Big Ten Conference Divisions

     There are quite a few options when it comes down to realigning the Big Ten Conference.  We finally get to get rid of the awful division names!  I am nervous on how the league will divide the teams up.  Each team has their own opinion for their best interest.  I want to protect as many rivalries as I can.  Which one would you pick?  I’ll go through the positives and negatives for Iowa in each situation.

Adam Rittenberg’s (espn.com) Plan
East: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Indiana, Rutgers, Maryland
West: Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Illinois, Purdue

     Iowa gets all three trophy games every year with this alignment.  Iowa also will play Northwestern every year.  That game has become a rivalry.  Iowa definetly benefits a lot from this alignment.  If they would happen to be good, they avoid many of the big teams.  They have a good shot at making the title game every year.  The downside to this lineup is that Iowa and Michigan don’t play.  Iowa also doesn’t play Penn State.  Ever since Iowa robbed Penn State of a national title run in 08, this game has been filled with tension and excitement.  If Iowa was to go undefeated however, they would still have enough quality wins to be considered for a playoff spot (need to be in top 4).

Brian's (espn.com) Plan
East: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers, Purdue, Indiana
West: Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern

     This is by far my favorite plan.  It swaps out Purdue for Michigan State.  Like the alignment above, Iowa gets all three trophy games.  This plan isn’t popular in Michigan.  Michigan and Michigan State in different divisions takes away some of the hate and no Michigan or Michigan State fan wants that.  They want to see the other team on the sideline while they play in the Big Ten Championship Game.  Michigan State is a better team than Purdue, so Iowa would have a tougher conference schedule.  The games would still be a lot of fun to watch!

     Don't like either of those? Well here is my plan for the division.

Inner-Outer plan
Division A: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Michigan State, Wisconsin
Division B: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Rutgers, Penn State, Ohio State, Purdue

     This is definitely not the easiest way for Iowa to get to the Championship Game.  This is purely based on fan enjoyment.  Every conference game would be a big game for Iowa.  We usually play to the talent level of the opponent.  I don’t see us losing more games because we are versing harder teams because we lose to bad teams just as much.  Division A is definitely stronger than Division B.  The league would never go for it.  Division A would be the second toughest division in the country behind the SEC West.  If you had to play Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and a crossover game with Penn State or Ohio State, you would be ecstatic to win 4.  What is your thoughts on how the conference should be aligned?
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