Big Ten/Big East - cross power rankings

These are my two favorites conferences. Only because my two teams - Ohio State and Cincinnati - are members. However, this season, there is only one conference game I was interested in that did not include OSU or UC - and that was West Virgnia vs. Louisville.

On the flip side, I can watch just about any SEC game that includes LSU, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky or Arkansas. And I hate the SEC. That's saying something. But I digress.

So here are the combo power rankings of these two BCS, sometimes boring, often ridiculed, top-heavy conferences. And the beauty is the two prized pigs might face each other for a shiny crystal football. And every football fan outside the Midwest will be furious. In the face.

Cross power rankings - week 13

1. West Virginia – here comes the fan fare. I have seen at least 5 articles since Sunday, just on ESPN.com, gushing on how fast and sweet and wonderful the Mountaineers are. Keep it coming. I still think they are one-dimensional and can be contained. Their defense does not scare me. I think you can push them around a little bit. The toughest game they played this year was at Cincinnati (their non-conference was a joke) and they struggled through that one.

2. Ohio State – Have you noticed that "in the clubhouse" is the hot analogy for describing a team that has finished their regular season? Oh people. They are a Sooners victory (favored by 3) away from New Orleans. I like the setup. Instead of the heads babbling on about how sweet OSU is they are talking how the Bucks are a joke and may back into (for shame!) the BCS title by default. Good. I want you to think OSU sucks. And tell them about it.

3. Illinois – They played #1 Missouri in week 1 and barely lost, 40-34. I forgot all about that. I hope they make the BCS and dump an SEC team.

4. Wisconsin – Wisky is Frisky. Rhymes. They are going to win their bowl game – just you watch.

5. Cincinnati – QB Ben Mauck impresses me more every week. He makes plays out of the pocket. I really like the wideouts and TE Connor Barwin is turning into a pro prospect. The defense didn't make the trip to upstate New York – hence the #5 ranking. I fear that UC is going to get screwed in their bowl selection since they are not a known product and the fan base does not travel (except you, Watts).

6. Michigan – The only way they win their bowl game is if they do the old "Rally around the fired coach" thing. But you figured they would have done that during the OSU game, and instead dropped a steaming turd on their home field. They quit against OSU. As previously stated: gutless.

7. South Florida – This is a gift. I am not sure they could beat MSU at this point. They got very average very fast.

8. Michigan St – finished with 2 quality ("quality" being a relative term in this conference) Big 10 wins – Purdue and PSU. This was preceded by losing 4 out of 5 games – but every loss was by 7 points or less. They are on the verge, and coach Mark D'Antonio has shown he can recruit (the Bearcats have 9 wins with his guys).

9. Connecticut - A QB away from dangerous

10. Penn State – See "Connecticut"

11. Rutgers – this is where Rutgers will settle in for the foreseeable future. 7-8 wins, minor bowl bid. Gooooo New Jersey!

12. Louisville – disappointing season. The might sink back into irrelevance. Louisville knows horses, basketball and wooden bats. Not football. Rutgers v UL this Thursday for the coveted 11 th spot on the power rankings. Huge.

13. Indiana – sentimental pick since they lost their coach during the offseason. Lost 4 Big 10 games in a row before beating Purdue to win the old wooden toilet or something.

14. Pittsburgh – maybe they have been playing possum, getting ready for the backyard brawl. Or maybe Dave Wannstedt sucks.

15. Purdue – Good 'ole Purdue. 7-8 wins, up-tempo offense, limited athletes. We'll see you again next year fellas.

16. Iowa – this is punishment for losing their season finale to Western Michigan. At least their coach is a genius.

17. Syracuse – offensive explosion against the Cats vaults them out of the cellar. Way to go Orange!

18. Northwestern – why are they still in the Big 10?

19. Minnesota – one win. One stinking win.