The only thing the states of Iowa and Maryland have in common is that they have state songs sung to the tune of “O Christmas Tree.”
That was, until yesterday, when Jim Delany, having lost his last chance at love with Notre Dame, decided to destabilize the Jello mold that is BCS conference structure in the 2010s. Now Maryland and Rutgers are going to be playing the Hawkeyes. Why? Three words: Big. Ten. Network. Maryland’s president has admitted it’s all about the money.
When more conferences than not have 14 teams, a 10-team league is at a confirmed, systematic disadvantage for trying to keep highly ranked teams at the top. The Big 12 needs more teams, and needs to go asking around now. (Please, Mr. Dodds Bowlsby).
With these changes, the B1G will be smart enough to take the mulligan and fix the absolutely asinine divisions and names, right? Right?
Maryland’s president told the school’s board of regents that the Terrapins and fellow Big Ten newcomer Rutgers would play in the Leaders Division, with Illinois switching to the Legends, ESPN.com’s Brett McMurphy is reporting.
*facepalm*
That means that in an eight-conference-game schedule, Iowa-Wisconsin will be played twice every 12 years. Even as an Iowa State fan, I know that’s bad for the Hawkeyes and state of Iowa.
The best thing that can be said about this is that unlike the previous two times, Iowa State isn’t in danger. Yet.