The second half of the season couldn't arrive fast enough for the Big Ten Conference.

With most everyone having six games under their belts, the official second half of the season is beginning this week. That offers the Big Ten a chance to move on from a fairly dreadful showing in the nonconference portion of the season and start building some momentum toward the bowl games.

Teams like Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin appear to be rebounding after some early struggles. The Wolverines were thumped by Alabama and the Hawkeyes suffered an embarrassing loss to Central Michigan. But both are 2-0 in conference play, while the Badgers are in position to represent the Leaders Division in the Big Ten championship game because Penn State and Ohio State are ineligible.