With just a few games remaining in the regular season (two for Illinois, one for Wisconsin) the teams of the Big Ten have already begun to transition to the bowl season — those eligible, anyhow.

If past seasons have proven anything, it’s that the months of December and January are where the conference is exposed to the rest of the country. The Big Ten fails to measure up to the athletes of the Pac-10, and the well-coached and well-prepared clubs of the SEC and Big 12.

Yet, when coaches talk conference supremacy at the start of each season they see no reason why the Big Ten doesn’t stack up against the nation’s other elite leagues. Perhaps they haven’t looked over the numbers. Here’s the conference’s bowl performance over the past five years …

• 2008: 1-6 (thanks to Iowa for saving the conference from a complete embarrassment)
• 2007: 3-5 (unfortunately, what fans remember was Ohio State’s poor showing in the title game).
• 2006: 2-5 (see 2007)
• 2005: 3-4 (the highlight was a 3-1 record in January bowls)
• 2004: 3-3 (who knew a .500 finish could feel so good!)

Add it all together and the Big Ten is forced to swallow a 12-23 record over that span, nothing conference boosters would dare share with their SEC, Pac-10 or Big 12 buddies.

The Big Ten can talk all it wants about the quality of its programs. It can talk about power football and stopping the run. Fail to perform during bowl season and no one cares.

This is the time of the year where style points can be earned, and respect can be won back. Time to get to work, Big Ten coaches. Much is at stake.

The Week That Was

Scoreboard

Ohio State 21, Michigan 10
Iowa 12, Minnesota 0
Northwestern 33, Wisconsin 31
Purdue 38, Indiana 21
Penn State 42, Michigan State 14

Purdue takes the Bucket

Thanks to four Joey Elliott touchdown passes, and an 87-yard kickoff return from Al-Terek McBurse, Purdue embarrassed Indiana on its home field to claim the Old Oaken Bucket. The Hoosiers got the best of Purdue in a number of key statistical categories but turned the ball over four times (two interceptions, two fumbles). Senior running back Jaycen Taylor finished up his career with the Boilermakers by gaining 110 yards on 20 carries.

Hawkeyes shut down Gophers

As well as Iowa’s defense has performed this year it had not registered a shutout until last Saturday’s 12-0 win over Minnesota. Three Gopher drives stalled deep in Iowa territory, the most promising of which ended thanks to a fumble at the Iowa 17-yard line. Said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz afterward of his defense’s performance, “They’ve played well all season long, so hats off to them.”

Big day for Brewer in Evanston

Former quarterback Andrew Brewer had arguably his finest day as a receiver in the Wildcats win over Wisconsin on Saturday. The 6-foot-3 target hauled in six passes for 102 yards and a pair of scores to help Northwestern claim a 33-31 victory.

Additional Notes

• Michigan athletic director Bill Martin told reporters that coach Rich Rodriguez would return in 2010. Said Martin, “…there's no if, ands or buts about it. He is our coach and he has my full support …”

• Wisconsin claimed two of the three major conference awards, with running back John Clay being named offensive player of the year and linebacker Chris Borland the top freshman. Penn State’s Jared Odrick was selected as the top defensive player of the year by the coaches, and Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was selected the same by the media.

• Michigan State’s offensive line did better than any other Big Ten unit at keeping pass rushers at bay. The Spartans gave up the fewest sacks (13) of any conference club, and were one of just two schools to allow fewer than 100 sack yards (Penn State was the other).

Team of the Week: Ohio State

Sure, Michigan was supposed to be a walk in the park for the Buckeyes, but rivalries like this rarely end up as they’re supposed to. Ohio State finished the deal, though, and won the Big Ten race outright.

Disappointment of the Week: Wisconsin

The Badgers converted just four of 13 third down attempts and the rushing game averaged fewer yards per carry than the Northwestern backfield did. Ouch.

Offensive Player of the Week: Daryll Clark, QB, Penn State

Clark completed three of his four touchdown passes in the third quarter to help the Nittany Lions pull away from Michigan State. The icing on the cake: his performance helped him set a new Penn State season (23) and career (42) record for touchdown passes.

Defensive Player of the Week: Brad Phillips, DB, Northwestern

Phillips led a defensive effort that frustrated Wisconsin. The senior notched 12 tackles, including a sack, to help the Wildcats pull off the upset.

Freshman of the Week: Darius Willis, RB, Indiana

In a losing effort Willis gained 142 yards on 19 carries, taking one second quarter run 64 yards.

The Week Ahead

Illinois at Cincinnati, Friday, noon ET

The 3-7 Illini are of little threat to knock off undefeated Cincinnati on Friday, especially now with quarterback Tony Pick back in the lineup. Illinois’ defense has allowed 30 or more points four times this year and hasn’t faced a squad anywhere near as good as the Bearcats. At least Illinois’ top offensive playmaker, quarterback Juice Williams, will be back in action after missing the team’s last contest with a bum ankle. He won’t be enough, though — not nearly enough — to keep this game interesting.