infrared41

I'll also add this; The Big XII ruined the Oklahoma - Nebraska rivalry when they messed around with it. Let's learn from history and not botch up Ohio State - Michigan.

They killed it because they adopted a scheduling system that lacked protected cross division rivalries. My suggested alignment that I think touched this off was going to allow for one cross division protected rivalry.

If having a championship game rematch immediately thereafter works for everyone, sure keep it at the last week of the season. The bigger issue here is we need to break up the Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State group of death somehow, and I'd like to see it done in a geographically rational way that is not like the ACC's cluster alignment that nobody really remembers and you could likely change annually without anyone noticing the difference.

Not for nothing but... Isn't it entirely possible that other teams could win either division? I'll say it again, we keep acting as if the season is just a formality that will lead to the inevitable Ohio State -Michigan clash for the Big Ten title every season. Last I checked, it's no longer the 60's and 70's when it was the Big 2 and the little 8. (Then again, I take a lot of painkillers so you may want to double check my assessment of what decade it is. )

Does it really matter when in the season a beat down of your arch rival happens, just so long as it happens?

In this case, yes. It matters a great deal. There is no logical explanation for it but it's the way we want it.

If Michigan and Ohio State were to play in opposite divisions, exactly why can't they keep their game at the end of the season?

Good point. I'm fine with it if they end up meeting in The Big Ten title game. I have no problem at all with beating their asses two weeks in a row. We need to stop acting as if it's a guarantee that either team will always play in the championship game.

I'll also add this; The Big XII ruined the Oklahoma - Nebraska rivalry when they messed around with it. Let's learn from history and not botch up Ohio State - Michigan.

I am not sure about splitting up Michigan and OSU.

I am. Anything that would somehow screw up "The Game" cannot and will not happen. Ever.

Notre Dame may not want to admit it, but I think they might need the Big Ten to stay relevant.

I agree because if I had my choice of who to pick as the 12th team I'd take Pitt. They're better. Notre Dame is Michigan State with different uniforms and less hope.

Plus a Big Ten Championship game from Soldier Field would be awesome.

Too small, too outdoors. That thing is locked in Indy, with perhaps an occasional token gesture in Detroit.

Considering The University of Michigan is all of about 20-30 minutes west of Detroit on I-94 I think Ford Field will be more than just a "token gesture." My guess is if it is always an indoor game then it would alternate between the two. The Metrodome could be in play as well. But, early December is still very reasonable for football in these parts so an outdoor game isn't at all out of the question. That could put Soldier Field, Browns Stadium, Heinz Field, and Paul Brown Stadium into the mix as well.

I think he actually has a few championship rings.

-Dan

I realize that but it is a few or dozens?

By request, and since I for some inexplicable reason have dozens of them, I'll start the official CCSLC Championship Ring thread with images of the following:

Actual rings or images of rings?

Tropicana Field is great if you like to watch baseball being played in a mausoleum. The new stadium looks great. It's what a Florida baseball stadium should look like. I hope it becomes a reality.