Well AJ, those numbers are a bit misleading. Cant debate the NC as the Big 10 is at a disadvantage without the championship game and ending the season before thanksgiving. Thankfully that is changing. The other conference with NC that doesn't have a championship game is the PAC 10 and let's face it, USC didn't have much competition out west. The only team that was close to there level was Oregon. 1 tough game a year will win conference championships everywhere.
But we can debate the rest. The conference matchups you show above include the ever inclusive out of conference against the bottom dwellers of other conferences. Not exactly a good comparison, better to look at bowl games.
So let's look at the BIG 10 / SEC match ups in bowl games: My boys in blue are
7-3 in bowls vs the SEC (
23-5-1 alltime vs the SEC including the bottom dwellers), Penn State is
9-7 vs the SEC in bowls (15-16 alltime). Overall the Big 10 has split the series at
9-9 in the last 18, and lead the alltime series
91-86-6. Hardly owning the BIG 10. You have however owned Ohio State (1-10-1 vs the SEC, 0-9 in bowls)and Wisconsin (2-8 vs the SEC alltime but couldn't find bowl record vs SEC.) I personally can't wait until we start owning OSU again. Just a matter of time.
Let's face it, the SEC is not as great a conference as the media and there fans think. There are some great teams in there the same as in the BIG 10, BIG 12, and PAC 10 (ACC and Big East are kinda weak). After looking at the comparisons, looks like you guys are actually number 2, but don't worry, it gives you guys something to aspire to.
One more thing. You can also take the IVY league out of the equation for the National Championships as they are not in Div 1A anymore. So, that makes the Big 10 number 1 again, SEC number 2.
GOD I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!!!
jacob