Dan Lanning claims Big Ten is the best conference in football
By David Wasson
Published:
It should come as no surprise that Big Ten coaches would hype up the Big Ten when given the opportunity, but when Oregon coach Dan Lanning was asked about the conference’s postseason bona fides earlier this week in the lead-up to Thursday’s Orange Bowl, he didn’t hesitate.
And for good reason, as the Big Ten is a sparkling 6-1 so far in the college football bowl season – with Oregon winning its College Football Playoff first-round test along with Washington, Northwestern, Minnesota, Penn State, and Illinois also earning victories. Only USC’s loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night spoiled a perfect mark, with at least six more Big Ten chances to earn victories yet to come.
“I think the record itself just speaks for the conference, the quality of players and coaches and teams in this conference,” Lanning said. “I definitely think the Big 10 is the best conference in college football. The last two national championships have indicated that as well.
“It’s a good opportunity. There’s some good Big Ten teams still playing football right now, so I hope they show out.”
No. 5 seed Oregon takes on No. 4 seed Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day (Noon ET, ESPN). Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska also have bowl games set for later Wednesday, and No. 2 seed Ohio State and No. 1 seed Indiana also play in CFP quarterfinals.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
