Michigan State vs. Nebraska: Big Ten Doesn't Offer Contenders Worth Caring About

This weekend, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will host the hot Michigan State Spartans in a matchup that will have huge implications in the Big Ten conference.

The winner of this game will become the favorite to represent the Legends division in the Big Ten Championship game.

The problem is, nobody really cares.

Well, I'm sure you care if you're a fan of one of these teams, or if you're a fan of the Big Ten conference. You then have an opinion on who you want to see win these games.

But the majority of the college football world doesn't care about the Big Ten this season. This season, they're as irrelevant to college football as the Big East is. 

Currently, there are five Big Ten teams in the BCS Poll, but how many are actually good? And how many could actually either compete against the top teams or win a national championship?

The answer is zero.

We all thought that Wisconsin was for real until they gave up a 44-yard fluke pass and lost to Michigan State on the game's final play. The Badgers are still probably the best team the conference has to offer, but that's really not saying much this season.

There is currently no Big Ten team inside the Top 10 of the BCS Poll—and Michigan State is the closet, as they are No. 11.

With a win over Nebraska this week, they'll probably sneak into the Top 10 and would have three consecutive victories over ranked teams. But looking at the teams they would have beaten isn't that impressive.

Michigan is a team that is run by one player, and that player is the reason they either win or lose with his inconsistent play. You take Denard Robinson out of the game, and more often than not, the Wolverines fall flat on their faces.

Then a victory over Nebraska wouldn't say much because the Cornhuskers haven't beaten anybody this year—unless you count Wyoming, Fresno State and Minnesota as quality wins. The only decent team Nebraska has played this year, Wisconsin, mopped the floor with the Cornhuskers. 

You can't say Ohio State is a quality win because that team can't find the end zone. I bet the Buckeyes have had more players in trouble this year than the amount of touchdowns they've scored.

Penn State has a nice 7-1 record, until you see they haven't beaten one ranked opponent all season. Sure, they played Alabama, but lost by 16 points.

You have Illinois, who started the season off 6-0, but since then they have lost two games in a row. Those losses have come against Ohio State and Purdue, of all teams.

College football is all about consistency, and in the Big Ten this season, there is none.

The Big Ten has a lot of tradition and a lot of quality programs, but this is a down year for the entire conference.

This week, there is a big matchup between Michigan State and Nebraska, but very few will be watching.