I have a feeling the Big Ten goes about 1-6 in bowls in this year with the one win coming where it counts most.....New Orleans on Jan. 8th. WRT to Oregon I think the Ducks would make one great bowl opponent and will beat anyone they face and probably would give OSU their best test. Keep in mind I am not saying OSU is the most talented and I think not as talented as Oregon but certainly the Bucks are the most driven team with enough talent to take home the prize.....and they will.
Corey, I agree 100%. At present, it's looking like the only near certain Big 10/SEC match-up is Wisky. They've won their last two....over SEC runner-up Arkansas last year and Auburn the year before. M is also a distinct possiblity and they are 4-1 in their last 5 SEC bowl match-ups. I see no reason to not expect either of them to play well again.... The others are a bit blurry .....if we win out, then it's likely that the Stripeheads will play somebody, the SEC runner-up whoever that is going to be and we'll play LSU or Oregon. I'm ambivalent, but I have to believe that LSU is likely to be the more formidable opponent given the New Orleans location. If we get by the Illini and lose to the Stripeheads, M will represent the conference in the BCS and we'll likely get an invite as a BCS wild-card. If we lose both, then we'd matchup against the SEC runner-up. In any event, we are sure to get at least 2 and possibly 3 Big 10/SEC match-ups.....at this time its looking like our side will be chosen from OSU, UM, Wisky and either PSU or Illinois. Should be good....1-6? Let the games begin....
I find it kind of humorous that a certain couple of SEC afficionados on the board seem to be myopic in their view of the world outside the SEC. I'm not a betting man, but if I was I certainly would be willing to put up money on the other side of the 1-6 prediction above. When discussing the differences between teams and conferences, I tend to give credibility to what's said by those take a positive approach.......extolling the plusses of their team or conference.......vs. those who take a negative or antagonistic approach......focussing on denigrating or criticizing those teams or conferences outside of their realm of interest.
For you Sid the Big Ten glass was 40% full last season with a not so glamorous 2-5 bowl record. I just don't see where the conference as a whole will fare that well this bowl season either unless they feast on the Big 12. One thing though is that Joe Pa is one helluva bowl coach and he could pull one off....especially against Tubberville should they meet in the Outback.
Sid, I'm with you....surely we can be clever enough to present our case and be supportive of our views by promoting the strengths of our arguments. I don't see the need to obsessively effort to make our postition appear somehow superior by belittling, criticizing and tearing down the other.....just my opinion. That said, I am no saint in that regard but when I have found myself having to resort to belittling an opponent it usually tells me my argument has little merit.....it's the old, "I must be better than you because you suck fallacy"....great argument.
Actually, MCG, I'm not a B10 fanatic, although being from the midwest, I tend to feel more favorably toward that conference than any other. However, I repeat what I've said here many times, that I've felt for a long time that the SEC is the strongest conference top to bottom. It's not so much your picking on the B10. It's generally your preoccupation with denigrating the world outside of the SEC that amuses me. I agree, Gaterz. I'm often told that by the people in my life I'm close to. I know what I'm talking about. :wink:
I see it more as debating/discussing than denigrating. Now some things are so very negative at this point in the season this year that I have chosen to hold back any further comments and I think you know what I mean because nothing I could say isn't being said... :wink: On the Big Ten some choose to ignore the obvious ( 2-5...and a huge loss on the biggest stage ). The Big Ten performance this year hasn"t impressed many outside of a few on this board apparently who feel that the only thing that matters is the two bowl wins last year. This is more about the Big Ten than it is about the SEC. Why else would Sagarin have OSU's schedule rated so weak. All that said I have been extremely positive in a sincere way about Ohio State as a national title contender this season. I think they will not only win it but deserve it as well because the team they will have to beat will be a legitimate team and beating Michigan this year in Ann Arbor will be a huge accomplishment.
I am uncertain what it is specifically you are debating? Exactly what point are you trying to make? Perhaps it would be easier if you started a "Big 10/Ohio State Sucks" topic then your arguments would be more clearly understood...... As opposed to all the illegitimate teams we have beaten???? That must include, among others, PSU and Wisky????? I don't pretend they are the only thing that matters but I also don't pretend that they didn't happen or are completely irrelevant. At the end of the day, you're just a dart thrower who can't stand the fact that we're ranked #1 and undefeated again whilst your boys stepped on their crank and therefore must await their likely fate in the Cap One/Outback/some other Bowl......wearing the bullseye is much more fun......bring it. :lol:
Well, I have said all along that certainly the SEC is stronger than the B10 at this point in time. I would, however, like to get in on some of that 1-6 action. My only prediction of the bowl season is that afterwards some individual or individuals will throw barbs and backhanded "compliments" and then continue to take a "who me?" attitude. It is the second part that gets to me. :?
Hey, MC! is that one of the best tounge in cheek comments I have seen on this board or is your doc providing you Oxycontin for your recent injury?
I'd take some of the 1-6 action also. I've never felt it was completely fair to use a weak schedule against a team when they are in a good conference and playing a conference schedule. A team, or teams, being down that are usually good is not the fault of the team that is being ranked.
Bobda....I was really being sincere in that I think OSU will win it all this year but since BT can't take a compliment too well I have to add that what do you expect with the pansie schedule the Buckeyes have had till now....Wisky....jeez... :lol: Looked in the Top 25 for the cheeseheads and couldn't find 'em... :shock: RE: envy....hmmm....Gators envious of Ohio State..... :lol: :lol: :lol:
Wisconsin isn't the team this year that they have been the last two years. They certainly are not one of only two teams that I would point out that makes Ohio State's schedule legitimate. Maybe they help a schedule out if they are middle of the pack additions to an overall tough schedule but definitely they are not carrying the banner. To me that just illustrates how easy OSU has had it to this point.
Easy there Chief Runswithbull <t>The Gators aren't what they were last year either. In that breath, not many teams this year are. That is the beauty of college sports. Things change, although the hyperbole often runs the same courses.<br/> <br/> Look at Auburn, sitting 2nd in the SEC West. They beat the Gators (2nd year in a row) and quieted the Swamp. Yet they were also beaten at home by Miss State and South Florida (now in next to last place in the Big East btw)<br/> <br/> It will come down to the matchups. In a crazy year like this season, who really knows what is going to happen?</t>
Sounds like a broken record....when will they learn. The SEC faithful didn't expect Wisky to whack Auburn two years ago and certainly didn't expect them to whack SEC runner-up Arkansas last year....many said they couldn't play with them.....same old, same old. Wisky is plenty tough this year...a banged up squad with 3 losses - all on the road. In recent years, they do have a better record -v- the SEC than the Big 10 and I expect the same this year. If Hill is healthy for for M this week, that will be a great November Big 10 brawl in Madison.....
Hill probably will not play but Henne and Hart are also injured but supposedly will play. M/UW games in Madison have, since the Alverex ara, been close, smash mouth football games. Going to Madison is not an ideal place to visit for a team that is banged up with the Great Satan and his hounds visiting next week. :wink: