Now or Never for the Big Ten

By: Ryan Meyer

Unfortunately, bowl season isn’t all fun and games for everyone. For those of us who write about college football, it spells the end of columns dedicated to actual gridiron action. Until September of 2008, all we have to occupy ourselves is draft chatter and recruiting updates. Things could be worse, I suppose. For example, it would be far worse to occupy the shoes of Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, whose conference enters post-season play with the highest stakes of any conference in bowl memory.The Big Ten is at a turning point. The once-mighty powerhouse of college football lays claim to some of the most prestigious football schools in history - Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, to name three. Its schools have won a combined 24 national championships since the turn of the 20th century. The most recognizable symbols of college football reside on Big Ten campuses - the dotting of the ‘i’ in script Ohio, Joe Paterno roaming the sidelines in Beaver Stadium…the list is almost infinite.

Yet the history and success of seasons past have given way to a somewhat less formidable air in recent years. A string of embarrassing high-profile losses and sub-par seasons by perennial superpowers have tainted the Big Ten’s glossy image. Pundits and fans alike have taken to questioning the conference’s viability, and perhaps rightly so.

The conference as a whole has come to the cliched fork-in-the-road. A commanding collective performance on the part of its universities could restore the luster to a tarnished reputation. If the Big Ten bowl representatives lose a majority of their games, however, the results could negatively impact the conference for years to come. Pollsters have long memories, and preconceived ideas of how competitive a school or conference is often play an equal role to actual on-field performance in the AP standings. Future bowl selection committees could pass on Big Ten schools based on reputation.

Due to its recent recession, the Big Ten already faces an uphill battle to regain its old reputation. What makes the going even tougher for the conference this holiday season is an extremely hard-hitting schedule - one that features five opponents who were involved in National Championship talk late in the season. Of the eight bowl games Big Ten universities will be participating in, they are favored to win only two.

Purdue vs. Central Michigan
The Importance: There isn’t much good that can come out of this game, short of Purdue setting a record for margin of victory. In the public eye, a Big Ten team should never lose to a directional Michigan school. Though Purdue isn’t considered Big Ten royalty, a loss would still sting a few egos in the Midwest (and probably draw jeers from SEC country).

Chance of Big Ten victory: Purdue has faced much stiffer competition this year than the Chippewas. A telltale sign of the probable outcome is that the two teams have squared off already this season, with the Boilermakers winning 45-22.

Michigan State vs. Boston College
The Importance: A victory in this game would be a big shot in the arm for the Big Ten. BC was in the title hunt until a late-season collapse, and quarterback Matt Ryan was a Heisman frontrunner and is considered an NFL first-rounder. If Michigan State beats one of this year’s highly-regarded teams, Big Ten supporters would look at the victory as proof that the conference has talent from top to bottom.

Chance of Big Ten victory: Did I mention the Eagles were in title contention and have an NFL-ready quarterback? Michigan State has been very solid running the football, but the 3.5 points Vegas is giving them probably won’t be enough.

Penn State vs. Texas A&M
The Importance: Penn State represents much of the history in the Big Ten in Joe Pa and its National Championships. Texas A&M may well be its Big 12 equivalent. Victories against a quality opponent from a quality conference are just what the Big Ten needs.

Chance of Big Ten victory: The Nittany Lions have one of the best run defenses in the nation and the Aggies have a tough time passing the ball. A&M has home field advantage, but lost three of its last four games. If they play above their season average and push the hostile crowd into the background, Penn State could make a statement for its conference in San Antonio.

Indiana vs. Oklahoma State
The Importance: This isn’t a standout game on the bowl slate by any means, but a Hoosier victory could tip the scales for the Big Ten this bowl season. Putting the Big Ten’s reputation aside, Indiana is trying to win a bowl game for Terry Hoeppner, their late coach.

Chance of Big Ten victory: Kellen Lewis and James Hardy have been a potent combination all year, which could spell trouble for a Cowboy defense that spent most of its season giving up points by the bushel. On paper (and in Vegas), Indiana has the best odds of any Big Ten team to return home with a bowl victory.

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee
The Importance: This is the first of three matchups between Big Ten teams and squads from the highest-rated conference - the SEC. If the Big Ten wants to make a statement as to the state of its football, this would be a great place to start.

Chance of Big Ten victory: As the Badgers always do, Wisconsin places an emphasis on running the football and it has had good success doing so this year. Tennessee has had trouble stopping opponents’ tailbacks, but will look to score points on the Badgers’ rollercoaster defense. This game will come down to which offense can take advantage of defensive shortcomings.

Michigan vs. Florida
The Importance: One year after being blown out against one of the nation’s hottest teams, the Wolverines find themselves with a bad case of dejà vu. Aside from the National Championship, this game is the Big Ten’s best opportunity to restore its rep. One of the most storied football universities will attempt to right the ship on a national stage. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Michigan.

Chance of Big Ten victory: Last year, Michigan was dismantled by a faster, more athletic team and superior quarterback play. Facing the Heisman-winning quarterback and one of the speediest teams in the country should provide an accurate measuring stick as to how far the Wolverines have come in the past year.

Illinois vs. USC
The Importance: This is a big game in terms of the Big Ten showing off its depth. If the Illini can pull off an improbable upset against a team that may be playing the nation’s best football, it would chalk up a major victory for its conference. The fact that the Rose Bowl will be the venue for this showdown will draw extra attention to the result, making a decent showing by the Illini even more crucial.

Chance of Big Ten victory: The USC defense is both fast and physical, and will be a big test for the youngsters on Illinois’ offense. The Trojans have more talent and experience and will be playing in their home city. USC holds a big advantage in this contest.

Ohio State vs. LSU
The Importance: Obviously, winning the National Championship would be the biggest possible boost for the Big Ten’s bruised ego. It would make up for the Buckeyes’ embarrassing showing in last year’s title game, and would also make the statement that the Midwestern conference is back to business as usual. Add to that the fact that LSU has been a media darling all season and represents the best team in the purported best conference, and it becomes evident how big of a statement game this is for OSU and the Big Ten.

Chance of Big Ten victory: LSU has lost two games this year in triple overtime. The Buckeyes have lost only one game, and that was to a team playing in the Rose Bowl. The popular perception is that the Tigers have played a much tougher schedule and have the advantage experience-wise. OSU should be playing with a chip on its shoulder as it faces questions as to the legitimacy of its schedule. The Buckeyes have a better chance this year than they did against Florida last year.

A native Milwaukeean and University of Wisconsin alum, Ryan Meyer has been entrenched in the Midwest sporting culture since the days of his youth. Currently living mere blocks from Wrigley, he is doing his best to fly under the radar and avoid detection by Cubs followers. He can be contacted at ryan.t.meyer@gmail.com.

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