With Nebraska Comes Division

With the addition of Nebraska to the "Big Ten," now comes the decision of how the Conference will split up into two divisions for football. The obviousway to do it is to follow the lead of many of the other conferences and do to it geographically. The SEC has a east and west while the former Big XII splits theirs into north and south. However splitting the Big Ten into an east and west would not be in its best interest, and it should also follow the lead of the census, and change it up every ten years.

In determining how it should be divided, a few factors need to considered:

• Nebraska's natural rival is Iowa. It only makes sense to keep these two teams together.
• Michigan and Ohio State need to stay together, as does Michigan and Michigan State.
• Minnesota needs to stay with Wisconsin. Indiana stays with Purdue. Northwestern stays with Illinois.

From there let's branch out a bit. Obviously it would be natural that Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska would be in one division. Facing difficult economic times this makes sense financially for the Universities and its fans. Then let's also keep Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State together.

From there let's stretch the conference a little and add Penn State to the group including Iowa. The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions have created a nice rivalry and there is a history to Penn State and Nebraska from PSU's days as an independent. That gives us five in that division.

Keeping Indiana and Purdue together sends these long-time rivals to join the Wolverines, Spartans, and Buckeyes. The Spartans continue to battle in-state nemesis Michigan and battle Indiana for the Old Brass Spittoon.

That leaves us with Northwestern and Illinois. Not every in-state battle is saved, and this is that one. Based on trophy games, Illinois gets sent to join Ohio State and Purdue. With the Buckeyes, the Illini battle for the "Illibuck," the "Purdue Cannon" with the Boilermakers. Northwestern is then sent to Iowa's division as they have created a good rivalry with the Hawkeyes and Badgers.

Penn State gets stretched in this configuration, but as I mentioned before, it would be healthy for the conference to re-align after ten years. What has made the Big Ten special are the locations and the stadiums. Growing up in Big Ten country every fan wants to go the "Big House" in Ann Arbor, the "Horseshoe" in Columbus, or to Camp Randall to see Wisconsin's 5th Quarter.

 

Floyd of Rosedale - Tournament Winner

Winning the Rivalry Trophy Tournament, the unofficial voting to determine the best travelling trophy in the Big Ten is Floyd of Rosedale. The #1 overall seed in the tournament goes on to win.

Rivalry Trophy Tournament Finals

The unofficial tournament to determine the best rivaly trophy in the Big Ten is at its Final stage. it comes down to two of the most original trophies, each involving the University of Minnesota. Floyd of Rosedale, which is contested between the Hawkeyes and Gophers (most recently won by Iowa) and the Paul Bunyan Axe, which goes to the winner of the Gophers and Badgers (most recently won by Wisconsin).

Vote in the upper right-hand corner of the blog before Monday, November 30.

Rivalry Trophy Final Four

It is down to the final four of Rivalry Trophies in the Big Ten. The Paul Bunyan Trophy which is fought for between Michigan and Michigan State advances in the Pual Bunyan Bracket. It will take on its namesake of the Axe, an on-field battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In the Pig Bracket, Floyd will compete against the Little Brown Jug, a trophy that goes to the winner of the Michigan Minnesota game.

The Paul Bunyan semi-final will take place this week.

Rivalry Trophy Tournament - Qtrs

The Rivalry Trophy Tournament is down to its quarterfinal round. Two selections to be voted upon. Please vote on both in the upper right hand corner. The selections are:

PIG BRACKET:

#1 Floyd of Rosedale v #4 Old Brass Spittoon

PAUL BUNYAN BRACKET:

#1 Paul Bunyan Axe v #4 Heatland Trophy

Voting ends Monday, November 2 at 8pm

Rivalry Trophy Bracket - Next Round

The Governor's Victory Bell advanced to take on the Heartland Trophy. In each bracket the #6 upset the #5. On the other side, Land Grant takes on the Old Brass Spittoon.

Land Grant Advances

In a first round match-up, the Land Grant Trophy between Michigan State and Penn State defeats the Illinois - Ohio State Illibuck.

This week the match-up is between the Purdue Cannon (Illinois - Purdue) and Governor's Victory Bell (Minnesota - Penn State, pictured). This bell is also up for grabs on the playing field as the Gophers travel to State College.

Remember, please vote in the poll in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Poll closes the evening of Monday, October 19.

Rivalry Brackets Announced

Pairings are announced for this year's Rivalry Trophy Tournament. There are two brackets consisting of six trophies. 1 and 2 seeds have a bye in the first round. 5 plays 6 to earn a spot against 1. 3 plays 4 with a chance to take on 2.

Pig Bracket:

1. Floyd of Rosedale - Iowa v Minnesota
2. Little Brown Jug - Minnesota v Michigan
3. Sweet Sioux Tomahawk - Northwestern v Illinois
4. Old Brass Spittoon - Indiana v Michigan State
5. Illibuck - Ohio State v Illinois
6. Land Grant - Michigan State v Penn State

Paul Bunyan Bracket:

1. Paul Bunyan Axe - Minneosta v Wisconsin
2. Old Oaken Bucket - Indiana v Purdue
3. Paul Bunyan Trophy - Michigan v Michigan State
4. Heartland Trophy - Iowa v Wisconsin
5. Purdue Cannon - Illinois v Purdue
6. Governor's Victory Bell - Minnesota v Penn State

This week's first round match up is the Illibuck v Land Grant. Look for the opportunity to vote in the upper right hand corner of the blog. Thank you.

Rivalry Trophy Tournament

Starting Monday, October 5th SportsFanEngy will conduct a weekly poll determining what the best Big Ten Rivalry Trophy is. There are 12 fought for between Conference teams. They are:

• Illinois v NWestern-Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
• Indiana v Purdue-Old Oaken Bucket
• Indiana v Michigan State-Old Brass Spittoon
• Iowa v Minnesota-Floyd of Rosedale
• Iowa v Wisconsin-Heartland Trophy
• Minnesota v Wisconsin-Paul Bunyan's Axe
• Michigan v Michigan State-Paul Bunyan Trophy
• Michigan v Minnesota-Little Brown Jug
• Illinois v Ohio State-Illibuck Trophy
• Illinois v Purdue-Purdue Cannon
• Minnesota v Penn State-Governor's Victory Bell
• Michigan State v Penn State-Land Grant Trophy

There are twelve rivalry trophies. Brackets, as well as the first match-up will be announced on Monday evening.

Crosstown Classic

Since the beginning of interleague play, the city of Chicago looks forward to the two series the Cubs and White Sox play. For a few days the "snobbish" North-siders brag about the Friendly Confines and the love they have for their losers. While the "blue-collar" South-Siders point out they have their one World Series title over the last 100 years to go along with their knowledge of the game. This series is more for bragging rights than for positioning for a run at the title. But is it?
While the fans find this series important and find it more than a baseball novelty, the players and coaches need to realize it is more than "just another game on the schedule." While driving home and listening to Chicago Sports Talk, players were being interviewed and asked of their thoughts on the upcoming series. Of the few talked to, a few said that this game is like no other, and every one is important to win. But is it a game like no other?
Last fall I wrote about rivalry games. They are important and need to be emphasized as such. The Cubs playing the White Sox isn't like a game against the Pirates or Marlins. The Cubs need to win those games to advance to post-season play. But playing the White Sox and Cardinals prepare them for playoff atmosphere games. Having witnessed games against each of those teams, the players and fans are into every pitch. The roar is louder for a strikeout and the anticipation for the leading run to score grows on every pitch. Playing against the Pirates, fans are more reserved-sitting back and waiting for the Cubs to take the lead, or waiting for the next great celebrity to sing the seventh inning stretch.
Interleague play is here to stay and has proven to be successful in its time. There are series many don't find interesting (Rockies - Royals, Pirates - Angels, etc.), but there are those which don't garner the national attention but the locals find very attractive (Twins - Cubs, Tigers - Cardinals, etc.). But for a team which has had its struggles in the post-season, an interleague series with the crosstown rival has nothing but benefits, as long as the Cubs deem it important.