You know that Nebraska has some serious celebrity fans. You see them prowling the sidelines on fall Saturdays or inside their luxury suites. That got us to thinking: How do Big Ten schools compare to the Huskers based on celebrity fans? The breakdown is somewhat similar to the actual Big Ten divisions; only we include Leaders, Legends and C-list celebs. Our ranking is not only based on how big the celebrity is, but also on how ardent a fan he or she is. It's a formula that's somewhat arbitrary, largely judgmental and probably unfair, all of which makes it eerily similar to the BCS standings.
1. Nebraska
Celebrity fans
Larry the Cable Guy, Clarence Thomas, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cavett, Andy Roddick, Gabrielle Union, Chuck Liddell, Warren Buffett
Breakdown
Larry the Cable Guy is a comedian known for "Git-R-Done," and Thomas is a justice of the United States Supreme Court, so Nebraska's celebrity fan base is nothing if not eclectic. The rationale behind Limbaugh's allegiance to the Huskers is murky, although he wouldn't be the first Missouri native to look north in hopes of supporting a winner. Despite her status as an unofficial Nebraska resident, there's no real evidence of Lady Gaga being a Husker sports fan. It'd be a natural fit. Imagine how well a plastic corncob through the head would go with Gaga's meat dress.
2. Iowa
Celebrity fans
Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Tom Arnold, Elijah Wood, Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns"), Lance Armstrong (has been known to send pro-Hawkeye tweets when Texas is idle), Shawn Johnson
Breakdown
NU edges Iowa because I deducted "tag-along" points for Moore, who attends games with husband Kutcher, a Cedar Rapids native. Still, Iowa gets a whopping number of points for the Kutcher-Moore tandem, but then loses almost as many for Arnold.
3. Michigan State
Celebrity fans
Kid Rock, Magic Johnson, James Caan
Breakdown
While this list is lacking in quantity, all of the MSU followers above are serious fans. The Spartans pick up nice points for Caan, who briefly played football for the school and was Brian Piccolo in "Brian's Song," one of the great sports movies. When he's not mooning the crowd at the Red Sky Music Festival, Rock can frequently be seen displaying his rear at Spartan athletic events.
4. Northwestern
Celebrity fans
Rod Blagojevich, Zach Braff, Cloris Leachman (Class of 1903), David Schwimmer, Michael Wilbon
Breakdown
Northwestern has long been known for its theater department, which has produced some of our finest actors, and, yes, I'm referring to Blagojevich.
5. Ohio State
Celebrity fans
LeBron James, John Legend, Patricia Heaton
Breakdown
The biggest fan on this list is Legend, who adorns his piano with Buckeye stickers, which surely limits his fan base in Michigan. LeBron shows up for about two games per year. I'd do an NBA Finals joke here, but it's too easy.
6. Michigan
Celebrity fans
Verne Troyer (Mini-Me), Madonna, Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady, Leonardo DiCaprio
Breakdown
Madonna is a lukewarm fan at best. DiCaprio's allegiance is based on occasionally being photographed in Wolverine gear. Bundchen gets "tag-along" points. Troyer, on the other hand, is a rabid Michigan football fan. I was going to call him a big Michigan fan, but it didn't sound right.
7. Indiana
Celebrity fans
John Mellencamp, Jared Fogle, Mark Cuban
Breakdown
When your short list of celebrity fans includes Subway spokesman Fogle, it's not terribly impressive. Mellencamp is an enthusiastic Hoosier supporter and, I understand, lives in a small town.
8. Wisconsin
Celebrity fans
Tom Wopat, Doug Ellin, Joan Cusack, Bud Selig, Steve Miller
Breakdown
With Ellin, creator of the hit HBO show "Entourage" and Miller of Steve Miller Band fame, the Badgers' celebrity fan base crosses generational lines, which offsets the anchor-like effect of "Dukes of Hazzard" star Wopat.
9. Illinois
Celebrity fans
Bill Murray, Gene Hackman, Roger Ebert
Breakdown
Some big names, but with the exception of Murray — who was in the stands during Illinois' run to the NCAA basketball championship game in 2005 — none appears to be a big fan.
10. Purdue
Celebrity fans
Neil Armstrong, Drew Brees, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (would be worth much more if this were Scrabble)
Breakdown
Although some may take umbrage with a system that ranks the school with the first man on the moon below the school that boasts of the former co-host of "Best Damn Sports Show Period," one needs to look at the level of their support. It's rumored that Armstrong prepped for the isolation of the moon by attending Big Ten baseball games.
11. Minnesota
Celebrity fans
Prince, Walter Mondale
Breakdown
Neither of the above is an ardent fan. And something tells me that if they ever do attend the same game, they won't be sharing a hot dog.
12. Penn State
Celebrity fans
Todd Blackledge, John Aniston
Breakdown
The Nittany Lions are light on celebrity fans — Aniston is a soap opera actor and father of Jennifer — although I understand at one time early in his career, Joe Paterno left tickets for Gloria Swanson.
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