Big Ten Football Desperately Needs a Big Win

This September 12^th on a Saturday evening in Columbus, Ohio a great deal is on the line for Big Ten football.  It’s not just Ohio State hosting USC, it is the entire Big Ten seeking credibility.  All teams and fans of the Big Ten, even those in Ann Arbor should put their collective hearts behind the Buckeyes.  The heavyweights from the Big Ten need to prove they belong with the elite from the Big Three; SEC, Big 12 and USC.

 

The Big 10’s ineptness in bowls over the last few years is well publicized.  Last year they hit rock bottom with a pathetic 1-6 and that’s not an aberration.  Since the 2004 season the Big Ten is an abysmal 2-7 in BCS bowls and they are not just losing but they are losing badly.  All of the losses have been by at least 14 points except for Ohio State’s last minute defeat to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl last year. 

 

Ohio State has carried the mantel of the Big 10 into the 2007 and 2008 BCS title games only to show the best of the Big Ten did not belong on the field with their counterparts from the SEC.  Florida and LSU treated the Buckeyes like hand-picked patsies for homecoming weekend.  Early last season the Buckeyes were given another chance to bring respect to the Big Ten only to be bludgeoned by USC on national TV.

 

The Big 10 does not need a victory in the Alamo Bowl or Capital One Bowl.  They are in desperate need of a victory against the aforementioned elite of the Big Three.  The opportunity will present itself September, 12^th when USC pays visit to the Horseshoe.  This year's opinion of Big Ten football will ride on the shoulder pads of Ohio State.  Pete Carroll and the Trojans have had way too much of a good time against top teams from the Big Ten.    

 

USC will be stacked once again but they may be vulnerable early in the season.  The reason for a possible Achilles is the change at QB.  After spring practice Carroll announced the inexperienced Aaron Corp will be captain of the USC Enterprise.  If Corp slips up in fall practice more inexperience is waiting whether it be blue chip freshman recruit Matt Barkley or the former Arkansas clipboard handler Mitch Mustain. 

 

After a season opening stroll with San Jose State one of these inexperienced quarterbacks will line up under center at the biggest game to hit the Horseshoe in quite some time.  This is certainly not a weak USC team by national standards but it may be weak by Trojan standards especially this early in the season. 

 

It’s time for the best of the Big Ten to show it can beat the best teams that warm weather has to offer.  This is as good of an opportunity the conference will get to prove itself and it won’t get this good again.  At least not this year.