This is a weak argument, several Big Ten teams are either ranked higher or just below the teams you mention from the SEC in the AP final rankings. Those teams are good teams but have up and down years just like the Big Ten teams. It's inevitable to happen as players move on to the next level or graduate. Tennessee was terrible last year, Alabama wasn't great this year, Georgia had an off year for them as well. Yet at times they can be excellent teams. Wisconsin had a very successful year including a rare Big Ten Bowl victory in 2006-2007 over YIKES, and SEC Team?? Penn State was top 25, Michigan was Top 10, as well as Wisconsin to go with Ohio State's #2, #1 all season. Iowa was ranked as high as #15 this year, had a very good offense, just not the defense to keep them in games. Michigan State perenially is a Top 25 team, but had a off year this year. Ohio State has a history of tough out of conference games to go along with their Big Ten battles. Texas the last two years, including Vince's Texas in 2005. Starting in 2008 our out of conference schedule will feature two teams that have historically been "OK", with USC and Miami, FL. Quit with the weak argument that your in conference games are so tough you don't need a tough out of conference game. The Gators are the champs and they played beautifully, congratuations on that. But leave weak arguments like this back on the Gator boards.