The Blue Board

I think in the long term, it is easy to count on Michigan and Ohio State being in the top tier. They have zero natural limitations. Every other school has some natural limitations and will fluidly move between tiers. I would say that Penn State, because of their money, their alumni support, and their fertile recruiting ground, should have the best chance of sustaining success; however, they have a pretty severe black eye right now that isn't going to go away soon.

I see Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa, and Nebraska as teams that are all in the same boat. I think they will drift between being elite and being mediocre. Wisconsin and Michigan State have shown out the last couple of years, but I want to see how they sustain their success beyond just a couple of years before I conclusively say that they are tier 1 teams. Their current runs remind me of Iowa's run from 2002-2004, when the Hawkeyes finished the year in the top 10 three years in a row before falling off again from 2005-2007. MSU and Wisconsin might fall back in a similar fashion or they might stay strong, we just don't know for sure yet. I also want to see how Nebraska is affected by their shift to the Big Ten before I can conclusively assess where they're at.

I agree that Illinois, Purdue, and Northwestern are all in the next tier. They have a ton of limitations on their programs right now, and I don't see much hope for sustaining .500+ Big Ten play any time soon. The same can be said for Indiana and Minnesota. For being the largest state schools in each of their states, it is really disappointing to see how poorly those schools have done over the course of the last generation.

What is the "Big 2, Little 10" supposed to mean in the modern context? If it means the OSU and UM have the best chance of being in the conversation every year than yes. No if it means other teams can't win the B1G and that they shouldn't try. They also have a lot to prove going forward if they're going to be heads and shoulders above everyone else. Recruiting national champions won't do. Going forward i think OSU will have a chance every year, Michigan everyone one or two years, with PSU, Neb, UW every 2 or 3 years, MSU and Iowa every 4 or 5 years etc. People are also forgetting Iowa, they surprise when no one expects them to. ILL might actually get some coaching for the talent they have, and can get every year.

Even as a Badger fan, it's not unreasonable to put PSU or NEb above us going forward, but i'll take issue with UNL. PSU i can get, located in a talent-rich state, with tradition, and some better days to look forward to as the current times pass. Won't happen though imo, can it? Of course. UNL, they're going to start sliding. Not a talent-rich state, not in the B12 so it's going to get harder recruiting Texas, and without the pull to bring in CA kids any longer. They're attempting to recruit the Midwest but aside from Ohio (where they'd be 3rd at best) they don't have much pull. The new era of 85 scholarships makes it harder for historical teams (especially one located in freaking Lincoln) to ever be the same. Just my opinion.

Tier 1:(in no order)
NU

Tier 2:(in no order)
Mich, MSU, tOSU, Wis, PSU

Tier 3:(in no order)
Ill, Iowa, NU

Tier 4:(in no order)
Purdue

Tier 5:
Minn & Indiana

Your Opinion is wrong. We recruit Nationally, we always have.

We already slid, now we are on our way Back.

Tier 1: Michigan, OSU, MSU, Wisky, Nebraska, PSU
Tier 2: NW, Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota, Iowa
Tier 3: Indiana

Since you asked, I think it's funny how desperately the Sparty's are trying to convince everyone they are not a bottom half of the B10 team. I don't recognize the OP, but I guarantee he's a Sparty. No one but a Sparty would tier the conference the way he did. MSU as tier 1 and Nebraska and Penn State as tier 2? Excuse me a minute while I .

What world are you living in that MSU is in the bottom half of the Big Ten? You aren't even trying to be objective.

Probably the world of the past 40 years?

Didn't we beat you? Four years in a row, now?

The rest is just words. Words can't change the results on the field.

Here, let me help you. Objectively, based on just about any reasonable measure any knowledgeable fan would suggest, programs in the B10 that are clearly better than MSU include: UM, OSU, PSU, NEB and WIS. And IMO IA also is a better program. That makes 6 out of 12 B10 programs that are better than MSU. I know Spartys are math challenged, but that puts MSU in the bottom half of the conference. Q.E.D.

Nobody questions MSU's mediocrity in the past. This thread is about the present and immediate future.