No Respect

So I went through my usual Monday morning routine today -- eating pancakes with extra maple syrup and reading the silky smooth prose of Andy Gamm at The Final Score Blog. And gosh darn I nearly choked on a moist silver dollar when I read Mr. Gamm's passionate defense of our Big Ten Conference:

The Big Ten is however, getting ZERO national respect this year. Many feel OSU
will be the next giant to fall from the top. Michigan did lose to a 1-AA team
and get hammered in week two as well, so that doesn't help. Meanwhile, prior to
this past Saturday, perennial doormats Illinois and Indiana were still a big
part of the conference race. So, while on one hand I can see where the
disrespect comes from, I still think it has as much to do with overall
infatuation with the SEC, their gorgeous women and thunderously loud night-time
crowds.

Preach on, Andy! You're the kind of scribe I could run through walls for!

The Big Ten's most impressive non-league wins this year are Washington, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh. Those are some big-time scalps; I'm not sure what more the critics are looking for. And people can make a big stink about co-leader Michigan having two losses, but folks one of those is to the No. 5 team in the BCS, and the other to a two-time defending national champion. That's nothing to scoff at.

Another thing Andy is spot on about is the strength of the SEC. Only 7 of their teams are in the BCS top-25 this week. Color me unimpressed. "Thunderously loud-night time crowds?" Uhhh, has the media ever been to Champaign or West Laffayette? I have. Bring your earplugs.

Let the haters hate, Andy. Per usual, we'll surely get the last laugh come bowl season.