It’s not really groundbreaking news, but at least in the article by FoxSports they note that solid seasons from the middle rung teams like Penn State, Michigan State, and Purdue could push the Big Ten up to number three in the country.

But, as of now, the conference follows the Big 12, who has seven teams ranked in the preseason top 35, the SEC, whose gaudy 7-2 record in the bowl season plus big recruiting classes from the big guns has it a close second. And then there’s the Pac 10, following USC’s probable march to the national championship game if they can upend Ohio St.

I guess I am not too disappointed with this, but it is such a hard task to be able to get by some of these conferences that just seem to have so much more talent than the Big Ten. When I look at the teams in the top 25, I just wonder how any teams besides the Buckeyes would be able to compete with them. Yes, Wisconsin is decent (although I think overrated at #10-13), and Illinois has fallen slightly over the past several weeks from #17 down to #20 (I think many sportswriters are beginning to doubt that Juice Williams will be able to lead the team in passing AND running and be successful). Other than that, as mentioned below, it will take a special season from some of these others (a la Illinois in last year) for the conference to get an inkling of respect. My take: it ain’t gonna happen.