Or something like that.

Herbstreit, ESPN analyst and former Ohio State quarterback, jokes he feels like the commissioner in taking the brunt of the Big Ten-bashing that has become popular in college football circles.

"The Big Ten's always been hated by the SEC and the Pac-10," Herbstreit said at the Big Ten Media Days, "but it's never been a punchline."

It is now.

"From what I hear from other regions, they mock the Big Ten," Herbstreit said. "They laugh at the Big Ten. They think the Big Ten is the most overrated, overhyped conference in the country."

Clearly, the Big Ten's image has taken a hit.

Critics say it lacks the speed to compete against top teams from the SEC, Big 12 and Pac-10.

Though there is some measure of truth in that, the Big Ten's image has largely been sullied by four games -- all high-profile blowouts. Ohio State lost the past two BCS title games to Florida and LSU and USC beat Michigan and Illinois in the past two Rose Bowls. Combined score of the four games: 160-73.

"I don't think it's fair," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.

The Big Ten has only itself to blame for its blighted image. Unfortunately, no one in the conference seems to think there is a problem.

"I really believe the Big Ten Conference is as strong as ever and will go out and play anybody on any given day," University of Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said.

Alas, that's the problem. The Big Ten won't go out and play anybody on any given day.

Non-conference schedules have turned into a succession of paydays and sure wins for teams from BCS leagues and the Big Ten is Exhibit A. Its pitiful non-conference scheduling -- excluding Ohio State, which plays at USC this year -- has led to the current state of affairs.

Indeed, the Big Ten plays so few good non-conference foes that it lacks the proof to back up claims that it is as strong as ever. Last year, it had only one win over a ranked non-conference opponent (Michigan over Florida in a bowl). In 44 non-conference games this year, the Big Ten will play 10 against teams from the other five BCS conferences and the same number against teams from the former Division I-AA.

The lack of competition in September has a dual effect: It fails to prepare teams for tough bowl opponents and doesn't provide critics with a basis for comparison. With few intersectional showdowns, they have only bowl performances to go on, and the Big Ten is a sorry 14-24 since 2002.

"Ohio State's done it, Michigan's done it," Herbstreit said. "I think the more teams that go outside of the conference and play and play well, (the better the Big Ten will be). I think Wisconsin needs to step up more and play some heavyweights. They've reached a point as a program where they can go to USC. ... Wisconsin and Michigan, all these programs, I think should definitely do that because that's how you're going to destroy this image."

Until that happens, the college football world will keep on laughing.