Big Ten = New Big 12
For 20 years, the Big Ten has had 11 teams. Now, it’s just going to get more confusing as the conference adds a 12th team. That’s right, the Big Ten is the new Big 12 while the Big 12 currently has just 10 teams. Yeah, it’s a little confusing.
It’s no surprise that the Big Ten is adding a 12th team. The surprising thing is that it’s Nebraska and not Notre Dame or Missouri. I’ve never thought of Nebraska as a Big Ten kind of team. But now that they’re a member come 2011, I guess I better get used to the Scarlet and Cream facing the Scarlet and Gray.
I’m excited for what Nebraska brings to the Big Ten in football. A legendary program that ranks in the top 5 of games won. I’m also excited for what they bring in some other non-revenue sports such as wrestling, track and women’s basketball. As far as men’s basketball, they’ll give Indiana a run for their money for last place. Hey, you can’t be good at everything.
The question now is how will this affect the Big Ten? Clearly, there is some realigning to be done. Divisions need to be made, scheduling changes must happen and the creation of a football conference championship game is probably in the works. And this all has to happen in a year, because the Huskers become a full-time member on July 1, 2011.
Plus, there’s the chance that the Big Ten could add more teams? Notre Dame, Missouri, Rutgers, and Syracuse seem like the likely choices if they decide to do that. My gut tells me they’ll stay put at 12 though, until they see where the other dominoes fall. Maybe in 2012, they add a couple more. Who knows though? No one thought the powerful Big 12 would be dismantled so quickly. One day, they’re a power conference. The next, they’re not a conference at all.
And what’s this all mean for the Buckeyes? Well, for the football team, it will be a much tougher road to a BCS game, now that former Buckeye Bo Pelini and his Husker football team are around. Plus, with the addition of a conference championship game, it’s just one more game the Bucks would have to win. The division realignment may not be kind either. If you split it east/west, the Bucks would probably be in the same division as Michigan and Penn State.
All in all, I’m excited for the change. I mean, it is the spice of life right?
