Big Ten Shutout on New Years Day

The Big Ten had five teams playing on New Year's Day, and all five lost — capped off by Wisconsin falling to TCU, 21 - 19, in the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.  Earlier in the day, our two state schools were embarrassed — Michigan State, 49 - 7, by Alabama in the Outback and Michigan, 52 - 14, by Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl.  Also adding to the misery were Northwestern, which at least made it exciting in a 45 - 38 loss to Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl, and Penn State, which fell to Florida, 37 - 24, in the Outback Bowl.  The conference is 2-5 this bowl season. Iowa and Illinois won their games earlier this month. Ohio State has yet to play, against Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday.