Column: Buckle up, conference play is a bumpy ride

There are many professional players from Big Ten schools. Ohio State had six players taken in the NFL Draft this year. Big 10 schools not named Ohio had 42. Five Big Tops had players in first round, 13 of 14 had first-round picks. Northwestern had two first picks in 2021. The Big Tens have more talented athletes than non-conference opponents. Notre Dame is an exception. It's easy to forget that BigTens are more competitive than the non conference opponents, such as the MAC. They have better players. Aiden Hutchinson was a Michigan player. He was drafted by the Bills last season.

Ohio State is in if they win all their games. The same can't be said for the other programs. There is a massive target on Ohio State's back from in-conference rivals. It's better for Ohio state when the Big Ten is better. Air Force was one of just six teams favored in all the regular season games in the preseason. Ohio was also one.