[NU Sports] Big Ten Divisions appear to be firming up

[Mike Nolan]

Based on various stories circulating and a report on ESPN, it looks like the
Big Ten's divisional structure is pretty close to set.  If so, it may 
leak out soon.

So far it looks like Michigan and Ohio State will be in opposite divisions.
That suggests that Nebraska and Penn State will also be in opposite divisions,
because those are the top 4 teams over the last 20-30 years.

ESPN is reporting that Iowa and Wisconsin will be in different divisions, too.
That news appears to have been confirmed by Barry Alvarez, along with a strong
hint that Northwestern and Illinois will be in opposite divisions.  Alvarez also
said that the Big Ten will go to a nine-game conference schedule in 2015.  

I think it is a virtual certainty that Nebraska and Iowa will be in the
same division.  

Here's my latest guess of how the teams will split up 
based on these reports.

   Division X              Division Y

   Michigan                Ohio State
*  Nebraska                Penn State
   Iowa                    Wisconsin
   Purdue                  Indiana
   llinois                 Northwestern     
*  Minnesota               Michigan State

The two lines marked with asterisks are ones that I think could go 
either way, but if one flips then I suspect the other one will too.
--
Mike Nolan