I could not disagree more. The OSU vs Michigan Rivalry has become the consensus 'best rivalry in college football.' Did it grow to be like that by having one or both of the teams in the toilet? Did one being better have a positive or negative effect on the progress of the other? At the height of that rivalry did some people refer to the Big 10 as the 'Big 2 and Little 8'?
I don't mean to step on toes here and there certainly are exceptions to every rule. But, the more likely someone hasn't coached or played a sport beyond high school, the more likely they will wear a jersey as a fan and the more likely they won't cheer for their fellow conference members. That doesn't make someone 'right' and someone 'wrong'. That's okay... nobody's opinion is worth more than anyone else's. Everyone has the right to cheer for any team they prefer.
I know there are a lot of people that don't see it this way. There are no teams I like to beat more than Iowa and Wisconsin. However, each institution represents the Big 10 and you don't have to go very far to find people bashing the Big 10 and all it stands for (visit a TCU message board lately?).
How many recruits will the U lose if its fellow conference members lose all their bowl games and all its non-conference games? Be careful what you wish for. I'd hate to see the Gophers "gain" by staying mediocre while the rest of the conference becomes the MAC. I'd rather see my team raise its game to stand among the leaders in an elite conference.
Quite frankly, I have a lot more disdain for the SEC and "the Big 10 is too slow" southern schools than I will EVER have for Wisconsin.
I remember this SAME discussion last year after Wisconsin beat Miami. Might as well copy the link because it will come up over and over and people's opinion's won't change.
