OT: For which B1G team would you most hate to be a fan?

Submitted by UMgradMSUdad on

Out of boredom, I've been scanning some of the other B1G sports blogs (plus ND's), and of course reading posts here on MGoBlog linking to and dscussing other teams, and it just made me realize how fortunate I am to be a Michigan fan.  I got to thinking about which B1G fanbase I would least want to ever be a part of.  Looking at football especially, I considered such aspects as program history, recent success, coaches and ADs, scandals, and the quality of the fanbase.   Here is my thoroughly researched, scientific, unbiased and objective ranking of B1G fanbases I would hate to belong to with worst being number 1, and reason(s) in parentheses:

1. PSU (Jerry Sandusky, JoePa and administration's response)

2. OSU (the rest of the fanbase is the worst part--the scandals, another lesser issue)

3. IU (football so crappy basketball is the #1 focus even in September)

4. ND ( strong history; sucky team for decades, and a delusional fanbase)

5. PU ( better at football than IU; worse at basketball, no money being used to support athletics)

6. Illini (Year after year of good recruits and crappy teams; does place players in NFL)

7. NW (Good coaching, teams that battle, indifferent fanbase)

8. MSU (good success lately, good runs going back 70 years, thug players, burning couches)

9. Minn (tough place to recruit, positive sparks now and again)

10. Neb. (great tradition, team showing signs of some recent success, coach named Bo)

11. Iowa (quality sports blog, decent team year in and out)

12. Wisc. (Good success in past decade)

13. UM (need I say more?)

How would you rank the teams you would most hate to be a fan of?

robbyt003

May 14th, 2012 at 10:25 AM ^

I'd put Minne higher on the list.  They have been pretty irrelevant in bball and fball for awhile now.  While the basketball team will be decent-good this year, the football team will still be awful.  

CRex

May 14th, 2012 at 10:26 AM ^

I would only follow a college team if I attended college at that institution.  So that would mean I'd be unhappy as a fan of anyone except Michigan, Purdue, or Northwestern since those are institutions I respect academically.  Wisconsin is also okay I guess.  

RakeFight

May 14th, 2012 at 10:30 AM ^

Michigan State without a doubt would be #1 for me.  I would have trouble continually defining myself by comparisons to my big brother and lying to myself that I'm a fan of an elite football program rich in tradition, when in fact, no matter what else happens, Michigan State will always live in the shadows of the truly elite Big Ten programs (UM and Ohio), rich both in football success, and tradition.

Wolverine 73

May 14th, 2012 at 10:31 AM ^

Because that would mean associating with the rest of the fan base and listening to that awful "Hang on Sloopy" song (that I hated even before the ohio state band started to play it constantly) and having to pretend that I liked it.

UMichYank11

May 14th, 2012 at 11:21 AM ^

I hate that song with a passion!  In fact, at my wedding back in March, I forced the DJ to stop playing it after some of my relatives, who are fans of Ohio, thought it would be funny to play.  Needless to say I got the last laugh, and spared everyone's ears from that terrible song.

MGoWangler

May 14th, 2012 at 10:33 AM ^

Without ranking every team, I would hate to be a Sparty fan. Sure, every once in a while they will field a good team. But it would just suck to always be little brother! You would have to live with the knowledge that you're never going to be the best college team in your state. At least OSU, Wisconsin, PSU, and Nebraska are going to always be the prestigious college team in their states. A lot of MSU fans I know are more of the casual fan type. They let me hear about their dominance during our lean years, but don't seem to care much the other 90% of the time. I couldn't handle that. Or maybe I could. I AM a Lions fan...

profitgoblue

May 14th, 2012 at 10:34 AM ^

Either Northwestern, Indiana, or Minnesota.  They are neat little programs but for huge football fans like us, I think it would be absolutely maddening watching either of those teams get hammered week in and week out (with a few flashes of brilliance thrown in there every now and again).  I assume those fans become numb after a while but could you imagine being on NWGoBlog everyday?  I'd want to slit my throat on a regular basis!

 

jg2112

May 14th, 2012 at 10:42 AM ^

Turn this on its head.

Hockey is king and queen in Minnesota when it comes to amateur sports. The men just made the Frozen Four, the women just won the National Title.

Gopher Football isn't paid attention to up here because the Vikings get most of that sport's attention.

And frankly, during the fall, most people in Minnesota (an observation as a Wolverine and Lions fan) choose Sunday for their football and spend Saturdays enjoying what is a beautiful state.

snarling wolverine

May 14th, 2012 at 5:17 PM ^

I know college hockey is a big deal in Minnesota, but is it really true to say that they care more about it than college football or basketball?  I thought they had a pretty loyal basketball fanbase that filled up the Barn, and in football, they at least cared enough to run Glen Mason out of town (and, the last two years at least, they've filled up their stadium).

M-Dog

May 18th, 2012 at 2:36 AM ^

NW has really come on recently.  I would not even put them at the bottom half of the Big Ten.  They just beat Nebraska at Nebraska, something that very few teams ever do.  They are in no way comparable to Indiana or Minn or even Purdue.  

When people talk about NW, they have to divide it into pre and post '90s NW, much like people need to do with Wisconsin.

BeatOSU52

May 14th, 2012 at 10:35 AM ^

I'd hate to be an OSU fan because their fanbase seems to be proud of being known as the biggest jackass fanbase in the nation.  Wouldn't be fun going to games, always knowing you're expected to act like a jackass.

rosedani

May 14th, 2012 at 10:53 AM ^

The question is which fan base would you not want to be part of and unbaised i dont think ND and OSU fit that criteria. I mean both are prestigous atheletic departments that never accept losing. As much as I hate OSU im not sure if i was born 60 miles south i would be upset with my college choice, as a FAN.

 

In the current environment Penn State fans have it rough because of the shame but overall Northwestern would be tough to root for year in and year out purely based on performance on the field. They have had so many close heartbreaking losses in recent years and so many "on-the-cusp" years in both football and basketball. 

MGoCombs

May 14th, 2012 at 10:40 AM ^

This is an interesting question. I would hate to be an OSU fan because I hate what they represent, but I am also a Michigan fan. If I were an OSU fan, I wouldn't hate that, and I would enjoy (scandal aside) the athletic success they've had in the past decade.

I think it would be difficult/painful to be a Indiana/Northwestern/Minnesota fan. It isnt' that I dislike these fans or teams, just it would be tough to care about a team that perpetually puts out a subpar or disappointing product. Kind of how it felt being a Lions fan for so long.

My girlfriend is an ND alum and a pretty serious fan, and the delusional grasp is a little pathetic. She ends up disappointed by their lack of success and inflated expectations every year. Must be tough.

Robbie Moore

May 14th, 2012 at 11:07 AM ^

...or a State fan I'd be pretty pleased. I think my frustration level would be highest if I were an Illinois fan. Never has the potential for so much come to so little. I can not for the life of me understand why they can never get out of their own way in football. The state has 12 million people and the in-state competition is Northwestern. And yet Wisconsin and Iowa, to name an inauspicious two, have routinely better programs. Illinois should have its pick of recruits in greater Chicago but it seems the best of Chicago goes elsewhere. 

Ali G Bomaye

May 14th, 2012 at 2:27 PM ^

As a Chicagoan (transplanted from Michigan), I think part of Illinois' problem is that Chicago is really separate from the rest of Illinois.  Not only is Chicago at the interection of several states (you can be in Wisconsin, Indiana, or Michigan in an hour or less), but since it is the major city for the entire region, many Chicagoans identify with other areas.

It's almost a 2 1/2 hour drive from Chicago to Champaign.  Northwestern, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Notre Dame are closer to Chicago than Illinois is, and Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, and Indiana aren't too much farther.  Illinois might have state boundaries going for it, but Chicago has divided loyalties for good reason.

justingoblue

May 14th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^

and I definitely agree with you. One other thing to keep in mind is the draw of Chicago as a place to live and work. As a general rule, I'd bet that a majority of top Big Ten students get job offers from firms in Chicago, and bring their loyalties with them. Another point about the city is that it's far too big for one college loyalty. NYC and LA are similar in that regard, I bet.

HopeInHoke

May 14th, 2012 at 10:45 AM ^

I like having Wisconsin right below us.  They are a very similar school.  In fact, if I didn't get into UM I'd have gone there.  Similar academics, similar school culture, similar type of student.  They lack the history we have but have had great success of late.  Good at football and basketball every year- not a bad run they've had- plus they aren't too hateable.

NW round out my three best.  Sure their sports aren't great but for their size and academic focus they aren't horrible (like Indiana football).  Plus how can you hate them- they do it right- everyone roots for them to make the bracket for BBall and when they are good at football everyone feels good about it- not many top conference teams you can say that about.

ctmaizenblue

May 14th, 2012 at 10:45 AM ^

After relfection - Minnesota - Just a bunch of decent guys who believe their program will be good and are generally dissapointed by losses to NW and ILL.  Only to hope for the best the next year and face further dissapointment.

 

jg2112

May 14th, 2012 at 10:45 AM ^

While all you are picking on Minnesota here, and you might think it's worth it in a normal sense, you have to remember most Minnesotans aren't "die hard" about any collegiate sport that isn't Gopher hockey.

In that sense we do not complain much about the football or basketball because it doesn't matter that much. There is a sense of balance about most college sports up here - nobody is going to have a terrible weekend because the Gophers lose a football game. Plus, as I've mentioned above, most people give their time and money to the Vikings.

NYWolverine

May 14th, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^

But that's the thing; Minnesotans are really likable, so us folks ranking 'sota higher are doing it because we feel kinda bad. We actually want Minny to be good, and enough so that it's frustrating when we reflect on Minny's lack of relevance. It's a lot like how some people say 'it must really suck to be a Cubs fan...' It's that lovable losers thing.

Plus, they've got the new football facilities, a decent basketball coach and team, so it's irritating and as if the'yre just not putting the puzzle together. PUT IT TOGETHER, GOPHERS! I would love to see Minny crack the Top 10 and make a BCS (just not at our expense). It would be nice if the Brown Jug Game was relevant for something other than giving my favorite Michigan bar its name.

UMgradMSUdad

May 14th, 2012 at 11:56 AM ^

That's similar to my thinking.  Minnesota was the most difficult for me to place.  The others I could have moved up or down a place or two, but the Gophers, I really can't dislike them and just stuck them somewhere in the middle. Penn State, as others have pointed out, had the largest and quickest fall from grace.  I would want no part of that.

jg2112

May 14th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^

Now hold on.

Maturi made a mistake in 2007 by hiring Brewster and he hired the right guy before last year. There was no base of senior talent on the Minnesota team that could up and win 11 wins and a bowl. Kill literally has to build the program because there was nothing waiting for him when he showed up. So let's wait a couple of years and see what happens.

Had Royce White not transferred, and Trevor Mbakwe not been injured last year, don't you think they'd have done a little bit better than losing NIT finalists? The basketball program is just fine, even without a practice facility.

Add in mens and womens hockey, and the non-revenue sports which Minnesota always does well in, and the program as a whole is just fine. Furthermore, Minnesotans really don't care whether you feel bad for them. We live in a beautiful state, with new stadiums on the ground or pending, with tons of great companies in the metro, and a great standard of living. The fact that 85 college kids cannot beat New Mexico State in football on a fall Saturday really doesn't mean that much in the grand scheme.

 

AA2Denver

May 14th, 2012 at 10:52 AM ^

Purdue. List of team national championships:

 

1932 Men's Basketball  
1961 Men's Golf  
1999 Women's Basketball  
2010 Women's Golf

The only school close is the University of Chicago.

Picktown GoBlue

May 16th, 2012 at 1:32 AM ^

Purdue was behind until 1999 and finally pulled ahead in 2010.

National championships for the Maroons in Football in 1905 and 1913 (National Championship Foundation and Parke H. Davis, a retroactively awarded championship), plus 1938 Men's Gymnastics.

And who helped Parke H. Davis win his own retroactively awarded championship by transferring to play for him for only one crucial game?

Answer at the link.

ijohnb

May 14th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^

for sure.  It may wear off, but right now when I think of Penn State athletics, the word that come to mind first is "gross."  I hate Ohio State and lil' bro, but their existence does not evoke a tangible "sick feeling" like Penn State.  I actually started to feel like Penn State's uniforms were "gross" and kind of creepy after the Sandusky story broke.  I would hate to be a PSU fan right now.

snowcrash

May 14th, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^

I'm not going to defend the actions of some of their fans after the scandal hit, but most PSU fans are good people and even the misguided, obnoxious ones did nothing to deserve being associated with that kind of horror and shame. The school whose teams I would least like to be a fan of is the one whose teams have done the most to embarrass the university, and that's no contest.

Young John Beilein

May 14th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^

The choice for me is ohio and it's an easy one.  I have a very limited number of coolers at my disposal and I prefer to use them to maintain the temperature of my beverages.

Ron_Lippitt

May 14th, 2012 at 11:07 AM ^

I used to date an Illini back when I was at Michigan.  Let me tell you.  There is not a sorrier lot of souless downtrods than Chicago kids stuck in Champaign/Urbana.

For those of you who haven't been there, let me describe it to ya.  Remember Field of Dreams?  Well picture the field, without the dream.  Anyone who has EVER attended that crap university begins casual conversation with an apology.  "I went to Illinois, it's not as terrible as you would think..." or something like that.  And it certainly didn't improve the sunny disposition of my black-hearted, hate sponge of a girlfriend, who studied spanish there.  Just consider what it must be like to be an all B1G bitch --- AND study spanish in a hot corn patch.

The sports teams are horrendous.  Sure the basketball team had a few ok years, but when was the last time they really charged up a fanbase?  Don't get me started on the football team, which is as laughable as their now banned mascot, Chief Illiniwik.  The only thing "cool" about Ilinois was the frilly, flippy chief running around like his moccasins were on fire.

Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium -- hands down the worst two sports complexes in the B1G, even when you factor in Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan.  Worst colors.  Worst Band.  Worst food/bars.

It's Illini.  Trust me it's Illinois...