In This Thread I posit that SEC fans consider their conference "great" on "name recognition" Teams like Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, Georgia, and to some extent Auburn are considered "traditional powers" and so SEC fans can claim a "great conference" Here, I will describe ways in which the Big Ten, if fans so wanted, could tout the same or similar "name recognition" power.
I'll use National Titles as the metric, though understand, this isn't a "real" argument so much as it is just a theory on how Big Ten fans could bolster the Big Ten's national reputation on par with SEC fans.
Michigan. When it comes to made up titles, only Alabama, Notre Dame and USC can claim more. Considered THE power before there was such a thing as a forward pass. If you want to know how great Michigan used to be, just ask a Michigan fan
Ohio State. 5 "real" national championships, and 2 which are recognized by various people (1961, 1970) but which I don't count. Most wins of any program since 1930. Despite a "mediocre 80s-early 90s" where a typical team was 9-3, has been a "national player" consistently since Paul Brown.
Michigan State - won or shared 6 national titles
Minnesota - If Michigan lost in 1904, it was to Minnesota. That is to say, Minnesota used to be a big big deal. 6 National Titles. Unlike USC, actually won 3 straight (1934 - 1936)
Penn State - 7 undefeated seasons, 2 National Titles.
Illinois - 5 National Titles. Dick Butkus, Red Grange.
Wisconsin - no National Titles, but has fielded very powerful teams over a long period of time, though has suffered horrible stretches of awfulness.
Purdue - Like Wiscy, no title, has the occasional powerhouse, and the stretches of misery
Iowa - See Wisconsin and Purdue
Indiana - Sucks, and has always sucked
Northwestern - sucks and has always sucked
While the above considers "Fake Titles" (Retro) let's look at "real" titles (that is since 1936 AP)
In total - the Big Ten claims 13 National Titles since 1936
Won by:
Ohio State (5), Michigan (2), Michigan State (1), Minnesota (3), and Penn State (2)
The SEC? 14 won by Alabama (6), LSU (2), Auburn (1), Florida (2) Georgia (1) and Tennessee (2)
Admittedly, PSU's 2 did not occur while in the Big Ten. But, alas, PSU is in the B10 now, so as Big Ten Homers, we can tout it all we want. Yes, MSU's last Title was in 1966. True, Minnesota's was 1960. Penn State, despite having one of the greatest teams of all time (1994) won it's last in 1986. But, then... Bama hasn't won since 92. Georgia, 1980. Auburn, 1957... so, it's kind of a wash...
SEC, you've got 6 "powers" Big Ten, you've got 5.... and a lot more Heisman winners.
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Anyway... I don't post this because I believe it. I'm posting it because of "SEC Silliness" claiming to be something it's not. Likewise, I haven't been careful to check these titles and dates, though I think they're reasonably close to "correct" (I did only a quick Google, paying little attention to who was awarding said title - reason - I'm only partly serious here, more trying to prove a different point.. that being, nothing of "actual" superiority and more about how easy it is to fake it and be a conference homer)
Truth is, both conferences are traditionally very good. They play good football in the South. We northerners get that. But, we play good football up here too... and you seem to refuse to recognize. But, remember this.. the football hall of fame is in Canton Ohio... and there's a reason for that. Football is a NORTHERN game.
I'll use National Titles as the metric, though understand, this isn't a "real" argument so much as it is just a theory on how Big Ten fans could bolster the Big Ten's national reputation on par with SEC fans.
Michigan. When it comes to made up titles, only Alabama, Notre Dame and USC can claim more. Considered THE power before there was such a thing as a forward pass. If you want to know how great Michigan used to be, just ask a Michigan fan
Ohio State. 5 "real" national championships, and 2 which are recognized by various people (1961, 1970) but which I don't count. Most wins of any program since 1930. Despite a "mediocre 80s-early 90s" where a typical team was 9-3, has been a "national player" consistently since Paul Brown.
Michigan State - won or shared 6 national titles
Minnesota - If Michigan lost in 1904, it was to Minnesota. That is to say, Minnesota used to be a big big deal. 6 National Titles. Unlike USC, actually won 3 straight (1934 - 1936)
Penn State - 7 undefeated seasons, 2 National Titles.
Illinois - 5 National Titles. Dick Butkus, Red Grange.
Wisconsin - no National Titles, but has fielded very powerful teams over a long period of time, though has suffered horrible stretches of awfulness.
Purdue - Like Wiscy, no title, has the occasional powerhouse, and the stretches of misery
Iowa - See Wisconsin and Purdue
Indiana - Sucks, and has always sucked
Northwestern - sucks and has always sucked
While the above considers "Fake Titles" (Retro) let's look at "real" titles (that is since 1936 AP)
In total - the Big Ten claims 13 National Titles since 1936
Won by:
Ohio State (5), Michigan (2), Michigan State (1), Minnesota (3), and Penn State (2)
The SEC? 14 won by Alabama (6), LSU (2), Auburn (1), Florida (2) Georgia (1) and Tennessee (2)
Admittedly, PSU's 2 did not occur while in the Big Ten. But, alas, PSU is in the B10 now, so as Big Ten Homers, we can tout it all we want. Yes, MSU's last Title was in 1966. True, Minnesota's was 1960. Penn State, despite having one of the greatest teams of all time (1994) won it's last in 1986. But, then... Bama hasn't won since 92. Georgia, 1980. Auburn, 1957... so, it's kind of a wash...
SEC, you've got 6 "powers" Big Ten, you've got 5.... and a lot more Heisman winners.
------------------------
Anyway... I don't post this because I believe it. I'm posting it because of "SEC Silliness" claiming to be something it's not. Likewise, I haven't been careful to check these titles and dates, though I think they're reasonably close to "correct" (I did only a quick Google, paying little attention to who was awarding said title - reason - I'm only partly serious here, more trying to prove a different point.. that being, nothing of "actual" superiority and more about how easy it is to fake it and be a conference homer)
Truth is, both conferences are traditionally very good. They play good football in the South. We northerners get that. But, we play good football up here too... and you seem to refuse to recognize. But, remember this.. the football hall of fame is in Canton Ohio... and there's a reason for that. Football is a NORTHERN game.