If, as expected, OSU and PSU are both invited to the BCS this year,
it will mark the 10th time in the past 13 years that the league has sent two teams to the BCS - more than any other league. BTW, the Big Ten is 11-7 in those games (4 of those losses coming to friggin' SC and two of course to the SEC).
In the 15 years since the Big Ten has expanded (not
including this year), the league has ...
- 3 unbeaten seasons and national titles (yes, I'm
counting PSU 1994:) - only the Big XII matches that with Texas, OU and UNL
achieving championship perfection)
- 3 different schools to have won those titles (the Big
XII ties that and the SEC goes one better ... yes, I'm counting Auburn's title year
- oddly the only SEC team to run the table in this span was the one that WASN'T
crowned BCS champs)
- 8 different schools make BCS/pre-BCS equivalent bowls
(only the Pac 10 matches that depth - the Big XII and SEC have each only gone
six deep in BCS spots)
- A 6-4 mark in Rose Bowls that have matched the Pac 10
and Big Ten champions (and a 7-3 mark vs. the SEC in the past 10 Citrus Bowls)
So let's not back down to these SEC boasts or media
put-downs ... the SEC and Big XII have some great football, but we deserve
every bit to be in the mix as well.
Finally, a look at league BCS (or pre-BCS equivalent)
records in that span ...
- PENN STATE (3-0) - JoePa is tough to beat in bowls
- WISCONSIN (3-0) - Barry knew how to win the Granddaddy
- OHIO STATE (5-3) - Leading 4 BCS at-large bids could be
up to 5 soon
- MICHIGAN (2-3) - Lost 3 in a row, all in Pasadena
(nothing new for UM)
- NORTHWESTERN (0-1) - Still stinging from that one
- IOWA (0-1) - Ran into SC juggernaut at beginning of
their run
- PURDUE (0-1) - Had a heck of a shootout with U-Dub
- ILLINOIS (0-2) - Orange crushed by LSU in Nawlens and
SC in LA - ouch
GO CATS!!!
-SjT
PS - If you need a pick-me-up after the bowl selections
are announced, set your DVR to record the Big Ten Network series "Illinois
Football: The Journey" as we get a behind-the-scenes look at the Zookers
in their self promotion program. Watch first-hand as the Chicago media
bandwagon built hastily after last year's Rose Bowl season falls apart and crashes
with a resounding thud as the Illini lose to rival Northwestern and fail to
become eligible for a bowl berth.
Aaah. A series with a happy ending!:) Tuesday at 10pm
Wildcat time.
You can send your direct
comments or "back door" informationdirectly to Coach
Roy or comment on the Purple
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