As Big Ten Declines, Homegrown Football Talent Flees

The New York Times reports:

Big Ten teams won only one title during the 16-year Bowl Championship Series era (Ohio State 2002) and have captured only one other national title since 1971 (Michigan 1997). Penn State won two titles and Nebraska won three titles in the past four decades, before joining the conference. The Big Ten’s relative decline could be further exposed this season because the College Football Playoff will feature only four teams, meaning at least one major conference will be left out. If the season ended this week, and the playoff were determined by The Associated Press poll, the Big Ten would be the only major conference without a representative.

The Big Ten’s slide is a byproduct of an even more undeniable (and much-documented) fact: The Southeastern Conference, which won seven consecutive B.C.S. championships, towers over college football like a colossus.

An article well worth your time.