The Big Ten’s rehabilitated football reputation is only as good as its next seven days.
Ten teams, six underdogs, eight games against the SEC, Pac-12 or Notre Dame.
The next week will set the tone for the next year. Just as the Big Ten is enjoying the fruits of last year’s postseason now. Just as its bowl struggles of two years ago lingered through last season.
This Big Ten respect is too recent and the voices of dissent too close to the surface to endure a bowl-season flop without judgment.
It wasn’t until three weeks ago that I became certain the national narrative about Big Ten football had flipped.