Big Ten Splitting Up Michigan/Ohio State

[JMF]

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.

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

 

[mgriff]

I think they blew it.

This is how it is speculated to line up:

• Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Minnesota.

• Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois.

I think it should line up like this:

• Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern and Minnesota.

• Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Purdue, Indiana and Michigan St.

 

[GoingGreen]

Wow, that's about the worst alignment they could do.

mgriff has it right, Delany is an idiot.

 

[nd1]

lets be honest the only reason they split them up is because they want them both in conf. title game.

 

[GoingGreen]

lets be honest the only reason they split them up is because they want them both in conf. title game.

Do they expect Michigan to make it to the title game?

 

[mgriff]

lets be honest the only reason they split them up is because they want them both in conf. title game.

That is definitely why they did it, but they would have had more continuity with all the rivalry games, with the exception of Indiana/Illinois, if they did it my way.

Let me know if I'm missing any rivalry games, other than the one I mentioned, in my alignment.

 

[phork]

I think they blew it.

This is how it is speculated to line up:

• Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Minnesota.

• Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois.

I think it should line up like this:

• Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern and Minnesota.

• Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Purdue, Indiana and Michigan St.

I would do it like this:

Michigan, OhioSt., PennSt., Illinois, Indiana, Purdue
Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan St.

Ultimately when the Big10 goes to 14 or 16 the following programs have absolutely zero chance of going to a Rose Bowl: Inidiana, Purdue, NW, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan St. Those are the have nots and also rans.

 

[mgriff]

I would do it like this:

Michigan, OhioSt., PennSt., Illinois, Indiana, Purdue
Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan St.

Ultimately when the Big10 goes to 14 or 16 the following programs have absolutely zero chance of going to a Rose Bowl: Inidiana, Purdue, NW, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan St. Those are the have nots and also rans.

I could live with that. I think the most important part of this is dividing the six "powers" in the conference into their two, regional divisions. Having Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin on one side creates that regional rivalry for the conference. The same goes for Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State on the other side. This is just my opinion, but keeping those regional powers happy with their close rivals should be paramount.

 

[nd1]

That is definitely why they did it, but they would have had more continuity with all the rivalry games, with the exception of Indiana/Illinois, if they did it my way.

Let me know if I'm missing any rivalry games, other than the one I mentioned, in my alignment.

i really and truely don't think they were thinking about rivalries. they just thought about how much money they could make if the teams they wanted in the title game actually goes. I'm not saying the way you broke it down is wrong because it does make more sense but everybody knew they would split them two up.

 

[mgriff]

i really and truely don't think they were thinking about rivalries. they just thought about how much money they could make if the teams they wanted in the title game actually goes. I'm not saying the way you broke it down is wrong because it does make more sense but everybody knew they would split them two up.

Haha. I'm also in no way disagreeing with you. They didn't think about the rivalries, they thought about money in every aspect of this alignment, and it shows.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Division 1: Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue
Division A: Penn State, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota

That's the best I can do at balancing it out and keeping rivalries together.

 

[TDHeysus]

Do they expect Michigan to make it to the title game?

..and they will once they get rid of DickRod

 

[phork]

There are arguments both ways about OSU vs Michigan right now.. Frankly the way it is now that game at the end of the year becomes a meaningless game. If tOSU and UM have already locked up their divisions, then whats to play for? Not to get hurt, thats what.

 

[GreatGolson]

The only problem is that the way things are right now, UM may not play in the Big Digit championship game often, and its only a matter of time before the Bucks golden age ends

 

[eNDzone]

So how many teams from the other division do you think a team will play a year? 3?

 

[Irish_Angst]

I think they blew it.

This is how it is speculated to line up:

• Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Minnesota.

• Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois.

I think it should line up like this:

• Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern and Minnesota.

• Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Purdue, Indiana and Michigan St.

Your suggestion makes much more sense. Set up divisions geographically and let O$U/MeatChicken battle it out as the last divisional game of the season. Not radically different than the way it is now.

I guess there is a reason why Delaney looks like the pointy-haired boss from "Dilbert". Looks like Scott Adams used him as a model.

Either way, I'm hopin' Nebraska opens up a big 'ol can of whoop-azz on the Big Integer next season. I'm stocking up on popcorn.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I think it should line up like this:

• Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern and Minnesota.

• Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Purdue, Indiana and Michigan St.

This is right on. In this scenario, each division is connected by state borders. And both have historically strong anchor teams.

 

[GoldenBoy3]

lets be honest the only reason they split them up is because they want them both in conf. title game.

Its going to be a long while before Michigan sees another Conf. Champ game.

 

[RDU Irish]

This is a tough call. I see Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern and Indiana as the patsies that need to be split equally to prevent a cupcake division. All of the other teams will put up good teams and make a run at the league at least periodically.

I think I would swap Purdue for Illinois in Mgriff's lineup to balance out a little more. Someone needs to break up the geographical divisions to provide a better balance of power IMO.

I have never heard of a big Illini/Indiana rivalry? Talk about a Toilet Bowl.

 

[nd1]

Its going to be a long while before Michigan sees another Conf. Champ game.

i hope you are right and they continue to struggle but if they get rid of rich rod and bring in another coach, they have been some coaches turn programs around pretty fast.

 

[GDomer09]

I would do it like this:

Michigan, OhioSt., PennSt., Illinois, Indiana, Purdue
Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan St.

Ultimately when the Big10 goes to 14 or 16 the following programs have absolutely zero chance of going to a Rose Bowl: Inidiana, Purdue, NW, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan St. Those are the have nots and also rans.

You can't split up Michigan & Michigan State either. That is a big rivalry game!

Mcgriff. Michigan & Minnesota is a rivalry game too, but IMO you have it the best way possible. The Big Ten are morons!!!!

 

[]\/[GoBlue]

shitty