Anyone Worried About the Big Ten?

In 2006, Ohio State were hammered by Florida in the National Championship Game.

In 2007, Michigan lost to Appalachian State in one of the biggest upsets in college football.

In 2008, Illinois was crushed by USC in the Rose Bowl.

In 2009, the conference became one of college football's laughing stocks by losing (almost) all of its bowl games. Penn State was crushed in the Rose Bowl by USC, and Ohio State continued their reputation as the biggest chokejobbers in recent BCS history by losing yet another big game, this time to Texas.

In 2010, we're a little nervous about the Big Ten's prospects for bowl games. It might work out well for the conference, it might not.

And to attempt to fix it, the conference has come together. Joe Paterno - and other coaches - have campaigned for another team to join the conference. They see the need for change.

It might not happen right now, but here are a few things that can move the conference forward and make recruits, journalists, and fans more interested in Big Ten football...in a good way.

1. TRADITION SUCKS. PERIOD.

Before the railroad, the people on horses and carts complained that it wasn't the future. The railroads talked about the motor car, and the car owners talked about the planes. Well, in the Big Ten, we're still at horse and cart stage.

The Big Ten (or, as it's referred to by SEC fans, the "Big Eleven") needs to change its biggest games. Ohio State and Michigan needs to be played on Thanksgiving. Every team's end-of-season "closer" (or big rivalry game) should be played on the last game of the season. Only Wisconsin and Illinois really showed any forethought, deciding to play in the last weeks of the year.

Can you imagine how much bigger Ohio State and Michigan would be if it was played on the last week of the season or on the traditional 'rivalry weekend' when Florida play Florida State, Alabama play Auburn and Texas play Texas A&M over the Thanksgiving Weekend?

2. ATHLETIC DIRECTORS OF THE BIG TEN, UNITE (AND TAKE COVER)

Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, I'm not complaining about your efforts this year. You scheduled Notre Dame and USC. It wasn't your fault that both teams went to the crapper by the end of the year. And Illinois at least played Missouri and Cincinnati.

But Penn State scheduled nobody. At all. And when you play 'nobody' very well, then people start walking away from you and your crediblity as a football playing school in a football playing conference.

Why not try to schedule two good non-conference teams and lead the way, instead of just one (or none in some cases), Athletic Directors?

And big losses might not help the Big Ten's credibility, but good recruits seeing good matchups might be persuaded to come to play Big Ten football and battle in front of the 100+ thousand that'll roll up and see them play at The Big House, The Horseshoe or Beaver Stadium. Anyone remember how Derrick Williams turned round the fortunes of Penn State in 2005, or more recently how Rashad Mendenhall turned round Illinois' fortunes in 2007?

And in the future...

1. MARRY ANOTHER ONE, BABY

The Big Ten needs another team, and then it probably needs to change its name. According to the lovely people at Blue White Illustrated, the Big Ten want Notre Dame, West Virginia, Missouri, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers.

The Irish said, "Screw you, fella," while Pitt also said, "Nope." West Virginia, Mizzou, Iowa State, and Rutgers (and maybe Syracuse) you feel would love to come and play in a bigger-name conference (with apologies to the Big 12 North and Big East).

We know that the Big Ten is trying. We really do. But things are getting pretty urgent and the powers-that-be need to move fast. We'd like to see Missouri, West Virginia or Rutgers join the fray, but that's just our preference? Who would you like to see join the Big Ten, fans?

2. GET A DIVORCE

The Big Ten would then be split into two divisions of six, with divisional member playing each other, as well as a few more from the other conference. We don't know who the members of each division would be, but it would be sure nice to see Ohio State and Penn State in the same division year-on-year (Penn State, in fact, would make the new conference a geographical mess unless Rutgers came in and extended things to the Atlantic Coast!).

3. PLAY THE GAME

This would be the second biggest conference championship in the world of college football, behind the SEC Championship Game. The Big Ten is only getting talked about in terms of crap reputation because suddenly it's gone from "hero" to "zero." A conference game would put the Big Ten back on the map. And yes, we're serious.

If the teams can't split the conference, then why not get the top two teams in the division to play a conference championship game regardless?