With a Big Ten Championship game looming, cities start sending in the bids to host the colossal game. Let’s look at the best candidates for the gig.
Detroit: Detroit could use the boost, and the state is home to two big programs. Ford Field can provide a controlled atmosphere and can support the crowd. The turf would be different and not really Big Tenish, but it’s about selling tickets and more fans like sitting indoors in December than outdoors. The MAC Championship is already in Detroit, and they could do both, but most likely the MAC would be looking elsewhere.
Chicago: Soldier field would be a nice venue, its outdoors and it’s pretty centrally located in Big Ten country. Northwestern is pretty close by as well. I think it’s important to have the state with the championship to have a Big Ten school. Chicago would be a cool location to head to and could support the media coverage and Ro-Tel cook offs.
Indianapolis: Another closed stadium, which could open its roof if it was decent out. Indiana is home to Purdue and Indiana University (and someday Notre Dame?) and the city is large enough to hold the city, although it would be probably the most boring big city they could pick. Plus Indy already has the basketball conference tournament, so no city will probably get a monopoly.
Green Bay/Milwaukee: The weather would be brutal, but the tradition would be great at Lambeau. The city can’t hold the game, so the media and fans would be scattered. The Badgers call the state home and the Golden Gophers are close by. Milwaukee (Miller Park) is retractable but they would most likely close it. This isn’t really an option for me, since it’s a baseball park and not really designed for football.
Cleveland: Another consolation prize for losing the fallen King, Cleveland would have crappy weather but awesome atmosphere. Ohio State fans could travel easily and its not a bad location. The Browns won’t be playing a meaningful game after October and it would be fun for the game to be played in the mud and muck. The dark horse if they are looking for an outdoor venue.
Campus sites: If rotated, not a bad option. Some schools could get left out, like Indiana and Northwestern because of the smaller venues. And if there is home field advantage there will be some serious complaining. They are all open stadiums and can obviously support the game.
If I were in charge, I would rotate the NFL stadiums. You could sell your product all over the Midwest and really create some buzz by moving it around. If I had to pick one NFL city it would be Detroit. They would be the best option with Indy losing out to having the basketball tournament. I hope the rotating campus option will be explored, because if the Big Ten is about tradition like they say they are, this is the best option.
Showing posts with label big ten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big ten. Show all posts
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Big Ten Annexes SEC, Ends SEC Speed Tyrany
The Big Ten has ended all talk of SEC domination with the inclusion of the SEC into the new SuperConference, which also include Syracuse, Missouri, Rutgers, and Pitt. The Huge 27, as it will be called, with have 9 divisions with 3 teams in each. Each will be named after "something to do" with football.
Rumored names are Schembechler, Tressler, Hayes, Musberger, Meyer, Ro-Tel, and Griffin. Other ideas will soon be made public. Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State will be in one division. They will play a triple round robin to determine who gets positioning in the "Velveeta Chase to Late-November."
Four time Heisman winner Tate Forcier had this to say, "I love the idea, maybe, just maybe I can lift this pathetic team (Michigan) to a win over Ohio State. I get three chances."
Mark Dantonio, head coach of Michigan State and Neil Diamond impersonator, commented, "We are still Michigan State. October 14th, November 3rd, November 21st."
Big Ten Commissioner, John "General" Sherman said,"I road into the South and burned down the conference until the only choice left we to rejoin the North, the true champions of football."
The Big Ten season will start in early July, to accommodate all the traveling and intraconference games. The SuperConference now has ties to at least 4 BCS Bowl Games and 33 out of 35 Bowl games. Notre Dame has the rest.
Rumored names are Schembechler, Tressler, Hayes, Musberger, Meyer, Ro-Tel, and Griffin. Other ideas will soon be made public. Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State will be in one division. They will play a triple round robin to determine who gets positioning in the "Velveeta Chase to Late-November."
Four time Heisman winner Tate Forcier had this to say, "I love the idea, maybe, just maybe I can lift this pathetic team (Michigan) to a win over Ohio State. I get three chances."
Mark Dantonio, head coach of Michigan State and Neil Diamond impersonator, commented, "We are still Michigan State. October 14th, November 3rd, November 21st."
Big Ten Commissioner, John "General" Sherman said,"I road into the South and burned down the conference until the only choice left we to rejoin the North, the true champions of football."
The Big Ten season will start in early July, to accommodate all the traveling and intraconference games. The SuperConference now has ties to at least 4 BCS Bowl Games and 33 out of 35 Bowl games. Notre Dame has the rest.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Big Ten Is Superior To ACC, Big East And Pac-10, This Bowl Season Helps Prove It
The Big Ten has long been under scrutiny for its lack of winning big bowl games at the end of the year. Yet, the ACC is 2-12 in BCS Bowl games since the current format has been created. Nobody ever talks about how bad the ACC is, how it’s a one team conference since Miami fell apart almost a decade ago, or how awful its basement is. The bottom feeders in the ACC (Wake Forest until recently, Virginia and Duke perpetually) are worse than the Big Ten’s usual suspects of losing (Indiana is the only one who consistently loses although Purdue is battling them for the title now) and ACC is in the more media friendly east coast. Sure, the Big Ten is in the Midwest and technically is part of the media hotbed but they get beaten brutally on Mondays.
When was the last time a Big East team played for a National Title? They get their BCS bid and usually lose to a team that is far superior SEC team (like this year). I can make a case that the WAC has had more success than the Big East in prime time bowls. Usually the Big East rolls out West Virginia or the likes and never has a chance at a National Title.
Ohio State usually loses big games. They blow it in National Title games with the whole world watching. But they do get there almost every year. That is more impressive than one may think. Florida has been great for four years. Ohio State has been doing it for a decade. Bob Stoops has lost more Bowl game and big games (in a row) that Jim Tressel has had a chance to reach. But Stoops has consistently been called a great coach with no one calling for his job in the football crazy state of Oklahoma.
The Pac-10 was “the deepest” in years this year. What that actually means is that USC wasn’t dominant and everybody had a chance. Oregon (Pac-10 champs) lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Arizona (a team with a shot to make the Rose Bowl) lost to Nebraska 33-0 in their bowl. Stanford lost to an injury decimated Oklahoma team and Oregon State got crushed by a Mountain West school.
Let’s take a look at the Big Ten this year. Minnesota lost by one point to Iowa State. Northwestern lost a wild game against Auburn. Michigan State played well but faded against a Texas Tech team that was united in its bowl. Wisconsin beat Miami, Iowa exposed Georgia Tech (don’t the Yellow Jacket’s jerseys look eerily similar to Navy’s since a certain coach came to school?) and Ohio State beat an Oregon team in a game not as close as its score showed. Penn State came back in a swamp to beat LSU. Three teams finished in the final top ten polls. Overall a pretty good year for the Big Ten. This was also without usual bowl invite Michigan, who missed their second bowl in as many years. Now, the Big Ten must do this consistently and win a National Title in the next three years. OSU, Penn State and Iowa are the most likely candidates. Besides beating up on each other, there is no reason the Big Ten shouldn’t have a team playing for the National Title every four years.
It is true I am a Big Ten fan. I also know the tough times the Big Ten has gone through in the last few years. With Michigan struggling and more teams missing bowl eligibility, its hurts our national picture. Every year, with the cupcake schedules some of these teams play, eight teams should be bowl eligible in the Big Ten. Eight out of 11 (or 12 soon enough) is very reasonable.
The Big Ten belongs with other schools and conferences and the perception that they are inferior is completely false. Most of the Big Ten will be much improved next season so it could get even better. Unlike the top heavy SEC or the one team Pac-10, the Big Ten has depth and actually staying power with passionate fan bases and talented players. With a twelfth team and a championship game with increased revenue and exposure, the Big Ten will become even stronger in the coming decade and show the nation how real college football is played.
When was the last time a Big East team played for a National Title? They get their BCS bid and usually lose to a team that is far superior SEC team (like this year). I can make a case that the WAC has had more success than the Big East in prime time bowls. Usually the Big East rolls out West Virginia or the likes and never has a chance at a National Title.
Ohio State usually loses big games. They blow it in National Title games with the whole world watching. But they do get there almost every year. That is more impressive than one may think. Florida has been great for four years. Ohio State has been doing it for a decade. Bob Stoops has lost more Bowl game and big games (in a row) that Jim Tressel has had a chance to reach. But Stoops has consistently been called a great coach with no one calling for his job in the football crazy state of Oklahoma.
The Pac-10 was “the deepest” in years this year. What that actually means is that USC wasn’t dominant and everybody had a chance. Oregon (Pac-10 champs) lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Arizona (a team with a shot to make the Rose Bowl) lost to Nebraska 33-0 in their bowl. Stanford lost to an injury decimated Oklahoma team and Oregon State got crushed by a Mountain West school.
Let’s take a look at the Big Ten this year. Minnesota lost by one point to Iowa State. Northwestern lost a wild game against Auburn. Michigan State played well but faded against a Texas Tech team that was united in its bowl. Wisconsin beat Miami, Iowa exposed Georgia Tech (don’t the Yellow Jacket’s jerseys look eerily similar to Navy’s since a certain coach came to school?) and Ohio State beat an Oregon team in a game not as close as its score showed. Penn State came back in a swamp to beat LSU. Three teams finished in the final top ten polls. Overall a pretty good year for the Big Ten. This was also without usual bowl invite Michigan, who missed their second bowl in as many years. Now, the Big Ten must do this consistently and win a National Title in the next three years. OSU, Penn State and Iowa are the most likely candidates. Besides beating up on each other, there is no reason the Big Ten shouldn’t have a team playing for the National Title every four years.
It is true I am a Big Ten fan. I also know the tough times the Big Ten has gone through in the last few years. With Michigan struggling and more teams missing bowl eligibility, its hurts our national picture. Every year, with the cupcake schedules some of these teams play, eight teams should be bowl eligible in the Big Ten. Eight out of 11 (or 12 soon enough) is very reasonable.
The Big Ten belongs with other schools and conferences and the perception that they are inferior is completely false. Most of the Big Ten will be much improved next season so it could get even better. Unlike the top heavy SEC or the one team Pac-10, the Big Ten has depth and actually staying power with passionate fan bases and talented players. With a twelfth team and a championship game with increased revenue and exposure, the Big Ten will become even stronger in the coming decade and show the nation how real college football is played.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Breaking Down the NCAA Part 12 of 12
Big Ten Conference Order of Finish
1. Penn State- QB Darryl Clark is good enough to contend for the Heisman and take the Nittany Lions and JoePa to a Rose Bowl. He lost his top three wide receivers but that will only mean the offense is more on him. I think PSU will be undefeated when they take on an undefeated in the Big Ten Ohio State at home. Penn State’s only other tough conference games are at Illinois and at Michigan State. Paterno is 82 years old this season but he still gets the most out of his players. Of course, the defense is led by three senior linebackers. Josh Hull, Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee will continue the tradition of Linebacker U. There are some holes to fill on offense and defensive line, but the talent at key positions is enough to have the Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl or better.
2. Ohio State- Year two of the Terrelle Pryor project begins in Columbus. He showed flashes of greatness last season and got valuable experience after the Buckeye’s national title hopes were dashed in a blowout courtesy of USC. The Buckeyes lose Beanie Wells, but a top program like OSU can usually reload talent quickly. Sophomore Dan “Boom” Herron is smaller than Beanie Wells (5’10’’ 193) but played well when filling in last year. Pryor needs to develop as a passer and use his legs as a secondary option this season to win. The defense loses Malcolm Jenkins and James Laurenaitis to the NFL but the young defense does not have a lot of time to gel after the season opener against Navy. Ohio State maybe another year away from being national title contenders, but can at least have a great shot to win the Big Ten.
3. Michigan State- The two biggest questions entering this season for MSU are can they find a suitable replacement for departed Senior QB Brian Hoyer (on New England’s roster) and Senior RB Javon Ringer (5th round pick, Tennessee Titans). I’ll answer those questions with cold hard facts. Ringer was a sensational leader and had a lot of tough yards for the Spartans. But, MSU only averaged 130.2 rushing yards per game. That is not a impossible number to reproduce or improve upon (I assume the mobile QB Keith Nichol will win the starting gig and add rushing yards from the QB position) and the committee of Ashton Leggett, Andre Anderson, Caulton Ray and AJ Jimmerson look to equal what Ringer did on the field. For the QB battle, I give Nichol the edge over RSo Kirk Cousins. Cousins played well in mop up duty last season and knows the offense well, but Nichol has speed and the arm to add a whole new dimension to the offense. Both QBs could see playing time early, but both also need better play from the wide out position. BJ Cunningham, Mark Dell and Blair White lead the team in the air. Cunningham and Dell have a world of talent but lack world class hands. The Spartans have been struggling with drops since the John L. Smith era. Blair White has great hands and makes big catches but lacks YAC and home run potential. The defense has a chance to be in the top 3 in the Big Ten. LBs Eric Gordon and Greg Jones lead the defense and are ferocious tacklers. The secondary lost a lot of starters and leader Safety Otis Wiley (in camp with the Detroit Lions) but Chris L. Rucker and Kendall Davis-Clark are back defend against the pass. Kicker Brett Swenson and Punter Aaron Bates are as talented as they come. They can both steal games for MSU this year. MSU should expect the program to continue to build and if the great recruiting classes keep pouring in, the Spartans can be challenging for the Big Ten title very soon.
4. Iowa- The top dark horse pick for the Big Ten Championship this season is the Hawkeyes. Despite losing Shonn Greene to the New York Jets, QB Ricky Stanzi played well enough down the stretch to give Iowa faithful hope the offense can keep clicking. Iowa upset a powerful Penn State team last season to kick the Nittany Lions out of the National Title game. Kirk Ferentz is always in contention for Big Ten Coach of the Year honors and a top three finish should have him in the hunt again. A weak non conference schedule featuring Northern Iowa, Iowa State, Arizona, and Arkansas State should give Iowa enough time to find out is RB Jewel Hampton is the answer. Only 5’9’’ he makes up for it with a strong 210 pound frame. The defense is tough, led by LB Pat Angerer. The Hawkeyes have to play at MSU, OSU and PSU, so the Big Ten title will not be this year.
5. Illinois- Juice Williams is one of the most exciting players to watch in the Big Ten. He has developed a long way since being a run first QB his freshman year. HC Ron Zook has recruited well for years at Florida and Illinois, and now we are seeing some of the results. After a disappointing 5-7 season with a huge loss to WMU will bowl eligibility on the line at Ford Field, Illinois knew it was time to step it up. RB Rashard Mendenhall was a huge loss for the offense last year, but now Juice and WR Arrelious Benn is ready to dominate Big Ten defenses. The offense line is big and experienced and the Illini will use a RB by committee approach. A huge first week matchup with a rebuilding Missouri team will show how far the Illini have really come.
6. Northwestern- It’s tough not to root for the Wildcats. They have such tough academic standards, a smaller fan base than other teams in the Big Ten. HC Pat Fitzgerald has this team rolling though. One of the first Big Ten teams to use the spread, the high flying passing usually keeps the Wildcats in the game except against the bigger programs. NU starts out with Towson, Eastern Michigan and at Syracuse, to break in new QB Mike Kafka and RB Stephen Simmons. The veteran defense has All Big Ten talent and a solid secondary. Northwestern has to travel to MSU, Iowa and Illinois but gets Penn State at home. Look for the Wildcats to stay in the top half of the Big Ten and go to a good bowl.
7. Michigan- Wolverine fans would like to forget the 2008 season. After enjoying years of success with Lloyd Carr with the likes of Anthony Thomas, Charles Woodson, Brian Griese, Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Braylon Edwards and Jake Long, the Michigan faithful wanted a radical change. LSU HC Les Miles turned down the offer, so the Wolverines handed Rich Rodriguez the keys to the program. He brought his spread attack he perfected in West Virginia with awful results. He did not have the players to run his system and the defense had to hold down the fort to even get to a 3-9 record. An embarrassing loss to Toledo and yet another loss to arch rivals OSU topped off an awful season. Last season is over and freshman QB Tate Forcier looks to do his best Pat White impression in Ann Arbor. Brandon Minor leads the rushing attack with Kevin Grady attack a power aspect. The defense lost many starters but looks to reload and play better with a more balanced offense to help get pressure off of them. Luckily punter Zoltan Mesko is so good. He will still be busy. The offense will need more time to get more players and install the system from a power running to a spread option. This season should see 6 or 7 wins and a return to a bowl game for U of M, and for right now, the Wolverines cannot ask for much more.
8. Wisconsin- The Badgers may be in trouble. After being such a steady program for the last twenty years, they must show now what they can do now after a down year. Wisconsin football has not changed much in the last couple of decades. Big RBs move the chains; tough defense dictates play and game managing QBs run the offense on the field. Now HC Bret Bielema looks to continue that success with the same system. QB Dustin Sherer is steady but not great and RB John Clay replaces PJ Hill who left early for the NFL. The Badgers return much depth on defense and avoid Penn State on the schedule so a bowl game is very likely.
9. Minnesota- The Golden Gophers open the beautiful TCF Bank Stadium this season, as Minnesota leaves the Metrodome to play outdoors. Going to the Insight Bowl was big for the program last season, but the Gophers lost their last five games, including a loss to Michigan. QB Adam Weber gets a lighter schedule this year with South Dakota State, Syracuse and Air Force with Cal coming to Minneapolis. WR Eric Decker is a solid wide out with good size, but the quick fix last year made with many JUCO players may not work again this season.
10. Purdue- HC Danny Hope was the only coaching change in the conference this year, with Joe Tiller retiring and announcing this would be his last year before the start of the season. Purdue will still run the spread but Joey Elliot will be running it after Curtis Painter graduated to the NFL (6th round Indianapolis) and Justin Siller was dismissed from the team. The Boilermakers are going to go through a rough patch having Oregon away and Notre Dame this season. The offensive line has four returning starters so that is a good building block, but a bowl game is a lot to ask for this season.
11. Indiana- The Hoosiers have had a tough few years. The basketball program had its first scandal in school history and HC Terry Hoeppner died before the start of the 2007 football season. Kellen Lewis is gone now, and the offense needs to find a new leader. Junior QB Ben Chappell played decently last season but is a pocket passer unlike the mobile Lewis. The running game was awful last season and must improve to take pressure off Chappell. Bryan Payton will start the season at RB but he could be demoted if the terrible play continues. Luckily, Indiana has a solid pair of Defensive Ends in Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton. They need to cause havoc in the backfield to help Indiana get off the mat. The Hoosiers need to make strives all over the field to get the program back on track.
Corbitt Gutsy Guarantee: I will give you a two for one on the Big Ten. First, the Big Ten will win their big bowl game this year. I am thinking the Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl against USC. Darryl Clark can create matchup problems and USC is rebuilding a lot on defense and breaking in a new QB. The Big Ten will also win a good portion of their bowl games. Last year they went 1-6. Not so fast! I call for a .500 record this year. Secondly, I see the University of Michigan cutting their losses and firing Rich Rodriguez. They have invested a lot of money and time into him and did not get results. QB Tate Forcier is not a savior, and he will have to out recruit SEC teams for the talent style he needs. The Midwest does not produce spread players. Why do you think Michigan State and Ohio State are crushing Michigan in recruiting? Michigan has been in a tailspin (that culminated in a loss to Appalachian State, being owned by Ohio State the past decade with an exclamation point all last season) since their half national title in 1997. You really shoved Lloyd Carr out the door for this?
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