What do you think of when you think of Big Ten football?

"Physical football. Pounding the rock. Old school.''

That's Tennessee offensive lineman David Ligon.

"Not so much speed as the SEC. Just the physicality.''

That's UT defensive lineman Xavier Mitchell.

"A running conference. If I'd gone to Ohio State, I'd have to play running back to touch the ball.''

That's UT receiver Robert Meachem.

And that's pretty much what I thought of the Big Ten, too.

Throw in a backdrop of frigid November afternoons in Ann Arbor or Columbus. Big guys with steamy breath and muddy uniforms. Two yards and a cloud of frost.

But is it the right perception? Or is it an outdated stereotype?

The issue is relevant because Tennessee plays Penn State in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day.

The last time UT went to Florida for a bowl it wasn't an outdated stereotype. Five years ago, the Vols were far too quick for Big Ten heavyweight Michigan. Had it been a track meet instead of a football game, the Vols would have lapped the Wolverines.

The football score was 45-17. The defining moment was UT tight end Jason Witten running away from the Michigan secondary en route to a 64-yard touchdown.

All time, Tennessee is 7-3 against Big Ten teams in bowl games.

All time, the Big Ten is only 14-29 against the SEC in bowl games.

And here's an encouraging note for Florida in the national championship game -- Ohio State is 0-7 against the SEC in bowl games.

How much of that is due to an SEC speed edge is a matter for debate.

As for this bowl game, the evidence is conflicting.

An All-American linebacker named Posluszny, a quarterback named Morelli, a 230-pound tailback, yeah, they all fit a Big Ten stereotype.

But then there are Nittany Lions like Derrick Williams, the speedy sophomore receiver. And he's not the Lone Ranger.

"We recruited some of the skill guys on that team,'' UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday. "I know how fast they are.

"They're fast in the secondary and at linebacker. I think that (the stereotype) is all kind of a blown-up myth to be honest with you.''

Jonathan Wade agrees with Fulmer. The senior cornerback from Louisiana walked into his first videotape study of the Nittany Lions with no preconceived notions.

"As far as the athletes they have,'' said Wade, "they almost remind me of Florida.''

Florida, of course, would be the stereotypical SEC team, laced with speed across the board.

Joe Paterno, who was a waterboy in the first college football game ever played (Rutgers-Princeton, 1869), is a fair judge of the game's evolution.

The Penn State coach said the Big Ten/SEC speed and philosophy disparity used to be true, but no longer.

"I don't think there's much difference anymore,'' Paterno said. "I look at Tennessee and I'm looking at Michigan. ... A lot of people are throwing the ball up our way now.''

OK, let's get out the stats.

Whoa, Joe, get a load of these numbers from the 2006 regular season:

In rushing offense, four Big Ten teams are ranked in the top 30, compared to one SEC team.

In passing offense, five SEC teams are ranked in the top 30, compared to only two from the Big Ten.

Among individual rushing leaders, five of the top 30 runners are from the Big Ten. Derrick McFadden alone represents the SEC.

Conversely, six SEC players -- led by Meachem -- rank among the top 24 in receiving yards per game. The leading Big Ten receiver ranks 28th.

Maybe Penn State does resemble Florida on tape. We'll see. But when you stack the SEC and Big Ten side by side, looks like we've still got a stereotype to me.