Is the Big Ten the best college football conference?

This is the first time since 1942 that the Big Ten has won back-to-back championships.

Matt Rhule looks across the field at Ohio Stadium this past October. Nebraska fell to the Buckeyes, 21-17. (Photo courtesy Nebraska Athletics)

There was a moment — just after Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada hit a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left in the game — where the question surfaced:

Again?

It was certainly the look on Ohio State coach Ryan Day’s face as Michigan upset his No. 2 Buckeyes, 13-10, ending his team’s hopes of a trip to the Big Ten title game.

Sure, part of what Day was looking at was the chaos taking place mid-field. Michigan had just planted its flag in the middle of Ohio Stadium and pandemonium broke loose. Players were fighting. Pepper spray was being deployed.

Could anyone have predicted where Ohio State would have ended up, almost two months later?

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule poked fun at Paul Finebaum Tuesday night, and deservedly so. Rhule was asked about the Big Ten at media days last July, which prompted a passionate answer from the head coach.