The Big Ten wasn’t embarrassed in non-conference play the way they have been in recent early season test games or in bowl season. But nor did the league stand up and make a statement. Here’s nine general thoughts on the conference from last Saturday and looking ahead to this week, followed by our current Big Ten bowl projections…
The Big Ten has had a rough go of it nationally in recent years. Even as the league’s brand name and marketing cache seem to increase exponentially—the expansion to 14 teams takes effect this year—the results on the football field haven’t followed. At least until last January 1 they didn’t. That’s when Michigan State upset Stanford in the Rose Bowl and finally salvaged some pride for this league in a big non-conference game.
…there’s angling for possible at-large spots to the BCS, to good New Year’s Day bowl games and to bowl eligibility itself. TheSportsNotebook’s college football coverage will touch on some key overview points and then make some Big Ten bowl projections.
TheSportsNotebook’s college football coverage will be back later this week with a look at the four marquee games. For now, let’s whet our appetites with a look at the most notable games on the undercard, going conference-by-conference. There’s more going on in the Big Ten then Badgers-Buckeyes and it starts with a rivalry battle that could have postseason stakes at the prize.
TheSportsNotebook.com’s college football coverage has updated its BCS bowl projections following Week 4, with a special look at the chances of Fresno State rising out of the Mountain West. As part of a conference-by-conference wrap-up of the week, here’s a look at the Big Ten…
The Big Ten has had a rough go of it in bowl games and non-conference play in general of late. The league’s problems started at the top, back in 2006. That was the year Ohio State and Michigan were 1-2 in the country going into their annual season-ending game, but each was destroyed in postseason play. Ohio State again lost the national championship game a year later in decisive fashion.
The Big Ten Legends Division is clearly the stronger within the conference, even if you grant that the Leaders likely has the best team in Ohio State. All six teams in the Legends have reasonable expectations of a bowl game and four can make a legitimate case for themselves to be the representative at the league title game in Indianapolis on December 7. TheSportsNotebook’s college football coverage breaks down the Big Four and the two challengers.
It didn’t take Urban Meyer long to put Ohio State football back on the map, going 12-0 in his first year, even while being hindered by NCAA probation incurred during the Jim Tressel era. Now the Buckeyes are free and clear and come into the 2013 season as the heavy favorite to win the Big Ten title.
TheSportsNotebook’s college football coverage will look at whether Ohio State is set to run away with at least a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game on December 7 in Indianapolis.