INDIANAPOLIS — The Big Ten can trick up this expansion thing as much as it wants.
The largest conference by membership in FBS history now stretches from Manhattan Beach to the Jersey Shore. Amid all the fanfare this week at Big Ten Media Days, there won’t be much breaking down the fact someone this season has to finish … 18th. That’s never happened before, either.
The history and tradition of this gold-plated conference still endures, but math professors are about to sue for damages. Try explaining to an average algebra class how 10 equals 18 when presenting a slideshow of conference logos.
The Pac-12 thought the weather in Eugene, Oregon, was dicey? Let’s see how the Ducks come out of November trips to balmy Michigan and Wisconsin. USC finds itself closer to tornado shelters this week than Universal Studios. Welcome, UCLA and their frequent flier miles. The Bruins will travel the equivalent of 89% of the way around the globe in their inaugural Big Ten season which includes trips to Hawaii and LSU.
But the basics still apply in the Big Ten. It’s actually the conference’s origin story: Ohio State vs. Michigan. Sorry, West Coast newbies, but after careful consideration, the Big Ten story going into 2024 is Ohio State trying to beat Michigan for the first time since 2019.
Based on recent events, it’s hard to tell what’s heavier these days, Ohio State as a favorite to win the expanded Big Ten or the weight of a Go Blue Bummer facing the Buckeyes if they don’t.
Yup, here we go again.
Even with the intriguing additions of Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA, the public airing of Ohio State-Michigan grievances remains this league’s biggest and best export. The loser of their annual tussle will endure seemingly endless misery.
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