Let's wrap this season up.  We skipped two weeks so that everyone could get their final games played.  Here are the results of the final vote.  And as you plan your travels, here are some final thoughts about what to wear as you bowl... 

1.		121 (11)	It was festive of the Rose Bowl to go with the Christmas-colored matchup.  The Buckeyes will be wearing their whites in Pasadena.
2.		110	A side note: If you're going to a bowl game, you have to get the helmet T-Shirt.  There is nothing better, win or lose, than pulling that out of the drawer 15 years later.  Although they're the home, team, Georgia Tech has chosen to wear white.  That means the Hawks will wear their black in the Orange Bowl.
3.		99	LSU is the home team, but they too prefer to wear white.  Bring the Navy to the CapOne Bowl.
4.		85	Last year, the Badgers were humiliated in the Champs Bowl while wearing their whites.  Let's hope for a different result in the reds.
5.		80	The 'Cats will be wearing white when they play Auburn on New Year's Morning.  Hopefully you can make it out through your bleary eyes.
6.		62	Any Spartans who haven't been suspended yet will wear white as they face off with Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl.
7.		55	The Gophers will be decked out in white.  I know that this is the three season-old jersey style.  Apparently the play of the last two years hasn't moved a lot of product.
8.		46	I recommend rocking the basketball jersey while reminding everyone that Purdue is the basketball school in the state.
9.		25	Scrub team...scrub top.  Perfect for the couch.
10.		21	Put on your slippers...you're not going bowling this year.  Again.
11.		20	I'd wear this sweatshirt to remind friends that Illinois is still a part of the Big Ten.  For now.  If they lose to NIU next year, we'll have to reconsider if we have the right state school in the league.

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

1.		121 (11)	Much like Run DMC, this Ohio State squad has been proven to be tougher than leather.
2.		107	When Hawkeye fans look back on this squad, they'll always wonder, "What if..."
3.		99	I'd love for anyone to explain to me how Penn State is better than Wisconsin by using objective criteria.
4.		91	I'd love for anyone to explain to me how Wisconsin is better than Penn State by using objective criteria.
5.		73	Could Northwestern pull an upset over Wisconsin this weekend? Although not one of the Big Ten's protected rivalries, the game does tear HMLee apart.
6.		67	Michigan State could beat Penn State.  If the right Spartan team shows up.  So far, it's only appeared about three times, though.
7.		52	So now that the Gophers have worked all of the "new stadium smell" out of TCF Bank Stadium, will fans still want to come next year?  Wins over Iowa and in a bowl game could build some excitement.
8.		45	Yes, this season slipped away.  But of the coaches at the bottom five schools, who do you have the most trust in?  I think it's Hope.
9.		30	Illinois has had good teams and bad teams.  And this, most assuredly, was one of them.
10.		28	Considering the way that they've gifted away games, it seems appropriate.
11.		13	It's a blanket.  Although the way teams have walked all over it, I'd understand if you thought it was a rug.

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

Well, so much for the unanimity.  The losses by our consensus top two teams from last week put everything into a complete disarray in the Top 4.  Behind that, it's even more of a mess.  The Big Ten isn't helped by the fact that every team outside of the Top 4 has been shown to be mediocre at best.  It's led to some ugly football.  That's led to me finding these ugly pieces of merchandise.

1.		108 (8)	You have to trust me on this: after the second martini, seeing Brutus stare at you will be downright creepy.
2.		97 (2)	Most of the Hawkeyes will be hanging their walking cast boot in place of stockings this year.
3.		88	There is a Joe Paterno/graden gnome joke in there somewhere, but I don't think that the gnome is quite that old yet.
4.		87	Yes, I want to make it look like a giant rodent is invading my house by punching through a wall.
5.		63	Foam rubber hats are dumb anyway, but what the hell is that?
6.		57	MSU sweater for your punting-sized dog?  That screams "tough guy."
7.		49	Hey!  Don't put your drink on the table.  That's what the coaster with the buck-toothed rodent is for!
8.		43	I've got a fever and the only cure is a prescription gold ball with a Purdue train logo.  Dear God, who comes up with these things?
9.		29	You'll see that the temperature has gone down on Ron Zook's seat.
10.		23	You'll notice that the plate is disposable.  Just like the Indiana football season.
11.		16	Instead of a dumb comment about the Michigan travel pillow, I want to stop and acknowledge what has happened here.  The voters, well-informed Big Ten football fans, have come to the conclusion that Michigan (MICHIGAN!) is the worst team in the Big Ten.  How would you like to travel back through time to 1984 and tell Bo Schembechler and Bobby Knight that in twenty-five years, their schools' respective football and basketball programs would be judged to be the worst teams in the Big Ten?  What is going on in this world?

Maize and Brew Dave, Adam Hoge, Hawkeye State, Pete Rossman, BoilerTMill, Joe Kutsunis, Rodger Sherman, Sam @ WWAHT, DailyGopher, Graham Filler, Law Buckeye, Bama Hawkeye, HMLee

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

The top four teams each received every vote for their slot.  Unanimity is fun!

After that, we have no idea.  Michigan had a vote for fifth and a vote for last.  Illinois was ranked 8th and 11th.  Same with Indiana.  Northwestern lost so well, we decided to move them up.  It's weird outside of the Top 4.  We need more educating at our law schools - and from a Purdue Alum who did some teaching of his own.  If that doesn't help, this week's slate of games should do the trick.

Maize and Brew Dave, Adam Hoge, Hawkeye State, Pete Rossman, BoilerTMill, Joe Kutsunis, Rodger Sherman, Sam @ WWAHT, DailyGopher, Graham Filler, Law Buckeye, Bama Hawkeye, HMLee

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

So the funniest little thing is happening.  The polls are solidifying.  The top five teams, as well as the bottom two teams, are pretty well locked into their slots.  In fact, Iowa, Penn State, Ohio State and Illinois were unanimous selections at their positions.  Only Purdue and Northwestern flipped spots from last week.  If the results are going to look so similar, maybe the poll should too.  Here are the law school buildings again...with another Purdue alum.  It's an image, click on it.

Maize and Brew Dave, Adam Hoge, Hawkeye State, Pete Rossman, BoilerTMill, Joe Kutsunis, Rodger Sherman, Sam @ WWAHT, DailyGopher, Graham Filler, Law Buckeye, Bama Hawkeye, HMLee

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

This is what the season has been building to.  After 6 polls of disagreement, we have two teams that were unanimously placed in their slots.  Both Iowa and Illinois received every vote cast for their positions.  Kudos to the Hawkeyes.  Shame on the Illini.  Speaking of building, it seems an appropriate moment to step back from the crass commercialism that I've pushed in the past weeks and remember that this blog is founded upon the law schools of these institutions.  Therefore, this week we showcase the buildings that house the brains.  Your 10 Big Ten law school buildings.  Obviously, we had to do something different with Purdue.  Also, I can not explain why so many of the buildings look like rejected designs for spaceships in Star Wars.  It's an image this week.  Click to enlarge.

Maize and Brew Dave, Adam Hoge, Hawkeye State, Pete Rossman, BoilerTMill, Joe Kutsunis, Rodger Sherman, Sam @ WWAHT, DailyGopher, Graham Filler, Law Buckeye, Bama Hawkeye, HMLee

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

It's the third Saturday in October.  Do you know what that means?  It's Sweetest's Day.  Most popular in the Great Lakes region, the "holiday" was coined in 1921 as a way to move candy.  Seriously, the event was begun by candy makers in Cleveland.  It spread to Detroit, Buffalo, and Chicago, but never made the national impression that Valentine's Day did.  So don't call it a Hallmark Holiday.  This one can't be blamed on the greeting card companies.

And if you are going to celebrate with your sweetest this weekend, here some things that she might like.  As always, you can find them in the SBNation store.  We, at the The Rivalry, Esq. are not responsible to what happens to your relationship should you decide upon any of these sure fire gift ideas...

1.	129 (9)		Buying her Buckeye exercise shorts, which she'll interpret as you implying that she should be at the gym?  Sure, she'll love that.
2.	123 (3)		White sunglasses with rhinestones and a Tigerhawk?  Sure, she'll love that.
3.	107		Penn State ballerina slippers so she can dance like Darryl Clark facing a pass rush?  Sure, she'll love that.
4.	95		An ankle bracelet with Bucky and an oddly shaped star?  Sure, she'll love that.
5.	77		Logo sunglasses that only Bret Bielema could pull off?  Sure, she'll love that.
6.	72		A cell phone case that would have fit the phone that she had three years ago?  Sure, she'll love that
7.	66		A women's digital watch with the Minnesota M on it?  Sure, she'll love that.
8.	50		A purple beanie hat for her to wear when she sits in the packed house at Dyche Stadium/Ryan Field?  Sure, she'll love that.
9.	32		Can you go wrong in giving a woman socks (and with a train on them!) as a present?  Sure, she'll love that.
10.	28		A quilted purse with two loud patterns and the IU logo?  Sure, she'll love that.
11.	13		Let's be honest, it's not like she's going to want to watch the game.  Maybe you can find other ways to spend a Saturday?  Sure, she'll love that.

Maize and Brew Dave, Adam Hoge, Hawkeye State, Pete Rossman, BoilerTMill, Joe Kutsunis, Rodger Sherman, Sam @ WWAHT, DailyGopher, Graham Filler, Law Buckeye, Bama Hawkeye, HMLee

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

1.		127 (8)	Nothing says Fall like a red-hooded sweatshirt (dip, dip, dip).
2.		122 (3)	Iowa sweatshirts also come George Raveling-style.  The over/under on people who will get that reference is three and a half.
3.		103	Now THAT was the team that Penn State thought that they were going to have when the season started!
3.		103 (1)	5-0 has definitely brought a chill to the pre-season hot air about Coach Bielema's job security.
5.		82	If you soak this sweatshirt and put Tate Forcier in it, you might have 175 pounds.  Can he make it alive through the whole season?
6.		64	Smile, Sparty!  Back-to-back wins over the Wolverines don't happen every decade.
6.		64	Here's a team that really could have used a win over Wisconsin before the meat of there schedule comes at them.
8.		53	I actually read "The Trial" by Kafka before I went to law school.  It messed with my head.  Much like trying to figure out how Northwestern and Kafka won against Purdue.
9.		36	Could you see this sweatshirt at a bowl game?  Don't laugh.  If they get past Virginia this week, we'll need to take a long look...
10.		24	This sweatshirt drops logos on fleece like Purdue drops footballs on the ground.  In other words, there are far too many.
11.		14	The "I" is most assuredly not for Isiah (Juice) Williams.

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll.  Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams.  We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate.  We will vote each week.  Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.