The Detroit News

Much like late comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Big Ten football teams continue to get no respect.

The conference was criticized by experts all season for its weak play.

On Sunday, however, the conference had 10 teams receive bowl berths. On Monday, when the official betting lines were released, Las Vegas made Big Ten teams the underdog in all 10 games.

It is understandable that Ohio State would be a 10-point underdog to No. 1 Alabama in a national semifinal, but Illinois a 4-point underdog to mighty Louisiana Tech in the Heart of Dallas Bowl? Rutgers a 3-point underdog to North Carolina in the Quick Lane Bowl?

And the list goes on. Obviously, the Big Ten has a lot to prove during bowl season.

BIG TEN TEAMS IN BOWL GAMES

Heart of Dallas Bowl

Illinois (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4), 1 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Louisiana Tech by 4

Quick Lane Bowl

Rutgers (7-5) vs. North Carolina (6-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: North Carolina by 3

Pinstripe Bowl

Boston College (7-5) vs. Penn State (6-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Boston College by 2.5

Holiday Bowl

Nebraska (9-3) vs. Southern Cal (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Southern Cal by 4

Fosters Farm Bowl

Stanford (7-5) vs. Maryland (7-5), 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Stanford by 13

Outback Bowl

Wisconsin (10-3) vs. Auburn (8-4), Noon (ESPN2)

Line: Auburn by 6

Cotton Bowl

Michigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Baylor by 3

Citrus Bowl

Minnesota (8-4) vs. Missouri (10-3), 1 p.m. (ABC)

Line: Missouri by 6.5

Sugar Bowl

Alabama (12-1) vs. Ohio State (12-1), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Alabama by 10

TaxSlayer Bowl

Iowa (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6), 3:20 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Tennessee by 3