Big Ten Conference Divisions

[y0yoyoin]

common man and the torg are taking credit for "saving the game" via the power of radio right now on 97.1

these guys are douches...almost as bad as cowturd

 

[sillyhuskerfan]

As a Husker Fan that went through this with the formation of the Big 12, if NU -OU was going to be split up, I wanted a designated game around Halloween, a rivalry weekend as it were, to allow some steam to build back up before a possible rematch, and the drama building to see who will make it to the CCG from each division, or keep them in the same division and play the last week for the right to go to a CCG. Unfortunately the Big 12 and Ou decided they didn't want a designated rival format and the NU - OU game became an afterthought. i can't see the advantage in keeping the Game on the last weekend when they are in separate divisions. I feel your pain, hopefully this is all a smokescreen and a better model will be unveiled.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Andy Katz and ESPN are saying its for men's basketball as well, with two games against in-division and one crossover.

Very imbalanced if there are divisions for basketball.

I don't get how that works. I mean ok I get that for the regular season, but does it have any bearing on the conference end of season tourney other than seeding? They'd still play the conf tournament right?

That makes the Bucks division really freakin tough.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Scenario

1. This will rarely happen, there could be a 1 loss team (as long as the tie breaker isn't head to head) that could take the spot of the loser in the CCG

2. If you want to win the NC you have to win that game.

3. OSU would want to win to try to win the NC assuming they have 1 loss or less. Plus having the pleasure of keeping SCUM out of the CCG is great motivation IMO.

Pretend the NC is not a possibility.

 

[A Pac]

Big Ten Conference to split Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, sources say - ESPN

Sources: Big Ten to reveal alignment


By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

The Big Ten will announce its much-anticipated, two six-team divisional setup for the 2011-12 season later Wednesday, with traditional football powers Ohio State and Michigan in opposing divisions and new member Nebraska aligned with the Wolverines.
Multiple sources told ESPN.com that the two divisions in the Big Ten will look like:
? Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Minnesota.
? Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois.
The Big Ten issued a press release saying it would announce its divisional alignment at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday. According to sources, the divisions were decided upon Monday.
According to multiple sources, the Big Ten wanted to preserve a number of traditional rivalries such as Michigan-Michigan State, Iowa-Minnesota, Purdue-Indiana and Indiana-Illinois.
The Big Ten is also expected to announce a consistent crossover game in football similar to Ohio State-Michigan that will be played each year. Expect to see longtime rivals Wisconsin and Minnesota playing every season.
In men's basketball, according to sources, the Big Ten could play a 16-game conference schedule by taking a model similar to those used by the Big 12 and Southeastern conferences. In those leagues, teams play each division opponent twice and then single games -- three at home and three on the road -- against teams in the opposing division.
However, the Big Ten has not had complaints with its current 18-game conference schedule and could stick with that format and have one 12-team division in basketball.
The Big 12 will finish such a format this season after it loses Nebraska -- the Cornhuskers are joining the Big Ten as its 12th member -- and possibly Colorado, if the Buffaloes can leave the Big 12 for the Pac-10 while paying its exit fee.
If the Big 12 goes to a 10-team conference then it will play a true round-robin schedule of 18 games in 2011-12. The new Pac-12, with the additions of Colorado and Utah, also will likely use this new format of 16 games after playing a true-round robin of 18 games as a 10-team league. The Big Ten played an 18-game conference season and will finish with that unbalanced schedule this season.

i really hope this doesn't happen. it would all but ruin the rivalry and could even crush the big ten. i look forward to this game every year and would hate to see it tarnished.

 

[OHSportsFan]

In theory, that'd be one hell of a statement.

However, all the paying fans would not enjoy that one bit.

Then let the fans make that statement. Don't show.

I'm dreaming, but I really don't think this should be taken lightly. It makes no sense for THE 2 premier programs that have made this conference.

 

[SloopyHangOn]

Yes, but with the state of things at UM compared to their division mates Iowa Nebraska and MSU. I don't think we will see that danger for a long time. At least in your scenario number 1 where there would be a rematch no matter what. Any other scenario it is still the OSU UM game and it won't change. The only let down will come when u know there will be a rematch.

This is like saying "it's only dangerous to lay in the middle of the road when you know a car is coming".

Why hope for no risk when you can theoretically eliminate it entirely?

 

[GoodLifeSean]

It pisses me off that they are protecting rivalries and traditions for Indy, Purdue, and Minnesota and not the teams that actually make them money. Greedy pricks.

 

[OneBuckeye]

Pretend the NC is not a possibility.

The most likely way you go into the game with the CCG appearance locked up is to be undefeated in the confrence. I would make the assumption if you have it locked up by then you have at most one loss overall and therefore if you are a big 10 title contending team with 1 loss the NCG would also be in consideration.

 

[OSUforMNC]

I hope Jim Tressel punishes the Big 10 by RUTSing every team like they are Northwestern.

I have no idea why it'd be so difficult for them to swap Penn State and Michigan.

This expansion went from awesome to awful in a couple months. Good job Delany! And good job Gene Smith. This is now your legacy!

 

[OneBuckeye]

This is like saying "it's only dangerous to lay in the middle of the road when you know a car is coming".

Why hope for no risk when you can theoretically eliminate it entirely?

The big 10 could add 4 teams by then and have a super confrence and realign again. In the short term 2 to 3 years I think the game will be OK. I am not completely filled with anger over this just yet.

 

[JXC]

As a Husker Fan that went through this with the formation of the Big 12, if NU -OU was going to be split up, I wanted a designated game around Halloween, a rivalry weekend as it were, to allow some steam to build back up before a possible rematch, and the drama building to see who will make it to the CCG from each division, or keep them in the same division and play the last week for the right to go to a CCG. Unfortunately the Big 12 and Ou decided they didn't want a designated rival format and the NU - OU game became an afterthought. i can't see the advantage in keeping the Game on the last weekend when they are in separate divisions. I feel your pain, hopefully this is all a smokescreen and a better model will be unveiled.

It's not about an "advantage". It's about 75 years of tradition. I know NU-OU was a good rivalry, but it pales in compareson to The Game.

So the advantage of keeping The Game on the last weekend, even if you are in separate divisions, is that you don't ruin a tradition that has been going on since before either Woody or Bo were even coaching football.

The best scenerio is to be in the same division. But if that's not goint to happen, then to me this is the second best. Playing in October is not an option. A "warm weather" OSU/Mich game??? BARF!!!!

 

[chance]

The most likely way you go into the game with the CCG appearance locked up is to be undefeated in the confrence. I would make the assumption if you have it locked up by then you have at most one loss overall and therefore if you are a big 10 title contending team with 1 loss the NCG would also be in consideration.

Also minus big 12 teams other contenders will play there own CCG and probably a game the same week as UM. That is a potential for 2 losses for any BCS team that is in the running. OSU might have a situation where they don't control the destiny but I wouldn't think that you would throw away a game with a chance of the dominoes following your way.

 

[A Pac]

i don't think that you will have to worry about michigan and osu being in separate divisions for too long if it happens. once the big ten brass sees how much money they will lose by not having them be the last game of the season, they will right the ship. it is a business after all.

 

[Piney]

I don't get how that works. I mean ok I get that for the regular season, but does it have any bearing on the conference end of season tourney other than seeding? They'd still play the who conf tournament right?

That makes the Bucks division really freakin tough.

For basketball it would make more sense if they switched Illinois & Northwestern. And mean little on the football competitive side.