It all started over a year ago.  Let's go back to early November 12, 2006 in the NCAA football season to get a history lesson.  Ohio State, led by offensive stars Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Antonio Pittman, and Anthony Gonzalez, had been crushing teams all season, scoring an average of over 30 points a game while its defense was holding teams to an intimidating average of 10 points a game.  Furthermore, the preseason number one Buckeyes proved themselves in a gigantic early season clash with the number two ranked Texas Longhorns.  After soundly defeating them, the best team in college football was clearly established.

However, their hated rivals to the north, Michigan, were having quite a season of their own.  After being plagued in recent years by early season struggles, the Wolverines came out in 2006 with the nation's number one rushing defensive and a potent offense under stars Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Steve Breaston, Mario Manningham, and Adrian Arrington with blocking provided by All American Jake Long.  After some tough wins against Iowa and Penn State and no losses, Michigan was the number two team in the country, behind the Buckeyes, going into that game.

In arguably the number one rivalry in all of sports, number one 11-0 Ohio State was about to face number two 11-0 Michigan in the "Game of the Century" as some called it, to determine the Big Ten Championship, and a spot in the national championship game.  The game lived up to the hype, providing many exciting moments and plenty of scoring.  The Buckeyes outlasted the Wolverines 42-39 to earn their spot in the national championship, while Michigan was bound for the Rose Bowl, although they almost got their rematch with the Buckeyes with a USC loss in their last game.

A month and a half later, USC and Michigan squared off in the Rose Bowl.  Many predicted Michigan would win the game, but by the end of the first half, it was unclear who would emerge victorious.  Then USC decided to constantly throw the ball.  The Trojans picked apart Michigan's secondary in the third quarter, while Michigan's offensive line, which had protected so well throughout the season, let quarterback Chad Henne get continuously pressured.  USC won the game 32-18, in a game many believed would give next year's preseason number one team, and ending the year in disappointment for the Wolverines.

A number of days later, the Ohio State Buckeyes faced off against the Florida Gators in the national championship game.  Some predicted the game would be a blowout, with the possibility of a 42-14 Ohio State win.  While that seemed certainly possible after the opening kickoff when Ted Ginn scored a touchdown on the return, it was almost all Florida from then on.  The Gators offense moved the ball with relative ease against the Bucks, and the offensive line of Ohio State, similar to Michigan, collapsed and never allowed Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith to establish any rhythm.  Florida ironically won the game 41-14, in a near reversal of the predicted score for an OSU win.

These results were stunning.  Going into the bowl games, The Big Ten held 3 of the top 5 spots in the rankings (Wisconsin being the other team).  Ohio State and Michigan lost soundly and people began to be convinced at just how much better the SEC and Pac 10 are compared to the Big Ten.  With the two elite Big Ten teams of the year going down to teams in embarrassing defeats, the conference lost some standing in the eyes of the nation.

However, the 2007 preseason ranked Michigan, with its core returning offensive players, the #5 team in the country, along with (supposed to be) offensively depleted Ohio State at #11, and Penn State at #17. 

Quickly, the good standing of the Big Ten turned sour.  It started with the shocking loss of Michigan to Appalachian State, a division AA school.  Minnesota has been pathetic this season, losing 11 of its 12 games, including losses to Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic, and North Dakota State.  Iowa has been less than impressive losing to Iowa State and Western.  While Purdue, Michigan State, and Indiana all are 7-5 and headed for bowl games, in conference play they are each 3-5.  Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin have overall good records, yet in a down year for the Big Ten, these teams must be considered mediocre.

Not all has been terrible.  Illinois, annual bottom feeders of the Big Ten, are going to the Rose Bowl this year with a 9-3 record under head coach Ron Zook and QB Juice Williams.  And Ohio State, once again, will be going to the national championship game.

The big (Ten) problem is the fallout if these teams get trounced, especially Ohio State.  I am one of the people who do believe Ohio State has earned their spot this year.  They are 11-1 in a major conference, winning their last game of the year, which no other team can say.  Of course, Hawaii is an undefeated 12-0, but their weak schedule keeps them away from the title game.

If Ohio State gets blown out by LSU in the national championship game, do not expect them to get the benefit of the doubt in the future.  If next year, Ohio State is in a close race for second place in the BCS (say again an 11-2 SEC Champion and an 11-1 Ohio State), you will not see the Buckeyes in the big show.  Voters will remember how they were tricked in the past into thinking OSU is the best team in the country and will keep them out. 

Expect the lack of respect for the Big Ten by the human voters to get much worse next year if the conference does extra poorly in the bowl games this year, which is a definite possibility.  Here's a list of the matchups for the Big Ten:

Purdue vs. Central Michigan

Michigan State vs. Boston College

Penn State vs. Texas A&M

Indiana vs. Oklahoma State

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee

Michigan vs. Florida

Illinois vs. USC

Ohio State vs. LSU

Based on this list, it's easily possible that the Big Ten could go 1-7 in bowl games.  In fact, the only game I would consider the conference a favorite in is the Purdue Central Michigan game.  The three January 1st bowls featuring Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan may all be blowouts.  Who knows what to expect on the January 7th national championship game.

For all the Big Ten fans in the world, hope that this crazy year of upsets continues.

Too bad come January 1st, it's a brand new year...