The hiring of Urban Meyer at Ohio State put the Big Ten on notice: improve or be left behind. Meyers reputation for winning has put him in charge of one of the most prestigious college football programs in the Nation, combining two powerful brands in one, Ohio State and Urban Meyer. Ohio State has been the standard barrier for the Big Ten during the Cooper years, through Tressels tenure, and now through Meyers. Given Meyer's reputation for consistent championships, the rest of the Big Ten will have to adjust quickly or become a second tier team in up and coming conference.
Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State will have to step up there schedules and games. Recently, Wisconsin played and lost to LSU; Penn State just hired a new coach; Nebraska has to step up their scheduling; Michigan has to hit a grand slam for their next coach; Michigan State has to win their Out of Conference games. Wisconsin would be higher if they beat LSU; Penn State is rebuilding itself; Nebraska has to strengthen their schedule; Michigan will be rebuilding, but quickly; Michigan State has to win huge in out of conference games. Ohio State is the only team that has been a consistently bowl game contender in the Big Ten. As a Buckeyes fan, I have no problem with Ohio State being the top/only contender, but in relation to the strength of an overall conference, the Big Ten is severely lacking. The Big Ten is in need of contenders, not teams because we have the teams, the teams I stated above.
This is where the Urban effect comes into play. His recruiting, coaching style, and personality has and will bring Ohio State many glories before he is done, which is a great problem to have. The problem is with the rest of the conference. For example, the SEC is the current conference receiving all the media love, with multiple teams being place in the top 25. The SEC's out of conference games are often blow out victories. The entire SEC conference is thought to be loaded with great teams, therefore; victories and loses are hailed as great victories that teams outside the conference could not withstand. It takes years to build a reputation, and only a few seasons to tare it all down. It is easy to say SEC teams should play teams in the north, where weather plays a huge factor, but until the perception of the Big Ten extends further than Ohio State, there is no need for the SEC to feel obligated to prove themselves against another conference. Ohio State cannot hold the conference up by itself and if it has to do so, we will be no better than the ACC, which has the representation of Florida State.
The Big Ten does not want to be known as the Ohio State conference, but instead The Toughest Conference in the North. My dream would be for the Big Ten to draw the same, if not more attention than the SEC, hire coaches that could draw students from the south and all corners of the country, and beat big teams from other conferences. Ohio State has already started down the road of success given Urban Meyers current record over 3 years. If I had to predict, Penn State will be ranked within three years, considering Franklin can build a program based upon his experience and be successful. Wisconsin will be dominant in the West and during their non-conference games within two seasons, considering Andersen can build depth within the program. Michigan has to hit a grand slam with their next coaching hire, which will get Michigan back into contention within two years. Michigan State has to win their big non-conference games from here on out. I think it goes without saying, until this happens, Ohio State will have to hope Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, and Notre Dame stay in the top ten during the next ten years and go undefeated for a secure spot in the College Playoffs.
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