Bearcat Wins, Big Ten Rankings, and A Second Chance

I know I haven't posted in a while, but there's a LOT going on in the mascot world right now.
First off, on New Year's Day, it was announced that Bearcat from the University of Cincinnati was the winner of the 2009 Capital One National Mascot of the Year. Congrats to Bearcat and UC! Bill the Goat of Navy was the runner-up, so it was nice to see the service academy do well also. Congrats to all the members of the team. This is the 4th time in the past 5 years that a rookie has ended up winning the title!
Second...huge news for me...my best friend and I are going to the January 25th Purdue women's game against Ohio State. Why is this huge, you ask? Well, not just because it's Purdue, but it's a SECOND CHANCE for me to meet Boomer, the Pacers mascot! He's going to be there along with Freddie Fever and who knows who else for "Mascot Day" at Mackey. I tried last year and came up short, but it's nice to get another opportunity.
Finally, after seeing the Big Ten's great performance in the bowl season, I felt it was only fitting that I rank the Big Ten mascots.

Teams that Do Not Have Mascots:
Illinois - well, not anymore, because they were forced to retire Chief Illiniwek. You can't really replace that.
Indiana - Unless you consider "The Rock" a mascot. I don't. It's something the players touch for luck, like the Terrapin at Maryland or the "Play Like A Champion" sign at Notre Dame.
Michigan - Simply because a wolverine cannot be made kid-friendly (or adult-friendly, for that matter).

1. Herky the Hawk (Iowa)
I just don't understand the hate that some people have. Maybe because yeah, it seems a little simple, but he's been an icon of the school. Plus, there's two different forms. Seriously, what's not to love?

2. Purdue Pete/Boilermaker Special (Purdue)
Slightly biased, but Pete's definitely someone you wouldn't want to mess with - just look at the size of his hammer! Also, the official mascot of the train is definitely cool - and yes, I did get to ride on it during my time there and it's pretty darn sweet.

3. Goldy Gopher (Minnesota)
He can be energetic, especially during basketball games (seriously - watch him behind the basket at Williams Arena), but I also like a lot of the external features, from the buck teeth to the long, flat tail.

4. Sparty (Michigan State)
Clearly the toughest mascot in the conference. The look alone makes you feel intimidated.

5. Bucky Badger (Wisconsin)
If it weren't for a few others, he'd be lower on the list. He's so cocky, doesn't even look like a badger, and the look on his face is just...weird.

6. Nittany Lion (Penn State)
He's a lion, and lions are cool...but yet, the costume just screams 'Halloween gone bad'. The tail doesn't even save it.

7. Brutus the Buckeye (Ohio State)
Nuthead. Plain and Simple. Would be the worst if it weren't for...

8. Willie the Way Too Happy Rainbow Sunshine Wildcat (Northwestern)
WHY?! WHY DID YOU CHANGE HIM? It didn't make him better! I like the colors of the school and the logo, but MAN...one of the biggest mascot atrocities out there right now. "I'm all about hugs and candy now! I'm not fierce anymore!" That's what it says. Liked the old version, loathe the new one.