The Big Ten gets plenty of respect in college football, but take a closer look at the conference right now, and there are some serious questions about whether any of these teams are actually built to compete with the best in the country.
Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA might be getting attention, but none of them should be getting a free pass.
Ohio State is dealing with the absence of Julian Sayin, which raises major questions about how dangerous the Buckeyes can be without him. They might still have plenty of talent, but losing a key player changes the conversation when you're talking about competing for a national championship.
Then there's Indiana. The Hoosiers have put together a strong season, but they haven't looked dominant enough to convince everyone that they're a legitimate threat to the nation's best teams. Winning games is one thing. Looking like a team capable of running through the College Football Playoff is another.
And UCLA? The Bruins simply aren't a team that should have the rest of college football shaking in their boots. Their record might look impressive, but that doesn't automatically make them a serious national championship threat.
That's the problem with the Big Ten right now. The conference can point to its ranked teams and impressive records, but where is the team that truly stands out as a powerhouse capable of taking down the best programs in the country?
Ohio State has questions without Sayin. Indiana hasn't looked nearly dominant enough. UCLA doesn't look like a team that should scare anybody outside the conference.
So why is the Big Ten receiving so much respect?
The conference could still prove its doubters wrong, but until these teams show they can compete with the best college football has to offer, the hype feels premature.
