(12-10-2021 08:40 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(12-09-2021 01:28 PM)schmolik Wrote:  2021 was a good year for the Big 10 ratings wise. I've been cheering for Ohio State because I've thought they were the best attraction for the Big 10 and the best chance for the Big 10 to win a national championship and if the Big 10 wins a national championship then the Big 10 will get more attention in the "war" with the SEC. No one believes the Big 10 is on par with the SEC in football, Ohio State was (and probably is still) our best chance against the SEC (and Clemson if they are still a national championship threat on a regular basis). If recruits think Ohio State (or Michigan, Penn State, etc) can compete for national championships with the Alabama's, Georgia's, Florida's, and LSU's, they'll come, Big Ten schools will win more championships, and more TV viewers will watch. If Michigan wins this year's national championship, more power to them. Is Michigan winning this year a good thing? It's great to know that a second team in the Big Ten can win. Ohio State/Michigan is the Iron Bowl of the Big Ten. Ohio State had won the previous eight. Alabama/Auburn was competitive the last few years even though Alabama has won multiple national championships and Auburn hasn't won since Cam Newton was there. Ohio State/Michigan is only going to be more popular if the outcome is in doubt and both schools are regular top ten level teams. If Penn State is able to actually beat the Illinois's of the world, we'll have three games a year that can regularly compete in TV ratings with the best of the SEC and not just have to depend on Ohio State all the time. The SEC doesn't always have to depend on Alabama. Alabama didn't even make the Playoff or even the SEC Championship Game in 2019 and the SEC still won the national championship and probably didn't hurt much in the ratings in the SEC Championship Game. Georgia/Michigan is huge for the Big Ten. If Michigan wins, we'll at least get a shot to take down Alabama. If we lose, the SEC wins again.

I agree, Georgia-Michigan is just massive for the B1G.

The B1G has never had a TV ratings problem, to the contrary, their ratings are always right there, just behind the SEC on an overall basis, and often besting the SEC at the very top, in terms of highest-rated game of the season. B1G schools are enormous, football-rabid schools, and their fan bases are enormous, spread across the country, and unwavering in support regardless of how a particular season is going. So they always tune in.

But on the field, there has been an issue. The B1G is at its peak when Michigan is contending for titles as well. Yes, Penn State is also a full-fledged blue blood, Nebraska has been, and Wisconsin is an elite program too, but the core of the B1G is and always will be Ohio State and Michigan. the B1G is at its peak strength in all ways when both are top programs contending for titles, like in the 1970s when it was Bo vs Woody and in the mid-late 1990s, when Michigan and Ohio State both had title contending teams.

So Michigan making the playoffs is massive. They are finally upholding their side of the bargain, so to speak. If they beat UGA, it will be even better for them.

Oklahoma and Texas is still a game changer when it comes to the Big Ten vs. SEC ratings race and respect. And as long as the SEC still wins championship after championship they will always have that on the Big Ten.