Michigan Football: Not your father’s Big Ten anymore

Michigan football and Ohio State used to dominate the Big Ten almost  exclusively. But over the years, things have changed and it’s now a new era.

Here’s what I’m thinking after that uncomfortably close game for Michigan football in Bloomington last Saturday: This isn’t your father’s Big Ten anymore.

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Rather than focus on the tired topic of who should play quarterback next week, or compliment the offensive line on a demonstrably better performance last week, or complain (yet again) about unimaginative play calling, I thought I would mention another factor that doesn’t get enough attention.

Michigan football is playing in a tough conference, maybe the toughest in the country right now.

If you grew up in the Bo Schembechler era (which extended into the Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr eras), then you must remember the Big Two and Little Eight. What happened every year was that Michigan and Ohio State would cruise through their schedules against the likes of Purdue, Indiana, and Minnesota, and then face off in the unofficial Big Ten championship game – against each other.

Between 1968 and 1982, the Big Ten champion was either Michigan or Ohio State, with Michigan State being the sole exception to the rule in 1978 (and even then Michigan State had to share the title with big brother Michigan).

Anyway, those years are long gone.

Today’s Big Ten now includes Penn State (joined the conference in 1990), Nebraska (2011), and Rutgers (2014). While Nebraska and Rutgers have failed to provide much competition in the years since they joined, Penn State has been really good. Maybe you noticed that they’re ranked no. 2 nationally this week going into their game with the Wolverines next Saturday.

Michigan Wolverines Football

But it’s not just the addition of Penn State that has made the Big Ten one of the toughest conferences in the country; it’s the resurgence of other programs, like Purdue and Indiana. There was a time when Michigan football could easily handle both of those teams, rest starters, and give playing time to some reserves.

Not anymore. With new head coaches, new attitudes, and higher expectations, both Michigan and Ohio State have had their hands full with teams they beat handily in the past.

I saved Minnesota for a special mention. Though the Golden Gophers haven’t won a title since 1960 (and don’t look like they’re going to win one this year either), they are definitely a program on the rise. With the program in scandal and disarray last year, the university went out and hired P.J. Fleck from Western Michigan University after his sensational 2016 campaign. WMU, not a perennial Division 1 contender, lost to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl by a surprisingly close 24-16.

With a brand-new stadium (shared with the Vikings) and money to spend on a first-rate coaching staff, Minnesota figures to be a contender in the years to come. You can bet that Michigan will not be able to let up when Minnesota comes to Ann Arbor on November 4.

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All of this is to say that maybe we shouldn’t be surprised when a team like Indiana takes us to overtime. The current win streak against Indiana stands at 22. There’s a good chance Michigan will extend that streak in the years to come, but it won’t be easy.