To be or not to be (a member of the Big 10)

New reports say that Notre Dame and the Big 10 are talking about more conference expansion.  If you add the rumors of Nebraska and Missouri as well, I have to say I'm getting a little more intrigued by the idea.  Last time we turned them down it was to keep our NBC money but if you expand the Big 10 Network further than it is with ND, Nebraska, and Missouri fan bases, the money ought to be comparable and we won't have to play fucking Tulsa anymore.

So then the question is let's say all 3 accept and no one from the Big East is added to make 16 (though if the Pac 10 steals the heart of the Big 12 and goes to 16 teams I think the Big 10 follows suit as well as the SEC), how do you make divisions which are competitive and fairly balanced and keep some rivals together?

OSU, UM, PSU, MINN, ILL, IN, IOWA, PURDUE, MSU. WISC, NW, ND, NEB, MIZZ

Obviously OSU, UM, and MSU have to be together so they can play every year.  Now you need to balance that with 3 other decent teams (we have to expect UM to return to UM form at some point).  We're going to choose PSU, NEB, and Wisconsin

Thus far:

OSU, UM, MSU


PSU, WISC, NEB,

IOWA, NORTHWESTERN, MIZZ, ND, IN, ILL, PURDUE, MINN are left.

Now every division needs a jobber.  A team that 9/10 years you'll skullfuck.  Hello Indiana and Northwestern



OSU, UM, MSU, INDIANA,


PSU, WISC, NEB,NORTHWESTERN,

MIZZ, ND, ILL, PURDUE, MINN, IOWA

Now the nice thing is the remaining teams are all solid midcard/lower midcard teams.  Any of these teams can go in either division but seeing how ND has played UM, MSU, and Purdue and Indiana and ND are all in Indiana...I think Purdue and ND in the top one is a no brainer.  Also, MIZZ needs to stay with NEB.



OSU, UM, MSU, INDIANA, ND, PURDUE, ILL



PSU, WISC, NEB,NORTHWESTERN, MIZZ, IOWA, MINNESOTA


Now one of the benefits of this setup is not only rivalries but geography.  The bottom line with the exception of PSU is on the same side of the map.  I know swapping PSU for ILL would make it better but then I think the top bracket is too loaded.

And there we have it.  A new Big 10.  As a note, if they do go to 16, I think the adds ought to be PITT and Rutgers or UCONN.  Just for the natural rivalry, PITT would have to go in PSU's division with the other east coast school going into OSU's.