rundown of Michigan's riser
Littlest Elf out the box version of a big 14
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This started as a comment but ended up a diary...
Conference Name: The Ginormous 14 Team Composition: The 11 teams of the Big Ten are "grandfathered" in and 3 other teams are offered a seat at the table when the 14 rings of power are forged in the fires of mount doom (say, columbus, OH) Say, the 3 upstarts to invite first are ND, Pitt, and Okie State. If these teams opt out, substitute others that help expand the conference's power in desirable ways (ie., expand it's geographic size while keeping a midwestern rust/corn belt identity, are academically and financially good additions to the federation, etc). Rivals:
Each team would have 2 rivalry games that would occur every year and these would be ironed out before the inaugural season of the confernence taking into account mainly historical and geographic factors in deciding who gets who. So, Michigan's rivals would end up being Ohio St and Mich St and since these teams would probably mutually select each other and they are all full member teams. As a second example, Okie State would have less say in this process as a new team and might end up with Indiana and Iowa as rival based mainly on geography in this case. Conference rivalries would be reviewed by the league's brass every 4 years and teams who are looking to change this up would have some say in getting this done.
The Draw:
A preseason midsummer draw would determine 2 divisions each year ala FIFA's way of organizing the world cup except all members are equal regardless of rankings, history, or geography. Once Group A and Group B's members are determined, the schedule would be organized such that each team plays the 6 members of it's group, 2 members of the other group, and 3 non-conference games that would always take place prior to the onset of a team's conference schedule (no exceptions). For rivals not placed in the same group, they would automatically be slated to play each other as an "other group" game with home field alternating from the previous year. Games would be set up as randomly as possible while ensuring that each team has equal numbers of home games each year and is basically even head to head within each 4 year span. The Season: Stage 1: 3 non-conference games of the team's choosing Stage 2: 8 pre-determined inter-conference games from the draw Stage 3: The Championship Game and Conference Tournament Finale Games --The top teams from Group A and B as determined only by Stage 2 play at a predetermined neutral site with the undisputed conference championship at stake. --The rest of the teams get a random draw for their twelf game and a coin flip determines the home field. Only matches that did not occur during Stage 2 would be permitted to avoid rematches during this draw. There would be an off week between Stages 2&3 for obvious logistic reasons. Stage 4: The postseason plays out as usual and the overall records and total "body of work" would determine who the BCS wanted to send where, so that it would be possible for a team other than the Stage 3 conference champ to be the #1 team if non-conference and stage 2 records sway voters in favor of another strong team in the conference. ...and if the score is tied at the end of the games, it goes to penalty kicks or a syrup drinking contest.
Conference Name: The Ginormous 14 Team Composition: The 11 teams of the Big Ten are "grandfathered" in and 3 other teams are offered a seat at the table when the 14 rings of power are forged in the fires of mount doom (say, columbus, OH) Say, the 3 upstarts to invite first are ND, Pitt, and Okie State. If these teams opt out, substitute others that help expand the conference's power in desirable ways (ie., expand it's geographic size while keeping a midwestern rust/corn belt identity, are academically and financially good additions to the federation, etc). Rivals:
Each team would have 2 rivalry games that would occur every year and these would be ironed out before the inaugural season of the confernence taking into account mainly historical and geographic factors in deciding who gets who. So, Michigan's rivals would end up being Ohio St and Mich St and since these teams would probably mutually select each other and they are all full member teams. As a second example, Okie State would have less say in this process as a new team and might end up with Indiana and Iowa as rival based mainly on geography in this case. Conference rivalries would be reviewed by the league's brass every 4 years and teams who are looking to change this up would have some say in getting this done.
The Draw:
A preseason midsummer draw would determine 2 divisions each year ala FIFA's way of organizing the world cup except all members are equal regardless of rankings, history, or geography. Once Group A and Group B's members are determined, the schedule would be organized such that each team plays the 6 members of it's group, 2 members of the other group, and 3 non-conference games that would always take place prior to the onset of a team's conference schedule (no exceptions). For rivals not placed in the same group, they would automatically be slated to play each other as an "other group" game with home field alternating from the previous year. Games would be set up as randomly as possible while ensuring that each team has equal numbers of home games each year and is basically even head to head within each 4 year span. The Season: Stage 1: 3 non-conference games of the team's choosing Stage 2: 8 pre-determined inter-conference games from the draw Stage 3: The Championship Game and Conference Tournament Finale Games --The top teams from Group A and B as determined only by Stage 2 play at a predetermined neutral site with the undisputed conference championship at stake. --The rest of the teams get a random draw for their twelf game and a coin flip determines the home field. Only matches that did not occur during Stage 2 would be permitted to avoid rematches during this draw. There would be an off week between Stages 2&3 for obvious logistic reasons. Stage 4: The postseason plays out as usual and the overall records and total "body of work" would determine who the BCS wanted to send where, so that it would be possible for a team other than the Stage 3 conference champ to be the #1 team if non-conference and stage 2 records sway voters in favor of another strong team in the conference. ...and if the score is tied at the end of the games, it goes to penalty kicks or a syrup drinking contest.
January 16th, 2010 at 3:39 AM | 
It might be because I love
It might be because I love
January 16th, 2010 at 10:50 AM |
straight up....
straight up....
This would by far be the most exciting format. Each division changing from year to year, the draw would be televised! Although, this would give the Michigan football hating god more power over our situation. Still, I dig it...
Florida Wolverines have dreadlocks...
January 16th, 2010 at 12:41 PM |
What he said!
What he said!
Nice idea and I like the randomness/change.
"If people really want peace, they need to avoid the pin pricks that lead to cannon shots." Napoleon
January 16th, 2010 at 11:04 AM |
Ehh, it's an interesting idea
Ehh, it's an interesting idea
Ehh, it's an interesting idea but I don't really see much of a benefit.
Also, there's no reason the conference championship has to count as the twelfth game for those two teams--doing so only cuts down on potential revenue and attention for that championship game (since everyone else is theoretically playing at the same time). Everyone should play 12 games and the championship game should be a 13th for those two teams.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:40 PM |
Logistics Questions for the OP
Logistics Questions for the OP
Interesting, but it seems logistically really tough.
Half of the schools would have to run a home game on two weeks notice for stage 3. The other half would have to travel and find hotel rooms, etc. For the cities, this involves extra police, hotel rooms on 14 days notice, TV, and so on. Is there a solution to that?
Also, don't the rotating schedules present a huge problem as to who goes where and making sure that home games are equal year after year? Of course, the NFL does it so maybe this isn't that big of a deal.
"Nobody cares what you think!"
January 16th, 2010 at 7:35 PM |
Thanks for the feedback...
Thanks for the feedback...
I am a long time world cup fan and this was the first year I tracked the draw closely so I guess this is what dawned on me last night. I was a fan of the 12 team version with a straight split but I think what bummed my out about it over time is the conference really would look blah and apish if all it comes up with is what the SEC Conference and Big12 already have done. The logistics might be too crazy but I think this has the potential to lap the other conferences in terms of excitement and put the conference back on top. If I were a recruit, I would want a piece of this format...that's all I know.
I was thinking that the NCAA would probably have a shit fit about the logistics as the achilles heel of the plan. Anyway, this is a world cup year so I will be content enough this summer and spring.
Re: the comment about an additional game for the champ game...I'm down but perhaps the drawback is that this would already be an extremely cut throat league without adding another hurdle.
As for respecting the traditions of the big ten...I kinda felt dissed on that. Michigan and the big ten mean a hell of alot to me, and have for about 30 or 40 years as a child of the corn.
I hope don't press means press right away! --Homer, 2003 A.D.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:40 PM |
Why does no one respect the
Why does no one respect the
Why does no one respect the history of the Big Ten and the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry? As a Michigan fan, the notion that other Michigan fans support a universe in which THE GAME doesn't matter sickens me. Is that really how badly Rich Rod has destroyed this program? Everyone forgets there already is a Big Ten Championship. It's played on the Saturday before Thanksgiving (at least it was before Rich Rod destroyed the program, may God have mercy on his soul). Go Blue! Don't make our rivalry games formulated things. That doesn't make sense or leave room for new rivalries to be born.
An 11 team Big Ten is one thing. A 14 team only furthers Michigan down the path of Harvard and The University of Chicago. Adding east coast and great plains teams destroy the historical, Midwestern integrity of the Big Ten. Changing beloved brandnames doesn't work either. It creates confusion and anger. Chicago's great department store, Marshall Field's, saw business disappear when corporate changed it into just another Macy's. The Big North, as some people have suggested, sounds like a mid-major conference. Big Ten football is predicated off of tradition. Penn State is a program as steeped in tradition as most Big Ten teams, so it works. Maryland isn't. Period.
There's no way we could find three schools academically and athletically on Big Ten standards assuming they don't want to join. I'll admit adding Notre Dame or Nebraska would be a boon for the conference, but anyone else is a waste or destroys our geographic integrity.
The midsummer preseason would certainly be a violation of all sorts of NCAA rules. Plus you can't force the kids to play that many games. They are student athletes and this isn't soccer. Preason games would get little viewership. No one is on campus to go to the games anyways. All teams would sit their starters, as it doesn't really matter what your preseason rank is.
The Big Ten is already nationally competitive. Probably equally to the Big 12, and a bit behind the SEC. That's fine. That will change over time. The Big Ten had a winning record in bowls, defeating four top 15 teams. They could have just as easily gone undefeated. Northwestern lost in one of the craziest over times I ever did see. Minnesotta lost by one. Michigan State blew a late lead (serves them right). Sports Illustrated has three big ten teams in its preseason top ten for next year, the most of any conference.
So what's the point of your ridiculous 14 team conferences? What's the benefit? WHy would we destroy the Big Ten tradition? Everyone needs to give this garbage a rest.
January 16th, 2010 at 2:27 PM |
I don't think you can argue
I don't think you can argue
I don't think you can argue that a 12-team league would be better than the status quo. A 14-team league would definitely not send UM down the road of Harvard and Chicago, and the "midwestern integrity" part is a joke. And just because we want a bigger conference doesn't mean we think the OSU game doesn't matter. That's presumptuous and frankly absurd. Maryland is a better program than Purdue, Indiana, or Northwestern at least. Just because they aren't Penn State doesn't mean they should be added.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:41 PM |
Why does no one respect the
Why does no one respect the
Why does no one respect the history of the Big Ten and the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry? As a Michigan fan, the notion that other Michigan fans support a universe in which THE GAME doesn't matter sickens me. Is that really how badly Rich Rod has destroyed this program? Everyone forgets there already is a Big Ten Championship. It's played on the Saturday before Thanksgiving (at least it was before Rich Rod destroyed the program, may God have mercy on his soul). Go Blue! Don't make our rivalry games formulated things. That doesn't make sense or leave room for new rivalries to be born.
An 11 team Big Ten is one thing. A 14 team only furthers Michigan down the path of Harvard and The University of Chicago. Adding east coast and great plains teams destroy the historical, Midwestern integrity of the Big Ten. Changing beloved brandnames doesn't work either. It creates confusion and anger. Chicago's great department store, Marshall Field's, saw business disappear when corporate changed it into just another Macy's. The Big North, as some people have suggested, sounds like a mid-major conference. Big Ten football is predicated off of tradition. Penn State is a program as steeped in tradition as most Big Ten teams, so it works. Maryland isn't. Period.
There's no way we could find three schools academically and athletically on Big Ten standards assuming they don't want to join. I'll admit adding Notre Dame or Nebraska would be a boon for the conference, but anyone else is a waste or destroys our geographic integrity.
The midsummer preseason would certainly be a violation of all sorts of NCAA rules. Plus you can't force the kids to play that many games. They are student athletes and this isn't soccer. Preason games would get little viewership. No one is on campus to go to the games anyways. All teams would sit their starters, as it doesn't really matter what your preseason rank is.
The Big Ten is already nationally competitive. Probably equally to the Big 12, and a bit behind the SEC. That's fine. That will change over time. The Big Ten had a winning record in bowls, defeating four top 15 teams. They could have just as easily gone undefeated. Northwestern lost in one of the craziest over times I ever did see. Minnesotta lost by one. Michigan State blew a late lead (serves them right). Sports Illustrated has three big ten teams in its preseason top ten for next year, the most of any conference.
So what's the point of your ridiculous 14 team conferences? What's the benefit? WHy would we destroy the Big Ten tradition? Everyone needs to give this garbage a rest.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:47 PM |
Sorry accidentally
Sorry accidentally
Sorry accidentally triple-posted.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:42 PM |
In Favor of the Status Quo
In Favor of the Status Quo
Why does no one respect the history of the Big Ten and the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry? As a Michigan fan, the notion that other Michigan fans support a universe in which THE GAME doesn't matter sickens me. Is that really how badly Rich Rod has destroyed this program? Everyone forgets there already is a Big Ten Championship. It's played on the Saturday before Thanksgiving (at least it was before Rich Rod destroyed the program, may God have mercy on his soul). Go Blue! Don't make our rivalry games formulated things. That doesn't make sense or leave room for new rivalries to be born.
An 11 team Big Ten is one thing. A 14 team only furthers Michigan down the path of Harvard and The University of Chicago. Adding east coast and great plains teams destroy the historical, Midwestern integrity of the Big Ten. Changing beloved brandnames doesn't work either. It creates confusion and anger. Chicago's great department store, Marshall Field's, saw business disappear when corporate changed it into just another Macy's. The Big North, as some people have suggested, sounds like a mid-major conference. Big Ten football is predicated off of tradition. Penn State is a program as steeped in tradition as most Big Ten teams, so it works. Maryland isn't. Period.
There's no way we could find three schools academically and athletically on Big Ten standards assuming they don't want to join. I'll admit adding Notre Dame or Nebraska would be a boon for the conference, but anyone else is a waste or destroys our geographic integrity.
The midsummer preseason would certainly be a violation of all sorts of NCAA rules. Plus you can't force the kids to play that many games. They are student athletes and this isn't soccer. Preason games would get little viewership. No one is on campus to go to the games anyways. All teams would sit their starters, as it doesn't really matter what your preseason rank is.
The Big Ten is already nationally competitive. Probably equally to the Big 12, and a bit behind the SEC. That's fine. That will change over time. The Big Ten had a winning record in bowls, defeating four top 15 teams. They could have just as easily gone undefeated. Northwestern lost in one of the craziest over times I ever did see. Minnesotta lost by one. Michigan State blew a late lead (serves them right). Sports Illustrated has three big ten teams in its preseason top ten for next year, the most of any conference.
So what's the point of your ridiculous 14 team conferences? What's the benefit? Why would we destroy the Big Ten tradition? Everyone needs to give this garbage a rest.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:43 PM |
Don't Negbang!
Don't Negbang!
Sorry, my computer flipped out and somehow posted this four time. Don't negbang me! It's not my fault.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:43 PM |
Don't Negbang!
Don't Negbang!
Sorry, my computer flipped out and somehow posted this four time. Don't negbang me! It's not my fault.
January 16th, 2010 at 3:03 PM |
Negbang?
Negbang?
I think the phrase, "Rich Rod destroyed the program" is worth multiples myself. Thanks for all the opportunities.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:46 PM |
He did
He did
I believe the offense will improve, and it was already pretty good this year. The spread is dying, though. Rodriguez has failed to recruit. Failed to retain talent. Refused to adapt to his players, choosing the way he does things (clearly the only way he knows how to). I doubt any other coach in the country would decide to go 3-9. And he did. That team could have easily been 7-5.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:46 PM |
He did
He did
I believe the offense will improve, and it was already pretty good this year. The spread is dying, though. Rodriguez has failed to recruit. Failed to retain talent. Refused to adapt to his players, choosing the way he does things (clearly the only way he knows how to). I doubt any other coach in the country would decide to go 3-9. And he did. That team could have easily been 7-5.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:17 PM |
Wrong. And for deciding to go
Wrong. And for deciding to go
Wrong. And for deciding to go 3-9, I'd be willing to bet that he wanted more wins. That team could have been 5-7 at best, and the spread is as alive as ever.
It might be because I love the World Cup...but I really like this format. Props to you for coming up with it. Although I'm not sure if I want a 14-team conference. Seems too huge.
Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes...and fuck Ohio.