Thread by @cfb_professor

So it appears as if the #B1G may hold off on further expansion until atleast 2024 (why 2024?, ND/NBC contract expires in April 2025 & the BigTen won't make a move w/out a definitive answer from the Irish). Let's take a look at what Pods may look like from the new 16 team B1G.🧵

Pod 1
USC
UCLA
Northwestern
Illinois

Travel is going to be a nightmare for USC/UCLA. The #B1G would be wise to try and ease that as much as possible. The easiest/closest travel from LA would be to Chicago hence Northwestern. Illinois comes along as NW's biggest rival.

Pod 2
Nebraska
Iowa
Minnesota
Wisconsin

This Pod is fairly self explanatory. Preservation of the historic Iowa/Minnesota/Wisconsin rivalries is obtained and the new additional rivalries w/ Nebraska are nurtured. #B1G shouldn't spilt these four.

Pod 3
Michigan
Ohio State
Indiana
Purdue

This is where it gets tricky. U cant group MSU/tOSU/UM in the same pod & have any semblance of balance. Not putting MSU/UM in the same pod doesnt mean they cant play every yr, might be a designated rivalry? #B1G will have to get creative.

Pod 4
Penn State
Michigan State
Rutgers
Maryland

Still seems awkward not having MSU/UM in the same pod, but like I mentioned; thats where #B1G creativity may have to come in with protected rivalries. PSU/MSU do have a rivalry but on a smaller scale.

The next format that is a possibility would be the traditional Division format. Trying to keep competitive balance in a division format while keeping geography in the realm of semi-sanity is going to be a huge challenge for the #B1G. Here goes.

Division 1
USC
UCLA
Nebraska
Iowa
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Northwestern
Illinois

Division 2
Ohio St
Penn St
Michigan St
Michigan
Indiana
Purdue
Maryland
Rutgers

See what I mean? Those divisions look horrible. I really hope the #B1G steers clear of divisions.

The third option is for every team to have 3 designated rivals. They then would rotate through the other 6 teams for what has been dubbed a 3-6-6 scheduling model. Still has some warts, but much better than divisions for the new #B1G. Here goes.

USC: UCLA, Penn St, Northwestern

The USC/UCLA matchup is a no brainer. The #B1G is also going to want to matchup #USC w/ a brand. Hard to ask UM or tOSU to play USC. Given they play each other already. I see PSU as the pairing. Northwestern is there for ease of travel.

UCLA: USC, Nebraska, Purdue

Once again USC/UCLA is a no brainer & once again the #B1G is going to want to get a brand into that LA market. UCLA & #Nebraska seems like a good fit. Purdue is another one of convenience.

Nebraska: Iowa, UCLA, Wisconsin

The Iowa/Nebraska game is a must keep, and UCLA has been added for reasons I mentioned above. Wisconsin seems like the best 3rd partner for Nebraska.

Iowa: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota

These are fairly easy. Nebraska/Iowa is there due to proximity and that budding rivalry. The other two are historic and should be kept by the #B1G.

#Minnesota: Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan

The first two are fairly easy as they are historic uninterrupted rivalries. The 3rd being Michigan & the annual renewal of the little brown jug.

#Wisconsin: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska

Once again, the first two are historic & should be preserved by the #B1G. The 3rd is a budding rivalry.

#Northwestern: USC, Illinois, Purdue

Northwestern gets USC due to ease of travel through the Chicago hub. The Illinois rivalry is a no brainer & Purdue is the 3rd partner due to proximity.

#Illinois: Northwestern, Ohio State, Indiana

Got to pair with the in-state rival, and although a minor rivalry, the Illi-Buck is restored? Indiana is the 3rd partner here.