The Big Ten Conference Network (“BTCN”) is set to announce the new divisions and schedules for 2011. According to multiple sources Ohio State and Michigan are being placed in opposite divisions. Despite some rumors, the question of whether The Game will remain the final game of the regularly scheduled season is still a mystery.

ESPN’s Andy Katz reports that the divisional alignment will look like this: 

Big Ten Divisions?

A DIVISION	B DIVISION
Illinois	Iowa
Indiana	Michigan
Ohio State	Michigan State
Penn State	Minnesota
Purdue	Nebraska
Wisconsin	Northwestern

Objectively speaking, this has to be seen as a major step in the wrong direction for supporters of a final week meeting between the Big Ten titans. As I previously pointed out, almost no one had an appetite for a rematch of Ohio State and Michigan in 2006 and that was for the National Championship several weeks later. That is not lost on the BTCN, so I find it hard to believe that the idea of the two playing a rematch 7 or 14 days later is more palatable.

I have read the rumors, but I will believe it when I see it. As of right now, I expect The Game to be moved. (Typing that was horrible.)

What a buzz kill in advance of the opener.

The latest installment of ESPN’s Rise High School Football Kickoff series should be the most interesting yet for Ohio State fans.  At 7:00pm the Worldwide Leader will broadcast Huber Heights Wayne vs. Moeller.  Ohio State fans will no doubt be interested in Huber Heights superstar quarterback and OSU commitment, Braxton Miller.  The game airs on ESPNU.

For the last week or so, roughly 9 out of every 10 seconds of my Ohio State stream of consciousness has been dedicated to the traveshamockery that is the purported rescheduling of the Greatest Show on Earth.  Suffice it to say, I am spent.  I have written email upon email to Gordon, Gene, and Jim. Their email addresses are here if you wish to pick up my slack:

gordon.gee@osu.edu
genesmith@buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu
jdelany@bigten.org

Thankfully, Frank the Tank has captured the reality of the situation better than I ever could.  I consider the this link mandatory reading for anyone that loves Ohio State or Michigan football, the Big Ten, or college football.  Enjoy.

THE BIG TEN: THE NEW COKE CONFERENCE

Mssrs. Gordon Gee, Gene Smith, and Jim Delaney:

Stop what you are doing for a second and hear me out. Most of us fear that it is far too late, but this is too important not to say:  The idea of changing the schedule placement for The Game is an extremely bad one.  In fact, it’s embarrassing.  Stop it.  I am speaking for the vast, vast majority of fans of Ohio State, Michigan, the Big Ten, and college football when I say: “Moving the Ohio State-Michigan game is huge mistake.”

I do not want to come across as some sanctimonious rube.  I understand the money paid by television networks allows schools like Ohio State to renovate and maintain its beautiful stadium, support dozens of other varsity sports, and build state-of-the-art practice facilities that help build the teams we cherish.  I get it.  Money is part of the sport.  And, I am fine with that.

But, it is not the only part.

At this point, however, it seems like the tail is wagging the dog.  In the past, the product on the field drove the price that networks would pay.  Now, a conference as venerable as the Big Ten is tilting at windmills because networks will pay more if you change the product to their liking.  I now believe the Big Ten a television network first, collegiate athletic conference second.

My sample size is not enormous, but I have not heard anyone close to this say that they want to play The Game in any other format than the current one. For example, Jim Lachey and Chris Spielman have some opinions.  I also recall that less than four years ago, no one wanted to see the rematch of arguably the greatest game ever played by Ohio State and Michigan.  Most fans did not want it, and clearly the voters did not need to see it again.  Many former OSU players do not like the idea.  Hell, even Michigan’s players did not want it.  I do not think the sentiment has changed.

I thought Ivan Maisel summed it up perfectly this morning:

Putting Ohio State and Michigan in separate divisions in 2011 is a bad idea. Their regular-season game would move to midseason to prevent them from playing in a Big Ten title game a week later. So the league would end a tradition that delivers at the end of everyseason for the possibility that the Buckeyes and Wolverines would play a rematch in the championship game in some seasons. Alabama and Auburn play for the SEC West, not for the Sugar Bowl. That rivalry is no less important.

The worst part for fans is that we have not heard a single cogent argument for moving the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry forward in the season that is not based on the desire to make more money.  I do not believe we will ever hear one.  Does one exist? And to pour salt in that wound, the teams will play in abject neutrality in a city with the newest hotel rooms.  If you believe those games will matter as much as the current set up, you’re dreaming.

In the end, you will do what you think is right for the universities and conference.  Unfortunately, I believe your metric for righteousness is measured in dollars, not fan experience.

Best-

BuckeyeCommentary.com

Here it is, one of the most unofficial preseason college football polls you will ever see.

RANK	TEAM	2009 RECORD	2009 RANK
1	Alabama	14-0	1
2	Ohio State	11-2	5
3	Oklahoma	8-5	NR
4	Florida	13-1	3
5	Texas	13-1	3
6	Virginia Tech	10-3	2
7	Wisconsin	10-3	10
8	Boise State	14-0	4
9	TCU	12-1	6
10	Oregon	10-3	11
11	Miami	9-4	19
12	Georgia	8-5	NR
13	North Carolina	8-5	NR
14	Florida State	7-6	NR
15	Iowa	11-2	7
16	USC	9-4	22
17	Arkansas	8-5	NR
18	Nebraska	10-4	14
19	Auburn	8-5	NR
20	Penn State	11-2	9
21	Pittsburgh	10-3	15
22	LSU	9-4	17
23	Texas A&M	6-7	NR
24	Michigan State	6-7	NR
25	Boston College	8-5	NR

Prolouge: As usual, this poll is based on how good I believe the teams to be at this moment, not where they will finish.  Just like every year, I will strive to maintain this philosophy for the entire season.  I will struggle against the perceived transitive properties of college football.  I will trust my subjective ability to evaluate teams that are rounding into shape while others are demonstrating a pronounced ability to come unglued.  It is not entirely unusual for there to be teams with two losses that look much better than a handful of undefeateds.

As the faithful reader(s) know, I rank the teams based on how good I believe them to be at this moment, not at the end of last season, and not how I think they will finish.  Schedules are not taken into consideration but the natural off-season development is relied upon.  For me, the test is whether I believe a team would defeat the team immediately ahead of them on a neutral field this weekend.

Also, and this sounds obvious, someone has to be ranked in each spot. There are no ties.  Even though I have team X four spots ahead of team Y, the spread may be very narrow in my mind.  I know there are vagaries that make it difficult to determine who is truly better than whom, but remember these rankings are subjective.

Finally, the rankings are always subject to change. Teams may jump five or ten spots in one week, or may drop even when they win. Likewise, teams may rise when they lose. I take injuries and suspensions into consideration, so a team may win its game and lose its best player (see Oregon 2007) and drop in my poll.  This poll will not reward teams simply for winning.  Again, these rankings are subjective.

Sexy Outs: There are a lot of sexy squads out there that garner trendy votes.   South Carolina, Arizona, Notre Dame and Washington immediately jump to mind.  Reasons exist to hit the ‘buy’ button for those teams but honestly, the smart money has been on ’sell’ for a long time.  I understand that 5-10 of the teams I have placed in my lineup will promptly plummet out within a matter of weeks.

The Buckeyes and the rest of the Conference recently reported to camp.  Other than some random pictures of players were shorts and t-shirts, not much has happened yet.  But soon, OSU and the rest of the League will be at each others’ throats trying to win what will be the last of its kind.

It turns out that 2010 is the last year that a team can represent the (newish) old school Big Ten.  The Conference was founded in 1896, so with its most recent incarnation clocking in at 20 years old that makes the Penn State era the shortest term in the league’s history without adding a team.  Something tells me the Nebraska era will be even shorter.

Unfortunately for most of the league’s teams, this farewell season looks like it will end in the same fashion as the last five - with Ohio State at that top.  That does not mean that it will not be interesting along the way. This is my humble, brief, and (ultimately incorrect) look at how good I believe the teams are; not how they will finish.

1. Ohio State

Positives: For the first time in a long time, the lines at OSU are projected as strengths of their respective units.  There were some losses on the defensive line, but if John Simon progresses the way most people expect they should be better than 2009.

Negatives: I’m nitpicking but the running back situation is not ideal and the kicking game is in shambles by Tresselian standards.  The defensive secondary has no proven leaders. (Sorry Chekwa fans.)

Realities: Missing two of the league’s upper crust is an unnecessary gift for what is easily the most talented team in the Conference.  Despite trips to Madison and Iowa City, the Buckeyes are likely to be favored in every game of the season. 8-0 is expected.

2. Wisconsin

Positives: The Badgers return 10 offensive starters including a great offensive line (again) and arguably the league’s best skill players.  John Clay should run for another 1,500 yards if he shows up every game.

Negatives: The schedule is not great.  They miss PSU but they travel to Iowa, Michigan State, and Michigan.  Ohio State comes to Madison after a few scrimmages.

Realities: Wisky tends to play to the jersey (see several close games in 2009) so asking them to finish second in an imporved Big Ten may be asking too much.  Still, on paper this team is better than all but one.

3. Iowa

Positives: The Hawkeyes’ defense is going to be lights out.  Between the players, coaches, and team mentality, this is probably the best defensive unit in the Conference…

Negatives: … unfortunately, they will be playing in a lot of close games because an offense that largely struggled in 2009, has to rebuild their offensive line (which was its strength).

Realities: Stanzi likes to get hurt, but when healthy (a big if behind the new line) they are productive.  All the big games are at home, which is huge benefit.

4. Michigan State

Positives: Oddly, for a team sporting arguably the best defensive player in the Big Ten, MSU’s offense was the lifeblood of this team in 2009.  Cousins and co. should lead the way again, but the Spartans should be more balanced.

Negatives: Four teams had multiple players rush for more yards than MSU’s leading rusher, Larry Caper (Illinois and OSU had 3 players each).

Realities: They struggle to get over the proverbial hump.  MSU has not defeated a top ten team since an overtime victory against Notre Dame in 2005.  They are 0-8 since that game.

5. Penn State

Positives: I feel like I say this for every team, but the PSU defense looks really good.  Evan Royster is a stud and he will be running behind another good Big Ten line.

Negatives: The quarterback situation is a puddle.  Kevin Newsome is extremely likely to win this derby but any Nittany Lion fan would tell you that this position battle is unsettling.  I just don’t think the WRs are that great.

Realities: This was a super balanced team in 2009 - ranked second in both total offense and defense.  That was not nearly enough to beat the league’s elite as Iowa and Ohio State handled Penn State easily in Happy Valley.  Without Clark, it is hard to imagine a better outcome.

6. Michigan

Positives: Let’s see … they are really good at returning punts and kicks.  Seriously, this was the youngest team in the Conference last season so they have to be … actually let’s just say that the lines will be decent.

Negatives: Rich Rod is their coach and has made a mess of the program.  Is there any confidence left in Ann Arbor?

Realities: According to people who get paid to talk about it, they have lots of talent.  Two straight top ten classes need to start making a difference. Placing them in the top half of the league could make me look like an idiot.

7. Northwestern

Positives: This is a really mysterious team.  How do they win games?  Pat Fitzgerald appears to make a huge difference…

Negatives: He better, because the offensive options are slim.  Kafka’s graduation is troubling but NW seems to replace QBs in the same way that Wisky replaces offensive lineman.

Realities: Despite a lot of statistical leaders leaving, the Wildcats do return 13 starters.  That is bound to count for something.

8. Purdue

Positives: Despite losing surprisingly productive QB Joey Elliot, the Boilers might be in better shape at the QB spot.  Miami transfer Robert Marve is now under center and provides the athleticism that Purdue has never had at the position.  The front 7 has lots of experience.

Negatives: The loss of RB Ralph Bolden ensures that balance is not a word many will be using to describe the Purdue offense.

Realities: Maybe I am biased after the loss to the Boilermakers in ‘09, but this team looked better than its 5-7 record.  If nothing else, this is the league’s most intriguing team with the addition of Marve.

9. Illinois

Positives: The Illini could experience addition through subtraction with the loss of their 4-year starting QB.  Their passing attack was the worst in the Big Ten.

Negatives: Ron Zook.  I don’t understand why he is still the Illinois coach.  He recruit marginally well but his teams are getting worse.

Realities: The offensive and defense look equally shaky.  If you had to point to one unit as decent, it would be the running backs.

10. Minnesota

Positives: Adam Weber is a 4-year starter and a dual-threat.  He was more effective running the spread offense but he is clearly the lifeblood of this team.

Negatives: The Gophers return 2 starters from a statistically average defense.  This could get ugly.

Realities: I would be shocked if they won more than 5 games.  But I hear that new stadium is nice.

11. Indiana

Positives: The offense is poised to really improve with Chappell and his entire receiving corp back.

Negatives: With two players off the NFL, the defense figures to be the same or worse.  That would make it the league’s worst for the third year in a row.

Realities: This offense may be nice to watch at times and thanks to a horrible non-conference schedule, they may actually make a bowl game.

Now that Nebraska has officially joined the Conference, I thought it would be nice to talk with some of the most knowledgeable Cornhusker fans out there.  Darren and Steve from Big Red Network were kind enough to have a conversation, the results of which you can see below, and over on their site.  As we get closer to Nebraska’s (proposed) debut in 2011, I hope we can have a few more dialogues.  In the meantime, best of luck in your Farewell Big 12 Tour.

If they had their collective druthers, would Nebraska fans rather stay in the current Big 12?

Darren (BRN): At this point, no. There are some who will miss the traditions established by the old Big 8 days, especially the affiliation with Oklahoma. But even that became tarnished when the Big 12 was formed. And, I don’t think people feel a sense of nostalgia for the last decade and a half. And the events of the last few weeks have made co-existing in the Big 12 pretty much impossible. I talk to a lot of fans, and unanimously they are excited at the prospect of joining the Big Ten. Sure, there will be some critics. But most see the Big Ten as a very good move for NU.

Steve (BRN): An unscientific poll I saw said that five out of six visitors to the Lincoln Journal-Star’s website approved of the move. It’s hard to say whether that’s in the context of the Big 12 possibly breaking up anyway, or whether it’s a more absolute judgment about whether life is better in the Big 10 or not.

Now that Nebraska is (still unofficially) the twelfth member of the Big Ten, would you rather the League stop at 12? And, if Texas ultimately joined, would Cornhusker fans be upset? Is the animosity between those programs as strong as reported?

Darren: For starters, I am happy they finally made it to 12 teams. My harshest criticism of this league has been the lack of divisions and a title game. The SEC, Big XII and ACC had a much different (harder) path to the BCS than the Big Ten and Pac-10.

Seriously, play an additional difficult opponent (often for a second time) at the end of the year. It’s a different animal. If these re-alignments do nothing but balance out that part of the overall playing field, then I am more than happy Nebraska moving is part of a bigger solution.

I have no idea if the league will stop at 12, or try to get to 14 or 16 at this point. I really don’t. We’ll have to see how it plays out. Yes, the Texas animosity is every bit as strong as reported. This isn’t just about football anymore. There is a culture clash now.

I would have very mixed feelings if they jumped in to this league as well. It’s geographically insane. The provincial nature of college football would no longer exist. I also could go a long time without ever wanting to deal with another Texas fan. But, the competitor in me wants NU to have some more shots at the Horns. Our record against them is a sad 1-8, filled with ridiculously close losses. It would be nice to balance that ledger.

Steve: There’s never been any real interest by Texas in joining the Big 10. If they did, it would be a bonanza for the conference, so you’d have to be in favor of it for that reason. Further expansion might water things down, but the right school could improve things. Notre Dame’s the no-brainer, but even schools like Pitt wouldn’t be a bad fit. As long as Nebraska gets to play Iowa every year, then NU fans would probably be agreeable to more teams.

When Penn State joined the League they were at the height of their program (I am sure you are familiar with the 1994 season). Yet, they have had trouble with Ohio State and Michigan (combined 11-21). Do you have any doubt that Nebraska, with its current trajectory, can compete in the Conference?

Darren: If Nebraska felt like they couldn’t compete, they wouldn’t want to join. Of course, Husker fans are very thankful to have Bo Pelini in charge of the football team right now. He has won 19 games over the last two seasons. He has been to and won two bowl games in his last two years. Nebraska is playing well right now. Do we really know what the roster and results might look like in two years? No. But, NU is sure better off now than they were just a few years ago.

I see what you mean about PSU, and why you would ask. They were the last team to join. And, I remember a lot of PSU fans saying things like they were going to “show those Big 10 boys how to play.” But, their problems stemmed from and included a lot more than just struggling with OSU and Michigan. From 2000 to 2005, they were 26-33 overall. So, they lost to a lot of people. Programs ebb and flow. They are much stronger now. Nebraska, in the long term, is committed to football and not going to back down from anybody. And, by the way, the Big 12 is a strong football league.

Steve: Considering Texas and Oklahoma generally outrank the better Big 10 schools, you’d expect Nebraska to do at least as well in the Big 10 as the Big 12. The Huskers have also been on a strong run over their last dozen or so meetings with Big 10 schools. So Nebraska can compete, but Ohio State’s probably still got the strongest program right now.

You asked a question that has been rattling around a distant corner of mind since the announcement: Does this new conference alignment increase or decrease Pelini’s interest and likelihood of roaming the Horsehoe’s sidelines someday?

Darren: This notion makes a lot of people nervous. Let’s just say I am a big Jim Tressel fan. Pelini’s familiarity with the program plants the seed. If OSU fans see what they like in him, it might sprout. Hopefully for both our sakes, there is some serious competition (rivalry!) between the Bucks and Huskers and makes it impossible for Pelini to jump ship.

Steve: He’d never say so no way to gauge his interest, but it might raise awareness of Pelini among OSU fans. That might make him a more attractive candidate. There are a lot of people in Lincoln hoping that Jim Tressel is coaching in Columbus for another 25 years.

Off the cuff, what is Nebraska’s biggest advantage and disadvantage as they come into the Conference?

Darren: Nebraska’s biggest advantage is the will of the program and the general public to be good. I am not kidding. This is Nebraska’s identity. Come visit Lincoln, you’ll see.

They are also a national-level program, capable of moving the needle when they are on TV and recruiting a player from just about anywhere. The biggest disadvantage is geography and population. But, those are the same disadvantages Nebraska had when it was winning championships.

Steve : This sounds self-glorifying, but it’s really been the fans. One of the huge things that draws recruits to Lincoln, is the environment and the passion that exists for college football. From the backup quarterback to the linemen to the kicker, these guys are rock stars. There can be a downside to that too, but that’s one of those things that makes Nebraska unique in college football. An outgrowth of that is the walk-on program that’s the envy of most other schools. Nebraska attracts a lot of kids to walk-on that makes the practices more competitive and can create greater depth. Affordable tuition helps too.

The disadvantage is the natural recruiting base. There aren’t that many top quality players in the state or even bordering states. Nebraska has to recruit nationally to fill out the roster. It’s not as easy as Texas loading up on blue chippers without leaving the state.

Finally, Ohio State and Nebraska have only played twice (1955-56) in their storied histories. How excited are you for that first matchup? And, is there a team Cornhuskers’ fans are looking forward to playing most?

Darren: Hell yes, I’m excited. Ohio is the cradle of life when it comes to football. Ohio State is a truly great program. We have essentially no history. So, let’s do this.

My colleague Brandon Vogel wrote very astutely that Nebraska has lacked a real rival since the NU-OU series got put on the back burner. So, I am excited for Nebraska to establish some rivalries again. Geographically, Iowa makes the most sense. There are a lot of Hawkeye fans living in Omaha, and the smack talk between the two groups of fans have already begun. The NU series with Penn State is littered with some hard feelings. There are Penn State fans who think they were robbed in 1994. It will be fun to mix it up with them. Michigan and Nebraska argue over 1997. So, that’s good. There is a respect for Wisconsin because of Barry Alvarez. The possibilities abound.

Steve: I’d say Iowa because they’re a natural rival, but OSU is up there. Many of us are not old enough to have seen those last games between the schools so it will be cool to see these two great programs finally face off again.

Divisional Alignment: Assuming Nebraska exits stage east and heads to the Big Ten, one of the most hotly discussed topic will be the alignment of the divisions.  Of course, I am partial to only one division with a round-robin scheduling for the elite programs (sorry, Iowa) but that is extremely unlikely (a major reason for expansion is a conference championship game).

Do you divide it up East v. West?  Do you put Michigan and Ohio State in the same or opposite divisions?

Here is a rough and unthoughtful guess:

Big Division	Ten Division
Nebraska	Ohio State
Penn State	Michigan
Iowa	Wisconsin
Minnesota	Michigan State
Northwestern	Illinois
Indiana	Purdue

Thoughts folks?

Succession Plan: Bo Pelini has long been rumored to be a serious contender for the head coaching vacancy that Jim Tressel will leave.  Does his (potential) inclusion in the league make this succession idea more or less plausible?  Does it have any effect at all?

For me it makes it less plausible, if only slightly.  I say that because it is rare to see head coaches move within a conference.  (Except in the SEC, where they have a very sustainable attitude towards coaches - recycle!)

Still, he is a former OSU captain who grew up in Youngstown.

Booo! I am not really excited for the end results of the expansion negotiations going on from coast-to-coast right now, although I will admit that the irrational exuberance of the process is thrilling.  I am not really in favor of any major reshuffling in college football that does not lead to a playoff.  From I have read, the additional dollars generated from the proposed expansion (and super conferences) would virtually guarantee the existence of the BCS for years to come.

Moreover, any Big Ten restructuring that may harm in the slightest the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan makes me cringe.  While a playoff comprised of the top 4 to 6 teams at season’s end would be amazing, losing the historic luster of The Game does not sound like a feasible way to get it.

So, the news that Nebraska is on the brink of publicly committing to the Big Ten is a bittersweet.  To be sure, the Conference will be better from the standpoints of football quality, on-field tradition, and national relevance.  But, if the Cornhuskers are the only addition, it seems like the glass is half empty.

After all, the Big Ten warmed up this expansion fever with its eyes on the big prizes - Texas and ND.  At this moment, ND appears perfectly content to stay independent and the Pac 10 may very well walk away with Texas and Oklahoma.  Did the conference that has pioneered in some many areas get caught a flat-footed?  Was hubris part of the equation?  Have they overvalued of the BTN or underestimated other conferences ability to get a network up and running?  Did geography catch them off guard?  Whatever the case, the Pac-10 seems poised to pull the rug from under Delaney and Co. by grabbing a major object of Big Ten desire.

Big Ten driving ND further away? Did Notre Dame use the Big Ten’s never-ending interest to leverage a new television contract out of NBC?  We see this all the time when a coach allows his name to be floated for a new job in an effort to get a new deal.  They always stay in the end…for more money.  Will you really be that surprised if NBC tears up the current deal and inks a more lucrative deal for the Irish?

Despite the impending holiday weekend, Ohio State fans were hardly as giddy seven days ago as they may be this weekend.  After all, Desmond Howard had just been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, propelled in large part by his famous (and classless) pose at the Buckeyes’ expense.

Oh, want a difference a week can make.

Combine today’s incredibly-expected announcement from Braxton Miller with tomorrow’s potentially disastrous news for the  Fighting Kiffie-Kins and it may feel like an early Christmas for many OSU fans. (Sure, you may think you are above schadenfreude but I challenge you not to feel the slightest bit of glee if USC, the slayer of Ohio State and all things Big Ten, gets hammered by the NCAA - however unlikely that may be.)

Ironically, the effects of these two events may be felt by their constituencies for about the same amount of time, but the impact should theoretically become more pleasant in Columbus as the years pass.

No matter how expected Miller’s commitment was and however unlikely a severe punishment for USC is, this is the first week of June and I will take what I can get.

You’re on your own, Buckeyes: That was the clever headline from Robert Vitale, one of the authors of the Dispatch’s The City blog, regarding Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman’s recent decision to prohibit any city-funded trips to Arizona, including the 2011 Fiesta Bowl or, more importantly, the 2011 BCS Championship Game.

Of course, there was not that much travel out west for Columbus city workers anyway.  Unless it was for a taser seminar.

Update: The perpetual tease that has been the NCAA’s investigation of the Trojans continues.  Tack on another week.