I know this conference division thing has been beaten to a pulp, but can someone please explain to me why the divisions are not based on geography, East and West?
It seems that the true protected matchups are UM-OSU, Wisco-Minn, Illini-Northwestern, PSU-Neb. (There will obviously be a few other protected matchups but none of significance) It also appears there are a few matchups that were asked to be kept through playing in the same division...those are UM-MSU, Neb-Min, Illini-Ind, Ind-Pur, OSU-PSU and Iowa-Neb.
My question is why can the divisions not be as so:
East: UM, PSU, OSU, MSU, Pur, Ind
West: Neb, Min, Iowa, Illinois, Wisco, Northwestern
All ture protected matchups and other desired matchups listed above could still remain intact. The East may seem a bit top-heavy, but no moreso than the current suggestion of OSU, Wisco, PSU. Plus, this gives fans a much better option when traveling to away games. Instead of us having to go to Minneapolis, Iowa City and Lincoln each year. And away from us, look at Wisconsin currently...away from their protected matchup with Minn, their next closest game is 4.5 hours away in Champaign, IL. Plus, the only other rivalry I can think of is Iowa and Wisconsin, which would be protected in a geographical division, but not in the current projected format.
Just would like to hear some thoughts as to why this option does not seem to be on the table or even the preferred option.
If you look at the records for the last 20 years (since PSU joined the Big Ten) the top four teams are: OSU, NEB, UM and PSU. Straight geography would result in 3 of the 4 being in one division. The Conference determined that they would split these four teams up and then the split up the next two, being Iowa and Wisconsisn. And that's what looks like is happening.