CHICAGO — The Big Ten Conference football media days are supposed to generate excitement for the upcoming season. In recent years, however, the Big Ten’s fortunes sagged and the exercise turned from promoting the product to damage control. “A year ago right now,” University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said Thursday, “we were getting beat up.” Indeed, the national media was pummeling the Big Ten, saying the conference was down, it had fallen hopelessly behind the all-powerful SEC and its teams could no longer compete with flashy, speed-based teams on the field or in the living room. The criticism intensified during the season and it didn’t stop until Ohio State put the hammer down — first on Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal, then on Oregon in the national championship game and finally on the notion that the Big Ten no longer measured up nationally. Even with two quarterbacks tied behind its back, Ohio State won the title and restored some of the Big Ten’s prestige, resulting in a renewed energy at media days Thursday and Friday. “I think it’s great for our conference,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “You think about the stories and the narrative that was being told a year ago compared to now, it’s a 180-degree switch.” Indeed, there is much to celebrate. The Buckeyes’ national title, the Big Ten’s first since 2002, that was achieved even with third-stringer Cardale Jones at quarterback. A 5-5 bowl record that included high-profile victories by Michigan State (Baylor) and UW (Auburn). Finally, coaching changes that added one buzz-worthy name in Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and two other widely respected names in Mike Riley at Nebraska and Paul Chryst at UW. But as one problem — the perception of SEC dominance — was being eradicated, another one surfaced. With the Buckeyes’ Urban Meyer recruiting and coaching at an extraordinarily high level, Ohio State has caught the elite programs in the SEC and Pac-12 but it has also separated itself from the rest of the Big Ten. …
Continue Reading: Tom Oates: Ohio State proving Big Ten football can rival play in SEC
