Big Ten Football: Does Conference Reputation Depend on Ohio State and Sugar Bowl

The Big Ten was embarrassed on New Years Day this season as they went 0-5 on the day that was supposed to be when they came out and showed that they were the elite conference in the nation.

Although they suffered some huge defeats, such as the 49-7 defeat suffered by Michigan State to Alabama, many people are wondering what happened.

Is the Big Ten's reputation on the line as the Ohio State Buckeyes face Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl this week?

Proves They Deserve 2 Teams In The BCS

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back Montee Ball #28 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter of the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty I

If they win this game, it would prove that the conference deserves two teams in the BCS year in and year out.  Wisconsin played a great game against TCU but just couldn't get it done.  

If Ohio State wins this one, it will give us some respect back.

It Would Put The Bowl Record at 3-5

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Hall #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes returns a kickoff against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

If they win this game it would put the conference bowl record at 3-5, which isn't great at all, but at least somewhat respectable.  Sometimes you have big years, sometimes you don't.

This is just an off year for the Big Ten.

A Win Would Help the Reputation Against The SEC

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes hands off against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Big Ten has never had a great history against the SEC and this season was no different.  It is time for Ohio State to step up and win this one to restore the reputation of the Big Ten against the SEC in BCS games.

Weak Season

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Ben Chappell #4 of the Indiana Hooisers moves to hand off the ball during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Ge

Through the regular season, most Big Ten fans could tell you that the conference wasn't that strong, and facing low caliber opponents a lot of the season did not help in bowl play.

It's important that the Buckeyes win to help restore some of this.

Great Win's By Illinois and Iowa

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CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs against the Northwestern Wildcats closes in during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated Northwestern 48-27. (Photo by

Both Illinois and Iowa had great wins in their bowl games this season.  Illinois beat Baylor bad, and Iowa beat the 12th ranked Missouri Tigers. 

These two wins helped a little, but the goose-egg on new years day hurt bad.

Too Late To Save It

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Michael Shaw #20 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

I have drawn the conclusion that at least for 2010, it is too late to save the reputation of the conference.  No matter what OSU does in their bowl game, people are still going to point to the Big Ten choking on New Years day.

Move On

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - DECEMBER 21: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers shoots the ball during the game against the IPFW Mastodons at Mackey Arena on December 21, 2010 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

It's my suggestion to Big Ten fans across the nation to just move on and forget all about this bowl season.  The BIg Ten has the best basketball conference in the nation, and will be much stronger in football next season with the addition of Nebraska.

What Ohio State does really doesn't matter at this point; we found out the BIg Ten is bad, no matter how you spin it.