BlockM

September 1st, 2010 at 1:52 PM ^

Sounds like BS to me. If we're in the same division we'd play at the end of the season. There's even less of a reason to move the game in that situation than if we're split up.

CollegeFootball13

September 1st, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^

..That doesn't make any sense at all. If we were in the same division, the game would most likely stay the last one of the regular season. If we were in different divisions the game would most likely be moved up to avoid a rematch in the B10CG.

Plus, scheduling wouldn't be worked out yet, just the divisions.

Section 1

September 1st, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^

Please wake me when this is all over.  I keep expecting to hear that we will be in the same division as LSU, and that we will trade each other head coaches.  Oh. and play each other in July, or February.

ChalmersE

September 1st, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^

The only justification given for moving the game earlier in the season is the chance of a Michigan-OSU rematch a week later.  If we're in the same division, that issue becomes moot.  Dodd's just dumb. 

PurpleStuff

September 1st, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^

To me, being in the same division (keeping the game meaningful) is more important than the timing of the game (though I'd rather it be the last regular season game too, of course).

I think the big concern on the part of the AD's/coaches is playing the Game and then having to play a championship game the next week.  For the AD's the issue is probably one of maintaining fan interest (they don't want M-OSU to overshadow the title game) and for the coaches it is a matter of having to stay healthy and get your team up for those huge games back to back rather than getting a bit of a breather. 

If the choice is meaningful (as in de-facto division championship game) M-OSU game in October (a'la Texas-OU) or relatively meaningless M-OSU game in November (where the best case scenario is that they have to reboot and play the whole thing over again a week later in some sterile dome), I'll take the former.

Zone Left

September 1st, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^

If they're going to be split, Michigan still has the easier road to the title game.  Penn State is going to be consistently better than Nebraska IMO.  I think their success was extended into the 90s largely because they ran a unique system and were able to find the best running QB out there each year.  Today, they're in the middle of nowhere and I don't think they'll get the elite skill players and elite OT/DTs required to be excellent.  Just my opinion.

 Wisconsin is going to be about a wash with Iowa depending on the coach.  Michigan is going to play Sparty yearly regardless.  As far as the bottom two, Northwestern is the best program, but Illinois has the best potential--if they can ever take control of Chicago.

sum1valiant

September 1st, 2010 at 2:09 PM ^

By "earlier in the season" the OP means March, and the game will be played at the Georgia Dome, and "Snooky" from Jersey Shore is going to be our "Special Guest Coach".