Big Ten Meetings

[Ryan5UW]

I'm sure I'm not alone, but I'm STOKED for college football to start. For me, the Big 10 meetings are when I start to really think about the upcoming season.

Conference alignment and possible title game are two of the biggest topics that will be discussed. I know we've had threads about expansion and stuff before, but they've gotten a bit stale, and I'm stoked for college football to start up.

I can't see how they expand to 12 and don't end up with a title game ASAP. It'll probably be in Indy or Detroit, but I hope they do it outside, at least in Chicago.

As far as division alignments go, we've heard a lot of talk about it possibly not being as simple as east-west or north-south. I know they want to keep competitive balance, and rivalries intact as much as possible, but something might have to give. What about a northeast-southwest split? That would give you:

NE: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan St., Michigan and Penn St.
SW: Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Ohio St.

That gives you two to three teams in both division that should be competitive each year, and other programs that could surprise from time to time. It drops the ball on rivalries a bit, there might be a trade off between perceived competitive balance and rivalries. At some point it comes down to which is more valued? Personally, I don't have a problem with a straight east-west split and I think it makes more sense for travel and rivalries, and I don't think it's that unbalanced either, but if they don't want to do that, maybe a split like above is the way to go? I can't see it be a random cluster **** that has Penn St. and Nebraska and Minnesota and Indiana all in the same group.

Let's discuss what they're discussing at the discussions.

[trwi7]

I'd like a division like this.

Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern

Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State

You play each team in your division and then go on a three team rotation in the other division. You pretty much keep all rivalries within the division so you don't have to **** with the other division schedule too much and those are pretty fair divisions as well.

[Ryan5UW]

I agree completely. That's how I'd like to see it split up, and I don't think the balance that way is nearly as bad as some people seem to make it be. You take Wisconsin, Nebraska & Iowa on a yearly basis, and at least one or two of those teams will match up with one or two from Ohio St., Penn St. and Michigan. That keeps any main rivalries in tact, makes sense from a travel standpoint, etc. That's definitely how I'd like to see it as well.

[midranger]

I'd like a division like this.

Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern

Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State

You play each team in your division and then go on a three team rotation in the other division. You pretty much keep all rivalries within the division so you don't have to **** with the other division schedule too much and those are pretty fair divisions as well.

This is the ONLY split that makes sense. Sure the East Division would be a historically tougher division, but so what? A lot of their current success stems solely from GM Tressell buying the best players in the midwest.

[LUKE23]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/99603319.html

Moving on to a quick look at expansion, McClatchy's Pete DiPrimo takes a stab at divisional setup for 2011 (with the addition of Nebraska) and has Wisconsin in the same division as Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern and Ohio State.

I think twirl's breakdown makes more sense. We should be with Nebraska.

[trwi7]

So Iowa, Penn State and Nebraska in the same division? How does that make any sense?

My division keeps teams that are actually close to each other in the same division.

Sure Michigan and Ohio State are the name schools, but Michigan has sucked lately or they could go down to Notre Dame road, all hype, no substance.

Nebraska is pretty good under Pelini. Iowa is usually pretty good. As is Wisconsin.

I actually just checked the last five years of Big Ten Standings. The division Wisconsin wouldn't be in has a division record of 128-112, the division Wisconsin would be in has a record of 92-108. So it's further off than I thought mainly because Ohio State and Penn State are a combined 65-15 in conference the past five years.

I don't know, I'd still keep it that way since it's not like we're adding a terrible football program. Replacing Illinois with Purdue makes it slightly more even as well.

[Ryan5UW]

No surprise, Badgers picked 3rd in the conference behind Ohio St. and Iowa. I've heard rumors that Minnesota was picked to finish 12th, but can't confirm.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

No surprise, Badgers picked 3rd in the conference behind Ohio St. and Iowa. I've heard rumors that Minnesota was picked to finish 12th, but can't confirm.

Edit: Considering Nebraska may win the Big XII, that is a very fair prediction.

[Kerb Hohl]

No surprise, Badgers picked 3rd in the conference behind Ohio St. and Iowa. I've heard rumors that Minnesota was picked to finish 12th, but can't confirm.

Ohio State should always be #1 projected, but I think Iowa has more holes than Wisconsin.

That said, Iowa has the best draw schedule-wise. OSU and UW at home. Every single away game is against a bottom squad. Arizona is going to be their toughest away game.

[Ryan5UW]

Yep, that's kinda what I'm thinking too. Iowa definitely benefits from that schedule.

[trwi7]

Chicago - Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany is speaking to reporters at the league's preseason football meetings.

Here are a few brief highlights from the Q&A:

He reiterated that adding Nebraska in 2011, like adding Penn State in 1990, makes the league stronger.

Regarding future expansion, Delany added the league continues to study adding more teams but nothing imminent is brewing.

He added a league title game in football is likely and a divisional structure should be in place in the next 30 to 45 days.

Will Big Ten teams play eight or nine league games? Delany's theory is that league teams should face each other more than less often. He'd like to see nine league games rather than eight but doesn't anticipate that will be able to implemented in 2011 or even 2012.

"I think a ninth game would serve everybody's interests," he said.

Would a league title game be held in one site or would the league choose to rotate between different sites?

Delany said he isn't sure and doesn't think league officials will have the time this year to visit a variety of sites and adequately study the issue.

In short, look for such a study to be done after the 2011 Big Ten football title game. Where will such a game be held? Stay tuned.

Some basketball fans have wondered whether that sport will see divisional play. Delany doesn't see the need and doesn't really see any real benefit. Thus, I doubt we'll see a pair of six-team divisions in men's or women's hoops.

Delany was asked whether Notre Dame is a player in any further Big Ten expansion. His answer: "I don't see Notre Dame as a player in expansion."

He sees Notre Dame officials intent on remaining independent in football and in the Big East in other sports.

Will the new Big Ten (with 12 teams) see a name change? Nope.

"I think the Big Ten is the Big Ten regardless of the number," Delany said.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/99776299.html

[Ryan5UW]

Paterno seriously sounds like he struggles to even talk - how is this guy still able to coach a college football team?

[LUKE23]

Paterno seriously sounds like he struggles to even talk - how is this guy still able to coach a college football team?

He will do it until he dies on the sidelines.

[Ryan5UW]

Oh, I have no doubt. When are they in Madison next? He seems to have good luck here.