Football Pecking Order in the Twelve Team Big Ten

Dave Thurman (9:50 am)

Now that Nebraska has bolted the Big Twelve for the Big Ten (ironically leaving ten teams in the Big 12 and twelve in the Big Ten), who can claim football supremacy?  In other words, if we were to do a power ranking of the dozen squads who make up the newly formed conference, what would it look like?

Well, TSB has taken on that question using a very simple formula: 50% of the final grade or ranking is based on all-time historical performance and tradition, and the other 50% is based on recent performance (the last decade with extra weight assigned to the past couple seasons).  Using that formula, here is the current Big Ten pecking order:

12. Indiana - They love roundball in the Hoosier State and it shows.  The football team has won the fewest games of any team in the conference, and sports the lowest all-time winning percentage.  They haven't been much better in recent years, though Terry Hoeppner seemed to have them headed in the right direction before his untimely death.

11. Northwestern - They are barely better than Indiana historically, though the Wildcats have fielded some decent teams in recent years, and seem to be on the upswing.

10. Illinois - I would like to rank the Illini higher, considering they gave us Red Grange and Dick Butkas.  But their all-time record isn't very good, and they seem to be headed in the wrong direction with Ron Zook occupying an extremely hot seat in Champaign.

9.  Purdue - The Boilers have produced a bunch of excellent NFL quarterbacks, and had some pretty good years.  But how many truly great seasons can you remember?  And, the past few years they have been sliding backwards. 

8.  Minnesota - Without doubt the Golden Gophers have been weak the past decade, but you can't overlook their proud tradition, which includes 635 all-time wins and four National Championships (they'll argue six) including three in a row in the mid 30s. 

7.  Iowa - The Hawkeyes are a top-flight team these days, but it hasn't always been that way.  Prior to the coming of Hayden Fry in 1981, Iowa was mostly mediocre.  They had some fine years in the 50s, and an excellent 1939 team was led by Nile Kinnick, who won their only Heisman Trophy, but Iowa City has never celebrated a National Championship.

6.  Wisconsin - The line between Iowa and Wisconsin is thin.  Both teams have enjoyed their best days in recent years.  Both teams have never won the ultimate prize.  And both teams claim one Heisman Trophy winner (Ron Dayne for the Badgers).  In the end, though, it comes down to all-time wins, with Wisconsin triumphing 614-580.

5.  Michigan State - All-time the Spartans have won 592 games, and have a better winning percentage than Iowa, Minnesota or Wisconsin.  They have also won three National Championships (they will argue six), which is impressive.  And, while they haven't been world beaters recently, MSU has still fielded some pretty good teams.

4.  Michigan - Let the screaming begin.  Yes, the Wolverines are #1 all-time in games won with 877.  But the last decade has been mostly embarrassing, with the RichRod era off to a terrible start.  Some drunk Michigan fans will try and tell you they have won eleven national titles, but in truth statisticians only credit them with two.  They have had three Heisman winners and lots of great players, but until they get the ship turned around the Wolverines will have to settle for spot number four. 

3.  Penn State - The proud history of the Nittany Lions includes 811 games won, two national titles, and one Heisman winner.  Obviously, Joe Pa is a legend and he only enhances the PSU tradition with his record 394 victories.  Plus, the Nits have been fielding excellent teams in the 21st century.

2.  Nebraska - Welcome to the Big Ten, indeed.  You want tradition?  Try 827 all-time wins, five recognized national titles, three Heisman winners, and a couple coaching legends in Bob Devaney and Tom Osbourne.  Though the Cornhuskers have experienced some recent rocky times, they are on the upswing with Bo Pelini at the helm.

1.  Ohio State - Call me a homer but what's not to like?  Seven National Championship teams, seven Heismans, and 819 total wins, helps build an impressive resume.  Best of all, the Buckeyes are on a roll, having won five straight Big Ten titles, and they appeared in three national title games in the 21st century.  So until someone can knock them from their perch, OSU occupies the top spot in the Big Ten/Twelve.