Big 10 Expansion Thread -Big Ten ready for a playoff .. finally?

[DeToxRox]

So I am reading rumblings in different places Houston may be ready to join the MWC (Which I bet TCU is just thrilled about) so who ends up in Conference USA? Do they raid someone from the Sunbelt like Troy?

[DeToxRox]

Just read a football forum I go to from a pretty respected A&M fan in Houston that the media there is reporting Houston is headed to the Mountain West.

[Ksyrup]

That OSU/UM thing really makes all the sense in the world. That's what FSU/Miami has done - separate divisions and play early.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

That OSU/UM thing really makes all the sense in the world. That's what FSU/Miami has done - separate divisions and play early.

I don't mind playing early, just not week one like they do since that game is always fucking ugly. I'd be fine with playing it in the first week of October every year.

Do UM/OSU early, RRS in the afternoon, and I know there is another rivalry game I am forgetting, but do it at night.

[Ksyrup]

FSU and Miami had historically played the second weekend of OCtober until they did that deal to play on Labor Day night. That was Bowden's deal because he liked the publicity. I think that only lasted for 5 or 6 years, if that. This year, they are back to mid-October.

[MacroGuru]

Yeah...Houston to the MWC is to keep BYU, get a conference championship game and hopefully build a case to the BCS.

MWC is calling BYU's bluff....(Not that BYU actually showed anything...except for the Texas games)

[dawgfan]

I guess I must be unusual in that, as a fan, I don't have any problem seeing two college football teams play a repeat a week later - to me, it makes for a more interesting angle for the rematch.

Besides, the Big Ten is only decreasing the chances of a repeat slightly by doing this...

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

I guess I must be unusual in that, as a fan, I don't have any problem seeing two college football teams play a repeat a week later - to me, it makes for a more interesting angle for the rematch.

Besides, the Big Ten is only decreasing the chances of a repeat slightly by doing this...

The biggest issue to me is UM/OSU play at the end of the year, then a week later one might have to play for the Big 10 title. That is two huge games to mentally be up for in the span of a week. I don't think either team could go into the title game anything close to 100%.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

The biggest issue to me is UM/OSU play at the end of the year, then a week later one might have to play for the Big 10 title. That is two huge games to mentally be up for in the span of a week. I don't think either team could go into the title game anything close to 100%.

So what's the solution, schedule a supposed mismatch conference game for the final game of the season?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

So what's the solution, schedule a supposed mismatch conference game for the final game of the season?

I am not sure what the perfect solution is. I don't want to see it move but it's inevitable at this point. I just don't want to see the game become devalued which could happen too if both teams had clinched up a birth to the title game.

[DeToxRox]

So what happens to Hawaii now? I don't see how they and the rest of the WAC can afford travel for all sports. I mean can Montana if they moved up handle that?

Their football team can probably sustain for a while as an independent but it'd mean plenty of road games for big paydays, but the rest of their sports?

[Wolfpack]

They could use this divisional arrangement, keep most of the rivalries intact yearly, and can avoid a back-to-back meeting in the championship game:

Division A	Division B
Michigan	Michigan State
Ohio State	Penn State
Illinois	Indiana
Northwestern	Purdue
Wisconsin	Nebraska
Minnesota	Iowa

Teams listed across from each other would be permanent rivals. The last weekend of the Big Ten season would be division games: Michigan-OSU, Illinois-Northwestern, Wisconsin-Minnesota, Michigan State-Penn State, Indiana-Purdue, Iowa-Nebraska. Since they're all division games, no repeats at the championship game.

At any rate, even as an ACC guy, I'd find it distateful if Michigan-OSU was a casualty of the expansion. It deserves to be the finale for both teams because it means that much to both schools.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

Yeah...Houston to the MWC is to keep BYU, get a conference championship game and hopefully build a case to the BCS.

MWC is calling BYU's bluff....(Not that BYU actually showed anything...except for the Texas games)

Great choice in Houston, BYU will stay if they get the broadcast rights to their home games and this will put the MWC in a great position.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

They could use this divisional arrangement, keep most of the rivalries intact yearly, and can avoid a back-to-back meeting in the championship game:


Teams listed across from each other would be permanent rivals. The last weekend of the Big Ten season would be division games: Michigan-OSU, Illinois-Northwestern, Wisconsin-Minnesota, Michigan State-Penn State, Indiana-Purdue, Iowa-Nebraska. Since they're all division games, no repeats at the championship game.

At any rate, even as an ACC guy, I'd find it distateful if Michigan-OSU was a casualty of the expansion. It deserves to be the finale for both teams because it means that much to both schools.

The problem is that Michigan and Ohio State also want to meet each other often in championship games, or at least they don't want the other school standing in their way to the championship game.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

I like Houston in the MWC alot, but not Utep. (sorry Jeebs) With June Jones at the helm I think SMU is a much better choice long term as he will build a program down there.

Originally Posted by Galaxy

And Houston and Dallas are much bigger markets as well.

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

We already have the Dallas market with TCU...I think we go after the Houston market next..

If you're trying to get the Houston market, UH isn't going to bring it to you. Nobody in Houston gives a shit about UH, that's why their football attendance is merely average when they have really good teams, and their basketball attendance is downright pitiful. Just like SMU or TCU doesn't bring the DFW market...both Houston and DFW are Big 12 cities.

The CUSA and MWC Commisioners met for a previously arranged meeting on Thursday, and now the latest rumor that I've heard is that they were discussing the possibility of merging and becoming a 20 team mega-conference.

C-USA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Athletics News

Originally Posted by CUSA Commish

Aug. 20, 2010

IRVING, Texas - Following up on various media reports, Conference USA and Mountain West representatives met yesterday, a meeting that had been previously scheduled. C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky issued the following statement:

"The conferences have much in common and have worked cooperatively for many years and we are exploring creative ways to work together going forward. The discussion included scheduling, television, and post-season football. It is premature for anyone to suggest anything else at this point. We have the strong support of our members as we work on a variety of strategic initiatives. We had a good discussion yesterday and likely will have more in the future."

Chuck Landon: Mountain West, C-USA in merger negotiations - The Herald Dispatch

I truly doubt this comes to fruition, but if it were to happen I'm not quite sure what to think. It would be fun to renew a bunch of old rivalries with the MWC schools, as well as Nevada and Fresno, while keeping emerging rivalries with Houston, Tulsa, and Memphis. Also, it would be UTEP's best shot at getting into a conference that might someday earn an automatic BCS bid. However, I just don't see a conference that size surviving that long, at least not with schools with the budgets that CUSA and MWC schools have.

[MrBug708]

A friend of mine sent this to me, I thought it was to funny.

Comparing the Big 12 schools to countries.

Texas is like the USA - Wealthy, talented, and with seemingly endless resources. They have a big ego, but are deserving of it because they win at almost everything they do. Others often despise them out of jealousy. Their money and wealth make the world go round, and everyone wants a piece.

Texas A&M is like China - Big, powerful, and rival of Texas (USA). They live in a male dominated society, and thus their women are not allowed to be cheerleaders. Their money and power also make the world go round.

Oklahoma is like Mexico - Having no resources of their own, they have to invade the border of Texas (USA) in order to survive.

Oklahoma State is like Venezuela - There wasn't a whole lot there to start with, but without the oil money they would be nothing there at all. They have a crazy guy in charge who often shouts nonsense when he speaks.

Baylor is like Israel - A feisty little religious enclave that could not survive without Texas (USA). However, if provoked, they WILL kill you.

Colorado is like Canada - A small, unimportant bastion of liberals who are not very good at anything. Like Canada, they are bad at all sports other than hockey. Like Canada, they produce no GDP.

Nebraska is like Russia - A former super power who frequently stirs up trouble because they still think they are a super power. Nebraska (Russia) thinks it is the equal of Texas (USA), and pouts in public when it doesn't get its baby way. When they do not get their way, they take their ball and go home. Go big RED!

Missouri is like Iran and North Korea - a definite member of the axis of evil. Conniving and loyal to no one, you cannot believe anything they say (you can only watch in amazement at what they do). Like Iran and North Korea, they are hated and despised by everyone--even the Swiss.

Iowa State is like Switzerland - Boring, unimportant, not good at much of anything, but neutral and without enemies. Even the Hawkeyes like the Swiss.

Texas Tech is like Australia - Big, dusty, and a Texas version of "down under". Cowboys, like Aussie's, drink a lot of beer and carry weapons.

KU is like France - KU is full of socialists and they think they are better than everyone else. This high opinion of themselves is not shared by anyone else in the world. Like France, KU cannot be trusted or counted on during a time of need.

K-State is like Ireland - A gritty, feisty, over-achieving little country with a large inferiority complex. What they lack in resources, they make up by determination and people. Others can't find them on a map, but they like them because they are fun, friendly, and like to drink beer.

[tarcone]

A couple things.
I hate that the Big10 wants to split up OSU/Michigan. Yeah, they are the traditional powers, but the landscape is changing. Iowa/Wisconsin/Nebraska makes just a good a division as OSU/Mich/PsU.

And As a Hawkeye, I can tell you this. I hate Iowa State. And I dont think you will find many Iowa born Hawkeyes that like them.

[tarcone]

The Big10 will go to a 9 game conference schedule. It will be 5-2-2. 5 games against division teams, 2 games against rivals from the other division played every season, and 2 rotating games from the other division.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

The biggest issue to me is UM/OSU play at the end of the year, then a week later one might have to play for the Big 10 title. That is two huge games to mentally be up for in the span of a week. I don't think either team could go into the title game anything close to 100%.

I understand your argument about having the Championship game diminish the big game. It's why I prefer smaller conferences and no Championship Games.

But I don't agree with the argument that they'll have to play two tough games in a row. That's football and it's sort of sad to see how the sport has shifted into colleges trying to hide from tough games.

It's two tough games at the end of the season, but Michigan starts the year with cupcake central most seasons so it evens out.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

That's football and it's sort of sad to see how the sport has shifted into colleges trying to hide from tough games.

They're wanting to move the game so it's not hiding from anything?

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I understand your argument about having the Championship game diminish the big game. It's why I prefer smaller conferences and no Championship Games.

But I don't agree with the argument that they'll have to play two tough games in a row. That's football and it's sort of sad to see how the sport has shifted into colleges trying to hide from tough games.

It's two tough games at the end of the season, but Michigan starts the year with cupcake central most seasons so it evens out.

I think it is probably more so that both teams can still be eligible for a BCS bid at the end of the season. If you go into the final week 11-0, lose, and then lose again in the championship game, you might drop out of the top 14 (I think that is the current cutoff for eligibility. If you lose once, early in the year and work your way back up the rankings, losing in the championship game probably doesn't knock you down quite as far.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I understand your argument about having the Championship game diminish the big game. It's why I prefer smaller conferences and no Championship Games.

But I don't agree with the argument that they'll have to play two tough games in a row. That's football and it's sort of sad to see how the sport has shifted into colleges trying to hide from tough games.

It's two tough games at the end of the season, but Michigan starts the year with cupcake central most seasons so it evens out.

The issue is it is going to give whoever plays for the Big 10 title vs OSU/UM a huge advantage because they won't have just played what is normally a war a week earlier. Rivalry games are always more intense, and when its perhaps the greatest rivalry game in sports, it is that much more intense.

So If say Nebraska is playing Minnesota the final week and already knows its in, they can just relax.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

The issue is it is going to give whoever plays for the Big 10 title vs OSU/UM a huge advantage because they won't have just played what is normally a war a week earlier. Rivalry games are always more intense, and when its perhaps the greatest rivalry game in sports, it is that much more intense.

So If say Nebraska is playing Minnesota the final week and already knows its in, they can just relax.

Don't most schools play their rivalry game in the final week? I guess I'm confused as to why this game should get special treatment when tons of other schools play huge games before their conference championship.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Atocep

They're wanting to move the game so it's not hiding from anything?

It's hiding from having to play two tough games back-to-back. It's fine if they want to move it (although I think rivalry week is really fun), but they're basically just trying to make their schedules easier.

[DeToxRox]

You are most likely right RM. I am just throwing out different explanations people have uttered. I agree with some, some I am not as sure on. Regardless, it's most likely 100% a money thing. Some people don't want to see the same thing back to back like that.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Don't most schools play their rivalry game in the final week? I guess I'm confused as to why this game should get special treatment when tons of other schools play huge games before their conference championship.

They do, but most schools have their "rivalry" game between teams that reside within the same state.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

They do, but most schools have their "rivalry" game between teams that reside within the same state.

So it's about travel distance?

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

A friend of mine sent this to me, I thought it was to funny.

Comparing the Big 12 schools to countries.

Texas is like the USA - Wealthy, talented, and with seemingly endless resources. They have a big ego, but are deserving of it because they win at almost everything they do. Others often despise them out of jealousy. Their money and wealth make the world go round, and everyone wants a piece.

Texas A&M is like China - Big, powerful, and rival of Texas (USA). They live in a male dominated society, and thus their women are not allowed to be cheerleaders. Their money and power also make the world go round.

Oklahoma is like Mexico - Having no resources of their own, they have to invade the border of Texas (USA) in order to survive.

Oklahoma State is like Venezuela - There wasn't a whole lot there to start with, but without the oil money they would be nothing there at all. They have a crazy guy in charge who often shouts nonsense when he speaks.

Baylor is like Israel - A feisty little religious enclave that could not survive without Texas (USA). However, if provoked, they WILL kill you.

Colorado is like Canada - A small, unimportant bastion of liberals who are not very good at anything. Like Canada, they are bad at all sports other than hockey. Like Canada, they produce no GDP.

Nebraska is like Russia - A former super power who frequently stirs up trouble because they still think they are a super power. Nebraska (Russia) thinks it is the equal of Texas (USA), and pouts in public when it doesn't get its baby way. When they do not get their way, they take their ball and go home. Go big RED!

Missouri is like Iran and North Korea - a definite member of the axis of evil. Conniving and loyal to no one, you cannot believe anything they say (you can only watch in amazement at what they do). Like Iran and North Korea, they are hated and despised by everyone--even the Swiss.

Iowa State is like Switzerland - Boring, unimportant, not good at much of anything, but neutral and without enemies. Even the Hawkeyes like the Swiss.

Texas Tech is like Australia - Big, dusty, and a Texas version of "down under". Cowboys, like Aussie's, drink a lot of beer and carry weapons.

KU is like France - KU is full of socialists and they think they are better than everyone else. This high opinion of themselves is not shared by anyone else in the world. Like France, KU cannot be trusted or counted on during a time of need.

K-State is like Ireland - A gritty, feisty, over-achieving little country with a large inferiority complex. What they lack in resources, they make up by determination and people. Others can't find them on a map, but they like them because they are fun, friendly, and like to drink beer.

Emails like this are why this country is going into the shitter

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Emails like this are why this country is going into the shitter

I have no idea what this means, or how it even applies, but I 'd

[DeToxRox]

So now Colorado may be stuck in the Big 12 until 2012/13 because of the penalty fee.

Another mouth to feed for the Big 12, but now with no title game even if it is for two years won't make A&M happy at a minimum.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

So now Colorado may be stuck in the Big 12 until 2012/13 because of the penalty fee.

Another mouth to feed for the Big 12, but now with no title game even if it is for two years won't make A&M happy at a minimum.

There's a rumor on one of the UCLA sites I go to that this is all a ploy.

The Big 12 wants the full penalty amount Colorado would have to play for leaving early, but they also want Colorado out of the conference in one year, so the Big 12 can move on with whatever they're doing, post-Nebraska & Colorado. Colorado can't pay the full penalty that quick, so they are choosing to stay two years.

So the Big 12's going to haev to choose one way or the other. Either they let CU off the hook a bit, and let them pay a lesser amount to leave early, or they take the contracted amount but are stcuk with CU for two years.

I think CU (and the Pac 10) are laying their bets on a deal getting done to work this out. CU's announcement is just the first move in the bluff. Now it's the Big 12's move.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

There's a rumor on one of the UCLA sites I go to that this is all a ploy.

The Big 12 wants the full penalty amount Colorado would have to play for leaving early, but they also want Colorado out of the conference in one year, so the Big 12 can move on with whatever they're doing, post-Nebraska & Colorado. Colorado can't pay the full penalty that quick, so they are choosing to stay two years.

So the Big 12's going to haev to choose one way or the other. Either they let CU off the hook a bit, and let them pay a lesser amount to leave early, or they take the contracted amount but are stcuk with CU for two years.

I think CU (and the Pac 10) are laying their bets on a deal getting done to work this out. CU's announcement is just the first move in the bluff. Now it's the Big 12's move.

That's what I feel like too, but the way Beebee has handled expansion so far, who knows anymore.

[tarcone]

Colorado just signed up to Play at Ohio St in 2011 for $1.4 million.

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5493010

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

There's a rumor on one of the UCLA sites I go to that this is all a ploy.

The Big 12 wants the full penalty amount Colorado would have to play for leaving early, but they also want Colorado out of the conference in one year, so the Big 12 can move on with whatever they're doing, post-Nebraska & Colorado. Colorado can't pay the full penalty that quick, so they are choosing to stay two years.

So the Big 12's going to haev to choose one way or the other. Either they let CU off the hook a bit, and let them pay a lesser amount to leave early, or they take the contracted amount but are stcuk with CU for two years.

I think CU (and the Pac 10) are laying their bets on a deal getting done to work this out. CU's announcement is just the first move in the bluff. Now it's the Big 12's move.

I don't know enough about the situation, but I honestly don't see how this will impact other Big 12 schools. The new tv deal won't go in effect until after 2012 anyway so CU shouldn't be taking any of the estimated profits from the other Big 12 schools. The only thing lost by the Big 12 if CU stays is their penalty payment for leaving the conference. That probably matters more to CU then it does to Texas A&M, Texas, OU, etc. If CU remains in the conference then I would imagine they are doing so because they would be unable to operate effectively minus the penalty. We know they are having financial problems after being forced to keep Hawkins for another season due to his contract.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Colorado just signed up to Play at Ohio St in 2011 for $1.4 million.

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5493010

Not a bad idea for CU to take the money though they aren't doing any favors for the next head coach.

[BishopMVP]

They don't have a choice. That athletic department is hemorrhaging money.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

They don't have a choice. That athletic department is hemorrhaging money.

Very true. I'm just interested to see how this plays out for Colorado. Had the Big 12 imploded (which likely will still happen later) Colorado was set up nicely in the Pac 10. Now they are stretched a bit thin which is scary given they are under a lame duck football coach right now. It is a tough time for Colorado.

[DeToxRox]

Big Ten is moving to a 9 game conference slate in 2015:

If you’re putting together the huge puzzle that is the realignment of the Big Ten Conference, here are two more pieces.

University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez confirmed Wednesday that when a two-division format for football is unveiled by league officials next month, UW and Iowa will be separated.

He also said the Big Ten will adopt a nine-game schedule for football, but it won’t go into effect until 2015, allowing member schools to address previously contracted games.

But on the heels of Big Ten meetings in Chicago earlier this week, Alvarez declined to offer any more specifics surrounding the addition of Nebraska as a 12th member starting in 2011.

“We’ve had our meetings,” he said of his fellow ADs and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany. “We have a pretty good idea of what’s going down.”

In an interview Tuesday with ESPN, Delany said the league is 80 percent done with division alignments and that an announcement would likely come in mid-September.

A lot of speculation has surfaced recently regarding the legendary rivalry series between Michigan and Ohio State. In addition to where they would be placed — same division or not — there’s the matter of when they would have their annual regular-season meeting. With one exception, it’s been the final weekend every year since 1935.

Delany told ESPN he could see both scenarios — Michigan and Ohio State in the same division or split up — being embraced. He indicated that no decision has been made on when the game will be scheduled.

A major factor in the scheduling process is that, starting in 2011, the Big Ten will stage a championship game pitting the two divisional winners. The inaugural affair will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“You could make a good argument that Michigan and Ohio State should never really be playing for a divisional crown,” Delany told ESPN.

“I would put Michigan-Ohio State among the top five events in all of sports for rivalry. It’ll get played. Now the question is: How best to play it? Are they in the same divisions or are they not? Do they play in the last game, the second-to-last game, the third-to-last game? How to do that is still under discussion.”

Alvarez implied that it shouldn’t be hard to figure out how the 12 schools will be arranged in the two divisions. He said there are four distinct tiers of teams, led by the four that have won national championships in the past 25 years: Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska and Penn State.

The next level has UW and Iowa “within a hair” of one another, according to Alvarez.

Using comparative data compiled since 1993 when Penn State made its Big Ten football debut, Northwestern and Purdue would likely lead the next grouping, followed by some mixing and matching of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State and Minnesota.

“All you have to do is take a look at our criteria and we haven’t varied from that,” Alvarez said. “We have volumes to look at — records over the last 20 years … bowl records, non-conference records, non-conference opponents’ records, conference records, everything.

“If you go with competitive equality, you divide it up and basically you seed it. Then the next thing is saving rivalries. You can’t get all of them, but you can get close.”

It’s seems certain that UW and Minnesota will be in the same division, meaning they’ll be able to continue playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe as part of the most-played rivalry among Football Bowl Subdivision schools (119 games dating back to 1890).

Even though the Badgers and Iowa will be in different divisions doesn’t necessarily mean their trophy game — the Heartland Trophy goes annually to the winner of a series currently led by the Hawkeyes, 42-41-2 — will be disrupted.

“We’re all going to protect one rivalry,” Alvarez told the Associated Press on Tuesday. “We’ve decided that and we’re going right back to what we’ve talked about, competitive equality.”

[DeToxRox]

This is from UM's Rivals Site, jesus christ this is awful:

Another detail … the five games played within each division could determine who plays in the championship game, with record against the other half not factored (each school, obviously, would play a number of games against teams in the opposite division). Tiebreakers are still being worked out and scheduling is still up in the air, but this is possibly where we’re headed. The conference will remain the Big Ten (albeit with a different logo).

So it's basically as if you play 7 OOC games since they won't mean shit.

[molson]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

This is from UM's Rivals Site, jesus christ this is awful:

So it's basically as if you play 7 OOC games since they won't mean shit.

That's awesome. You could have a team with a losing overall record in the conference championship game if they win the right games.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by molson

That's awesome. You could have a team with a losing overall record in the conference championship game if they win the right games.

Yep. Unreal.

[RomaGoth]

Wow the Big 10 is turning into a real FusterCluck.

[Kodos]

Yeah, that seems pretty dumb.

[Passacaglia]

I wonder if they would think about a system with weights, like 1 point for a win in your division, and 1/2 or 3/4 a point for a win outside your division.

[Kodos]

It's dumb. They're all Big Ten teams. They should all count regardless of division.

[Swaggs]

It sounds like the Big Ten's consultants are trying to "earn" all the money that they possibly can with some of these ideas.

They should just let Michigan and Ohio State be captains, let them choose their divisions and cross-division rivals, and move on. It isn't like they are the first conference to have 12 teams, so scheduling shouldn't be so freaking hard. I'd love to know how much in conultants' fees they are paying for crap like this.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

The problem is that Michigan and Ohio State also want to meet each other often in championship games, or at least they don't want the other school standing in their way to the championship game.

I think the days of U of M and OSU meeting in a title game so much is past us. Adding in Nebraska isn't going to help either.

[molson]

I hate divisions in general, from the NBA and NHL's 6-division setup to this growing trend of east/west divisions for championship games in college football. It just makes everything more confusing and more difficult to get a handle on at quick glance. I know what "5th place" means. On the other hand, "3rd place in the east division" - I don't know what the hell that is, and it's completely different from season to season.

How about just 12 teams and then the top 2 make it to the championship game? (Maybe the NCAA requires divisions for championship game purposes, in which cases its a stupid rule). You can't play everyone ever year, but you can lock in your one, two, or three annual rivals and rotate 3 other teams every year you don't play.

[DeToxRox]

Kirk Ferentz has apparently said there will be an announcement on the Big 10 divisions tomorrow at 7:30. The cable guide here shows a live Big Ten Special from 7-8.

[Kodos]

Very interested to see how they do it.