Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Mail time now. Bowl predictions coming Sunday.
Alex from Kansas City, Kan., writes: Hey Adam. Great work on the blog. I read it multiple times a day. Anyways, one of the reasons I believe Iowa is not getting respect is that they're not one of the big dynasty programs such as Ohio State, Texas, Florida, etc. First of all, do you think that's fair, and do you agree? Also, I think they can become one of those big name programs in the near future, as they return 19 of their 22 starters next year. Any thoughts?
Adam Rittenberg: I agree to a certain extent, Alex. College football is a bit too rooted in its traditional powers, so people don't know what to do when they see Iowa or Cincinnati possibly in the title mix. Mike Hlas wrote a good column about this today in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. But the real obstacle for Iowa is the Big Ten. Ever since Ohio State dropped back-to-back title games, no one wants to see the Big Ten on the big stage. Penn State got the same treatment for much of last season, even though the Nittany Lions are a national team and, unlike Iowa, they posted several dominating wins. But everyone around the country was thrilled when Iowa knocked Penn State out of the title mix, just like people will be thrilled if Iowa loses one of its last three games. Iowa is getting blamed for the Big Ten's poor perception, and it's unfortunate.
Andy from Asheboro, N.C., writes: Hey great blog...love all the updates. I was just thinking about a specific Big Ten rule today. The Big 10 does not allow night games past November 1, but why does the Big East? Both are generally in the same region of US, so why doesn't the B10 man up and let night game happen? NFL players dont care about this in January, so why does the B10? Cincy is hosting two straight night games with Uconn this weekend and WVU next Friday, and last time I checked, Cincy as a city is in the heart of B10 geography. I think night games all around are fun, but add cold weather, they would be so much better.
Adam Rittenberg: It's not necessarily a Big Ten rule but a policy the league has with its television partners. Weather certainly plays a role, but the bigger issue in the Big Ten is the size of its facilities. Getting 110,000 people out of Beaver Stadium when it's snowing with temperatures in the 20s poses a bigger logistical problem than getting 30,000 people out of a Big East facility. Not saying I agree with it, but I see where the league is coming from. Also, night games just aren't a tradition in the Big Ten like they are in the SEC or the Big 12. Again, I know that Penn State fans disagree, but this is how the league sees it. For more, check out what the Big Ten had to say about the policy this spring.
Tim from Granville, Ohio, writes: Adam,In your paragraph..."Pryor ascended to the starting job in just his fourth collegiate game and helped Ohio State reach the Fiesta Bowl last season. Clark led Penn State to a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance last year and boasts a 19-3 record as the starter. "Why did you fail to mention share of the Big Ten title with OSU? Or that Pryor led OSU to a Big Ten Title? Its kind of important when your comparing the two. Its funny that you kind of side stepped that fact in your article.
Adam Rittenbeg: Tim, you're right, I should have mentioned it. It's just that I despise the co-championship in the Big Ten. Penn State was the acknowledged league champ because the Lions beat Ohio State head-to-head. Yes, the Buckeyes officially shared the title and the Big Ten loves its co-championships, which are so Little League to me. But you're right, Pryor helped Ohio State to a title, and he deserves credit for it.
Jordan from Minneapolis writes: Rumors (who knows if they are real) are flying around the message boards every where that Big Ten expansion is again being brought up. The latest rumor is Rutgers being approached or vice versa. I believe that expansion is imminent, that it is only a matter of time. I personally agree with you that Missouri would be a better fit. Delany will probably deny these rumors, but do you believe that the Big Ten is getting closer to expanding?
Adam Rittenberg: The rumors aren't real, Jordan. Expansion isn't on the horizon in the Big Ten, and if it were, I doubt Rutgers would be the pick. There are other schools out there, namely Missouri, that better fit what the Big Ten wants both athletically and academically. I know Penn State coach Joe Paterno wants to see another Eastern team in the Big Ten, but it's more likely the league expands with another Midwest school.
Sam from Madison, Wis., writes: If you could please just quickly outline the best case scenario for the Badgers? If they win out and OSU loses to PSU and Iowa is there a shot at the Rose Bowl or is Capitol One the best they can do? Thanks
Adam Rittenberg: To reach the Rose Bowl, the Badgers would need to win out, obviously. Penn State would need to drop two of its final three league games (Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State). Ohio State would need to lose to Penn State and Michigan but beat Iowa. Iowa would need to lose all three of its remaining games because the Hawkeyes hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with Wisconsin. That's the only way the Badgers get to Pasadena. A more realistic scenario is Wisconsin winning out, Iowa winning out and Penn State winning out. Then, the Capital One Bowl would be choosing between a 10-2 Wisconsin team and an Ohio State team with no more than nine victories.
Mail time now. Bowl predictions coming Sunday.
Alex from Kansas City, Kan., writes: Hey Adam. Great work on the blog. I read it multiple times a day. Anyways, one of the reasons I believe Iowa is not getting respect is that they're not one of the big dynasty programs such as Ohio State, Texas, Florida, etc. First of all, do you think that's fair, and do you agree? Also, I think they can become one of those big name programs in the near future, as they return 19 of their 22 starters next year. Any thoughts?
Adam Rittenberg: I agree to a certain extent, Alex. College football is a bit too rooted in its traditional powers, so people don't know what to do when they see Iowa or Cincinnati possibly in the title mix. Mike Hlas wrote a good column about this today in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. But the real obstacle for Iowa is the Big Ten. Ever since Ohio State dropped back-to-back title games, no one wants to see the Big Ten on the big stage. Penn State got the same treatment for much of last season, even though the Nittany Lions are a national team and, unlike Iowa, they posted several dominating wins. But everyone around the country was thrilled when Iowa knocked Penn State out of the title mix, just like people will be thrilled if Iowa loses one of its last three games. Iowa is getting blamed for the Big Ten's poor perception, and it's unfortunate.
Andy from Asheboro, N.C., writes: Hey great blog...love all the updates. I was just thinking about a specific Big Ten rule today. The Big 10 does not allow night games past November 1, but why does the Big East? Both are generally in the same region of US, so why doesn't the B10 man up and let night game happen? NFL players dont care about this in January, so why does the B10? Cincy is hosting two straight night games with Uconn this weekend and WVU next Friday, and last time I checked, Cincy as a city is in the heart of B10 geography. I think night games all around are fun, but add cold weather, they would be so much better.
Adam Rittenberg: It's not necessarily a Big Ten rule but a policy the league has with its television partners. Weather certainly plays a role, but the bigger issue in the Big Ten is the size of its facilities. Getting 110,000 people out of Beaver Stadium when it's snowing with temperatures in the 20s poses a bigger logistical problem than getting 30,000 people out of a Big East facility. Not saying I agree with it, but I see where the league is coming from. Also, night games just aren't a tradition in the Big Ten like they are in the SEC or the Big 12. Again, I know that Penn State fans disagree, but this is how the league sees it. For more, check out what the Big Ten had to say about the policy this spring.
Tim from Granville, Ohio, writes: Adam,In your paragraph..."Pryor ascended to the starting job in just his fourth collegiate game and helped Ohio State reach the Fiesta Bowl last season. Clark led Penn State to a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance last year and boasts a 19-3 record as the starter. "Why did you fail to mention share of the Big Ten title with OSU? Or that Pryor led OSU to a Big Ten Title? Its kind of important when your comparing the two. Its funny that you kind of side stepped that fact in your article.
Adam Rittenbeg: Tim, you're right, I should have mentioned it. It's just that I despise the co-championship in the Big Ten. Penn State was the acknowledged league champ because the Lions beat Ohio State head-to-head. Yes, the Buckeyes officially shared the title and the Big Ten loves its co-championships, which are so Little League to me. But you're right, Pryor helped Ohio State to a title, and he deserves credit for it.
Jordan from Minneapolis writes: Rumors (who knows if they are real) are flying around the message boards every where that Big Ten expansion is again being brought up. The latest rumor is Rutgers being approached or vice versa. I believe that expansion is imminent, that it is only a matter of time. I personally agree with you that Missouri would be a better fit. Delany will probably deny these rumors, but do you believe that the Big Ten is getting closer to expanding?
Adam Rittenberg: The rumors aren't real, Jordan. Expansion isn't on the horizon in the Big Ten, and if it were, I doubt Rutgers would be the pick. There are other schools out there, namely Missouri, that better fit what the Big Ten wants both athletically and academically. I know Penn State coach Joe Paterno wants to see another Eastern team in the Big Ten, but it's more likely the league expands with another Midwest school.
Sam from Madison, Wis., writes: If you could please just quickly outline the best case scenario for the Badgers? If they win out and OSU loses to PSU and Iowa is there a shot at the Rose Bowl or is Capitol One the best they can do? Thanks
Adam Rittenberg: To reach the Rose Bowl, the Badgers would need to win out, obviously. Penn State would need to drop two of its final three league games (Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State). Ohio State would need to lose to Penn State and Michigan but beat Iowa. Iowa would need to lose all three of its remaining games because the Hawkeyes hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with Wisconsin. That's the only way the Badgers get to Pasadena. A more realistic scenario is Wisconsin winning out, Iowa winning out and Penn State winning out. Then, the Capital One Bowl would be choosing between a 10-2 Wisconsin team and an Ohio State team with no more than nine victories.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
BIG TEN SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 11/21
Final 10 Ohio State 21 Michigan 10 Final Minnesota 0 13 Iowa 12 Final 16 Wisconsin 31 Northwestern 33 Final Purdue 38 Indiana 21 Final 14 Penn State 42 Michigan State 14
