Big Ten East vs. West race going into CCG

[LittlePig]

Believe or not the West is still alive in the race for the Best Big Ten Divsion.

Going into the CCG, the East still holds a 1 game advantage 11-10 over the West.

There is only 1 inter-division game left.  The Big Ten Conference Championship Game.

If OSU beats NW, then the East will once again be crowned the best division.

If NW beats OSU,  then the west will win the tiebreaker and the West will be crowned the best division.

It all comes down to this one last game.  Winner takes all.

[Brutus Buckeye]

The East is generally feast or famile, with both the best and worst teams in the conference.

The West is full of teams that are good but not great, but most are certainly capable of knocking off a good East team on the right day.

[ELA]

I think it's pretty clear that the East is more top heavy, but the West is far deeper.  Which one is "tougher" depends on what kind of team you are.  If you are a CFP contender type, you'd rather be in the West, where there are no other teams that should be at your level; if you are a team just trying to get bowl eligible, it's probably easier in the East, where you get more "should win" type games.

[LittlePig]

Cross division records this year

East
OSU 2-1
Mich 3-0
PSU 3-0
MSU 1-2
MD 2-1
Indy  0-3
Rut.  0-3
Total 11-10

West
NW 2-1
Wisc 1-2
Pur 2-1
Iowa 2-1
Neb 1-2
Minn 1-2
ILL 1-2
Total 10-11

Yup, the East has 2 teams 3-0 and 2 teams 0-3

The West has no team 3-0 and no teams 0-3

Kind of confirms the East is the Feast or Famine Division.

[FearlessF]

nice work

[Hawkinole]

Big Ten West in bowl games: 4-1
Big Ten East in bowl games: 1-3

Wasn't sure where to put this as it doesn't seem to deserve its own thread. Arguably Minnesota and Nebraska were on the uptick as the season ended, and Minnesota has a young team. Purdue retained its coach but didn't do so well bowling. Going into next year the Big Ten West seems to be getting stronger. It remains to be seen how strong at it will be at the top.