Big Ten Divisions

Reports are coming out of ESPN that the Big Ten has its divisions set and will adopt a 9 game schedule starting in 2015. We do not know the specifics to the divisions yet, but what we do know is that Iowa and Wisconsin, a protected rivalry, are split up. 

I have played with division alignments a lot, and I think that while rivalries are extremely important, the smart thing to do is maintain competitive balance. Geography should play the smallest role in the decision making process. With that being said, here is my two cents in the division alignment debate.

East

Ohio State

Penn State

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Illinois

Minnesota

West

Michigan

Nebraska

Iowa

Michigan State

Indiana

Purdue

Michigan and Ohio State split makes the most sense to me. They can still play a protected crossover, along with Wisconsin-Iowa, and Penn State-Michigan State. This way still keeps some important rivalries in tact, maintains competitive balance (based on success within the past 15 years) and makes geographical sense. Do not be surprised when the divisions are revealed you see something similar to this line up. The two divisions are mirror images, (which makes the teams interchangeable to protect rivalries while separating the giants) maintains some rivalries, and makes geographical sense.