It’s Thanksgiving, which means there’s plenty to be reflect on. It’s no different in Big Ten football, but the things each program is grateful for change by location. So dive into the turkey and pumpkin pie, unloosen your belt, and kick back and enjoy this wonderful holiday by looking at what each team in the Big Ten is thankful for, and what they aren’t so thankful for.
Illinois Fighting Illini:
What they’re thankful for- The possibility of becoming bowl-eligible against Northwestern on Saturday.
What they’re not so thankful for- Having more interim personnel within the school than an outsourced call-center.
Indiana Hoosiers:
What they’re thankful for- Having a dynamic offense under Kevin Wilson that can score on almost anyone.
What they’re not thankful for- Having a less-than dynamic defense that almost anyone can score on – ad nauseum.
Iowa Hawkeyes:
What they’re thankful for- Making the Big Ten Championship game and having a legitimate shot at making the College Football Playoff.
What they’re not thankful for- Hearing shouts of “Go Steelers” when traveling and wearing the team unis out in public.
Maryland Terrapins:
What they’re thankful for- The extra money and exposure that comes from being a part of the Big Ten.
What they’re not thankful for- Having to play the teams that come from being a part of the Big Ten.
Michigan Wolverines:
What they’re thankful for- Having Jim Harbaugh as their shiny, new head coach.
What they’re not thankful for- Selling out of khakis at the local Gap.
Michigan State Spartans:
What they’re thankful for- Controlling their own destiny in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff.
What they’re not thankful for- Big Ten ref’s and their judgement calls in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Minnesota Golden Gophers:
What they’re thankful for- Getting settled at the head coaching spot after removing the interim-tag next to Tracy Claeys name.
What they’re not thankful for- Having to play close to December in a fairly new outdoor stadium in the bitter freakin’ cold of the Twin Cities.
Nebraska Cornhuskers:
What they’re thankful for- Turning things around this season and now having an opportunity to go bowling.
What they’re not thankful for- Losing Tom Osbourne as a coach almost two decades ago. Things haven’t been the same sense.
Northwestern Wildcats:
What they’re thankful for- A head coach that has consistently raised the competitive level of the football team.
What they’re not thankful for- The Stanford program that makes all other smart schools look mediocre on the football field.
Ohio State Buckeyes:
What they’re thankful for- That whole national championship thingy a year ago.
What they’re not thankful for- A sideways rain, a formidable foe, and player post-game quotes last week at home versus Michigan State.
Penn State Nittany Lions:
What they’re thankful for- The lore, the tradition, the plane uniforms that say “We … Are.”
What they’re not thankful for- Iowa and Wisconsin’s Big Ten schedule. Why can’t we …?
Purdue Boilermakers:
What they’re thankful for- Churning out several quality quarterbacks over the course of their history.
What they’re not thankful for- Churning out little else recently besides a pile of whale dung.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights:
What they’re thankful for- Being the “Birthplace of College Football.”
What they’re not thankful for- Academic scandals, injuries, results on the field … pretty much everything come to think of it.
Wisconsin Badgers:
What they’re thankful for- Being one of the best programs in the Big Ten since Barry Alvarez arrived in Madison.
What they’re not thankful for- Snowballs. Definitely snowballs.
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Phil Harrison is a contributor to The Student Section. He is also a the founder of Big10news.com and featured contributor to collegefootballews.com, talking10.com, and occasionally campusinsiders.com. You can follow him on twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB or email him at pharrison28@gmail.com. If that doesn’t work, you can find him in the doghouse at home.
