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From: rsk@pucc-j (Wombat)
Newsgroups: net.sport.football
Subject: Re: conference comparisons
Message-ID: <551@pucc-j>
Date: Sat, 9-Nov-85 13:14:44 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-j.551
Posted: Sat Nov  9 13:14:44 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 10-Nov-85 09:29:46 EST
References: <1231@decwrl.UUCP> <13000052@uiucdcs>
Reply-To: rsk@pucc-j.UUCP (Wombat)
Organization: Purdue University
Lines: 19
Keywords: seven dwarves

The big-two/little-eight metaphor probably applied 10 years ago, when
Michigan and Ohio State dominated; but such is no longer the case.

Iowa and Illinois, particularly, have had strong teams in the last several
years; Purdue, Minnesota, and Michigan State have been right on their heels
from time to time as well.  (Recall, for instance, that Purdue was undefeated
in post-season play until last year, with 3 bowl appearances in 5 years.)

Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Indiana seem to be the only teams that haven't
had consistent winning years in the 80's (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
Even so, Wisconsin gave Illinois quite a battle in the mud-bowl last year;
Indiana got off to a good start this year.  Northwestern is no longer 0-and-N.

The conference is becoming more balanced; I expect that Wisconsin and Indiana
will be improving as well in the next couple of years; unfortunately, I don't
see the same thing happening for Northwestern, since their enrollment is
so much smaller, and their academic requirements are somewhat higher.
-- 
Rich Kulawiec	rsk@pur-ee.uucp rsk@purdue.uucp rsk@purdue-asc.arpa