[NU Sports] The Big Ten's delusion of self-importance

[Jonathan Hodges]

First off, the division names are a bit hokey, but they're most likely the
best the conference can do given the way that the divisions were split
(Delany made it clear during the unveiling of the names that they couldn't
go with geography since geography was #3 on the list of priorities when
splitting the divisions, way behind #1 competitive balance and #2 rivalry
preservation).  Fans are up in arms because they like easy to remember
designations and geographical splits are usually the easiest thing to
remember (although there are anomalies, like in the NFL where Dallas is in
the NFC East and Kansas City, which is east of Dallas, is in the AFC West -
there are other examples as well).  As I believed when the school membership
of each division was announced, this will be a good thing for Big Ten
football in the long run and the product on the field will benefit.

I'm already pretty excited for the first Big Ten Championship game, which I
believe can and likely will turn out to be quite an event (like the SEC
Championship game has been).  I have a suspicion that they will decide to
rotate it amongst some of the big/historic stadiums around the midwest
(Lambeau, Indy, Detroit, Cleveland to name a few) which will add some
interesting flavor to it.

Regarding the product on the field, I think that the Big Ten is and will
remain one of the top conferences nationally (with the SEC).  Yes, there
have been issues in some big bowl games, but the conference performed well
last year (winning records in bowls including 2 BCS bowl wins) and is
consistently rated within the top 3 in the computer conference rankings.
And, most importantly, they get eyeballs on TV and butts in seats and
continue to rack in the cash for member schools, including NU.

The fact is that expanding to include Nebraska was a wise move with good
timing that will inject some new excitement into the conference (along with
a wealth of history) and the conference championship will add to that.  The
conference is stronger than it was before this move and will continue to
benefit with these moves, no matter what the superficial names on the
divisions are.

Jonathan

On Mon, Dec 13, 2010 at 9:28 PM, Jim Bendat <thehaze at earthlink.net> wrote:

> All of us love NU, and we probably generally love the Big Ten, too. I can't
> get enough of watching Big Ten games every Saturday, and the Big Ten Network
> has been fantastic.
>
> That being said, let's consider what the Big Ten really is. Sure, it's a
> collection of generally outstanding universities, and the traditions that
> encompass the conference are as good as it gets. But, let's face it, Big Ten
> football isn't as important nationally as it wishes. Sure, we had three
> nationally ranked teams this year. But how many Rose Bowls have we won since
> 2000? Exactly one - last year, when Ohio State beat Oregon. How well has the
> Big Ten done in national title games? Ohio State was fortunate to beat
> Miami, and they got slaughtered by both Florida and LSU in recent years.
>
> I have to believe that the conference's delusion of self-importance was a
> major contribution in the ridiculous decision to name the divisions
> "Leaders" and "Legends." You don't think that there are leaders and legends
> in every single conference in the country? Of course there are.
>
> I can think of a couple of other L words: lame and laughingstock.
>
> Jim B.
>
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