The Nokia Sugar Bowl is more than just a semi final on the road to the Title, it is the defining moment for Ohio State and The Big Ten. As of now, the SEC West is considered to be one of the most dominant conferences in college football. Most college football analysts and radio announcers acknowledge the East only in terms of who plays the West during the Championship. The same cannot be said about the rest of the conferences though. For instance, the Big Ten and PAC 12 will become the most dominant conferences if Michigan can land a head coach that is miracle worker. Some may say this is quite bias and based upon no evidence, however, examine the SEC, PAC 12, and Big Ten as a whole. Like I stated earlier, the SEC East is mentioned for a moment, while the Big Ten and PAC 12 have more balanced divisions. Once Wisconsin and Nebraska figure out how to become dominant with their new head coaches, the Big Ten Championship will rise in importance on a National stage. The PAC 12 will continue their dominance if, and only if Oregon can make it to Dallas. If they lose to the Seminoles, then they will be nothing more than a program with a Heisman Trophy winner, that is it.
As I was saying though, the Sugar Bowl is more then just a bowl between two great teams, it is a statement. Starting in 2006, the Big Ten has been seen as a good conference, but one that could not beat the South. Jim Tressel always seemed to make it to the Title game or big bowl game, but against Florida, LSU, or Texas could not finish the season strong. The victories against Oregon was dismissed and Arkansas did not count because of the scandal and Arkansas was not seen as a formidable opponent in their own conference. Therefore, Ohio State could do no right. That is why this game means so much. If Ohio State beats Alabama, the stigma of losing to a Big Ten Champ will hang over the head of the West and ESPN until the next match up between the two. This is about the pride of two coaches and their teams. Alabama is said to be the best team in the country, and what better way to unseat that theory? Although this game is not about Urban and Saban, that is how it will be perceived because the two will finally meet again. This game is about two teams, one that was given the rosy path and one that was given the rocky path. The only difference being Alabama's strengths are put on display, without regard for their weaknesses and Ohio State's weaknesses are put on display more than their strengths. If Ohio State plays as they did this game should be more than a game, it should be a two or three score game.
It is no secret that Ohio State is perceived to be the crown jewel of the Big 10. This benchmark is a good and bad thing. It is good because Ohio State will always be considered to be a top team until the prove otherwise. However, it is also bad because the rest of the Big Ten, with the exception of a few, is looked upon as being less than formidable. The difference between the two conferences being reputation. At the beginning of every year and throughout til near the end, we hear about how stacked the SEC is in regards to ranked opponents, however, the last 4 weeks of the season refute that claim. Auburn, Texas A&M, LSU, and Arkansas are automatically seen as top contenders year in and year out, whereas the Big Ten is seen as an overall weak conference with a couple big fish. This is why this game is so important. For Ohio State to win this game, the conversation begins on whether or not the SEC is as stacked as it seems because this discussion will always be cemented in the fact that Ohio State won. There will be no announcer able to say either, Ohio State and Alabama have not met to settle the debate nor Alabama won ending the debate because Ohio State ended the discussion by winning.
In closing, the SEC will never be seen as weak because of Alabama's success. It does not matter who wins at the end of the year, as long as the team is from the SEC. The Big Ten will be seen as weak and not up to par as long as the Big Ten only has two teams to show for. Urban Meyer cannot and should not be expected to hold this conference on his shoulders, nor should Michigan State. That is Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan have to rise and rise quickly. Otherwise, this battle will rage on.
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