I wouldn't call the conference terrible. They had a bad day and some bad match-ups. Michigan had no business playing on New Year's day they only got the invite because they travel well. Their defense can't stop anybody the Gator Bowl was a stretch at 7-5. Penn State versus Florida - Penn State lost by 13, but it was a pick 6 deep in Florida territory in the waning minutes driving for the go ahead TD. Plus the game was 60 minutes from Gainesville. A competitive game but indeed a loss. Michigan State vs. Alabama was a mismatch as well but I can't say much on that since Michigan State shared the Big 10 crown. That was a farce of sorts though as they didn't have to play Ohio State and got everybody else at home. If you watched them struggle against the likes of Notre Dame and Purdue late in the season you knew this game against Alabama was going to be a tail-whoopin of epic proportions. Or you could throw out the classic "well they didn't get the BCS bid so they were in a let-down spot in the Capital One bowl." That excuse worked for Alabama when they lost to Utah a few years ago. Ahh screw it I'm not going to use it Michigan State just got taken behind the woodshed. The worst 11-1 team you'll probably ever lay eyes on. Northwestern lost their starting QB late in the season what could you really expect from them. Wisconsin got beat by a good team by 2 points. No shame in that.
We'll see what Arkansas does with Ohio State.