BIG TEN - NEW CONFERENCE DIVISIONS

We discussed possibilities about the new look Pac-12 on Friday. How the teams could get split up for divisional play is a big decision, and the decision will have long standing ramifications. It is up to Big Ten Commissioner, Jim Delany, and the news about how it will all officially pan out is imminent

Let's review a possible scenario.

  

EAST

• Ohio State
• Michigan
• Michigan State
• Penn State
• Indiana
• Purdue

WEST

• Iowa
• Nebraska
• Wisconsin
• Minnesota
• Illinois
• Northwestern

Not only does this split-up make logical geographical divisional lines, but it most importantly preserves one of the best things about College Football -- The History.

There has been speculation that Ohio State and Michigan will be placed in opposing divisions. This rivalry is one of the most important rivalries in all of college football that goes all the way back to 1897 with 106 meetings between them.

This rivalry must be protected, and the table is set to start some new rivalries. Take the proposed Big Ten West: the rivalries that will develop between Nebraska & Iowa & Wisconsin will be epic. Their matchups will be even more pressure and drama filled.

Today's business man might look at this as an opportunity for these Ohio State & Michigan to play in opposing divisions. This will certainly be a revenue generator, as it always has. But if the Big Ten decides to go this route, it will come at a dear cost. The rivalry will be forever cheapened.

Hopefully the Big Ten does not sell out. Hopefully respect to the tradition and integrity of the rivalry and the conference as a whole will not be chucked aside in the never ending quest for more money.

We'll see. Let me know what you think. How do you see the Big Ten getting split up for divisional play?

(Logo courtesy of http://www.bigten.org/)