So, the old Legends and Leaders was an attempt at balancing the traditional powers in opposite divisions. I thought they did a decent job. When Maryland/Rutgers joined, powers that be took the opportunity to reshuffle to East/West. Anyone who was paying attention could see that the East would more than likely be the power side most seasons. So, now those East teams don't like the possibility of getting upset in the CCG after they got the big eastern rivalries reestablished?
How's this for an idea.
- no permanent cross-overs
- keep 'divisions', but shuffle the teams in each every two years so you can build a home-and-home over the next two seasons.
- Use conference W/L record over prior two seasons to do the shuffle. Top overall is on side A, second overall is side B, etc. (Overall record plus additional tiebreakers of some sort)
- Play all six teams on your side and have predetermined cross-overs. 1A plays 2B, 4B, 6B as an example. 2A plays 1B, 3B, 5B.
Covid year makes it weird if we started right now, but here's how it would shape up.
Ohio State - A1 | 13 | 1 |
Iowa - B1 | 13 | 4 |
Michigan - A2 | 10 | 5 |
Wisconsin - B2 | 9 | 6 |
MSU - A3 | 9 | 7 |
Minnesota - B3 | 9 | 7 |
Purdue - A4 | 8 | 7 |
Penn St - B4 | 8 | 10 |
Northwestern - A5 | 7 | 9 |
Indiana - B5 | 6 | 10 |
Illinois - A6 | 6 | 11 |
Maryland - B6 | 5 | 9 |
Rutgers - A7 | 5 | 13 |
Nebraska - B7 | 4 | 13 |
Huskers get:
Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Penn State, Indiana, Maryland in 'division'
Cross-overs: something like: Illinois (A6), Purdue (A4), and Michigan (A2)