So this one time, the Big Ten split up Michigan and Ohio State, and everyone freaked out because they were concerned that it would kill one of the most storied rivalries in college football. But that one time, everyone was being stupid.
In a brief, but convincing piece, I am about to explain why splitting up Ohio State and Michigan (in two divisions that have not yet been named) means, you guessed it, absolutely nothing.
Point One: The Big Ten likes money
There is only one annual game in college football that generates more revenue than Ohio St. Michigan, and it’s the Red River Shootout. That’s mostly because all of Texas and Oklahoma turn it into a three day weekend with a carnival at a neutral venue. The Big Ten decided to have twelve teams in order to further increase revenue through both the Big Ten Network and their television contracts with ABC. With that in mind, do you honestly think that they would cancel the most important college football rivalry north of the Confederacy?
The answer here is out of division games. And the Big Ten has already said they are going to happen, every year. Here’s the rule of thumb. If an athletic conference has a chance to make tens of millions in revenue over one game, you can bet they are going to play that game.
Point Two: Why aren’t you looking at the big picture?
Remember that time I told you the Big Ten likes money? Well, they still do. If you have a twelve team conference, you are allowed to have a conference championship game. That means three things. 1) You will play an extra football game, which makes the conference money. 2) You will be playing in a giant neutral stadium, which will make the conference more money. 3) The game will be nationally televised, which will flood the conference with money.
Now I want you to think for a second. Why would a conference with the most important rivalry in college football split the two rivals up? Oh yes, IT’S BECAUSE THEY WANT THE TWO OF THEM TO PLAY IN A CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.
So it’s time to stop the yapping Big Ten fans, not only are you still set up for a Buckeye Wolverine game every year, you are potentially set up for two.
Lesson done.