2008 CFN (College Football News) Big Ten Preview

College Football News ^ | 31 July 2008 | Pete Fiutak

[GOP_Raider]

The Big Ten isn’t as bad as you think.

Because of the geographical location, media coverage, and history, the Big Ten is the most popular conference in college sports. Big schools, big fan bases, big rivalries, big stadiums, its own network … big, big, big. It’s such a big league that it has too many teams for its name.

Since there’s so much attention and so much coverage, fans from other leagues love to pile on when things aren’t going so well. However, for all of the bad PR and all the shots the Big Ten has taken over the last few years, it’s getting a bad rap. No, it’s not as good as the SEC, but it’s been better than the ACC and Big East and it’s been every bit as good as the Big 12 or Pac 10, if not better.

First of all, it’s time to stop punishing Ohio State for losing the last two national title games. There’s no shame whatsoever in losing to the national champions.

Second, it’s not fair to impugn an entire conference because one of its teams loses to USC every year. USC would’ve beaten at least 116 other teams in the last six BCS games its been in; there’s no reason to rip on the Big Ten just because it keeps getting in the way of the steamroller.

Third, the league simply hasn’t been as bad as you think.

[Dog Gone]

Yes, an editorial column from 2006. If there was anything to it, why has nothing been filed?

It is easy to allege crap. You’re proof of that. You’ve said that the program pays players.

It doesn’t, and you’ve provided not a tidbit of evidence that it does.

You are focusing on one thing which has been thoroughly investigated.

Why?

[Lakeshark]

Thoroughly investigated? Are you suggesting that didn't happen with Bush?

Dream on.

And keep that USC #1 cheater poster on your wall okay?

[fkabuckeyesrule]

****Will he win, or not?****

Not initially. It all depends on does he establish a good relationship with Michigan high school coaches etc and can he recruit the best players in MI, northern Ohio and PA. Michigan taking a big gamble with this guy. The spread offense is the in-thing right now. We'll see if it works in Ann Arbor or not. Maybe it will pay off or maybe it will blow up in his face. I suspect the UM ALumni has this guy on a very short leach.

[Dog Gone]

You obviously have a case of penis envy for USC.

The investigation never came up with any evidence that USC did anything wrong. That obviously is not good enough for you.

I’ve repreatedly asked you to back up your claims of widespread cheating and you won’t provide anything at all. I assume that’s because you can’t, not because you don’t want to.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Ya gotta love these SEC fan. They make a valid point saying the SEC has been the best conference these past few years (PAC10 was good conference last year). But then they have to go overboard saying ultra-assinine things like even the ACC is better or Vanderbilt would go undefeated in the Big Ten.

Seriously though I think programs like Indiana and Michigan State are on the upgrade right now while Michigan might have a bad year this year. The worst thing is that these SEC fans have gotten me to do something I'd thought I'd never do: root for Michigan (in a bowl game no less). Yuck!

[fkabuckeyesrule]

****Michigan will start out 1-3....If you thought Appalachian State was a tough opener, that’s nothing compared to facing a strong Utah team.****

Hey GOP, they're showing you some Utah puppy love (Donny & Marie reference).

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Didn’t USC win the national chapionship in 1979? They beat Ohio St in the Rose Bowl that year.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Now-now. Some of the players don't attend USC because they'll get paid, but because the education will open doors for them in the working world.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

****If I were a USC fan, I'd be ashamed.****

..plus they employ Susan Estrich. LOL!

[Lakeshark]

I did. I guess you didn't read the article did you? I guess you can't search the Reggie Bush case and find the 100's of articles on the case and the evidence can you?

There has been no NCAA investigation and you know it. Period.

There is tons of proof for anyone with a brain and a modem that USC won their only nat. championship this decade with a payed star player that knew he was being paid to play there.

How about answering some of what Wetzel said about your program? I guess you'd rather continue to put the blinders on and brag about your program.

[Lakeshark]

Susan Estrich is from there too......LOL!

Dang, no wonder they had to pay Reggie to go there.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Thanks for posting this. Last year this was my fav college football website.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Aug 28: Vanderbilt at Miami University, 7:00 PM, ESPNU
Aug 28: Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech, 7:30 PM, ESPN 360
Aug 28: Charleston Southern at Miami, 7:30 PM, ESPN 360
Aug 28: NC State at South Carolina, 8:00 PM, ESPN
Aug 28: Wake Forest at Baylor, 8:00 PM, FSN
Aug 28: Oregon State at Stanford, 9:00 PM, ESPN2

Aug 29: Temple at Army, 7:00 PM, ESPN Classic
Aug 29: SMU at Rice, 8:00 PM, ESPN

Aug 30: Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina, 12:00 PM, ESPN
Aug 30: Western Kentucky at Indiana, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network
Aug 30: Bowling Green at Pitt, 12:00 PM, ESPNU
Aug 30: Maine at Iowa, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network
Aug 30: Syracuse at Northwestern, 12:00 PM, ESPN or ESPN2
Aug 30: Youngstown State at Ohio State, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network
Aug 30: Coastal Carolina at Penn State, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network
Aug 30: Akron at Wisconsin, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network
Aug 30: Hawaii at Florida, 12:30 PM, Raycom
Aug 30: Ohio at Wyoming, 2:00 PM, The mtn
Aug 30: Towson at Navy, 3:30 PM, CBS CSTV
Aug 30: USC at Virginia, 3:30 PM, ABC
Aug 30: Utah at Michigan, 3:30 PM, ABC
Aug 30: Oklahoma State at Washington State, 3:30 PM, FSN
Aug 30: Delaware at Maryland, 3:45 PM, ESPNU
Aug 30: Appalachian State at LSU, 5:00 PM, ESPN
Aug 30: Northern Illinois at Minnesota, 6:00 PM, Big Ten Network
Aug 30: TCU at New Mexico, 6:00 PM, Vs.
Aug 30: Northern Iowa at BYU, 6:00 PM, The mtn.
Aug 30: Mississippi State at La. Tech, 6:45 PM, ESPN2
Aug 30: Boston College at Kent State, 7:30 PM, ESPNU
Aug 30: Alabama vs. Clemson, 8:00 PM, ABC
Aug 30: Michigan State at Cal, 8:00 PM, ABC
Aug 30: Illinois vs. Missouri, 8:30 PM, ESPN
Aug 30: Washington at Oregon, 10:00 PM, FSN

Aug 31: Kentucky at Louisville, 3:30 PM, ESPN
Aug 31: Colorado State vs. Colorado, 7:30 PM, FSN

Sept 1: Fresno State at Rutgers, 4:00 PM, ESPN

[GOP_Raider]

Hey GOP, they're showing you some Utah puppy love (Donny & Marie reference).

I noticed that, although Donny as I understand it is a by?U fan. Marie is...well Marie, we're willing to forgive whatever shortcomings she might have. :)

[ExpatGator]

Go Gators!

Go SEC!

[Pharmboy]

If RichRod can install his offense successfully his first year at UMich I will be VERY impressed.

I just odered my tickets for the Northwestern game...too bad the Wolverines aren't playing the Mountaineers this year. HA!

[GOP_Raider]

IIRC, Alabama might have won it that year, let me look that up...

[Paleo Conservative]

...when are we going to have a playoff?

In what round will the Big 10 champion get knocked off?

[GOP_Raider]

I haven’t taken a look at the bowl affiliations that closely for this year, but I’m wondering what it would take to see a UM/WVU bowl match-up? It might be one of the more anticipated bowl games were it to occur...

[Proud_USA_Republican]

You do have to admit there have been some strange irregularities with the USC program over the past couple years. Like how anxious Mike Williams was to try to bolt to the NFL after only one season under very strange circumstances and the NCAA denied him eligibility when the NFL told him quickly no way. Something dirty had to of been going on behind the scenes with him and the school for USC not to want him.