One of the greatest rock bands of the 90s and early 2000s has just announced their return, and before everyone gets their tickets for Creed, I thought we would do something fun here.
The Texas Rangers have just won the World Series and it has been well publicized that the main motivation for their historic run was due to the sweet and smooth vocals of Scott Stapp, and more specifically, the official anthem of 1999, Creed’s hit song, “Higher.”
The Rangers aren’t the only team to take advantage of the spiritual cheat code that is Creed. The Minnesota Vikings also utilized a gem from the “Human Clay” album in, “With Arms Wide Open,” as quarterback Kirk Cousins mentioned this song as the main reason for their victory over the Chicago Bears.
I want to find the best Creed song for every Big Ten team and with such a large, diverse, and just straight up historic catalog, it should be easy. Let’s have a little fun, shall we?
Indiana Hoosiers - “Open Your Eyes” (Alter Bridge)
Why this is the team’s Creed …
Indiana is so bad, I am not even going to allow them to have a Creed song. Instead, the Hoosiers get Alter Bridge, which is like the off-brand Creed that doesn’t have Scott Stapp (though it garnered quite the following as well). In a way this song works, because Alter Bridge is the band formed after they moved on without Scott Stapp and the Hoosiers need to move on from Tom Allen. Fun fact, this sone was in Madden 2005.
Maryland Terrapins - “What’s This Life For?”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
This song is about fining the meaning of life and I imagine that is what the Maryland football team wonders every time it enters conference play. This team just can’t keep up in the Big Ten, and come every November this song matches that energy. It’s like a weird college football Groundhog Day in College Park.
Michigan Wolverines- “My Own Prison”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
This one is self-explanatory, I won’t go into too much detail, but Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and his “recruiting analyst,” Stalions, though still just reported allegations, have potentially created their own version of “big house” (pardon the pun) with this sign-stealing fiasco. In fact, the first two lines of the song feel awfully relevant.
“Court is in session, a verdict is in,No appeal on the docket today just my own sin.”
Michigan State Spartans - “What If”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
Sometimes I also wonder what if Michigan State didn’t make a horrible financial decision extending Mel Tucker. I mean, “what if” he wasn’t fired? It’s more than that though that we won’t get into here. What if rings true for many reasons in East Lansing …
Ohio State Buckeyes - “Higher”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
“Can you take me higher?” is a common thing I ask about this team. Can the offense and Kyle McCord produce more? Can the Buckeyes raise their level of play and beat Michigan on Nov. 25? Come on Kyle, can you take this team to a place with golden streets? It just so happens that the College Football Playoff trophy is gold, so there’s that.
Penn State Nittany Lions - “Torn”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
The guitarist wrote this song while he worked at Chili’s, and it was about the band’s uncertain future. I feel like Penn State and James Franklin have a lot in common with this theme. The Nittany Lions are torn on whether to keep Franklin or not due to his lack of big game wins. Come to think of it, he could work at Chili’s in the future if he doesn’t beat a team that matters.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights - “Weathered”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
This is less about the program and more about Greg Schiano. This song is about trying to go through adversity and just wearing down, and that is how I envision Schiano just being ground down by the constant lack of offense he’s had to deal with. But, he seems to be weathering the storm and leading Rutgers to a new and improved competitive level.
Illinois Fighting Illini - “Full Circle”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
Remember when Bret Bielema coached in the Big Ten at Wisconsin and had the Badgers as a perennial contender? He went off to the greener (or so he thought) pastures of the SEC with Arkansas, but got fired because of a lack of production. Now he’s back in the Big Ten trying to recreate the magic he had in Madison. He’s come “full-circle,” if you will, and can close the loop completely if he can get the Illini to be a consistent force.
Iowa Hawkeyes - “Don’t Stop Dancing”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
This one feels obvious, I mean I feel like no one in Iowa should ever stop dancing now that Brian Ferentz is gone. I went between this song and “Away in Silence,” because Ferentz will be walking away from the program after his offense barely made a sound. It was close.
Minnesota Golden Gophers - “Inside Us All”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
If P.J. Fleck had to pick a song, I’m sure it would be this one. He loves motivational gimmicks and this song fits that vibe. Look for “Row the Boat” as the next great single on the next album from Creed.
Nebraska Cornhuskers - “With Arms Wide Open”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
The hiring of Matt Rhule was the best head coaching hire in the Big Ten and the whole first chorus is how I imagine Nebraska fans reacting. I can only imagine that when they heard the news that day that tears of joy streamed down their face.
Northwestern Wildcats - “My Sacrifice”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
No one has made a bigger sacrifice than new Northwestern head coach, David Braun, the former FCS defensive coordinator was thrust into being the head coach of one of the least talented team in the Big Ten with no prior head coaching experience. He’s definitely not careless and free though.
Purdue Boilermakers - “Overcome”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
This one is also pretty obvious, new head coach, Ryan Walters, is going to have to overcome a lot to be a success at Purdue, especially with divisions going away because there will no longer be a chance of elbowing the way through mediocrity in the West to find a path to Indianapolis.
Wisconsin Badgers - “One”
Why this is the team’s Creed …
As the song states, the goal is to be unified, and Luke Fickell is going to have to get everyone on the same page to make the transition from power run game to the “dairy raid: offense with Wisconsin.
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