I have decided to take on the SBNation age old idea of ranking the conference teams and their equivalent to whatever topic you like. It could be 90’s TV shows, David Lynch films, or fast food restaurants.
You use to see them a lot on these sites but they seem to have gone by the way side. My guess is that either writers got bored writing them or our readers got sick of reading them.
Either way, I’m bringing it back.
So without further adieu...
BIG TEN SCHOOLS AND THEIR DEPRESSION ERA GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
Ohio State - Tennessee Valley Authority
The Tennessee Valley Authority was founded in 1933. It supplies power to a good size region of the United States to this day. Much like Ohio State supplies power to the Big Ten. Without the TVA a large portion of our country would probably be lesser off in this realm.
Sound familiar?
Michigan - Social Security Act
The Social Security act was founded in 1935. It brings hope to people that they will get some sort of retirement later on in life. Just like Michigan giving hope to their fans that they might beat Ohio State sometime in their life. No matter how much money you throw at it.
Penn State - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The FDIC was established to insure bank deposits starting in 1933. Just like Penn State was added to the Big Ten Conference in 1990 to insure any real football success in the 1990’s.
Nebraska - Glass-Steagall Act
This ity bitty act separated commercial banking from investment banking. What it did was prevent securities firms and investment banks from taking deposits and commercial Federal Reserve member banks from dealing in non-governmental securities for customers, investing in non-investment grade securities for themselves, underwriting or distributing non-governmental securities, affiliating (or sharing employees) with companies involved in such activities. Thus shrinking the power of banks.
This is like when Texas took away Prop 48 from Nebraska and prevented them from recruiting at the monstrous level they were in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Wisconsin - Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)
The AAA was designed to boost agricultural prices by reducing surpluses starting in 1933. The Government bought livestock for slaughter and paid farmers subsidies not to plant on part of their land. Just like Wisconsin takes large Midwestern boys to play linemen and not eat up the buffet at the local supper club.
Michigan State - The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
A public relief program to give jobs to unmarried young men starting in 1933. A lot of it was focused on outdoor pursuits and education across America. Just like....(STATEMENT REDACTED BY SB NATION LEGAL)
Northwestern - National Recovery Administration (NRA)
The NRA was formed to bring fair practices and set prices in the US and to get rid of cutthroat competition that was starting to plague the country during these years. Northwestern has done the same for most of its existence in the Big Ten. Until Rutgers came into the fold, many Wildcat teams gave the other conference members at least one easy win a year and made it look like there was more parity than there really was.
Minnesota - Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937
This little bill was President Roosevent’s pet and added a sixth justice to the Supreme Court of The United States. It would do so every time a justice reached the age of 70 years and 6 months and did not retire. This bill of course, failed. However, he stayed in office long enough (12 years) to pack the court with his appointments (8 of the 9 justices).
The only connection to Minnesota I have for this one is to be patient and someone will come along that will give you what you want (PJ Fleck). It may be unorthodox but it works.
Iowa - Executive Order 6102
This beautiful little act forbidding the hoarding of gold coin, bullion, and certificates within the continental United States. People doing this was believed to have stalled economic growth during these trying times.
Very much like Iowa not recruiting above a certain level and never fully obtaining any meaningful wins or championships due to silly beliefs in what types of players they should go after. You think you are doing the right thing but in the end people just want their gold (recruits).
Purdue - Railroad Retirement Board
Provided retirement benefits to railroad workers.
Indiana - National Industrial Recovery Act
This 1933 act gave the President power to regulate industry wages and prices that would help stimulate economic recovery during the Depression. This program also gave rise to a wave of unionization of workplaces across the country. It was eventually declared unconstitutional in 1935. I have no idea what this has to do with Indiana. I am fully spit balling here. Feel free to give any insight in the comments on Indiana. They use to play basketball and now focus on baseball. idk....
Illinois - Federal Emergency Relief Program
Another bad boy program founded in 1933. It was set up to bring funds to states to operate relief programs. It was dissolved in 1935 and replaced by the Social Security Act and the Workers Project Administration. Like Illinois football, no one remembers it.
Maryland - Rural Electrification Act of 1936
Rural America needed electricity. The Big Ten needed a large media market.
Rutgers - United States Bank Holiday
The four day bank holiday was held in 1933 to steam the run on banks and stabilize the banking system as a whole. Hopefully to restore faith in the American banking system. This is a lot like Rutgers entry into the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights were brought in to stabilize the brand and give America hope in this once great conference.
This last one might take awhile.....