College Football: The Big Ten, big in name only, failed again

There is more than one measurement for success in college football. The one most treasured by college football fans is winning on a big stage and the grandest of the stages is a National Championship game.

By that standard the Big Ten (B1G) is such a non-factor, the conference can only be considered a failure.

College Football’s Measure of Success

Measuring success other than winning National Championships, Ohio State is one of no more than maybe six elite programs in the 21st century. Going back to Jim Tressel’s second season in 2002, Ohio State has won two National Championships. In the same period, the Buckeyes have failed to win 10 games in a season only three times and one of them was in the Big Ten’s Covid-shortened 2020 season.

Even with Ohio State’s frequent winning success, the Big Ten has won only two National Championships in the BCS and CFB Playoff eras. Looking at National Championship history, finding two more B1G Nattys requires going back to Michigan in 1997 and Penn State in 1986.

How many National Championships have been won by SEC teams going back to 1987? The answer is 15 of them, with Alabama Football winning seven.

Not many months ago, when conference realignments and Playoff expansion fueled much dissension, the was talk maybe the SEC and the B1G might align and have their own Playoff. It was not an outrageous idea, but for one problem. History shows the B1G would bring big viewing numbers, but limited championship success.

This season’s Playoff was sometimes billed as when the B1G, with two teams in, would regain a championship stature. Not only did that not happen, but what happened with Michigan showed how ‘unspecial’ the Big Ten is. The B1G Champion Wolverines could not beat a Big 12 non-champion. TCU after losing to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship, knocked the undefeated Wolverines out of the Playoff.

Alabama football fans are quick to point out a glaring contradiction in the strength of Playoff teams. The Crimson Tide soundly defeated Kansas State, 45-20.

So what is the cause of the Big Ten’s weakness? Not unlike the ACC, Pac 12 and the Big 12, Ohio State and Michigan don’t have enough quality conference competition. The Big 12 situation is a good example. In the 2022 season, the Big 12 had five teams with winning records. The non-Playoff, Alabama Crimson Tide beat two of the Big 12’s winning teams.

Note: National Championship history provided by ncaa.com and team records by Sports Reference.

An expanded Playoff will likely mean the Big Ten will get two or three Playoff teams every season. As was the case this season, multiple teams will provide no sure success.