Five Ways to Make the Big Ten Relevant Again

The Big Ten’s once proud perception in the college football universe has gone in a downward spiral over the last two seasons. Poor bowl records and embarrassing performances in non-conference games has left a bad taste in the mouths of fans that follow the giants of the midwest. 

Now that we’ve admitted there is a problem, here’s five ways to fix it . . .

1. Just Win Baby

Sure it sounds simple enough, but the Big 10 hasn't had an important victory over the last few years. Ohio State has made a habit of getting to a big game and flopping.  Penn State and Illinois added to the embarrassment with blowout losses to USC in the two Rose Bowl's and Wisconsin isn’t helping matters. 

The last time Ohio State or really the Big 10 for that matter won a big game against a non-conference opponent was against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2005 season and considering their big game reputation they may not be a good example.

Sadly, it’s not just that the Big 10 is losing these games, but that they are being blown out. When the preseason polls came out for 2008 neutrals dreaded the possibility of an Ohio State-Georgia showdown in Miami for the national championship. 

As bleak of a picture as this paints, all is not lost. Ohio State hanging with Texas in the Fiesta Bowl sparked some hope that someone from the Big Ten might be able to hang with one of the big boys. 

If Ohio State can knock off USC in a national spotlight game this September, rumblings about the conference’s futility may quiet. 

2. Schedule Tougher Non-Conference Games

Ohio State is exempt from this section. The Buckeyes have gone out on a limb and scheduled high caliber competition putting Texas and USC on their schedule in recent years and having more quality opponents inked for future match-ups. 

We all know about the Ohio State-USC game, but after that the Big 10 non-conference schedule is relatively dry. Conference contender Iowa plays Arizona at home, Minnesota plays Cal at home, and Purdue plays Oregon in Eugene. 

Penn State and Wisconsin play an embarrassing schedule and Michigan and Michigan State play no one worth mentioning outside of Notre Dame (and it remains to be seen whether the Irish are going to be worth mentioning). 

The Big 10 portion of the schedule creates some interesting matchups throughout the season, but the conference needs more non-conference games that can be showcased for the nation. OSU-Texas and OSU-USC are perfect examples. 

Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Wisconsin as some of the schools with the most tradition need to step up their non-conference schedules and play someone on the level of a USC or Texas. Penn State has already taken a step in the right direction by having a home-and-home slated against Alabama in 2010 and 2011. 

3.  No One is Above a Gimmick

Whether you want to call it a gimmick or just genius coaching, integrating a unique offensive approach can quickly move a team from a cellar dweller to a contender.   

Both West Virginia and Texas Tech used innovative offenses to make up for a lack of big-time recruits and in the process have built programs that can compete at the highest levels. 

Luckily for the Big Ten a few teams could see in the crystal ball and have installed systems and coaches that aren’t afraid to get away from the big bruising tailbacks and gargantuan linemen that the league was famous for. 

Rich Rodriguez has brought his spread attack from West Virginia to Michigan, Penn State installed the spread HD, and Northwestern has opened up the passing offense while using it to play at a level well above their talent. 

On the other hand Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema personified the approach that may ultimately hold back the league.

During his halftime interview at the Champs Sports Bowl against Florida State, Bielema said the Badgers would play Wisconsin football in the second half, meaning they planned to impose their physical nature on the Seminoles and run the ball at will.  We all know how that turned out. 

It’s obvious for any college football fan that spread offenses, no matter what shape they take, are the future of college football. Just ask Urban Meyer, as his Gators have by far the most unique offense in the SEC, and if you don’t believe him check their trophy case. 

4. Extend the Season Into December

While I won’t bring up conference expansion and a championship game, the Big 10 needs to schedule its conference slate into the last possible week of the season, that being conference championship week. 

Like the Big Ten, the Pac-10 and Big East also don’t have championship games, but the latter two are sure to schedule marquee conference matchups the very last week of the season. 

Michigan and Ohio State closed out the Big 10 regular season on Nov. 22 this past season. A full two weeks later the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 hosted their conference championship games. 

However, in the midst of the conference championship games, the Pac-10 and Big East staged key conference showdowns while the Big Ten was no where to be seen.

The Big 10 has finally broke down and scheduled future conference games past Thanksgiving, but that’s not enough. The conference needs to be in the spotlight every week and not on sidelines during the most important week of the regular season. 

5. Hope for Global Warming

A lot of college football pundits speculate that the reason for the conference’s demise has been the lack of recruits wanting to play in cold weather. While this could be a plausible theory the Big Ten can’t simply throw up their hands and hope for climate change. 

The conference needs to find innovative ways to recruit kids to their schools, while making sure that homegrown talent doesn’t leave for lower latitudes. 

This best way to accomplish this is by enlisting coaches who inspire confidence and have the charisma that players are attracted to. Jim Tressel has a top notch recruiting class coming to Columbus for next season and Joe Pa and Rich Rodriguez have impressive classes as well. 

But outside of the top few programs there is a stiff drop-off in talent injections across the conference. This is one area that must be improved on quickly if the conference hopes to bridge the gap between the Big 10 and other elite BCS conferences. 

All is not lost as next year will bring another opportunity for the conference to step back up into the college football forefront, but if change does not come soon these past few painful seasons may become the norm for a once proud conference.