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Throughout the 2009 NCAA football season, the self-proclaimed experts were fond of telling us the Big Ten was a mere shadow of its former self and had fallen to the "second tier" of college football. I for one was almost ready to believe that based on the early non-conference games, but after the bowl games it has become clear that the Big Ten is still one of the best football conferences.
Big 10 teams played in seven bowl games and won four of the seven; but when one considers the three losses, it is evident that the record easily could have been 6 of 7, or even 7 of 7. For example, Minnesota lost to Iowa State on the last play by one point. Northwestern lost to Auburn at the end of the game by a field goal. And Texas Tech had to come from behind to defeat Michigan State 41-31.
The Big 10's four victories were all against quality opponents. Ohio State defeated Oregon; Penn State defeated LSU; Iowa defeated Georgia Tech; and Wisconsin defeated Miami.
It seems fair to conclude that in spite of the premature death notices, the Big Ten is alive and well.
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