How about this? Assuming Missouri joins the Big 10, why not break up the two divisions by when each team joined the Big 10? In other words, the first 6 teams that joined the conference would be in the "Original 6" division, while the last six would be in the "new 6" division. These division names could change of course, let's just use them for now.

It would break down like this:

ORIGINAL

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota

NEW

Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Missouri

Pretty fair I think. And, they could still schedule OSU-Michigan for the last regular-season game every season. Thoughts?

PS, I found out when each joined the Big 10 via this wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference

Switch Missouri and Indiana and that's perfect

Idea is good but dont like the teams in each division. New division is too stacked. Switch Penn St with MSU or Minn and it would be good IMO.

I thought OSU was in the Big Ten first. What conference were they before?

BigAppleBuckeye wrote: How about this? Assuming Missouri joins the Big 10, why not break up the two divisions by when each team joined the Big 10? In other words, the first 6 teams that joined the conference would be in the "Original 6" division, while the last six would be in the "new 6" division. These division names could change of course, let's just use them for now.

It would break down like this:

ORIGINAL

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota

NEW

Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Missouri

Pretty fair I think. And, they could still schedule OSU-Michigan for the last regular-season game every season. Thoughts?

PS, I found out when each joined the Big 10 via this wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference

BAD Idea. Ohio State and Michigan not in the same Division?? Conferences with 2 Divisions don't have non-division games the last game of the Conference regular season. Ohio State and Michigan playing a NON-division game, would make it a far less important game than it has been for 100 years. They have to be in the same Division, play the last game of the regular season, as they have for 100 years. Which will still make it a very meaningful game.

Indiana schools in different divisions?? Illinois schools in different divisions?? Minnesota and Wisconsin in different divisions?? ALL big rivalry games.

This makes more sense.

Big Ten East - Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana

Big Ten West - Northwestern, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri

All rivalries in the same Division.

There are more sports to think about than just football and basketball. There are very important money issues to consider. Number one, less air travel. Cost affective Divisions for money draining sports in athletic departments. Such as Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country, Gymnastics to name a few.

Other than football, every school in a Division will play each other twice on a home and home basis. A school won't have to play a school outside of their division if they don't want to. Relatively close schools from different Divisions can play each other if they choose to, like Indiana and Illinois schools. If not, they can play closer non-division, non-league schools. All schools from both Divisions get together once a year to determine a Big Ten Champion. OR, the 1st Place school from each Division meets at the end of the regular season to determine a Big Ten Champion. Depending on what is best for each sport.

redfalcon wrote: I thought OSU was in the Big Ten first. What conference were they before?

the OAC (Ohio Athletic Conference), which is what Mount Union, Baldwin-Wallace, Capital, Heidelberg, John Carroll, Marietta, Muskingum, Ohio Norther, Otterbein and Wilmington are in today

OSU won two OAC football titles (1906 & 1912) before they joined the Big Ten in 1913

The best divisions for the 2 big sports (football and basketball) while keeping rivalries in tact, imo are:

Division 1:
-Wisconsin
-Minnesota
-Iowa
-Penn State
-Michigan State
-Missouri

Division 2:
-Indiana
-Purdue
-Ohio State
-Michigan
-Illinois
-Northwestern

Laley23 wrote: The best divisions for the 2 big sports (football and basketball) while keeping rivalries in tact, imo are:

Division 1:
-Wisconsin
-Minnesota
-Iowa
-Penn State
-Michigan State
-Missouri

Division 2:
-Indiana
-Purdue
-Ohio State
-Michigan
-Illinois
-Northwestern

You lose the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry. They belong in the same division.

Though it's not the most balanced talent wise, I'd just go East/West. And you never know how good programs will be 10+, or even 5+ years from now.

East
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State
Indiana
Purdue

West
Missouri
Iowa
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Illinois
Northwestern

Why Missouri ??

Laley23 wrote: The best divisions for the 2 big sports (football and basketball) while keeping rivalries in tact, imo are:

Division 1:
-Wisconsin
-Minnesota
-Iowa
-Penn State
-Michigan State
-Missouri

Division 2:
-Indiana
-Purdue
-Ohio State
-Michigan
-Illinois
-Northwestern

I just posted this on another thread without seeing yours.
I think if Pitt gets in over Mizzo, switch MSU.

Laley23 wrote: The best divisions for the 2 big sports (football and basketball) while keeping rivalries in tact, imo are:

Division 1:
-Wisconsin
-Minnesota
-Iowa
-Penn State
-Michigan State
-Missouri

Division 2:
-Indiana
-Purdue
-Ohio State
-Michigan
-Illinois
-Northwestern

WRONG, after Michigan Ohio State's biggest rival is Penn State. Penn State considers Ohio State their biggest rival.

WRONG, Michigan and Michigan State in different Divisions?? A HUGE in state rivalry.

You're putting Penn State, the Eastern most school, in the same division with the 4 Western most schools??? Penn State will NEVER EVER accept that alignment.

Sonofanump wrote:

Laley23 wrote: The best divisions for the 2 big sports (football and basketball) while keeping rivalries in tact, imo are:

Division 1:
-Wisconsin
-Minnesota
-Iowa
-Penn State
-Michigan State
-Missouri

Division 2:
-Indiana
-Purdue
-Ohio State
-Michigan
-Illinois
-Northwestern

I just posted this on another thread without seeing yours.
I think if Pitt gets in over Mizzo, switch MSU.

Penn State and Michigan State MUST be in "Division 2". Put Illinois and Northwestern where they belong with the 4 Western most schools. The dividing line between the 2 Divisions should be the Indiana, Illinois State line, very simple.

Divisions is for setting up a conference champ. Not like UM and MSU would not play each other each year.