A few weeks ago Big Ten mascots made it abundantly clear that they had no problem embarrassing themselves for a few hits on YouTube. Of the 12 schools in the conference, only 7 were represented in the video as Illinois, Indiana and Michigan do not have costumed mascots. Illinois used to have a mascot but it was uh...racisty. This raised the question: Why weren't Willie the Wildcat of Northwestern and Purdue Pete of Purdue included? Furthermore, why were they not even contacted?
I've done some research and formulated the following reasons as to why they may have been left out:
- Majority of people believe Purdue doesn't exist
- Those who are aware of Purdue Pete's existence are terrified of him
- I was going to make a Rocky Dennis vs. Purdue Pete comparison until I found out Rocky Dennis was a real person. I'm going to hell now
- They're just Northwestern and shouldn't be included
- Northwestern actually was contacted but Krissy Cox picked up the phone
- Some people were turned off by Pat Fitzgerald's hungers:
Regardless of the reason for their absence, Willie and Pete fired back by making a video of their own. Hit the jump.
It starts off normal enough by referencing Willie and Pete's exclusion from the Call Me Maybe video. Then...things get weird. There's a good minute of Pete and Willie doing nothing more than benching the bar, squat thrusts, pull ups, walking stairs, doing the Pee Wee Herman and running around empty stadiums (NORTHWESTERN ATTENDANCE JOKE HERE). I guess I don't understand what they're doing. Are they working off their frustration through monotonous exercises? Why does Pete have an iPhone and Willie have nothing more than a payphone? Doesn't Giorgio Armani make a phone? In the end there are more questions than answers. To the links.
Team Links:
- Illinois is getting a new football field that includes an outline of the state.
- IlliniHQ continues its countdown to Western Michigan by profiling offensive lineman Jake Feldmeyer.
- Following the Penn State sanctions, countless jokes were made about how Indiana would no longer be the worst team in the Big Ten. The Crimson Quarry says the Hoosiers should use that disrespect as fuel.
- Marc Morehouse concludes his countdown of Iowa players with the head honcho: James Vandenberg.
- Pre-Snap Read's countdown continues with #45: Iowa.
- MGoBlog breaks down Michigan's linebacker depth. They have a linebacker named Mike Jones.
- MGoBlog's profile on Ross Douglas, who originally committed to Penn State but jumped ship when the sanctions were announced.
- Spartan Stadium received a new sound system and it will be tested on Thursday and Friday
- The Only Colors profiles Sparty's latest commit: Devyn Salmon
- 10 reasons to be excited about the Michigan State Spartans in 2012.
- FBT begins its countdown of Minnesota's 15 most important players with offensive lineman Jon Christenson
- Minnesota released a photo of the Gary Tinsley jersey patch.
- Husker Extra looks back on Nebraska's 2001 victory over Notre Dame
- Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Herald believes that the Penn State sanctions create transfer opportunities
- Northwestern is hungry in 2012 following their disappointing 2011, says Lake the Posts. I know what Pat Fitzgerald is hungry for...
- Lang Grant Holy Land gives us a guide to Ohio State's recruiting showcase: Friday Night Lights.
- Buckeye Battle Cry compares Michigan and Ohio State's 2013 recruiting classes.
- BSD's synopsis of Penn State Head Coach Bill O'Brien's remarks on the Dan Patrick Show. They also continue their Nittany Mountain series with the 1990's.
- Freeh releases an errata sheet for his report. Latin to English translation: this is an error sheet released by Louis Freeh regarding his report on Penn State. Also, this will be huge news in a few hours.
- Hammer & Rails profiles TMHR: Iowa. Their prediction for the game is fair and balanced. They also continue their countdown to kickoff by profiling linebacker Joe Gilliam.
- Wisconsin offensive lineman Casey Dehn is not expected back.
- Madtown Badgers breaks down Wisconsin's defensive back situation.
Conference Links:
- The B1G faces key scheduling decisions following the collapse of the B1G/Pac-12 agreement.
- B1G Championship Game tickets go on sale Saturday. Fans of certain teams do not need to worry about this.
- The BTN released its preseason list of best players in the conference. Montee Ball and Kawaan Short were named best offensive and defensive player.
- ESPN's B1G blog ranks the offensive lines. No surprise, Wisconsin is #1.
- ESPN's B1G blog mailbag from yesterday.
Finally, a continuously updated post on Penn State players who will be staying or going via BSD. The post (as of 9:40) did not mention this:
Bill O'Brien just said on ESPN that Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz has called him about recruiting his players. #NittanyLions #Hawkeyes
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHogeCBS) July 25, 2012
I'm not sure what the rules are in this situation. Is a coach required to contact BOB or is it just professional courtesy? Apparently, BOB went on to say that "other" coaches weren't as courteous. I'm looking at you, Randy Edsall.