Big Ten Conference Divisions

[Dryden]

Here's another quote that may be more apt in regards to the growing situation,

"This deal is getting worse all the time." - Lando Calrissian

Robot Chicken: This Deal's Getting Worse All the Time | MilkandCookies

 

[Emperor Brutus]

If the decision makers have the foresight to align teams based on the prospective entry of others, why can't they have the foresight to see what their idea will do to their most valuable property?

Sorry I wasn't very clear, I was just putting this out there as something that I was thinking about that would keep Michigan in our division especially with what is to come. I was trying to put out the possible benefits of the MLB split in place over geography. I'm still not sure if I think it is complete crap or interesting so I was wondering what others would think.

 

[Gatorubet]

"The Big Ten network has made each team an equal partner" ROFL

Who here thinks that anyone would have picked up the Big Ten network if tOSU and Michigan weren't in the conference? Do they think Indiana or Purdue on tv is drawing the same ratings as when tOSU and Michigan are on?

"The Longhorn is strong within you my son!"

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Scout.com: CFN Analysis - Michigan & OSU To Split Up?

Matt Zemek

So, Jim Delany opposes a playoff with all his might, but he then destroys the ?sanctity of the regular season? that conscientious, fair-minded and reasonable playoff opponents work to preserve.

Delany starts the dominoes falling by wooing Nebraska from the Big 12 and talking a big game about realignment, providing new and expanded income-generating opportunities for his league. Yet, that?s not enough; he has to essentially gerrymander the Big Ten?s divisions so that he can get two games between Michigan and Ohio State, not just one. More money for Delany, all while the athletes at Michigan and Ohio State ? and all the other Big Ten schools ? still don?t get paid.

Delany is and always has been happy to preserve the BCS, which has destroyed tradition in the postseason realm of college football. Now ? by taking Michigan and Ohio State into the middle of the regular season, far removed from their hallowed third Saturday in November spot ? Delany is sending a wrecking ball crashing down on regular-season college football tradition.

Thank goodness Mr. Delany isn?t a politician in Washington, D.C. He?d be destroying things far more consequential than college football. Still, Delany?s actions are nothing short of morally repulsive. Good thing Bo and Woody weren?t alive to see this travesty unfold.

 

[jlb1705]

Sorry I wasn't very clear, I was just putting this out there as something that I was thinking about that would keep Michigan in our division especially with what is to come. I was trying to put out the possible benefits of the MLB split in place over geography. I'm still not sure if I think it is complete crap or interesting so I was wondering what others would think.

Oh, I didn't have any quibble with your post - just trying to point out more incongruence in the conference's thinking.

 

[CHU]

"And I have to tell you as a guy who was part of the program and who understands the magnitude of that game, to know that from this point forward we will never play Ohio State for a trip to the Rose Bowl again, never play them for the Big Ten championship again, that doesn't sound good to me. Now there's people out there that sounds good to, but I'm not one of them."

Dave Brandon on U-M vs. OSU: Title game possibility trumps date | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Technically, does Dave Brandon realize that if you play the final game of the regular season, you're still playing for the Big Ten championship? You've been on the job for less than a year. Shut up!!!

And Domino's sucks.

 

[jlb1705]

Dave Brandon can eat a bag o' Cinna Dicks.

 

[cjmik_75]

The last weekend of the regular season has to include Ohio State vs m*ch*g*n. Separate divisons or same divison, whatever. Protecting the rivalry doesn't just mean keep them playing, it means keeping them playing on the last weekend of the regular season. If both teams do get to the scenario that there would be a re-match, atleast they'd get an extra week to shake off the bumps and bruises after the hardest hitting game of the year.

The bonus of playing them twice when/if it does happen(and i think this was mentioned in an earlier post): Ohio State would make up additional ground on that damn overall record! I'm just trying to be optimistic and take something positive out of this situation like beating tsun twice in one year would be awesome too! It's not like both teams are automatically penciled in the CCG every single season anyways...and when it does happen and The Game is followed by a re-match, I'll just embrace it and move on because Ohio State gets to battle m*ch*g*n one more time. Not to mention the fact that there's pretty much nothing I can do to make things perfect because frankly, nothing is ever perfect.

Just leave The Game scheduled where it's been for the last seventy something years!



:osu:

 

[CHU]

Seriously, it's going to spun this way (most likely by Gene Smith).

When Ohio State faces Penn State in the final game year-after-year, he'll say that Ohio plays Pennsylvania in the Big 33 game annually. He'll most likely bring up that game has been played since the 1950's or something.

I just want to know what tradition did Ohio State get to keep after expansion (playing Michigan in October is not the tradition)? How is Ohio State better off?

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

I hope this gets fixed, and soon. I can accept change; but I also prefer to see some things preserved and this is certainly one of them.

The words, "...Time and Change will surely show, how firm thy friendship O-HI-O" were written on a train-ride home from The Game. Even though that was before The Game was the last regular season game of the season; I somehow doubt that this is the kind of change that he was talking about.

That having been said, perhaps the point to be remembered is that it is Ohio's friendship that is meant to endure; not the enmity of some other state. The inception of a conference championship game, by itself and with no help whatever from the scheduler, torpedoes the importance of The Game. Let's face it: Even if they leave it as the last game of the regular season, it will no longer be the game that determines the Big Ten Championship -- unless it does so as a rematch.

I really hate to say this; but the rivalry that has meant so much to us, our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers, will not mean nearly as much to our sons. We can sell them on it as much as we want; but nothing we can do will make it as special as it has been to us.

Time and Change indeed...

 

[Emperor Brutus]

University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez confirmed Wednesday that when a two-division format for football is unveiled by league officials next month, UW and Iowa will be separated.

Alvarez: UW and Iowa to go separate ways

It’s seems certain that UW and Minnesota will be in the same division, meaning they’ll be able to continue playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe as part of the most-played rivalry among Football Bowl Subdivision schools (119 games dating back to 1890).

If this is true they are putting Iowa in a separate division than both of their current protected rivalries.

 

[MaxBuck]

Honestly, I don't care at all whether Ohio State and Michigan are in the same division. And I don't care whether they play in the last game of the season. Whenever they play, it will be The Big Game in the Big T(w)e[n](lve) for the year, so it really doesn't much matter. And the likelihood of a rematch is so remote as to be a non-issue, particularly so long as the Ghost of Bill Martin reigns in Ann Arbor.

GBYBMYMSOB.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Honestly, I don't care at all whether Ohio State and Michigan are in the same division. And I don't care whether they play in the last game of the season. Whenever they play, it will be The Big Game in the Big T(w)e[n](lve) for the year, so it really doesn't much matter. And the likelihood of a rematch is so remote as to be a non-issue, particularly so long as the Ghost of Bill Martin reigns in Ann Arbor.

GBYBMYMSOB.

 

[jwinslow]

Honestly, I don't care at all whether Ohio State and Michigan are in the same division. And I don't care whether they play in the last game of the season. Whenever they play, it will be The Big Game in the Big T(w)e[n](lve) for the year, so it really doesn't much matter. And the likelihood of a rematch is so remote as to be a non-issue, particularly so long as the Ghost of Bill Martin reigns in Ann Arbor.

GBYBMYMSOB.

That last part completely contradicts your first one.

If Nebraska stays in the title hunt, or PSU retains their role as the bigger challenge for OSU, the game will certainly diminish in its importance.

It will still be The Game, but it will not be the biggest game if Nebraska & OSU are meeting for NC aspirations a few times in 3-4 years.

 

[CHU]

Should Gene Smith be doing what's best for the conference or what's best for Ohio State?

Both would be an obvious compromise, but if that isn't on the table. Reason I ask, Texas seems to be doing what's best for Texas and various SEC schools would screw the other one if they could.

And should Gene Smith give a damn about what fans, alum and donors think if it makes Ohio State more revenue?