It might be surprising that the Big Ten Conference is leading the nation in teams with one loss or better. 6 of the 11 teams in the Big Ten, and if you throw in the soon-to-be Big Ten Nebraska Team, that would be 7 of 12 teams, with 3 undefeated teams. Additionally, 3 of the 4 losses for the 1 loss teams were to teams still in the Top 25. 2 of those 3 were on the road.
Yes, the Big Ten has had an abysmal record in bowl games. In 2008, Iowa was the lone winner for the conference, which put up a 1-6 record. But that performance improved to 4-3 in 2009. Look for that record to improve this bowl season as well. In fact, it is quite likely, with the slight emergence of Illinois and the reemergence of Michigan, that the Big Ten has 8 of its 11 teams bowl eligible by the end of the year. 6 teams are either already eligible, or are 1 win away from eligibility.
It has been easy to harp on the Big Ten the last few years, but this year the conference has visibly turned the tide, and proven why a team like Nebraska should be proud to join a prestigious conference that once again will see a day at the top of the conference bowl standings.
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Nebraska has been the surprise team of the season so far for me. With the Big 12 down this year and Nebraska with a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way out (no more games against Top 19 teams before potential Big 12 title game), can the Huskers go undefeated? It's certainly possible.
ReplyDeleteI also see a scenario where Mich State and OSU are both undefeated come season's end. OSU still has some tough games left, but I think they're the best team in the country and have said so since the season's start.
As for Michigan State, the only ranked opponent left on Sparty's schedule is an Oct. 30 date with No. 15 Iowa, which could be unranked by then as it plays @ Michigan and vs. No. 18 Wisconsin prior to that contest.
If Nebraska, OSU and Mich State all go undefeated, which two teams get the nod? I'm sure it will sort itself out. It usually does. But there certainly are some interesting scenarios. Too bad there isn't a Big Ten championship game. Would love to see an undefeated OSU and Mich State square off for the right to go to the BCS title game.