Big Ten vs. Everyone Else

by Deezy24 on Aug 28, 2008 11:21 AM EDT

With the season upon us (finally!), and some Big Ten teams actually stepping up and playing some good outside competition early on in the schedule, here's a good read about the Big Ten's current image problem.

Perception of weakness

I thought the most interesting note from the piece was about the Big Ten's problems in bowl games (well, except for Penn State, since we still get it done in bowl games). Jerod Mayod, New England's first round pick from Tennessee, had some interesting things to say.

"Mayo believes it's not coincidence that the Big Ten has mostly fallen on its face in bowl games because those games are generally played in ideal weather. Big Ten teams must be built to withstand often-rugged late-fall weather.

If an SEC team had to play in Michigan or Wisconsin in January, the outcome might be different.

"It definitely would be," Mayo said. "When you're used to playing in weather like those guys are, it plays to their advantage. You have to build a team that's able to run the ball, and that's what they do."

Thanks for the fanpost! Please do not post any content from a premium site that requires a subscription. Also, if you just want to share a link, quote, or video, please consider using fanshots instead. Thanks.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

One other thing that hurts the Big Ten against the SEC:

That pesky business of actually graduating your players. If only we could play in ideal weather all season long, forget academics, and get showered with affection from the sports media — then maybe there wouldn’t be a disparity between the two conferences.

But I’d rather have the better academics, the cold weather, and feeling like a constant underdog — that’s always been PSU’s mantra and now recently the Big Ten’s as well.

by millzners on Aug 28, 2008 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

USC-Ohio State

Ohio State winning that game will go a long way to mending the Big Ten’s rep. Illinois beating Missouri would also be a step in the right direction.

I’m pretty sure it was on BSD that one the guys did a post showing how the Big Ten has gotten screwed in some recent bowl matchups where a team that finished lower in the Big Ten has to play a team that finished higher in their conference (ie Illinois playing USC in the Rose Bowl last year).

by speedomike on Aug 28, 2008 12:13 PM EDT reply actions