Big 10 Bowl Game Competition
The Big 10 always seems to get negative press about their record in Bowl games the last few years compared with the SEC but no one ever comments about the level of competition they play. Once again all 5 Big 10 ranked teams are playing someone ranked ahead of them.
It would be interesting to see how the level of competition among ranked teams works out between the Big 10 and the SEC the last few years. I think if the Big10 office was smarter than they are they would arrange the bowl schedule so that their teams plays competition inferior (or at least more equal) to themselves a little more often.
It would certainly help with the perception that SEC football is far superior to Big 10.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^
Unfortunately the Big 10 doesn't control the match-ups and in this situation we're penalized for having an affluent fan base that travels well. Bowls like to get Big 10 teams because in almost all cases we sell our allotted seats unlike a lot of other programs. So we get picked above schools ranked higher in the polls by the bowls who are far more interested in money than match-up equality.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^
the Big Ten has a number of "tie-ins" where its something like Big Ten #4 vs. SEC #3, or whatever (I don't have it in front of me). They can use some flexibility in which Big Ten team (i.e. Nebraska in Capital One instead of MSU) but they do have to pick one if one is available. You're correct regarding the BCS, as we saw this year, but I feel that applies less to lesser bowls.
December 25th, 2011 at 5:30 PM ^
The conference signs tie-in contracts, like mentioned above. Delaney (and the AD's) want to play up, so the B1G teams are on a bigger stage than their SEC/BXII counterparts, and that, combined with the string of BCS at-large berths is what's responsible for the tough schedule year after year.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
it will go a long way to show the Big 10 isnt as down as people around the country may think.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^
If this factors into it as much. It's an interesting point.
I personally think that all the games being in the SEC region is the biggest factor. It's essentially all home games. I'd love to see then come north for some bowl games.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
Seriously, this is a huge deal. I think I remember hearing that when Georgia played at Arizona State a few years ago it was their first game outside the south in some insane amount of time, I want to say like thirty years. These SEC teams don't get out very much.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
Interesting to see but I think it would be a really hard sell to get fans from Florida to travel to Ford Field or even better Soldier Field to watch their once great Gators lose to a midling Big 10 team.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:40 PM ^
Michigan has a winning record against the sec even in modern years. What is even bigger? WE PLAY AT THEIR HOME STADIUMS!
December 25th, 2011 at 1:45 PM ^
No question (Jim) -- the Big Ten teams are playing higher-ranked opponents more often than not in bowl games. Those games are also "road" games for Midwestern teams much more than they are for sun belt teams.
Offhand, the ACC is probably the best example of the opposite case. Doesn't stop the likes of Tom Dienhart from praising them after the season, though, and predicting another "breakthrough" year for the conference. Still waiting on that ...
I do sometimes get annoyed at the insularity displayed by Big Ten fans when the subject of the SEC comes up. I'm sure they cheat (oversigning, etc.) more often than we do, but it's hard to argue with the results of the last several BCS championships, not to mention the number of recent NFL draft picks. Insisting that Wisconsin would steamroll a top-tier SEC defense is a bit silly.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
In fact, we can expand on that idea and have Michigan stop playing D1 competition altogether. It would make them look really, really good every year! The media would have to take notice.
The media creates their own rules. The B1G is not going to beat the SEC rulz, dude meme by any means other than beating them into submission, at which point the media will find a reason that they are soley responsible for the improvement.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:55 PM ^
We already have a team that has taken that cue. Their called Boise State.
December 25th, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^
They're called
December 25th, 2011 at 2:05 PM ^
Sorry, I'm a Computer Science major. I'm just grateful that I know how to speak english.
December 25th, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^
" I think if the Big10 office was smarter than they are they would arrange the bowl schedule so that their teams plays competition inferior (or at least more equal) to themselves a little more often." -from the OP
The Big Ten, aside from the mere fact of how the standings play out, has very little to do with how bowl selection plays out. Those in the conference (or any AQ conference) going to BCS bowls were selected for financial reasons for the most part. The Rose Bowl has a Big 10 tie-in, of course, and the tradition is that the Big Ten champion plays in that game. The non-BCS bowls typically select the remaining bowl-eligible teams in the conference based on whether or not there is a tie-in (in this case, to the Big Ten).
I believe the contracts actually allow for selections to come from other conferences in the event one should not produce enough bowl-eligible teams, or I believe they can also select an "at large" as well, or in the worst case, any team that wants it. Bowls themselves can tender bids, I believe, which explains some of this year's matchups certainly.
I would think that, unless you want to overhaul how SEC teams create their schedules, or go on an all-out blitz to try and eradicate the unnatural infatuation sports media has with that conference, then this may not come to pass very easily.
December 25th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
Will get a nice christmas present from Santa next year. It's alled being fucking DENARDED!!!!!
December 25th, 2011 at 3:16 PM ^
I really try not to look too much into that ranking system unless its blatantly obvious one team is better than another (like, say, LSU and Alabama compared to everyone else). But to be honest, I'd rather we play the better competition. It won't help the big ten's reputation with beating inferior teams. The conference just needs to have a couple good bowl years put together against great competition, like the '09-'10 season (Big Ten beats Oregon, LSU, Georgia Tech and Miami), or win a NC or 2. Until that happens, the SEC will always be considered the better conference, and may possibly still be even if this happens.
Personally, though, I would push hard for SEC home and home matchups. I know it likely will never happen, especially when we move to a 9 game conference schedule. But just imagine the likes of LSU coming to the Big House for a night game, or going into Death Valley. Or at the very least, more neutral site games against the SEC.
December 25th, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^
If Ohio makes it back, Sparty figures out how to sustain excellence for the first time since the 1960's, Wiscy stays where they are, Nebraska steps it up a notch, Iowa stays the same, PSU manages not to fall down the crapper, and Michigan becomes what we are all hoping they will, the B1G will have depth similar to that of the SEC.
If all seven of those teams play well, TEh B1G will be as good as anyone in the country. Really, if it wasn't for gross and chronic oversigning by Bama and LSU, the Big Ten would already be as good as the SEC this year.
Personally, I would rather see Sparty fail and Ohio make it back to "almost as good as Michigan," but it would be sorta cool seeing the B1G known as the best conference in the country, too.
December 25th, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^
as you are. I'd love to see 6 teams from the Big Ten competitive enough to matchup with the likes of Bama, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia and SC.... but I couldn't stand for one of those teams to be Sparty. I'm ready to see them die. Hoke has already laid the groundwork by wiping the state clean of talent. I just can't stand to see little brother in our spotlight... burns me up.
December 25th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
So for shits and giggles I looked at bowl results for the last 3 years of the SEC and Big Ten in regards to the opponents rank. I only compiled for when at least 1 team was ranked so you could see at least in the top 25 ranking who was ahead. No national championships included.
2008: vs higher ranked team
SEC 3-0
B1G 0-4
vs lower ranked team
SEC 1-1
B1G 0-0
2009: vs higher ranked team
SEC 2-1
B1G 4-0
vs lower
SEC 0-1
B1G 0-0
2010: vs higher
SEC 1-2
B1G 1-3
vs lower
SEC 2-1
B1G 1-0
In summation, when ranked lower the SEC is 6-3. When ranked higher they are 3-3 in these years. The B1G is 5-7 when ranked lower and 1-0 when ranked higher.
For 2011, the SEC is ranked higher in all 4 games where at least one team is ranked. The B1G is ranked lower in all 6 games.
It looks like the SEC made a statement in beating team with higher rankings in 2008 and 2009. If the Big Ten could win 4 games that they are ranked lower in this bowl season maybe they can send a big statement too. I think they have a great chance of doing it.
December 25th, 2011 at 4:53 PM ^
Sometimes being lower ranked can be an advantage in bowl games. There isn't as much pressure and a hell of a lot of motivation for teams who are not expected to win. Also, as others have pointed out, a home team advantage for some of the Southern and Western teams can be huge. If my memory is correct, through most of the 1970's Michigan or Ohio State were ranked ahead of either USC or UCLA for the Rose Bowl almost every year and usually lost the game (of course the other disadvantage was trying to stay sharp as team through December when we didn't have the indoor facilities we now have). We always seemed to do better when we were playing a team outside of Southern California, like Washington.
December 25th, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^
We do the B10 ACC in basketball, I think it would be cool if we did it against the SEC in football.
December 26th, 2011 at 9:28 AM ^
December 26th, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^
We already play enough crappy teams
December 26th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^
Just go out and beat Va Tech. Beat Bama next year. Winnings solves alot of problems. Winning consistently will shut everyone the hell up.
December 26th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
The Big Ten always gets invited to 2 BCS games, so everyone below moves into a tougher game.
December 26th, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^
That's where Nebraska helps. Every B1G team below Nebraska no longer slides up a notch.
So Purdue now plays a MAC team instead of playing a BCS conference team, etc.
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