Since the Big Ten did away with the Legends and Leaders divisions at the end of the 2013 season and split into East and West, the East Division has dominated the Big Ten. All five conference championship games since the realignment have been won by the East Division winner, as Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State have dominated their counterparts in the West Division. That has led to speculation that the divisions should be shifted once more, and it was a topic of conversation at Big Ten Media Days.
Division Revision? Big Ten divisional realignment could happen sooner rather than later
"I don’t think it will stay the same. I think we’ll change it at some point because change is coming." — Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck
From @TheAthleticCFB https://t.co/FdahL9RN38
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) July 19, 2019
Something certainly needs to be done when it comes to the Big Ten. While the separation into East and West on a geographical basis makes a lot more sense than Legends and Leaders ever did, you can make the case that the four best teams in the conference are perennially in the East. Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State have all competed for national championships, while Wisconsin and Iowa are typically a tier below.
Nebraska’s failure to turn things around has caused problems too. The Cornhuskers and Badgers were supposed to be the two best teams in this division, but while Wisconsin has won three division titles, Nebraska has yet to claim one.
Penn State head coach James Franklin suggests division realignment could help the Big Ten get back to the @CFBPlayoff. "At least have the conversation." #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/MHvEkGPIiq
— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) July 19, 2019
Unsurprisingly, coaches in the East seem much more open to changing divisions than coaches in the West. James Franklin was the most outspoken proponent, and Ryan Day seemed to agree that division realignment would be a good thing, while most coaches in the West Division indicated there was no need as their side of the conference was getting stronger.
That seems to be the case, but as it stands, the unbalanced divisions have played a part in keeping the Big Ten out of the College Football Playoff in recent years. With a new commissioner taking charge next year, that may be one of the first orders of business.
H/T The Athletic and Free Republic
