What will the Big Ten divisions look like now that UCLA and UCLA have joined the conference in 2024? There are many options to consider.
The Big Ten just underwent a major change with the addition of UCLA and USC beginning in 2024.
The biggest Western powers in both football and basketball are trading in the Pac-12 membership for a taste of the Big Ten, and the conference size is growing from 14 to 16 teams.
Don’t expect B1G to change the name precisely numerically now but will have to make some changes when it comes to partitions and scheduling.
In the simplest modification, the USC and UCLA in the Western Division could be combined with Purdue turning east to accommodate the lopsided numbers to form two eight-division divisions.
Here’s what it might look like, but don’t get too carried away, it’s not the only or even the most likely option.
The Big Ten Divisions with UCLA and USC
the West
- USC
- University of California
- Illinois
- Yes
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- North West
- Wisconsin
east
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Ohio State
- Pennsylvania state
- Bordeaux
- Rutgers
Even before the USC-UCLA bomb hit, there was talk of B1G eliminating divisions altogether.
Alternatively, a rotation schedule may be adopted with protected competitions to ensure at least one (and possibly more) annual matches.
If it is limited to one protected rivalry, then this setup makes a lot of sense with the rest of the opponents in a table of nine or eight matches.
Big Ten without divisions but protected competitions and a rotating schedule
- Illinois + Northwestern
- Indiana + Purdue
- Iowa + Nebraska
- Maryland + Rutgers
- Michigan + Ohio
- Michigan State + Pennsylvania
- Minnesota + Wisconsin
- UCLA + USC
It is also possible to have two or even three protected deductions, although this is difficult to predict.
The conference has only a few years to sort this out before the Trojans and Bruins emerge. Who knows, by then maybe more teams have joined.
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