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Sports Then and Now



Sizing Up the Big 10 Conference: Preseason Football Power Ranking 3

Posted on August 02, 2010 by JA Allen

It's the best time of the year - football season in the Big 10 Conference.

Throughout the month of August, Sports Then and Now will be looking at major college football conference through a series of previews. We start off with the Big Ten:

It is August and we have waited long enough for college football to get underway.  It is time to begin announcing the winners and losers––then explaining why and how we went wrong the following week.

The life of a forecaster is not an easy one.  At least until the first of September we will be safe with these Big Ten Football Power Rankings.

The Big Ten Conference gets some grudging respect after winning a few Bowl Games in post-season play after the 2009 season––four wins to be exact after sending seven teams to bowl games.

Two BCS wins by Ohio State whacking Oregon in the Rose Bowl and Iowa knocking back the Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl enhanced the Big 10 aura heading into 2010.

This year the Big Ten enters the foray with four teams in the top 25.  The exact placement depends on the particular poll you chose to believe.  But it is safe to say that most expect Ohio State to be in the top five, Iowa in the top fifteen, Wisconsin in the top twenty with Penn State in the top twenty-five.

This is how the teams fall within the Conference…

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Iowa vs. Penn State: Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold… 4

Posted on September 24, 2009 by JA Allen
Daniel Murray celebrates his game-winning kick that stunned Penn State in 2008.

Daniel Murray celebrates his game-winning kick that stunned Penn State in 2008.

Last year on November 8, 2008, the perfect Penn State Nittany Lions came calling at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City hoping to secure a shot at the national championship as one of the teams in the creme de la creme BCS Bowl in Miami.

Unfortunately for them the Iowa Hawkeyes had another scenario in mind.

The Nittany Lions needed this victory to continue the season undefeated.  Penn State was already grumbling  about the possibility of not receiving the call to play in Miami even if they were undefeated at the end of the season.
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College Football Preview: Big Ten Looks To Overcome Recent Struggles 0

Posted on September 04, 2009 by Dean Hybl

With a year of experience Terrelle Pryor could emerge as one of the top players in the Big Ten.

With a year of experience Terrelle Pryor could emerge as one of the top players in the Big Ten.

Overview: Once recognized annually as one of the strongest conference in college football, the Big Ten has taken a reputation hit in recent years with the poor showing of its top teams in bowl games. Last season the conference was 1-6 in bowl games with only Iowa pulling out a victory. Ohio State and Penn State start the season ranked in the top 10, but the conference must have some strong early non-conference victories if they hope to have a squad seriously considered for the BCS Championship Game.
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  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Louie Dampier: The First 3-Point King
      November 13, 2024 | 1:02 pm
      Louie Dampier

      Louie Dampier’s name might not resonate as widely as other basketball legends, but the Sports Then & Now Vintage Athlete of the Month’s impact on the game, particularly during the American Basketball Association (ABA) era, is undeniable. Known for his pinpoint shooting, exceptional ball handling, and relentless work ethic, Dampier enjoyed a stellar basketball career that saw him thrive in both the ABA and NBA. As one of the most consistent and prolific guards of his time, Dampier left a lasting legacy, and his role in the ABA’s history solidified his place in the annals of basketball greatness.

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