Postseason all-conference teams aren't a perfect way to evaluate a player’s season. But it would be incorrect to say that these postseason lists don't matter. They impact perception, which, as the College Football Playoff system underscores, matters a great deal in the sport. It matters in recruiting, bowl placement and more. It matters to the players who are being rewarded for their success.
If you've watched Northwestern football play this season, you'll know the Wildcats are one of the hottest teams in the country, in large part thanks to a ferocious defense. To a degree, the postseason All-Big Ten teams reflect that.