Michigan used to have as much talent as OSU. JT and Lloyd made sure they became PSU, RR made sure they became MSU. Lloyd had plenty of underachieving talent, RR has a team with 3 starters that could start at OSU - WR Hemingway, Roundtree, DT Martin - none being as good as Posey or Simon. A few others like Lewan, Roh would play as backups.
Penn State used to be unbelievable, then they joined a real conference. It isn't just the big two either, Iowa absolutely owns them.
They are a lot like LSU, amazing DL, great corners and backers, very rough QB play, punishing backs, crazy head coach.
Wisconsin always relies on unheralded players and does well with them, largely because they control the point of attack.
Iowa is a poor man's Wisky and aren't true title contenders very often.
Michigan St is becoming the Ole Miss of the conference. Outclassed overall but talented and feisty enough to upset the apple cart. They also have more lax admission standards than most of the big ten. They just take a lot more chances.
Indiana and NW compete with big east and MAC schools for prospects.
Minn does too, and the very few prospects their state produces gets plucked. Laurinaitis, Floyd, Henderson. OSU just offered and might flip their 4 star WR verbal, who has decommitted.
Illinois can recruit but lack the sanity and focus to use it. The new assistants have really done well so far and Scheelhaase is a stud. We will see if they can take the next step.
Purdue actually has a fair share of NFL talent but their gimmick offense and lame history make people overlook it. They are still a second or third tier program, but they surprise most folks with their lineage.
As of now Nebraska is the only school in OSU's zipcode.
It is hard to compare the two with so much uncertainty around our 5 as well as their QB Martinez.