Yet Another SEC Bowl Loss
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Yeah I agree with your points.
It's basically a double edged sword.
We need the conference to perform well in OOC to make sure that our wins are thought of well, especially in years like last year where we're in consideration for a top bowl potentially. But on the opposite hand, that means our schedules are tough.
The Big Ten right now is as strong top-to-bottom as it's probably ever been; past couple of years especially, Big Ten looks much tougher than it was in the 00s. Just looking at coaching staffs, this is probably the first time in decades where I'd say upwards to 12/14 teams have solid to great coaches in place (probably only exclude Indiana/Nebraska from that consideration).
But that makes Fitz's job harder in a 9 conference game format. Illinois is not going to be a free win under Bielema; there's really not any free wins in our half of the conference right now. Crossover games as well will be tough: Rutgers will likely be much better under Schiano than it's been during most of its Big Ten tenure to date; Locksley at Maryland has them pointed in the right direction.
I'm considerably more concerned about the program's trajectory right now than I was back when we posted that pair of 5-7 seasons. And that's even with the 2 West titles in the last 4 years.
It's a bit disconcerting to me that we can so easily fall behind everyone else like this to the point of not even being competitive against 2 Big Ten teams that missed bowls let alone against everyone else.
Wishful thinking might lead one to think Omicron infections cancel the game and no national champ goes into the books. (Of course with no serious illness to any fans or players)
They need to stop these endless scrums. Also flag the dancing in the endzone after a score.
First dancing, then cursing in public, next thing who knows, maybe rock music, my god!!
I actually agreed with that particular decision given their defense, but explosive football is winning football in 2021.
Big Ten is the only conference that's just a bit behind the SEC. Rest have a lot more to worry about if this becomes a one conference game.
Pac-12 hasn't won a bowl game in 2 years.
ACC has been a mess for years outside of Clemson and before that it was just FSU carrying that conference for a decade.
Big Ten at least has pretty decent depth most years of late; nowhere near as weak as the conference was 10-15 years ago; a lot of teams have stepped up in terms of facilities/salaries/coaching talent/recruiting.
A part of it was Urban Meyer going to Ohio State and raising the bar, and other part is we do have the funds in the Big Ten to compete with the SEC.
The biggest problem for the Big Ten is proximity to talent; the SEC has that (as do teams like Clemson/FSU), but only really Ohio State has similar talent that they have to themselves with no competitors in-state.