Divisions debate down to Indiana, Purdue

Quote:One team needs to move West, and speculation has centered on three schools: Purdue, Indiana and Michigan State. But Michigan State isn't in play to move West, sources say, and the debate now is whether Indiana or Purdue enters the "West" division.

Although no announcement is imminent and discussions will continue, here's what the divisions are expected to look like (the division names have yet to be decided):

"East" division

Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Rutgers
Purdue or Indiana

"West" division

Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Purdue or Indiana

I think Indiana goes East and Purdue goes West. As I've said before, I think this division alignment is fantastic. May have more solid, consistent competition than in the Big East, but I say "bring it on"

To keep rivalry games intact, Indiana should be in the East and just make their game with Purdue a permanent cross-over.

Whether Indiana or Purdue, Rutgers & Maryland find themselves in the tougher division.

Big Ten divisions appear headed for east-west split;
divisions debate down to Indiana, Purdue


As you might've missed amid the NCAA tournament's start last night, ESPN's Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg reported that, as previously interpreted by many accounts, the league is headed for a clean and sensible East-West divisional split. This would obliterate the dopey, pretentious and indecipherable Legends and Leaders nonsense.

One team needs to move West, and speculation has centered on three schools: Purdue, Indiana and Michigan State. But Michigan State isn't in play to move West, sources say, and the debate now is whether Indiana or Purdue enters the "West" division.

Although no announcement is imminent and discussions will continue, here's what the divisions are expected to look like (the division names have yet to be decided):



Before Hoosier fans and Boiler fans panic about their annual rivalry, rest assured that the Bucket game will be preserved with a protected crossover. Barring a change in the discussions, Indiana-Purdue will be the only protected crossover, as the Big Ten wants to create as much flexibility as possible with its schedules.

League sources tell ESPN.com that a 9-game conference schedule likely will go into effect for the 2016 season -- there's still some discussion about a 10-game league slate, but all signs point to nine -- and that the goal is for every pair of teams to play at least once every four years.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id...ana-purdue

So basically exactly what I asked for, wooo!

Can a B1G person explain to me why Indiana would go west? I am guessing it has to do with rivalries but being a Terp fan I'm not very familiar with all the B1G rivalries. Plus...if you are going to split the conference geographically, then send the team that is further west...west. All I know is that Maryland had better win games next year because I think it is going to be a while before we see a bowl game again.

I don't get it either. I think as long as they get to play Purdue every year it would matter.

I'm just glad they didn't do that inside/outside set up. I don't think that would have worked out well for MD & RU. Travel would have sucked! Doing it east/west was really smart in my opinion. While it certainly wont be easy football wise. I suspect its much easier to get our fans interested in games with regional teams (UM, OSU, PSU, RU vs Neb, Wisky, Minney, Iowa). Smart way to introduce MD & RU into the B1G.

I'm looking forward to Spartan games against Rutgers nd the Terps, plus yearly games vs O$U and PSU.

Sorry Dexter, I didn't intend to leave MSU out. I do look forward to playing them as well. Especially in basketball. Those should be some fun games.

we have some history with msu, so i'm glad to see them in the east with us. i tnink tne ui/pu split is only temporary, until we expand to sixteen. then depanding on the two additions, either purdue goes east or indy goes west.

I just want Purdue and Indiana play each other annually.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...ources-say

Quote:Big Ten presidents and chancellors are expected to approve the divisions and division names, along with a move to a nine-game conference schedule beginning in the 2016 season. The presidents and chancellors are expected to vote next week, a league source told ESPN.com.

Quote:With the new division format, rivals Indiana and Purdue will be the only protected game between teams from the East and West divisions, ESPN.com reported last month.

Quote:A 10-game conference schedule, once considered by the league, is no longer a possibility because of the necessity of teams needing seven home games a year, a source said.