College Football

I wanted to tweet about this today but it would’ve taken more than 140 characters. Last night the Big Ten announced the new Divisions once Nebraska officially joins the Conference. A lot of speculation was made during the week about how this would affect “The Game.” It doesn’t need to be referred to by any other name because those around college football and many who don’t follow college football know about “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan. Recently it hasn’t meant as much because Michigan has been playing something that barely resembles football. (Thanks Coach Rod, Can I get my old CARR back?) But back to my point, the tradition of Ohio State-Michigan is that it has always been the last game of the Big 10 Season and many years determined who would play in the Rose Bowl as Conference championship. On numerous occasions this game has determined who would play for the National Championship.

With the addition of the 12th team in the Big Ten the Conference had to make a decision, a decision that could affect The Game in some way or another. The first question was whether to place Michigan and Ohio State in the same conference, much like Texas and Oklahoma. This would ensure the two teams would play each other every year. The game could still be held the last weekend of regular season games for the Big Ten and would have the stakes it needed to be a relevant game. The winner goes on to play for the Conference championship the next weekend. This is the situation I liked the most. Another popular option was having the two teams in separate conferences but making sure they still played every year to keep The Game alive. A lot of people liked this idea as well. This according to people who understand the economics of college football better than I do is the best financial option for the Big Ten. This plan could go one of two ways as well. Michigan and Ohio State would play earlier in the year just like Texas and Oklahoma. However the teams could still win their divisions and play again in the Conference Championship. The second way would be to still have Michigan and Ohio State play the last regular season game but if both win their divisions they would play again the following week. There are multiple reasons this is a bad idea. If one team knows it’s still going to the Conference Championship game will they rest their players like coaches do in the PRO’s? Plus it’s hard enough to win the first game every year imagine how much tougher it will be to win it twice in one year.
Ultimately I think having the two teams in opposing divisions within the conference devalues The Game. It won’t mean as much IF they play twice a year. This brings me to my last point who says these two teams are going to make the Conference Championship every year or even once a decade. Michigan doesn’t look like it will make it there ever again. Even on good years Michigan will have to beat Iowa, Michigan State, and Nebraska to make it to the game. Ohio State has to beat Wisconsin and Penn State. The Big Ten see’s dollar signs and more views coming to their network and that is why they decided to have Michigan and Ohio State play in opposing divisions and why some years we may get back to back games of Michigan and Ohio State.

Here’s my final thought on this: UVA and VT, UT and OU, Auburn and Bama are all in the same division and those games are still big for college football fans.

As for the way the teams fall in their respective conferences it makes little sense to me. It would make more sense to have and North/South or East/West geographical split. Although then the balance would be off.

Predictions:

Week 1 Picks:
Utah vs. Pitt: Utah
Illinois vs. Missouri: Mizzou
WVU vs. Coastal Carolina: WVU (i'll be in attendance)
Michigan vs. UConn: Go Blue (Mich wins)
Oregon St vs. TCU: Oregon St
Boise St. vs. Va Tech: Boise St.
UK vs. Louisville: UK



Conference Winners:

SEC: Alabama
Pac10: Not USC…Oregon State
Big Ten: IOWA
Big East: not worth a pick, Cincy
ACC: Is it basketball season yet? Va Tech.
Big 12: Texas

The National Championship game will be Alabama over Boise State in a close one.
Sorry Tech fans that does mean I think Boise shocks the world over the weekend. Although does Boise State still get Shock the world status?