Big Ten Divisions To Be Announced Wednesday?
According to Sean Callahan who covers Nebraska football, they just may be.
RT @Sean_Callahan: Nebraska Assistant AD for football Jeff Jamrog just said he expects Big Ten Divisions to be announced tomorrow.
RT @Sean_Callahan: Jamrog told me he thinks Husker fans will like the set up and the crossover game.
They think they will have a cross over game with Penn State.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
Well, it makes sense, Michigan fans are used to bad things happening on September 1st.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^
I doubt they will announce the decision on moving The Game, just the divisions.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
The announcements will go a long way to determining the state of the game, though. If they're in opposite divisions, the game will more than likely be moved. And even if it stays the last week of the season, it loses a lot of its significance, as it will likely have little to no bearing on who goes to the championship game.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^
Now's the time, the start of the season will reduce the coverage some because the talking heads will have something else to discuss. Plus, early announcements will allow schools to plan non-conference schedules (maybe).
August 31st, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^
So if Nebraska's corss-division rival is Penn State, and we can infer that Penn State and Ohio State will be together, it looks like we'll be with Nebraska.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
I don't think I would mind that. Nebraska is a good team, it would create a nice rivalry.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
I think his point was more that OSU won't be in the same division as us and that means the game will likely be moved to October, which would blow.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:30 PM ^
Yeah, the inferrence was that the divisions would probably be:
X: Michigan, MSU, Nebraska
Y: OSU, PSU
September 1st, 2010 at 9:26 AM ^
I think there's a good chance they'll break up OSU and PSU, because neither has an in-state rival for Big Ten recruiting.
I'll bet that Michigan and OSU got to pick the divisions once they agreed to split up -- if I'm Brandon, I want a regular recruiting trip to western Pennsylvania, not Nebraska. So:
- Michigan, PSU, Wisconsin
- OSU, Nebraska, Iowa
September 1st, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^
I agree, that would be preferable. However, I really doubt OSU and U of M got to pick the divisions.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
But the team that becomes the consistent winner will beome the longer term rival of the team that becomes the consistent winner in the other division. Auburn/Alabama is a nice rival, but nationally people are starting to talk about Bama/Florida. Could be really good for M/OSU if they both get to their historical performance at the same time
August 31st, 2010 at 10:51 PM ^
September 1st, 2010 at 8:40 AM ^
Come clean up this coffee and scare my hiccups out of me.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:53 PM ^
we want payback for the alamo bowl
August 31st, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^
Further, I think we can assume that Iowa will be with Nebraska, so as to give the Huskers a bit of a geographical rival. If what we heard earlier is true, and Wisconsin and Iowa are cross-division rivals, then I think we'd see Minnesota in our division and Wisconsin in with OSU and PSU - a fortuitous setup.
Then add Michigan State, too, of course, giving us:
Michigan-Nebraska-Iowa-Minnesota-MSU-some shitbag
and
OSU-PSU-Wisconsin-three others.
Purdue goes in with OSU for balance. IU comes with us so that Illinois can stick with their instate rivalish substance, Northwestern, and also continue playing for Illibuck, whatever the $%&# that is. Divisions then go as follows, with cross-division rivals listed in order:
Michigan-Nebraska-Iowa-Minnesota-MSU-IU
OSU-PSU-Wisconsin-Illinois-NW-Purdue
That's my prediction and I'm sticking to it. Except....flip-flop Minny and Illinois or Northwestern if they decide the rivalry with Wisconsin is more important than Iowa and Michigan. I don't know how Minny ranks their rivalries. But separating Iowa and Wisky and making them cross-division rivals, as hinted earlier, kind of screws Minny in the rivalry department.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:36 PM ^
I could live with that. Rather The Game not be moved, but the final decision likely won't be based on tradition.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^
fairly attractive. From indications this summer, Nebraska is kind of primed to hate on us anyway, so we might as well start throwing down. I think the networks and fans nationwide will like the pairing, esp. if we can get back into a competitive state. . . namely MICHIGAN! My only prayer is that MSU doesn't become our season-ending game; I think it elevates little bro to something akin to equal stature; better they're the random flotsam we swim past on the way to championships.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:51 PM ^
I've more or less given up on trying to figure out the divisions--and am more concerned that the OSU game not be moved--but your point about Minnesota is a good one and one that I've been puzzling over.
Maybe this assumption is wrong, but if some teams have protected cross-division rivals, don't they all have to? To my knowledge, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan are Minnesota's only true rivals--so, yes, if Iowa and Wisconsin are made cross-division rivals, then Minnesota cannot have a cross-division rival. Unless, of course U-M and OSU are placed in the same division, and Minnesota becomes our cross-division rival.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:54 PM ^
Yeah, thanks for that - it's wonderful how everyone has this fairyland fantasy for divisions and somehow every thread on divisions is a license to share it with the world so we can all see how perfect it is. And this one's basically the usual badly thought-out mess.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^
What crawled up your ass and died, Mr. Only Registered 7 Days Ago?
August 31st, 2010 at 11:18 PM ^
http://mgoblog.com/diaries/why-playoffs-are-closer-most-people-think#co…
Sorry, I thought that was the type of dialogue Mr. Wahoo preferred.
September 1st, 2010 at 12:28 AM ^
Admittedly, you got me with the irony. Have an MGoPoint. But your playoff idea is still typical of the millions of underwhelming and badly-thought-out fantasyland ideas, and divisions are something where predictions are actually worthwhile because they're actually coming to fruition in the near future. And that's what this is: a prediction based on what we've seen, not "hey guys check out my perfect playoff which is never happening."
August 31st, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^
I think you have to switch Minnesota here.
Michigan-Nebraska-Iowa-Illnois-Michigan State-Northwestern
Ohio State-Penn State-Wisconsin-Purdue-Indiana-Minnesota
That way Michigan State gets a "rival" in Indiana (hey, it's on the wikipedia page) and another "rivalry" Illinois-Purdue gets saved as well. And I think Wisconsin-Minnesota (the supposed oldest rivalry in college football is more important than Iowa-Minnesota).
Last game of season is as follows:
Michigan-Michigan State
Nebraska-Iowa
Illinois-Northwestern
Ohio State-Penn State
Wisconsin-Minnesota
Indiana-Purdue
Not happy about moving The Game. Not happy at all. But it looks like an inevitability at this point.
EDIT TO ADD: Hopefully we wouldn't get f'd and not skip Penn State and Purdue next year as planned.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:29 PM ^
We won't even get a full day to enjoy Shaw's eligibility before we hear about the impending doom of the game
August 31st, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
I just got a response to my email to D. Brandon, and it basically amounts to "nothing has been announced, so calm down spaz, maybe everything will be alright. [hint, hint]" (I'm paraphrasing). So who knows, maybe everything will be alright [wink, wink]
August 31st, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^
Thanks. Would you mind posting the text of the letter?
August 31st, 2010 at 10:50 PM ^
GoBlueInTx,
Thanks for writing in response to rumors you have heard or read.
I suggest you wait until actual factual information is released and then you will be able to truly evaluate something that is real.
I appreciate the benefit of your wisdom and experience re: this legendary rivalry game.
I do understand the importance and relevance of the Michigan – OSU game.
Decisions impacting the conference are made with the involvement of 12 A.D.’s….the Conference staff and leadership in Chicago….and 12 university presidents. I will continue to do the best I can at creating the best possible outcome for our players, coaches and fans.
You should rest easy knowing that we will work hard to do the right thing for all involved.
Thanks again….and Go Blue!
Dave
August 31st, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^
I see what you did there.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:49 PM ^
The putting it all back on the Conference (and not taking any hint of a stand against it) and claiming that the decision will best for all involved has been his MO for the past week.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^
I think we might be reading too much into this. IF those reports are true, "Husker fans will like the set up and the crossover game" is a very vague statement. For all we know, PSU is in their division (which they would like) and their crossover is with OSU (which they would also like).
August 31st, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^
Haha, it is funny that our knee-jerk response to "Nebraska will probably be happy" is "Nebraska's happy? Oh we're screwed..."
It's just been that kind of off season, I guess.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:33 PM ^
We will finally get to see what everyone has been talking about since the expansion happened. I guess all we can do is react to wherever they put us.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:55 PM ^
will be on the 2011 schedule for the Huskers? I wouldn't imagine they would feed them into the lion's den right away and play teams like Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio State. I would imagine however that Nebraska will most likely play the bottom teams in the Big Ten and maybe 1 good team like PSU or Wiscsonsin. I'd love to play them in 2011 but I would imagine that we aren't going to change the schedule for Nebraska and why would we when it's already set.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^
Everyone's schedule is going to be completely revamped. The Big 10 controls the conference schedules.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:07 PM ^
would be a great game to watch. Michigan vs Nebraska would be an awesome way to welcome them into the conference. A night game against the Huskers in the Big House with a sold out crowd of over 112,000 people. If I was wearing white and red, I would get some serious chills.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:03 PM ^
I don't know how good Nebraska is supposed to be in 2011, but I'd imagine that they don't want to enter the conference with a cupcake schedule. Even if they're just mediocre, they're a competitive program. I'm sure they want to jump right into the thick of it and establish a presence.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:04 PM ^
I think the B10 wants to have Nebraska rumbling with the big boys from the get-go, to create excitement for TV coverage, etc. of their shiny new toy.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^
David Brandon stand by...........oh stand by.
September 1st, 2010 at 1:00 AM ^
Nebraska will not open its first Big 10 season with Michigan in division, plus Penn State and Ohio State out of division.
They will probably miss both Wisconsin and Penn State.
September 1st, 2010 at 4:16 AM ^
September 1st, 2010 at 7:23 AM ^
...but if we have to start beating them in October, I'll learn to live with it. Then perhaps we'll get ANOTHER chance to beat them in November.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:18 AM ^
THE LAND GRANT TROPHY, as the coveted award for the winner at the last game of the season between PSU and MSU. Let 'em have that last game. And "trophy."
(Even though Douchebag Sharp wrote in glee this morning that U-M/MSU as the last game would be a joyous change for MSU and a royal dong punch for U-M fans.)
Brian has alreaady pointed out the analysis done, showing over the past dozen years or so, that a U-M/OSU Big Ten Championship from Lucas Oil Fieldhouse wouldn't necessarily occur all that often. Let us have our season ender, and let the chips fall where they may for the BT Championship game!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
If they move the U-M/OSU game, then there should be no regular opponent for U-M in the last game. Let it rotate.
I'll be shocked if Michigan is saddled with the lose-lose-lose trifecta of splitting U-M and OSU AND moving the OSU game AND making MSU the last game every year. All that in return for what--the chance to play OSU in the championship game once in a blue moon?
September 1st, 2010 at 8:33 AM ^
please, please, please keep us in the same division. We really need to keep The Game where it is, and as powerful as it is. College football needs its #1 rivalry to stay just how it is as well. I really hope all the backlash against moving the game will help us both stay in the same division, and keep The Game where it is. There are plenty of good teams in the B10 to go around. I say UM, OSU, Wisc. in the west and PSU Iowa & Neb. in the east.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
i don't think that geography should be the determining factor, but here are the distances for big ten teams from ann arbor. granted many fans do not live in ann arbor, but it gives a relatively central starting point to discuss weekend road trip distances, which, i feel are very important.
1 - east lansing, 66 miles
2 - columbus 189 miles
3 - evanston 255 miles
4 - west lafayette 297 miles
5 - bloomington 298 miles
6 - champaign 347 miles
7 - madison 388 miles
8 - iowa city 447 miles
9 - happy valley 509 miles
10 - minneapolis 649 miles
11 - lincoln 745 miles
i can do the LONG road trip once in a while, but if UM gets Minne, Neb, Iowa in a division, that is pretty far.