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Should the Big Ten change
its divisional structure, and
if so, how?
By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
I heard James Franklin on the topic encouraging discussion, and it's totally understandable.
As we sit here this morning, the best four teams in the Big Ten -- Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State -- are not only parked in the Top 10 but in the Big Ten East, too.
Of course, if you're the coach trying to negotiate that gauntlet, you'd peek over at the Big Ten West, see Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa (and Iowa ... and Iowa ... and Iowa) and wonder why that division gets an automatic ticket to the Big Ten championship game.
In the 10-year history of the title game, among current Big Ten West Division teams, only Wisconsin (in the first two years) has won the conference title. (Michigan State won one out of the Legends Division, beating Ohio State, before the divisions were aligned to better reflect geography and rivalry).
Counting the Spartans, East Division teams have won the last eight, including Penn State in 2016 and the Buckeyes the last four.
Clearly, the Lions would have more appearances in the title game if they were in the West Division, but would they have more rings?
The Big Ten East is rivaling the SEC West as the most dominant division in college football with one kingpin each - Alabama and Ohio State.
To me, being able to sell that status - and be as competitive as Penn State has been - is an honor, not something to run from.
Sure, the Big Ten could scramble some teams or do away altogether with divisions, but then do you still stage a championship game? Taking the top two teams from a 14-team league and having the runnerup truck to Indy for a title game rings hollow.
While other leagues expand and poach and scramble, the Big Ten remains a leader for its stability - and there's something to be said for that.
Let's face it: To be the "elite" program Penn State aspires to be, it has to figure out a way to beat Ohio State. It probably won't happen again this year, especially if Sean Clifford isn't available or at 100 percent - or even if he is - and that's OK.
You would have thought the Lions may have gained ground on the Buckeyes when Urban Meyer left and Ryan Day succeeded him - except that Day, despite not having been a head coach, has been just as good professionally and way more tolerable personally.
That doesn't mean Day will retire in Columbus. He has an NFL background, and the Browns are almost always looking for a coach.
The point is things change. Franklin has recruited the top quarterback in Ohio, Drew Allar, and maybe he'll wind up being a difference maker over the next couple years. Certainly, you'd think he'll be motivated.
Either way, it's the old saying: To be the best, you have to beat the best, which is why the Big Ten's current setup is perfect for the Nittany Lions.
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.