September 11, 2008

The fate of the Big Ten will be decided on Saturday

We're counting down to the "Game of the Century Part LLXVII" between USC and Ohio State this weekend, but I can't help but wonder: What would an Ohio State loss mean?

One one hand, this is one game - and a nonconference matchup at that. The reality of the situation is that Ohio State is likely the class of the Big 10 and a loss at USC would do nothing to alter their Rose Bowl plans. While the Buckeyes would likely fall to the bottom of the top ten, a lost to Southern Cal wouldn't even eliminate Ohio State from national championship contention. After all, its early in the season and we've seen plenty of one-loss (and multiple loss!) teams make it to the BCS title game.

On the other hand - when was the last time the Big 10 had a big win in a nonconference game?? While Michigan's upset of Florida got a lot of attention last year, the top two conference teams endured inhumane beatings in their BCS games - to the extent that even the non-football watching public was left wondering who would throw Illinois and Ohio State to the BCS lions.

Like it or not, the Ohio State Buckeyes have become the answer to too many bad sports trivia questions over the last few seasons. Not only have the Buckeyes failed to carry the Big 10 banner in the BCS, their performance has left some wondering if tOSU even knows that there is a banner.

In my opinion -- and we all know what opinions are like -- I think a loss by Ohio State would be absolutely devastating to the Buckeyes title hopes and to the Big 10 conference as a whole. While the Bucks cannot win a national championship in LA on Saturday, I have to think that they can absolutely lose one. And not only would a USC win knock out the Buckeyes, but it would relegate the entire Big 10 conference to BCS also-rans for 2008.

Just as Clemson's jaw-dropping defeat to Alabama neutered the ACC, I think an Ohio State loss to USC -- even though USC is really, really good -- limits the Big 10 conference to their Rose Bowl representative and that's it for 2008. No second BCS team. No at-large berth. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

And it's not just my opinion, but Rich Rodriguez is thinking that way, too.

"We talked about it a little bit as coaches back at our Big Ten meetings," Rodriguez said. "I think sometimes the Big Ten gets bashed a little bit unfairly. I think you need to look at an entire body of work at the end of the year instead of just one or two games as far as judging a league. But perception is what it is. The best way, as coaches we said, to change it is to win some big games."

Michigan beating Notre Dame isn't going to do it.

Wisconsin beating Fresno State isn't going to change the conference's lot in life.

The fate of Big 10 football for the 2008 season (and beyond) rests squarely on the shoulders of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

If they win, the Buckeyes will be in the driver's seat for the BCS championship. A victory means that the Big 10 conference is relevant.

If they lose, the BCS will be out of reach for years to come for Ohio State. And Big 10 football... well, welcome back to the dark ages.

CLICK-CLACK.

Posted by Kevin Donahue

Comments:

The fate of the Big Ten will be decided on Saturday
We're counting down to the "Game of the Century Part LLXVII" between USC and Ohio State this weekend, but I can't help but wonder: What would an Ohio State loss mean? One one hand, this is one game - and a nonconference matchup at that. The reality of the situation is that Ohio State is likely the class of the Big 10 and a loss at USC would do nothing to alter their Rose Bowl plans. While the Buckeyes would likely fall to the bottom of the top ten, a lost to Southern Cal wouldn't even eliminate Ohio State from national championship contention. After all, its early in the season and we've seen plenty of one-loss (and multiple loss!) teams make it to the BCS title game. On the other hand - when was the last time the Big 10 had a big win in a nonconference game?? While Michigan's upset of Florida got a lot of attention last year, the top two conference teams endured inhumane beatings in their BCS games - to the extent that even the non-football watching public was left wondering who would throw Illinois and Ohio State to the BCS lions. Like it or not, the Ohio State Buckeyes have become the answer to too many bad sports trivia questions over the last few seasons. Not only have the Buckeyes failed to carry the Big 10 banner in the BCS, their performance has left some wondering if tOSU even knows that there is a banner. In my opinion -- and we all know what opinions are like -- I think a loss by Ohio State would be absolutely devastating to the Buckeyes title hopes and to the Big 10 conference as a whole. While the Bucks cannot win a national championship in LA on Saturday, I have to think that they can absolutely lose one. And not only would a USC win knock out the Buckeyes, but it would relegate the entire Big 10 conference to BCS also-rans for 2008. Just as Clemson's jaw-dropping defeat to Alabama neutered the ACC, I think an Ohio State loss to USC -- even though USC is really, really good -- limits the Big 10 conference to their Rose Bowl representative and that's it for 2008. No second BCS team. No at-large berth. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. And it's not just my opinion, but Rich Rodriguez is thinking that way, too.
"We talked about it a little bit as coaches back at our Big Ten meetings," Rodriguez said. "I think sometimes the Big Ten gets bashed a little bit unfairly. I think you need to look at an entire body of work at the end of the year instead of just one or two games as far as judging a league. But perception is what it is. The best way, as coaches we said, to change it is to win some big games."
Michigan beating Notre Dame isn't going to do it. Wisconsin beating Fresno State isn't going to change the conference's lot in life. The fate of Big 10 football for the 2008 season (and beyond) rests squarely on the shoulders of the Ohio State Buckeyes. If they win, the Buckeyes will be in the driver's seat for the BCS championship. A victory means that the Big 10 conference is relevant. If they lose, the BCS will be out of reach for years to come for Ohio State. And Big 10 football... well, welcome back to the dark ages. CLICK-CLACK.