Only one issue with what you wrote... speed is not why the Big 10 sucks.  Ohio State is built purely on speed and they still lose big games.  Also, Utah made a joke out of SEC SPEEEEEEEED.

The Big 10 is definitely in a rut, but they will return when Michigan learns how to play again and when Tressel recruits "system" players instead of just playmakers who don't play as a team.  Watch out for MSU, they have a Soph. QB who was barely beaten out for the starting QB job at Oklahoma by Bradford, and two young 4 star running back recruits.  It's not pretty now you're right, but the Big 10 will be back in a couple years and will contend with the Big 12 and SEC.

Things go in cycles and the Big Ten is just on the down swing. Now how long they stay their is dependent on what changes they are going or are willing to make.

So Northwestern, ranked #22, losing to Missouri, ranked #25, with both teams finishing 5th in their conferences, was somehow Northwestern playing a team that was significantly better than it?

Same thing with Georgia and Michigan State. Identical records, nearly identical ranking, MSU loses handily.

I don't think most of the Big 10 teams got bumped up a higher bowl if you go by the rankings, I think the Big 10 just isn't very good. And getting thumped by teams from other conferences that finished with basically the same ranking as you, and the same record as you, pretty much proves that.

Ohio State is not solely built on speed.  Their best player (Beanie Wells) is a POWER runner not a speed back.  Ohio State's Problem to me, appears to be their defensive scheme and lack of pressure on the QB...again, lack of a speed rusher.  Gholston provided that last year and was missed big time this year.  To say Ohio State is built solely on speed is like saying that Oklahoma's success is based solely on their defense...just wrong.

I think you can still be a Big Ten fan and realize that the quality of football is not where it needs to be.  A passing play (for the most part) in the Big Ten is a poorly thrown ball that the wide receiver catches and then falls down. 

The conference caught a break last night because Texas showed they're not that good.  I hope recruiting improves, but anyone who watches the Big Ten Network on Saturdays knows that it's sometimes painful to watch.  Grind it out football doesn't inspire a high school Senior to want to come to our conference.   

Put Utah and Boise State in the Pac 10 please so we can have a completely dominant confrence. The Big 10 got raped this bowl season. Hands down, nothing new.

The Big 10 is definitely down this year, and it's been sliding for quite some time.  As has already been stated, there is some spread played in this conference so that's not necessarily the problem.

This conference needs a little life though.  tOSU - Michigan game has become a joke, there hasn't been any significant changes to this conference since Penn State joined, there's no conference championship. Tell me one conference game any fan outside the conference looked forward to this year...

Ohio State played a great game last night.  Iowa, Penn State, Minnesota and Northwestern all made significant improvements this year.  Michigan State will be better next year.  Michigan may surprise some next year (they'd better, Michigan being down is one reason the conference is having trouble).  There's reason to be optimistic about the B10's future.

The problem is that the Big Ten schools actually expect their students to be just that - go to classes, maybe even graduate with a real college degree.  If you are a great athelete, but dumber than a box of rocks you will not get into a Big Ten school, so look to the SEC or the southern schools of the Big 12.  Recently a DB football prospect named Carter rejected a Big Ten school for one in the SEC saying he planned to play excactly three years there, declaring for the draft early and play in the NFL.  Perhaps he will, good luck, kid - don't get hurt.

Wow...amen...Big Ten schools really do recruit "STUDENT ATHLETES"...and they expect them to attend class and actually graduate. I would also add this item--next year, let's get all the Big Ten's opponents to play the bowl games @ the schools stadiums instead---and let's see how many of these warm weather schools enjoy the snow, wind and freezing cold weather instead of the sunshine. Georgia, Florida State, Texas, and USC are all invited.

Besides as bad as the Big Ten has been in the past few years, I still think they're better than the ACC and Big East

You mean a shot at finishing 2nd in the Big Ten, right?

/blatant OSU homerism

I was going to reply to that comment as well, Derms you beat me to the punch and covered exactly what I was going to say, gave you a smart their buddy....

Big East was 3-2 vs the Big 12 this season...1-0 vs. the SEC (Auburn) 1-2 vs the Big Ten (both losses were by Syracuse) and 2-0 vs Notre Dame.....not pathetic by any means.

Who do you think that twelfth team will be? Not Notre Dame. They wont join the Big 10 since they already play other sports in the Big East.

they aren't able to recruit the top talent, etc.
And weren't you writing blogs constantly about Terrelle Pryor and his recruiting last year? He looks like a pretty good recruited player to me.

Let's have a bowl game (or 2, 3, 4, 5 ?) outside, in the upper midwest the first week of January, and see how all of these "speed teams" from the SEC, Big 12, & Pac-10 would do !!!!!

They play that one Humanitarian jobbie in Boise.....

Right.....with powerhouses Maryland & Nevada, I believe.

If the same bowl matchups from this year were played in cold weather, I'm saying that the Big 10 would NOT go 1 & 5.     The way OSU & Texas played yesterday, OSU might've won.    The MSU / Georgia game was not a blowout; MSU has a chance in the 4th Q.     USC would still likely beat Penn St, but it would be closer I bet.     Northwestern & Mizzou - I would take NU in the cold; Chase Daniels would need his hot girlfriend to warm his hands to throw the rock !

Doubt Kentucky would leave the SEC, even if they fit a little better geographically.
Iowa State woud give Iowa a natural rival, but Missouri would be a stronger steal from the Big XII
Utah and UTEP seem too far away.
Pitt or West Virginia might be decent bets for a 12th team.

I agree with you and even though I want the conference to perform better, I'm not willing to give up the academic standards of the universities.  In all fairness though, Florida State had a Rhoades Scholar this year, so I'm sure there are a few good students on all teams.  I'd just like to think the Big Ten has a few more who actually go to class and get degrees.

Cincy fits geographically too.
Basically they'd probably just have to poach from the Big East like the ACC did

This is not the first time the Big Ten has had a struggle season. I think it is time that the teams get back to the basics of what has always put the Big Ten on top of things, instead of being like other teams out there who shoot for "style points and humiliating their opponents". I would rather watch a well played game between two teams that play with heart and soul and with honor and the integrity of the game. Too many times this season we say attitude and unsportsman like conduct on the field that would make the likes of Bo Schembechler and even Woody Hayes sick to death. (And yes I know Woody's season ended on a bit of sour note, one he regretted because his emotions got the best of him). The Big Ten puts the acedemics ahead of the game or at least the most of the schools do. Look at how many times Penn State held their players responsible for their actions off the field. (Yes I realie other schools did the same but not near the number that should). Seems like some schools have a hot shot player and they can do what ever and it is swept under the rug or you hear "it will be dealt with after the season"-like heck it will and what does that accomplish-NO accountablity when it needs dealt with.
Also lets take USC for example, who did they play that even was worth mentioning and I don't mean any disrespect to their opponents but they played teams way beneath them-like Washington, come on...If they had played teams in other divisions they would not be the team the Nation seems to have turned into God's. Plus they are a team that the Hollywood set comes out in masses to support-it's like the red carpet of NCAA Football.
Also where is the commentment on the part of players now days to commit to a college and back out for a better deal or if they get there and the team is rebuilding or having a so-so season they pack it up and go someplace else. I say that because that is what my Wolverines have gone through this past couple of years. If they can't stick it out and be a part of team and learn the new program that Coach Ric Rod is trying to bring in to keep up with the other teams outside the Big Ten. I know alot of people dislike the man but in what world did they expect the man to come in and take over a team that had lost basically their entire starting line up. As much as I loved Coach Carr I think he would have struggled with the recruits they had. Recruits I will give a big "way to go" to. They started out slow and had some problems but you could see improvement. They will be back on top next year as will other Big Ten teams because they have the heart and desire to. Some of these other teams want the glory, fame, style points to set them above all the rest and walk all over the rest and humilitate them, not play for the sake of playing.
As far as I am concerned I dislike USC, Ohio State and Notre Dame for just those reason. Notre Dame did not make the type of points/wins as the others but their progaram is questionable. And I agree with the others above why won' t they comment to a conference, it just screws the Big Ten up having them hang around with us but not be a part of us.  Let them join USC!!!! I also and am expecting some back lash from alot of people (my family especially as I was born and raised in Oklahoma until moving to the evil Badger land-but I am neither a Sooner fan nor a Badger fan) but I can not stand to watch Oklahoma play football because you know they are going to kick the crap out of everyone they play. They humilate their opponents and instead of having a little mercy and put in oher players that could use the practice when they are up 79 to 17 they keep their A class players in-why STYLE POINTS, they have to run those up so they will look better to the BCS and overthrow all other opponents.
Again I have written a novel but I get so pissed when it comes to some of this stuff. I am a Michigan Wolverines fan..I bleed Maize & Blue...I will support them in the good and the bad, be it next year or the year after...I have faith they will return to their dynasty and Coach Rich Rod will be the man to do it as long as the fans give him a chance. He is a man of integrity and family values and if you bother to read articals other than the ones bashing him you will find he is doing his best to learn the Michigan ways of life but yet bring his own traditons in too and they arent that far apart.  So if you are a Big Ten fan no matter who you cheer for dont let the football world beatsus down but if you are a faiar weather fan..hey USC, Oklahoma Sooners, LSU, many others have room for one more fan of your caliber.  Oh yes GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

preach on

I agree with much of what you are saying but:
I say that because that is what my Wolverines have gone through this past couple of years. If they can't stick it out and be a part of team and learn the new program that Coach Ric Rod is trying to bring in to keep up with the other teams outside the Big Ten.
When you are recruited to play for Carr and he retires and the new coach that is brought in that you do not like and is a complete change from everything that has been done with you so far, what do you do? Rich Rod will bring in all the coaches and players that he wants to fit in his system. I would not stick around if I knew that I would not be a good fit in his plans and most likely never play. They committed to play for Carr and then he leaves and the players do not want to play for Rich Rod.

I agree, Missouri would be the best fit.  They already have a decent rivalry with Illinois, in both BB and FB. 

They'd be missed in the B12, but not for long, especially if we could get Arkansas.

I think Iowa State would be the most likely since the Big 10 would not be moving into a whole new state.