Why not mix divisions up every year or two?

B

Bohawk

Moderator
Why do the divisions have to stay the same? Why not have protected rivals, similar to today, that are always in your division, but then mix the divisions every year based on performance or random alignment?

Don't beat me up on the protected rivals, but say they are:

Michigan/OSU
Wisconsin/Minnesota
Iowa/Nebraska
Illinois/Northwestern
Michigan State/PSU
Indiana/Purdue

One year the divisions could be:

Michigan/OSU
Wisconsin/Minnesota
Iowa/Nebraska

and

Illinois/Northwestern
Michigan State/PSU
Indiana/Purdue

The next year, everyone moves down the line so it becomes:

Indiana/Purdue
Michigan/OSU
Wisconsin/Minnesota

and

Iowa/Nebraska
Illinois/Northwestern
Michigan State/PSU

...and so on and so forth.

This would protect rivals, but not allow one division to become the dominant and the other to become the weak. It would also allow all teams to expect to play each other a few times per decade.

Just thinkin outloud.
 
I'll also add that I don't see the Big 10 simply doing what everyone else does. I think we need to (hate to say it) think outside the box a little more if we are to figure out what to expect from the new Big 10.
 
I like the idea of having flexibility within the divisions, but I think doing it every year or two is too much. If the Big Ten commits to mixing up divisions every year or two, it could ruin the competitive balance. For example, one of the scenarios you presented (below) would have heavily favored PSU in 4 of the past 5 years (the exception being the year Illinois played in Pasadena). With that said, they would have struggled with tOSU in the Big Ten Championship Game.

One year the divisions could be:

Michigan/OSU
Wisconsin/Minnesota
Iowa/Nebraska

and

Illinois/Northwestern
Michigan State/PSU
Indiana/Purdue
Click to expand...
 
If what Delany said plays out, the conference expansion could be done in stages; they may need to change up the divisions out of necessity as a team(s) are added to get to the ultimate 16 teams.
 
This is an interesting concept...something to chew on for sure..would need to be every two years due to home and home stuff.
 
I like it, but isn't it the same as simply having a random schedule across the entire B10 without divisions.

I really don't see why there is a need for divisions. In my mind, it simply makes 2 conferences, each with 6 teams that ultimately get together to play a championship game.

I'm more in favor of a rotating schedule as exists today. Keep the rivalry games and ensures that there is a more equitable (although nothing is perfect) mix in place.

JonDMiller said:
This is an interesting concept...something to chew on for sure..would need to be every two years due to home and home stuff.
Click to expand...
 
I think you answered your own question. Look at your first divisions:

Michigan/OSU
Wisconsin/Minnesota
Iowa/Nebraska

and

Illinois/Northwestern
Michigan State/PSU
Indiana/Purdue

That's about as unbalanced set of divisions as you could possibly come up with. You're basically handing that division to Penn St.
 
I think the answer is, do not have divisions. Why slpit up the conf. and open up the opportunity for discontent?

Right now, 2 teams rotate off the schedule. With 12 teams, just make it 3. Or add one more conf. game and remain with 2 schools that rotate off the schedule.
 
I don't see a problem with making the divisions flexible, it works for high school football in Iowa, I don't see many issues with it. I think they should only shake up divisions if it's necessary to make it more competitive and not just cause it's been x number of years.
 
I think they should go with the geographical divisions with Minny,Iowa,Neb,Ill,Wis and NW in the west...and the rest in the east...but make it clear that it will be reviewed in 4 years or sooner if expansion hits again...

If after 4 years, there is a real imbalance,mix it up. If not,retain the setup. I think it is important to establish the identity of schools in a division somewhat,to avoid total confusion...revolving divisional setups would be chaotic.
 
Why don't we stop pampering the schools that have problems fielding competitive teams? I wish everybody would stop pretending that college football today is anything even remotely close to college football 10+ years ago. It's a completely different beast, and most of the historical rivalries don't have the same luster they used to. It's insanely idiotic to put PSU in a "western" division or Nebraska in an "eastern" division because Minnesota or Indiana sucks at football. Hey, Minnesota or Indiana, maybe you should put the staff in place that will make you more competitive.
 
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