is no longer an option.

After reports of an NBA-like bubble setup for college basketball, Mike Carpenter is feeling optimistic about seeing Brad Underwood's loaded roster on the court this season. Also, he looks at the aftermath of the Big Ten parent protest and nominates Shannon Ryan (Chicago Tribune) to be the new PR person for Kevin Warren.

Letters, letters, and MORE LETTERS! Mike Carpenter reacts to Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren's belated response, along with the letter drafted by parents of Illinois football players. 

As students arrive back to campuses across the country, the #WeWantToPlay movement gains momentum with support from athletes, parents, and fans. With one messy decision after another, Mike Carpenter ponders if anyone is actually in charge.

After the Big Ten officially cancels the fall football season, what now?  Mike Carpenter looks at possible alternatives, including Jeff Brohm's proposal for spring football.  Later, Harry Black hops on the show to talk about the craziest college football week in a long time.

With the cancellation of Big Ten football and other conferences soon to follow, Mike Carpenter looks at the myriad of frustrations - for students, athletes, fans, and others - and how we got to this point.

Lovie Smith's Illini will kick off the college football season with a Thursday night home game against Ohio State. Mike Carpenter breaks down the 10-game conference schedule, along with best-and-worst-case scenarios.  Later, Alex Roux (The Take Ten Podcast, BTN) joins the podcast to talk Illini basketball, football, and Lou Henson memories.

Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn announce their return to Brad Underwood's program for one last hurrah.  Mike Carpenter reacts to the surprising news, along with the passing of Illini legend Lou Henson and Meyers Leonard's stance on the national anthem.

Mike Carpenter discusses how the Clay Travises of the media world are dumbing down the conversation of sports returning during COVID-19, and how being a "coronabro" isn't so bad after all.

Mike Carpenter looks at what an Illinois football gameday will look like in the fall, following an announcement from Josh Whitman about seating capacity, tailgating, and more.  Casey Boguslaw (writer/analyst, @FutureSox) takes a deep dive into the upcoming MLB season, including division races, sleeper teams, and the many follies of Rob Manfred.

Mike Carpenter has a conversation with Ryan Baker (CBS Chicago morning anchor) about his career in journalism, experiences with racism, the transition from sports to news media, and what the Flyin' Illini would have to say about current issues facing student athletes.

The House of 'Paign pulls off the 16 vs. 1 upset, all while conquering the ghosts of Buckeye past in a thrilling TBT victory.  Mike Carpenter also speaks with Professor Sheldon Jacobson on the risks associated with college football during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An arbitrary milestone, but a milestone nonetheless!  Mike Carpenter celebrates the 100th episode of The 200 Level by bringing on co-host emeritus Steve Breitweiser, along with current co-hosts Harry Black, Trevor Vallese, and Isaac Ambrose. 

Mike Carpenter talks to Shannon Ryan (Chicago Tribune) about Illini linebacker Milo Eifler's comments on player safety, COVID-19's effects on college sports, students speaking out, and the importance of journalism.  

Baseball is back!  Mike Carpenter talks with Herb Lawrence (Executive Producer at 670 The Score) about the 60-game season, the young and dangerous White Sox, and how the shortened season will benefit some teams.  Along with baseball, they talk about the role of sports media in discussions on race.

On the eve of a vacation, Mike Carpenter looks back at the craziest month in what's been the craziest year so far.  The MLB owners and players are in a standstill, NASCAR's decision to ban confederate flags brings back memories of Chief Illiniwek, and sports media struggles to find its role in the ongoing conversation on race.

Mike Carpenter speaks with Steve Holstein, long-time host of the Holstein and Co. morning show on WIXY on the current state of radio.  In the opening segment, Carp reacts to the IHSA basketball finals returning to CU, Rob Manfred's ineptitude in the MLB negotiations, and Mike Gundy's tone-deaf t-shirt.

Mike Carpenter has a conversation with Carey Davis (starting fullback on 2001 Illinois Sugar Bowl team, 2008 Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers) on race, police brutality, and the intersection of sports and politics.

Mike Carpenter and Trevor Vallese reflect on the week that was, including Illini coaches and staff protesting and marching in Champaign and Luke Ford's Twitter response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Mike Carpenter reacts to Lovie Smith's appearance on Mike Tirico's "Lunch Talk Live" on NBC Sports Network.  Later, he has a conversation with John Paul (former WCIA 3 anchor and reporter, retired professor at University of Illinois College of Media) about the current state of journalism.