Power Play

Two sets of football power rankings: The end of the regular season rankings and the rankings of each team's bowl appeal:


Regular Rankings:

1.OSU: The best team and the sole champions
2.Illinois: Beat OSU, must be kicking themselves for losing to Iowa
3.Wisconsin: As of right now they have to be considered the third best team.
4.Michigan: Still too much talent to be any lower, but they have been bad as of late
5.Penn State: This team had one good week, and it was unfortunately against Wisconsin
6.Michigan State: The best win during the last month for any of the remaining teams. They also played Michigan tough three weeks ago.
7.Indiana: Gets the nod after the win over Purdue.
8.Purdue: I'm betting they start 4-0 next year and then go 3-5 the rest of the way.
9.Iowa: 4-4 in conference, and an inexcusable 2-2 out of conference. And they didn't even have to play OSU or Michigan. They are lucky to be 6-6
10.Northwestern: Just not a terribly good team. How can you lose to Duke? I mean, not even Notre Dame lost to Duke!
11.Minnesota. Maybe the Gophers can win a conference game in 2008


BOWL APPEAL
-based on 4 categories: On field appeal, noteworthy players, fan appeal, backstory

1.OSU
ON Field: ****
Players: ***
Fan: *****
Backstory***

No real interesting backstory and this team lacks the stars of last year, but the Buckeye faithful will sell out their Rose Bowl allotment and then some


2. Illinois
On Field: ***
Players: ****
Fan:**
Backstory *****

The 5 star backstory for a showdown of Ron Zook vs Florida will get them a spot in the Cap One Bowl. Their only problem is the fact that very few fans north of I-80 cares about Illini football

3. Michigan
On Field: *
Players: ***
Fan:****
Backstory: ***

I'm sorry, but the Lloyd Carr Bacsktory does nothing for me and probably very little for most fans around the country. The question the Cap One and Outback Bowls need to ask themselves is Will fans choose to watch our game over the other three in the same time slot because it will be Carr's last? The answer is no, which is why they are probably headed for San Antonio.

4. Wisconsin
On Field:***
Players:***
Fans****
Backstory:**

No real interesting backstory, but the Badgers are a solid solid invitation. They will sell out of their tickets, or come close, and their defense is so bad that you'll certainly have enough points scored to keep people tuned in

5. Penn State
On Field: *
Players: *
Fans: *****
Backstory: **

This is a bad year for on field play in the Big 10 and no teams exemplify that more than Penn State and Iowa. Penn State's fans are real their only appeal. Speaking of which...

6. Iowa
On Field: *
Players: *
Fans: *****
Backstory: *

If it wasn't for the nutsy Iowa fans would they even be considered for a game? But even if 20,000 white shorted Iowans show up for your bowl, good luck getting a ratings point for anyone who wants to watch them play.

7. Michigan State
On Field: ***
Players: **
Fans: **/*****
Backstory: **

They get the fan 5 stars if they are invited to the Motor City Bowl. Otherwise, this isn't a bad team and they can score a ton of points, which is why they will be playing an extra game this year

8. Indiana
On Field: **
Players: **
Fans: **?
Backstory: ****

Interesting backstory in regards to Coach Hepp and their first bowl since 1993. Their problem might also be their strength, bowl officials don't really know what to expect from Hoosier football fans. Think of them like you'd think of Penn State basketball fans. My guess is that whatever Bowl invites them will be pleasantly surprised.

9. Northwestern
On Field: *
Players: **
Fans: **
Backstory *

Their fans have money, but that is about all they have going for them. That loss to Duke is a disaster


10. Purude
On Field: **
Players: *
Fans *
Backstory *

This team is bad, they aren't exciting, no one cares, and their fans are probably sick and tired of crappy bowl games.

11. Minnesota (can't go, but lets break them down anyways)
On Field *
Players: *
Fans: *
Backstory: *****

Can Minnesota lose 12 games in one season??? Hell, I would invite them just for that.