OT: Nebraska Reportedly Joining BT By as Early as Friday

[Ryan5UW]

I hope we stay at 12, I think that's perfect - I had been dreading a 14 or 16 team league. As far as splitting PSU, OSU, and Michigan, there's almost no chance Michigan and OSU get split. They're going to continue playing the final game of the season against each other, and if they were in different divisions, there's a possibility of playing back to back games, which the Big 10 wants to avoid. Plus, which Michigan are we looking at when considering conference rankings? The historical program, or the one they've become? Long term I'd expect them to be a little closer to their historical prowess, but I'm not sure they're a major concern when it comes to balancing out the strength of the divisions. It would be tough to split OSU and PSU and have the alignment make much sense from a travel/logistical standpoint. I could very easily see those three teams all end up on the same side of the split when it's all said and done.

I'd like to see the conference go to rivalry games for the regular season finale on an annual basis. Michigan-OSU, Wisconsin-Minnesota, Nebraska-Iowa, etc. The only thing is that might leave PSU-MSU paired up, and I don't know what kind of interest that generates, or would grow to. Unless they do something creative, I think PSU and OSU end up together with Michigan in that group too.

[chuckleslove]

As for end of the season games, MN and Iowa already have their rivalry game the last week and I know Barry requested to get Nebraska as a season finale for the Badgers. I do agree that they are going to try and get rivalry games that last week I just think it is more likely that Wisconsin plays Nebraska than Minnesota and Minnesota and Iowa continue to play each other.

[Ryan5UW]

I know Bielema requested the Nebraska game, didn't hear that Alvarez did. If they go to rivalry games the last week, I don't see Minnesota getting paired up with Iowa over Wisconsin. There's no rivalry between Wisconsin and Nebraska, while the game with the Badgers and Gophers is the longest continually played rivalry in college football. On the other hand, Iowa and Nebraska do have a bit of a rivalry building, and would make much more sense than Wisconsin-Nebraska.

[El Duderino]

Serious question

If Texas stays put and the Big 12 goes on with just ten teams, would they really continue to call themselves the Big 12 while the Big Ten continues calling themselves that even as they have 12 teams?

How bizarre would that be if so?

[Ryan5UW]

I think a lot of people are wondering that as well. Dan Patrick was talking today that all conferences should get rid of the number, and just do what the Big East, ACC, SEC, etc. do.

I think we should call the conference the Dirty Dozen.

[crkone]

The Big Middle? The Big North?

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

If the Big 12 keeps their name the Big Ten should change their name to the Bigger 12.

[Ryan5UW]

If the Big 12 keeps their name the Big Ten should change their name to the Bigger 12.

That would actually be kinda funny.

Ok, goopher fan - if we go to rivalry games for the finale, who would you think should get paired with MN?

[jerrod]

it wouldn't bother me at all if the big 10 had 12 teams and the big 12 had 10.

the names have some legacy and it might change again, i'd say just keep the names as they are

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Ok, goopher fan - if we go to rivalry games for the finale, who would you think should get paired with MN?

Good question. I think Iowa and Wisconsin are neck and neck for biggest rival. Michigan and Penn St would probably be the 2nd tier of rivals just because we have rivalry trophies with them.

As Chuckles already mentioned, Minnesota plays Iowa the last week of the season every year. But on the other hand Minnesota and Wisconsin have their boarder battle thing. I am kind of bias because I'm from Madison, but I feel like Wisconsin is the more bitter rival. I would be fine with either Wisconsin or Iowa as an end of the season rival, but if I got to choose, I'd go with Wisconsin.

Edit: Plus the Paul Bunyan Axe is probably the most iconic rivalry trophy in the country and should probably be featured during rivalry week.

[chuckleslove]

In all fairness Iowa and Minnesota also border eachother I'd be fine with either game ending the season. The Iowa vs Minnesota game ending is sort of tradition but MN vs WI is also a very historic rivalry and as you said the Axe is the most badass trophy in all of college sports, it is really only rivaled in my mind by the Lombardi trophy and the Stanley Cup as badassness goes.

Iowa vs Nebraska makes a lot of sense due to proximity but if they aren't looking to break up the IA vs MN season finale then WI vs Nebraska isn't a terrible season finale either. I'll ultimately be fine with whichever direction they go I just see WI vs Nebraska as a more likely season finale.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Assuming these are the default rivalries...
Michigan/Ohio St
Purdue/Indiana
Minnesota/Iowa
Illinois/Northwestern

...How would you pair up the remaining 4 teams?
Nebraska
Penn St
Wisconsin
Michigan St

I almost feel like Nebraska and Penn St should play each other because they are the "newbs." I don't really see Wisconsin/Michigan St as a rivalry though. I think the problem is Michigan State doesn't really have a rival other than Michigan and Michigan/Ohio St is the premiere rivalry in the Big Ten.

Would something like this work?
Michigan/Michigan St
Minnesota/Iowa
Purdue/Indiana
Illinois/Northwestern
Wisconsin/Ohio St
Penn St/Nebraska

Or something like this?
Minnesota/Wisconsin
Iowa/Nebraska
Illinois/Northwestern
Michigan/Ohio St
Penn St/Michigan St
Purdue/Indiana

Maybe that makes more sense?

[MikeIsGood]

Assuming these are the default rivalries...
Michigan/Ohio St
Purdue/Indiana
Minnesota/Iowa
Illinois/Northwestern

...How would you pair up the remaining 4 teams?
Nebraska
Penn St
Wisconsin
Michigan St

Nebraska v Wisconsin, because it makes the most sense IMO. It seems natural that Wisconsin be able to develop a rivalry with Nebraska. We're in the general vicinity of each other, and we're two programs that are strong right now. As I've mentioned, I hope Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin are in the same division.

[Ryan5UW]

Assuming these are the default rivalries...
Michigan/Ohio St
Purdue/Indiana
Minnesota/Iowa
Illinois/Northwestern

...How would you pair up the remaining 4 teams?
Nebraska
Penn St
Wisconsin
Michigan St

I almost feel like Nebraska and Penn St should play each other because they are the "newbs." I don't really see Wisconsin/Michigan St as a rivalry though. I think the problem is Michigan State doesn't really have a rival other than Michigan and Michigan/Ohio St is the premiere rivalry in the Big Ten.

Would something like this work?
Michigan/Michigan St
Minnesota/Iowa
Purdue/Indiana
Illinois/Northwestern
Wisconsin/Ohio St
Penn St/Nebraska

Or something like this?
Minnesota/Wisconsin
Iowa/Nebraska
Illinois/Northwestern
Michigan/Ohio St
Penn St/Michigan St
Purdue/Indiana

Maybe that makes more sense?

Yeah, you're right. Some of them are easy - Mich/OSU, Purdue/Indiana, Illinois/Northwestern, and I think you'll get two games out of Nebraska/Iowa/Minnesota/Wisconsin. That leaves Michigan St & Penn St. by default. As far as Wisconsin goes, I'd rank our most likely rivalries as Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and ultimately I'd be ok with any of those, but I think pairing UW & MN and Iowa & NE makes a lot more sense than Wisconsin & Nebraska.

Nebraska v Wisconsin, because it makes the most sense IMO. It seems natural that Wisconsin be able to develop a rivalry with Nebraska. We're in the general vicinity of each other, and we're two programs that are strong right now.

I very much disagree. We have no rivalry with them, very little history, etc. We don't share a border with them, there aren't many kids from the two states that go to school in the other, etc. It just doesn't make sense to me as a rivalry game.

[MikeIsGood]

Nebraska v Wisconsin, because it makes the most sense IMO. It seems natural that Wisconsin be able to develop a rivalry with Nebraska. We're in the general vicinity of each other, and we're two programs that are strong right now.

We have no rivalry with them, very little history, etc. We don't share a border with them, there aren't many kids from the two states that go to school in the other, etc. It just doesn't make sense to me as a rivalry game.

Right, which is why I said "it seems natural that Wisconsin be able to develop a rivalry with Nebraska." We don't share a rivalry with Penn State or Michigan State in football, either. You do know I was answering a question about pairing up the four teams he posed, right? I wasn't considering altering anything. With those four teams, I'd much rather try and start something with Nebraska and get something good started between the two of us and Iowa as a trio than start something with MSU or PSU.

Of course Minnesota would make more sense, as it's the longest running rivalry. But it wasn't part of the question and, frankly, I think the rivalry is remarkably boring right now. If Iowa and Minnesota want to keep playing each other for that game, it's fine by me. As I've said, I want Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska in the same division because I think we could get something great started with the three of us. So of the three other teams listed, yes, I think it makes the most sense to play the 'rivalry game' with Nebraska.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I'm personally for the East/West divisions, I think it's a lot fairer than people think. Just about everything I've read makes it seem like the divisions will not be East/West though. How would you guys like to see the divisions broken up if they don't do East/West?

I was thinking North/South might be able to work...
North: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan St, Penn St, Northwestern
South: Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Ohio St

That way you would break up the Ohio St, Penn St, Michigan trio and I think you'd have a pretty good competitive balance.

What do you guys think?

[MikeIsGood]

I want the East/West splint. I'm just not convinced the conference sees it that way.

My take on this and what I want, basically, is Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska in the same division. Minnesota is there too. My post from two times ago didn't really consider Minnesota for the rivalry game, because it was presumed as part of that scenario that they were playing Iowa and I was picking from Neb, MSU, and PSU. But even if I could choose Minnesota, I'm still in favor of playing Nebraska for that last game. Why? We're going to play Minnesota anyways. They're in our division in this scenario. It's not like the rivalry would end. They'd still play for the axe. But (no offense to our resident Gopher fan) I'm pretty bored with the Minn/Wisc rivalry in football. Do I absolutely love winning that game? Yes, but I'd also be more in favor of having that last game of the year being a competitive and fun one and I think that a Nebraska/Wisconsin game projects into the future better in that regard. I can envision scenarios like the winner of that game getting a spot in the conference championship game. With Minnesota? Not so much, and I don't have a whole lot of faith with that changing anytime soon.

So, like I had said, if Iowa and Minnesota want to keep that game and schedule slot it's fine by me. I'm more than fine with playing Nebraska that week. Either way, it's not going to be perfect. Rivalry games are going to be played other times throughout the season, too, no matter how you do it. I just like playing Nebraska last.

[Ryan5UW]

If they split into two divisions, and set up rivalry games for the end of the regular season, those will be all divisional games to avoid the potential of teams playing each other in consecutive games. That is why I see no chance that Michigan and Ohio State aren't in the same division together. Unless they do something really funky, I'm pretty sure we'll end up with Minnesota, Iowa and probably Nebraska, which is great with me.

MIG, you're right, I did miss the part that you were referring to the specific scenario that was laid out. Sorry about that. That being said, I'd still have a hard time buying Iowa-Minnesota & Nebraska-Wisconsin over Iowa-Nebraska & Minnesota-Wisconsin. I think those make for two better rivalries. There's much more to a rivalry than just the sports teams, and with Wisconsin-Minnesota you have all the necessary ingredients. I don't know much about Iowa-Nebraska, but I'd be willing to bet that exists or would grow to a lot more than Wisconsin-Nebraska does or would grow to.

[chuckleslove]

ESPN_BigTen
Talked to several Big Ten ADs in last few days who say geography won't determine divisions. They expect a resolution by end of August.

Was also some notes about they had discussed divisions back in May before they knew for sure if a 12th team would be joining and who. They are going to discuss divisions and if they want to add an additional conference game to the schedule at the next AD meeting in Chicago.