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

[Beamsley, Jeff]

At this point, I'm willing to give these guys the benefit of the doubt
and here's why.

When they came out with the BTNetwork, I was concerned that it would
become the OSU/UoM network.  That didn't happen and I get to see more NU
programming than I could have imagined.

When the BTN hung tough with Comcast to become part of the basic
service, I thought it was a greedy money grabbing move that would end up
reducing the number of games (network and PPV) I would be able to see.
That didn't happen either.  I've seen more NU games in multiple sports
than I've ever seen in the past.  NU also has become something of a
media darling because of success in our "minor" sports

In this last round of conference consolidation, it was clear that the
success of the BTN has become the leverage that reasserted BT dominance
in the conference ecosystem.  

With breathtaking speed, we will have divisional play and a championship
game.  That game will likely rival the national prominence of the
OSU/UoM contest.  This divisional structure also creates the possibility
of an OSU/UoM rematch on neutral ground (assuming UoM returns to their
full potential).  That could be HUGE given past close games where the
outcome turned on one controversy or another.  

It is possible that some traditional rivalries may be altered, but it is
likely that new rivalries will quickly take their place.  As others have
posted, I miss having UoM on the schedule.  If we end up in their
division, we get to play them every year.  I would also prefer not to be
in the OSU division, but if we end up there, we will just have to learn
how to beat them in the same way that we learned how to beat UoM.  

The bottom line is that, at least from a conference point of view, we
are either the hunter or the hunted.  The changes that have been made,
and likely will continue to occur, appear to position the BT for
dominance for foreseeable future. I'd rather be there than looking up at
the "football factory" conferences.

Not dumb.

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
On Behalf Of SjT (Stephen J. Truog)
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 9:55 AM
To: nwu-sports at romaine.tssi.com
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Big Ten Divisions appear to be firming up

The Big Ten has made a lot of smart moves in this expansion era - but
this would undoubtedly be one of the "most stupidest" they could come up
with.

Who cares about the last 20-30 years? The Big Ten and college football
have changed so much within the past decade alone that going on a 20-30
year average is foolish. And placing Michigan and Ohio State in opposing
divisions in the hopes that they will end the year in the title game
instead of with their usual November game is idiotic, moronic, insipid,
stooooooopid and D.U.M.B.

Not as dumb as the B(C)S, but close.

Geography is the only logical way to go here. The SEC didn't try and
tinker with geography and it's worked out well. Some years all the power
is in the east - now it's in the west. That happens. The ACC tinkered
with geography and they have no traditions, rivalries or fans in the
seats at their title game.

The Big Ten overthought this one and apparently came up with the worst
decision possible. This pretty much negates the good move of adding UNL.

Dumb Big Ten. Dumb.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!! GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Super Bowl XLIV Champions!
==========================



      

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