Little Girl in the Big Ten

Robert Pinsky as himself

"Little Girl in the Big Ten" is the twentieth episode of The Simpsons' thirteenth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 12, 2002. In the episode, Lisa befriends two college students at a gym and attends college with them. Meanwhile, after being bitten by a mosquito from a Chinese-made toy, Bart is infected with the "panda virus" and is placed in a plastic bubble to prevent others from infection.

"Little Girl in the Big Ten" was directed Lauren MacMullan and written by Jon Vitti. The episode's main plot was pitched by Vitti, who suggested an episode in which Lisa meets girls who thought she was a college student. The subplot was pitched by the Simpsons writing staff, who wanted it to be completely different from the main story. The episode features former three-time U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky as himself. In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 6.8 million viewers and finished in 40th place in the ratings the week it aired. Following its home video release on August 24, 2010, the episode received mixed reviews from critics.

Lisa finds herself unable to do any sports in PE class, taught by Brunella Pommelhorst, and finds herself failing physical education. She then signs up to do gymnastics with Coach Lugash. There, she receives encouragement from the ghost of John F. Kennedy in a vision. With boosted self-confidence, and her large head which gives her perfect balance, Lisa passes with flying colors. Lisa also meets two girls and becomes friends with them, but with their fractals and parking permits, she realizes they are college students "with small gymnast bodies!" They give Lisa a ride home, and she acts like a college student to keep their friendship. The two girls invite her to a poetry reading by Robert Pinsky soon after. Lisa begins to wear a beret to help her fit in better.