Matt Rhule opens about feelings on divisions in conferences

Matt Rhule is new to the Big Ten but he certainly likes the way the divisions are set up. However, the conference is slated to axe the East and West next year upon expansion.

That was originally for when USC and UCLA came in, but with Oregon and Washington added into the mix, it’s anyone’s guess. Rhule looked back on his days in the Big 12, where there were no divisions while he coached Baylor.

But the Nebraska coach couldn’t quite tell which setup was better.

“The Big 12, we didn’t have divisions,” Rhule said. “But you played every team every year. So you would have to repeat against somebody or beat someone you hadn’t beaten (in the conference title game). Whereas bigger conferences you can maybe play somebody you haven’t played before, right? So, you know, which one’s better? I don’t know. I mean, like I thought it was kind of cool playing divisions. But, you know, the league’s gotten so big, it’d be really hard to do that.”

Divisions are all well and good, but the in the era of expansion, getting the best teams and more, Rhule said the top two teams in each league should be playing for the top prize.

“As just kind of a purist, I like the way things always were, but I do appreciate the fact that at least now, the two best teams are playing in each conference,” Rhule said. “And so, you know, we played Oklahoma, we played Navy (while I was at Temple), we played Houston, those are the teams you played in conference championship games. 

“And those are the best teams in the league. And so you know, moving forward, I think it’s gonna be really unique. You know, there’s a real challenge ahead for the Big Ten but … they’ll figure it out.”

Now that the Big Ten has more of a west coast presence with four schools beginning next season, one has to wonder if it’ll keep divisions out East and West. From a logical standpoint, it’d make sense for USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon to play one another each year based on proximity.

The travel is going to be long for the west coast schools, even getting to the midwest and especially out to the east against the likes of Rutgers and Maryland. No decisions have been made yet, plus the Big Ten is going to have to scrap its recent schedule release which included USC and UCLA.

So do divisions make sense in the new 18-team Big Ten conference for 2024 and beyond? It remains to be seen.