There are examples on both sides of that equation. For some reason, the Big 10 really tailed off towards the end of the season in regards to the level of play. Pitchers like Alex Wimmers, who had been unhittable a month before, were suddenly mortal.
Army went down to the Austin Regional and put up 10 runs against the number one pitching staff in the whole country, in Texas home stadium against the pitcher most people considered Texas most talented, Taylor Jungmann. This is after Army sent ACC team BC, and southern team Texas State (who many thought should have hosted their own regional), packing. So the exception doesn't make the rule.
Is the Big 10 overrated? Sometimes. Are they underrated? I think Vanderbilt, ACC team and ranked #1 in the country, would say so, when Michigan beat them twice in the regional 2 years ago.
Using words like "true" top program are inflammatory and not an honest picture of the landscape.
quote:Originally posted by soxnole:
Then again, what top pitcher wants to throw in 40 degree weather for more than half the season?
First one to jump to mind...Joba Chamberlain