I will start off by saying that I am a traditionalist and probably don't want the league to expand, in all honesty. However, I know that it will happen and that when it does it BETTER be good. This is how I would want it to look like... I don't want to even talk about it though until official announcements are made in the summer (we think).Expanded Big Ten Conference
East Division
- Indiana
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Notre Dame
- Ohio State
- Penn State
West Division
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Northwestern
- Purdue
- Wisconsin
This format would keep the majority of major rivals together in the same divisions, while also allotting an opportunity for teams in other divisions to continue their rivalry games, such as Wisconsin vs Minnesota in the Battle for the Ax.
Missouri isn't as big of a long shot as you would think; they have ties to the conference already with its rivalry with Illinois in just about every major sport. Rutgers would draw the New York/East Coast market and would assist the nation in getting rid of the Big East conference, but will that move even be necessary? It all depends on Notre Dame. They may never leave its high perch as an independent, but you never know...especially in this day and age of constant movement around the country.
Top Candidates:
1. Nebraska
2. Notre Dame
3. Missouri
4. Rutgers
5. Texas/Syracuse/Pitt/?????
Who knows how many teams will enter the Big Ten Conference, but it could very well be 16 teams, according to OSU Scout Insider "nevadabuck".
