Updated Big Ten division alignment coming soon

Dan · Jan 3, 2013, 07:25 AM

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B1G division alignment coming (fairly) soon

"I would hope we would have divisions and conference schedules for '14 later this spring," Delany said

Rittenberg

Dan · Jan 4, 2013, 10:44 AM

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Chi Trib learns B1G interested in putting #Northwestern in East. Cats want to stay West w/rivals #Illini, Iowa, Wis, Neb. Better 4 fans.

http://twitter.com/TeddyGreenstein

Dan · Jan 4, 2013, 10:46 AM

Here were the suggestions from the Big Ten's Dec 13th fan survey-

Groundhogday · Jan 4, 2013, 10:54 AM

So it sounds like we might move to this alignment:

East: Rutgers, Maryland, PSU, tOSU, Michigan, MSU, Northwestern
West: PU, IU, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minny, UNL

The league doesn't want permanent cross-divisional rivalries because there aren't enough cross-division games as it is. Illinois vs. Northwestern is clearly the weakest rivalry game in the league, so that is the one to end. Personally I don't mind. And I really don't mind seeing NW play in the tougher division.

Dan · Jan 4, 2013, 11:08 AM

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I should mention that even tho B1G interested in moving #Northwestern east, Cats officials resisting & think they will stay West.

http://twitter.com/TeddyGreenstein

Oskee Mayer · Jan 4, 2013, 11:24 AM

All 20 fans have voiced their opinions. 1 through his megaphone, repeatedly.

jackman404 · Jan 4, 2013, 11:33 AM

Protecting the Purdue-IU rivalry is much more important than protecting the Illinois-Northwestern rivalry. I wouldn't mind not playing them.

Groundhogday · Jan 4, 2013, 12:22 PM

Basically, NW has such a weak fan base that it doesn't really matter one way or another where they end up.

Ilovetheillini · Jan 4, 2013, 12:29 PM

I like our division!!!

illinicb · Jan 4, 2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Basically, NW has such a weak fan base that it doesn't really matter one way or another where they end up.

That was my response as well. They only draw when the opponents buy tickets. They idea that their fan base is worried about travel is laughable. They can't make it to Evanston, so why would they worry about traveling to Penn State or Maryland?

AHSIllini32 · Jan 4, 2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

So it sounds like we might move to this alignment:

East: Rutgers, Maryland, PSU, tOSU, Michigan, MSU, Northwestern
West: PU, IU, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minny, UNL

The league doesn't want permanent cross-divisional rivalries because there aren't enough cross-division games as it is. Illinois vs. Northwestern is clearly the weakest rivalry game in the league, so that is the one to end. Personally I don't mind. And I really don't mind seeing NW play in the tougher division.

That would be fantastic for illinois.

DrewD007 · Jan 4, 2013, 12:44 PM

Made the map for Northwestern in the East...

Groundhogday · Jan 4, 2013, 12:49 PM

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Originally Posted by DrewD007

Made the map for Northwestern in the East...

Contiguous, largely geographic divisions. I like it. And I also like being in the same division with IU, PU and Minny.

quhawks12 · Jan 4, 2013, 01:29 PM

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Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Contiguous, largely geographic divisions. I like it. And I also like being in the same division with IU, PU and Minny.

That would be huge.

Warriors1994 · Jan 4, 2013, 01:54 PM

This would be great for Illinois lets hope it goes through

AngryOrange · Jan 4, 2013, 01:56 PM

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Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Contiguous, largely geographic divisions. I like it. And I also like being in the same division with IU, PU and Minny.

One thing I don't like about it, with NW in the East, the major population and recruiting centers are all in the other division. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I don't like the fact that we would visit the other division less frequently and miss the major recruiting beds. YMMV.

Groundhogday · Jan 4, 2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryOrange

One thing I don't like about it, with NW in the East, the major population and recruiting centers are all in the other division. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I don't like the fact that we would visit the other division less frequently and miss the major recruiting beds. YMMV.

They used to think the same thing about the original SEC east and west divisions.

One additional thought: Illinois has stronger ties to Chicago than Northwestern. Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska all recruit Chicago. I don't think playing in an empty stadium at Northwestern once a year really helps anyone recruit that city.

GilThorpe · Jan 4, 2013, 02:03 PM

has there been any acknowledgment of the need for not just the B1G, but the SEC as well to follow suit with the PAC and have 9 league games.

playing just 2 teams from the other division means you can wait 6 or 8 years to play a cross division team. Thats ridiculous. I dont like the alternating 4&5 home game thing either, but going 8 years without playing a fellow conference team seems nuts

BWBW · Jan 4, 2013, 03:00 PM

A Northwest - Southeast split would have Northwestern with the two schools in MI, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

We would be with the two schools in IN, OSU, PSU, Maryland, and Rutgers.

Groundhogday · Jan 4, 2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

has there been any acknowledgment of the need for not just the B1G, but the SEC as well to follow suit with the PAC and have 9 league games.

playing just 2 teams from the other division means you can wait 6 or 8 years to play a cross division team. Thats ridiculous. I dont like the alternating 4&5 home game thing either, but going 8 years without playing a fellow conference team seems nuts

It has been pretty much a given that we will go to 9 games, right? I don't know that we would wait for the Pac12 or SEC to follow suit. With 9 games, we would play 3 of the 7 cross division teams every year, so play every cross-division team almost every other year.

Ander1345 · Jan 4, 2013, 03:24 PM

What about a dividing line that starts just west of Mich ST and divides Purdue and Indiana?

Groundhogday · Jan 4, 2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ander1345

What about a dividing line that starts just west of Mich ST and divides Purdue and Indiana?

The problem is that Purdue and Indiana have a long and contentious rivalry. Most of it is just basketball spillover, but it is much more serious rivalry game in football than Illinois vs. Northwestern.

twincityillini · Jan 4, 2013, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Basically, NW has such a weak fan base that it doesn't really matter one way or another where they end up.

Agreed. IMO, they'll most likely keep making bowl games no matter where they end up and regardless of their weak fan base. So in the end it shouldn't really matter to them.

GilThorpe · Jan 4, 2013, 03:44 PM

the PAC already plays 9 league games, hence why they backed out of the arrangement to have a PAC-BIG "series" of all teams in each league rotating through each others conference. it would have given them 10 BCS games , in an era where the SEC and the B1G are getting fat with cupcakes.

By going to 14 teams, I just cant see how the B1G or the SEC can not go to 9 league games. as of now, I know of nothing that says this is happening in either conference.

Schlepper · Jan 5, 2013, 04:39 PM

They may go to 10 league games since the Pac 12 thing didn't work out. Would also make for even numbers of home and road games which is important to coaches and ADs.
ND games may get lost in the shuffle.

Jan 4, 2013, 10:54 AM	#4
Groundhogday Posts: 18,085	So it sounds like we might move to this alignment: East: Rutgers, Maryland, PSU, tOSU, Michigan, MSU, Northwestern West: PU, IU, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minny, UNL The league doesn't want permanent cross-divisional rivalries because there aren't enough cross-division games as it is. Illinois vs. Northwestern is clearly the weakest rivalry game in the league, so that is the one to end. Personally I don't mind. And I really don't mind seeing NW play in the tougher division. __________________ ONLY ORANGE!

Jan 4, 2013, 11:33 AM	#7
jackman404 Posts: 1,477	Protecting the Purdue-IU rivalry is much more important than protecting the Illinois-Northwestern rivalry. I wouldn't mind not playing them. __________________ Williams to tie it with a three......HE DOES!!!

Jan 4, 2013, 12:22 PM	#8
Groundhogday Posts: 18,085	Basically, NW has such a weak fan base that it doesn't really matter one way or another where they end up. __________________ ONLY ORANGE!

Jan 4, 2013, 12:44 PM	#12
DrewD007 Location: Swansea, IL Posts: 3,531	Made the map for Northwestern in the East... __________________ Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/illinidrew11

Jan 4, 2013, 10:46 AM	#3
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,908	Here were the suggestions from the Big Ten's Dec 13th fan survey-

Jan 4, 2013, 11:24 AM	#6
Oskee Mayer Posts: 187	All 20 fans have voiced their opinions. 1 through his megaphone, repeatedly.

Jan 4, 2013, 12:29 PM	#9
Ilovetheillini Posts: 195	I like our division!!!

Jan 4, 2013, 01:54 PM	#15
Warriors1994 Posts: 617	This would be great for Illinois lets hope it goes through

Jan 4, 2013, 02:03 PM	#18
GilThorpe Location: Hinsdale Posts: 858	has there been any acknowledgment of the need for not just the B1G, but the SEC as well to follow suit with the PAC and have 9 league games. playing just 2 teams from the other division means you can wait 6 or 8 years to play a cross division team. Thats ridiculous. I dont like the alternating 4&5 home game thing either, but going 8 years without playing a fellow conference team seems nuts

Jan 4, 2013, 03:00 PM	#19
BWBW Location: Tyngsborough, MA Posts: 544	A Northwest - Southeast split would have Northwestern with the two schools in MI, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. We would be with the two schools in IN, OSU, PSU, Maryland, and Rutgers.

Jan 4, 2013, 03:24 PM	#21
Ander1345 Posts: 290	What about a dividing line that starts just west of Mich ST and divides Purdue and Indiana?

Jan 4, 2013, 03:44 PM	#24
GilThorpe Location: Hinsdale Posts: 858	the PAC already plays 9 league games, hence why they backed out of the arrangement to have a PAC-BIG "series" of all teams in each league rotating through each others conference. it would have given them 10 BCS games , in an era where the SEC and the B1G are getting fat with cupcakes. By going to 14 teams, I just cant see how the B1G or the SEC can not go to 9 league games. as of now, I know of nothing that says this is happening in either conference.

Jan 5, 2013, 04:39 PM	#25
Schlepper Location: Hoffman Estates Posts: 28	They may go to 10 league games since the Pac 12 thing didn't work out. Would also make for even numbers of home and road games which is important to coaches and ADs. ND games may get lost in the shuffle.