New Rules: It's Over for Delany and the Big Ten

Forget Jim Delany. Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, left, is the most powerful man in college athletics.

Don't think so? Just ask Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register:

"Since the Big Ten began groveling for Notre Dame to join many years ago, the Irish have become as passé as 'American Idol.' Quickly now, can anyone remember the last time the Irish won an important football game? 1988. That was when Notre Dame last secured a national title. Since then, the SEC has been crowned No. 1 eight times.

"Delany had it going a few years ago. There was even a Michigan-Ohio State game in 2006 that mattered, pitting No. 1 vs. No. 2. Since then, in the infamous words of Tom Petty, Delany has been free falling.

"Delany's Buckeyes were punked by Florida in the BCS title game, 41-14. A couple of months later, in 2007, the Gators beat the Buckeyes for the NCAA basketball title. A double shot of castor oil for Delany.

"It was also about this time that Delany lost his manhood to Slive and the SEC commissioner simply won't give it back. Delany went from the major domo of college sports to second dog on the sled team. And as the saying goes, if you're not the lead dog, the view never changes."

Finebaum makes it clear that anything Delany can do, Slive can do better:

"The Big Ten had its day in the sun. And it was glorious. But it's over. And the boys up there [in Chicago] might as well get used to playing second fiddle to the SEC."

Thanks to the Midwest Correspondent.

Comments

[ev]

Someone need to let Finebaum in on the fact the Big10 blows away the SEC in money and it's going to get much worse. The Big10 is still dictating as everyone including the SEC is waiting on them for the next shoe to drop. Bluster is a poor substitute for facts.

[William Henry Harrison]

That Finebaum article was complete garbage. I'm sad to see you giving it pub like it's the gospel.