In the Conference Strength Report series I posted this season, it was pretty apparent through the numbers that the Big Ten wasn’t the “bad conference” that ESPN would have you believe (their noses were out of joint over the Big Ten Network and decided to let the conference have it for that reason I think coupled with the pitiful bowl performances by Ohio State and Michigan to end the 2006 season and you’ve got the ingredients for an overstated negative sentiment.) When things are going well, they’re never as good as people claim. When things are going badly, they’re never as bad as people claim. With this out of the way, let’s see how it played out.

Motor City Bowl Purdue vs. Central Michigan, Purdue wins a shootout 51-48. This game shouldn’t have been as close as it was, Purdue thought the game was won at halftime and started celebrating early enabling a furious comeback by CMU and made a game of it. Nonetheless, the outcome was as expected, Purdue won just as it did when the teams met earlier in the season in what amounted to a home game for the Chippewas. The #7 Big 10 team beat the MAC Champion, twice. Big Ten bowl record: 1-0.

Champs Sports Bowl Michigan State vs. Boston College, BC wins a nail biter 24-21. If MSU’s QB Hoyer has one fewer turnover (he accounted for 5) MSU wins this game. Also, MSU’s top pass rusher was among 5 Spartans suspended before the game. On paper, this shouldn’t have been close, BC should have blown MSU out. They were lucky to escape with the win. The #9 Big 10 team at less than full strength giving 5 turnovers away, nearly knocks off the #2 ACC team. Big Ten bowl record: 1-1.

Alamo Bowl Penn State vs. Texas A&M, Penn State wins a physical game 24-17. The Aggies played tougher than I expected after their coaching change, they didn’t give up. I had PSU winning this thing by 14 even accounting for a virtual home game for A&M. The #5 Big 10 team beat the #6 Big 12 team. Big Ten bowl record: 2-1.

Insight Bowl Indiana vs. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma State wins 49-33. This was a blowout with over 900 yards of combined offense. The Hoosiers are far less experienced in the bowl scene and it showed. However, their late head coach would have been happy they got to “play 13” regardless of the result. The #8 Big 10 team loses to the #7 Big 12 team. Big Ten bowl record: 2-2.

Outback Bowl Wisconsin vs. Tennessee, Tennessee wins 21-17. This was a close game that Wisconsin should have won. After remembering how to tackle in the second half and stopping the UT offense, the big boys from Wisky ran the ball down the Vols throat, but ultimately couldn’t convert that success into points. The #4 Big 10 team loses to the #2 SEC team. Big Ten bowl record: 2-3.

Capital One Bowl Michigan vs. Florida, Michigan wins 41-35. If you heard the Gators put up 400 yards of offense and 35 points, you’d think they won the game. Well, Michigan gave up 4 turnovers, 2 inside the 1 yard line, and amassed over 500 offensive yards and 41 points. The boys from Florida were this close to being on the wrong end of a 50 some point to 20 some point blow out. The game wasn’t as close as the score might indicate. The #3 Big 10 team thumps the #3 SEC team. Big Ten bowl record: 3-3.

Rose Bowl Illinois vs. USC, USC wins 49-17. I didn’t really expect the Illini to win, but I did expect them to put up a little more fight ala their game November 10th of last year… USC looked good, very good dismantling Illinois. But, let’s not forget, this is the same team that lost to STANFORD, a 41 point underdog, at home. Talk of split national championships is crazy. The #2 Big 10 team blown out by the #1 Pac 10 team. Big Ten bowl record: 3-4.

BCS Championship Game Ohio State vs. Louisiana State, LSU wins 38-24. After a sluggish start, the LSU offensive and defensive lines asserted themselves in a big way allowing the team to roll out 31 unanswered points. The Buckeyes self-destructed in the second quarter: 1 blocked field goal, 1 lost fumble, 2 interceptions, and 5 personal fouls sustaining LSU drives. The #1 Big 10 team lost to the #1 SEC team. Big Ten bowl record: 3-5.

Coffee is for closers, the Big 10 sucked this year and the bowl season proves it. 3-5 is the opposite record of what the league should have posted and it’s largely due to turning the ball over at an alarming rate. There’s always next year, but will it be any better? I’ll post a final Conference Strength Report where I expect the SEC to be at the top, the Big 12 to move up (and maybe the Big East) and the Pac 10 and Big 10 to plummet. ACC will likely bring up the rear. We’ll see what the data shows, but it won’t be pretty…