The Rise of the B1G floor.

I think the OP is Brady Hoke.

Rutgers is the floor. Rutgers lost to Eastern.

Minnesota is actually much worse than last year. Colorado State also destroyed Oregon State. 

Rutgers played what was likely a tougher Washington team on the road after a cross country trip last year and the point spread was only 8 greater. They just lost to Eastern Michigan. 

Michigan State beat one very bad MAC team and another MAC team who we don't really know much about--both were home games. 

Indiana looked worse than last year in these first two games. They lost one of their strong WRs.

I'd agree that Purdue looks better--though it is hard to look any worse than last year. Still, the kept it close against a Louisville team that was wildly inconsistent (lost to Kentucky, Houston, etc.) last year int he first game of the year and then beat a MAC team.

I can't say I see a meaningful certain/real rise in the bottom half of the Big Ten after two games. 

I checked the schedule, I don't see Ohio on it.  You must be confused.

Or are most of the teams this year just not that good? Really tough to know in Week 2

When your weakest team beats a B1G team, that's impressive.  WMU, CMU and EMU have impressed me.  WMU is 0-2, and would likely be 2-0 if they had the same schedule as CMU or EMU.

I find it funny that in years where we recruit fewer state of Michigan players, the directional schools have just as good a chance of landing in-state talent as MSU.

Well, they do raise the floor in the NCAA tourney, and Minnesota plays on a raised floor.  If this is a metaphor for football, have they kicked Rutgers out yet?

The SEC West will still be called the best division in football because of Alabama. But literally everyone else in that division is riding Alabama's coattails. That being said, I think the Big Ten East is easily the deepest division in the country. Ton of great coaches. 

Three teams could make arguments for winning it and making a playoff appearance, one (Maryland) could possibly spring an upset on one of those three and be in contention next year, and IU/Maryland are tough outs in their own right. Rutgers is the only sacrificial lamb in the division this year. Amazing to see how far the conference has come in the last 4-5 years. Even in the Western division, Wisconsin is a perennial top 10-15 team, Iowa shows up every now and then, and if Nebraska can find the right coach, they can be just as good as the bluebloods in the East. 

Bah

Every conference is the same - a couple of dominating powers, some good bowl teams that can overachive once in a while, and the doormats.

The Big Ten is finally using some of that gusher of TV $$$ on decent coaches and facilities.  This should have happened a decade ago.

I agree that some teams are looking better than expected (Purdue especially) but it seems a lot of teams came out week 1 on fire but are starting to settle back to their norm (Rutgers). It remains to be seen if Indiana can carry their first half play against OSU forward for 4 qtrs and Minnesota is a mystery considering their competition.

I'll give Rutgers some credit in that they didn't roll over for UW, and Maryland seems to be making strides, but it's just too early to say.

Washington ran basic packages and scored on them easily when they needed to. They just lost to EMU.

I disagree with your useage of those words. osu, psu and Wisc will be very tough. Others have pointed out the flaws with Minn, Ind, Pur and msu so no need for me to rehash. I think you're reaching here.

College football has no preseason so week 1 results are not indicative of future performance.  See Rutgers vs EMU for proof.

Rutgers still sucks.  Texas is way overrated so hold your horses on Maryland.  WMU isn't the same team as last year.  Check back in around mid October.

Rutgers isn't the basement or even the sump pit.  They're the septic tank outside.