As college football now enters its 5th week of play, its time to fire up the grills in Big Ten country and welcome your Big Ten companions. (Remember, as much as we all hate each other across Big Ten land, we're all in this together, to show that the Big Ten is not the Wimpy Ten.) Our beloved conference may have started off bad, then jumped off a cliff but hey it's now time for conference play. The best part of conference play after all is the tradition it offers it's members. To celebrate the beginning of conference play, I'll break down the best the Big Ten has to offer.
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Rivalries:
What's a major conference without rivalries. In the Big Ten we're chock-full of the good old rivalry. You know the ones that actually mean something when the teams play. Where the game has an actual effect on the season or the postseason picture. (i.e. Michigan at Ohio State 2006) Yes the set in stone hatred that oozes from the pores even in late October; not the early conference match ups that we tout as important. (Looking at you MSU-Indiana, Michigan-Minnesota). The Big Ten offers you good ole' ground and pound, tough-as-nails football rivalries. Take the Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry. The states known just as much for hockey rivalries as they are football, contend every year for Paul Bunyan's Axe. With Minnesota leading the all time series 59-56-8, it's a stat Wisconsin fans would love to swing in their favor especially noting Minnesota has been the epitome of bad Big Ten football. Their wish has almost been completed as Wisconsin has won the past 10 clashes but 5 of those victories have been by 2 scores or less. The rivalry while not having been a rivalry as of late is one of the Big Ten's earliest rivalries and may well be the trap game that befalls a team late in November. Another original Big Ten rivalry that creeps on us in November is the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale. Yep the annual square off for a bronze pig. Well it used to be a live pig, but that's a story for another post. The last 5 games have resulted in 3 Iowa wins and 2 Minnesota wins, with 4 of those games being decided by 2 scores or less and of those 4 games, 2 were decided by 3 points or less. Continuing the rivalry path we stop at Ohio State-Michigan. It's called "The Game" for a reason and if you don't know that reason, hit up Wikipedia. I needn't say much about this one just that the hatred here doesn't stop. Looking for notable games just find recaps from '69, '72, '78, '87, '97, '99, '01, '05, '06. We could continue with rivalries for days in the Big Ten but I'll leave you with MSU vs Michigan. Ultimate brother versus brother battle that is never short of controversy (petty or not). More on the rivalry as we approach that game this year.
Trophies:
Definitely my favorite aspect of the conference. Here's a top 5 list.
5.) Purdue Cannon
-It's a freaking cannon! Who wouldn't want to win that? Well i guess it's a drag to march back home to Purdue or Illinois but hey it's a cannon!
4.) Paul Bunyan Trophy
- The ultimate prize for a state divided. He may be tad ugly but Paul is coveted by Michigan State and Michigan fans alike.
3.) Heartland Trophy
- A big brass bull is awarded to the winner of the Iowa-Wisconsin clash. A brass bull that changes hands almost every game. (Trophy series currently tied 4-4) The trophy may be young compared to the other trophies in the conference but it's sleek design and nasty, rough atmosphere makes it one to be prized.
2.) Floyd of Rosedale
- The Floyd of Rosedale is fought over by Iowa and Minnesota and is a bronze pig standing just under a foot tall and less than 2 feet wide. He used to be real now he's cast in bronze (everyone's dream) and is one of the most unique and hard fought over trophies.
1.) Paul Bunyan's Axe
- Paul's Axe has long stopped cutting down the wilderness, now the winner chops the loser's dreams, and goal post in half. Wisconsin and Minnesota battle it out for Bunyan's glory and have been since 1948.
Tailgating:
Maybe the on the field big ten product can be lacking but the schools here in the conference sure know how to throw a pregame party. Whether its arriving at the crack of dawn no matter when kickoff is, or playing touch football all day, tailgating in the Big Ten is an experience. From alcohol sales starting at 6 AM in Madison, Columbus's Hineygate, State College's Nittanyville, Bloomington's party all day students, Iowa City's Melrose Mob, and back again to the 'bratburger" in Madison; Big Ten tailgates know how to party. As you travel across Big Ten land, make sure to seek out the best each college town has to offer.
The Unexpected:
In this conference there will always be that one week where a top team loses to an underdog. Just ask MSU who some how finds a way to lose to Northwestern, or Ohio State who struggles with Illinois. The traditional powerhouse will be knocked off by an upstart. It's almost a commandment. (Thou shall witness his or her team lose to an underdog in the Big Ten) It will happen. Just pray its not your team so that way you can enjoy it.
To Maryland and Rutgers, welcome to the Big Ten. To everyone else, enjoy the show.
-Stephen
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