What we alluded to earlier has come to pass. The Big T1e2n Divisions for 2011 are as follows-
- Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern
- Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana
In addition, The Game will be the last game of the season, but only for the next two years.
So, those of us who believe that it was a mistake to put Michigan and Ohio State in separate divisions can look at this in one of two ways: We just got thrown a bone, and they’ll do what they want to The Game in two years; or In two years, the conference will be different (further expansion?) and there will be another chance to re-evaluate the rivalry and realign the divisions.
Here’s the 2011 schedule for Ohio State, including out of conference games:
- Sept 3 Akron
- Sept 10 Toledo
- Sept 17 Miami
- Sept 24 Colorado
- Oct 01 Michigan State
- Oct 08 at Nebraska
- Oct 15 at Illinois
- Oct 22 Bye
- Oct 29 Wisconsin
- Nov 05 Indiana
- Nov 12 at Purdue
- Nov 19 Penn St
- Nov 26 at Michigan
- December 3 Conference Championship Game (Indianapolis)
Again, next year the Buckeyes will be playing Miami, Colorado, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan. That’s a heck of a schedule, and if Purdue continues to strengthen, it looks to be even more challenging.
Oh, and you can mark “October 08, 2011” on your calendars as the day my marriage gets even more awkward.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
