The New The Game (three different ones)

I've never even thought about that third scenerio...I hope that doesn't happen (but that we still make it to the B1GCG).

We need to keep The Game as the last game (of the reg season) and I was a proponent of an East-West split of the conference, which I still think makes the most sense.

You missed a potential scenario where just 1 team is already guaranteed a spot in the B1GCG.

That they moved thanksgiving to before the game? I think you might have that a little wrong

I'm encountering scenario #3 in my NCAA 13 Road to Glory -- Michigan and Ohio are both undefeated and have locked up berths to the conference championship. I'm having similarly mixed feelings -- UM-OSU is always UM-OSU, but that there's a guaranteed rematch the next week with more on the line diminishes the meaning. This scenairo will probably not occur too much for UM-OSU or other teams, but seems likely enough that we'll see it in our lifetime.

My question to the board -- imagine my scenario happens in real life (UM and Ohio both undefeated, ranked in BCS Top 5 going into The Game). What would the Rose Bowl and national championship repurcussions be?

-Would a team that lost twice still almost certainly go to the Rose Bowl?

-If the teams split and there was only one remaining major undefeated team, how do you determine who goes to the national championship?

-If the teams split and there are no remaining undefeated teams, could you reasonably make a case for a rubber match in the national championship?

Why do these scenarios affect The Game any more than the pre-B1G championship days? Each of these scenarios (other than #3) could have existed, but substitute Rose Bowl for B1GCG. I wholeheartedly agree with the comments suggesting you are fishing for a non-existent problem.

This thread made me curious as to the idea of a rematch and what that has meant historically.  Did some looking around and this is what I found:

FWIW 5 of 7 times the winner of the first game also takes the rematch, but both times the original loser wins, it's for all the marbles!

heard an interesting insight into initial b1g division splitting talks recently. seems msu was one of strongest opponents to east-west split as they were very fearful of being shut out with bucks, um, and psu; and were envious of an easy road to title game for wisc and neb. personally think um and msu should be split for best parity.

I think the grudge match aspect of The Game will hold even if we reach 3A/3B scenarios. The conference is much more balanced than it has been in years past so the chances of UM or Ohio sitting on the rest of their divisions is lower than it would have been in, say, the 1970s. That said, it is a brave new world with the Bo/Woody divisions. I am still not happy about not getting to play some of the teams in the Woody division for very long times but that's the way these things go.

I look forward to reading your next diary. Nice work!

 which had me thinking... throw playoffs in the mix in a few a years.... this could get interesting.  And by interesting i mean... overkill.

If the national championship is on the line, then The Game will matter both times.

If Michigan and Ohio are both undefeated in their Divisions and guaranteed to play each other in the Championship Game when it's time to play The Game, I would want The Game to be made into the Championship Game, and for a win to be weighted the same as going 2-0.

Give the winner the title, the BCS points and the bragging rights. Any other scenario diminishes the outcome of the first game, which even the context of a Championship on the line in the second game won't restore. Going 1-1 in either direction diminishes both teams' chances of playing for a national championship.

Bottom-line: If a national championship berth is within reach for The Game's winner, the B1G loses more than it gains by forcing a rematch. Also, the potential to sustain injuries in the rematch additionally hurt the B1G's chances in whatever Bowl games each team draws.