After 2-plus seasons, Wisconsin is the bully of the Big Ten West

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — When the Big Ten created geographical divisions three years ago, you knew the West had some proving to do against the East.

It still does. The B1G East has won the first two Big Ten title games. Ohio State blew out Wisconsin 59-0 in 2014. Last season, Michigan State tipped the Hawkeyes on an epic 22-play drive in the last minutes for a 16-13 victory.

However the divisions shake out this season, the East is going to be a favorite over the West. Michigan is No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings. No. 6 Ohio State is waiting to pounce. The winner of their annual end-of-the-season matchup has a legit shot at the playoff if it takes care of business in the Big Ten championship game.

With victories over Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern, No. 8 Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2) holds tiebreaker cards in the West. Going into Saturday night's game, the Badgers trailed Nebraska by a game. The Huskers had a night game at Ohio State going on, so if UW and Nebraska end the night 4-2, the Badgers have the upper hand.

Wisconsin has two of its last three games at Camp Randall Stadium with its only road trip going to head-coachless Purdue. The combined record of UW's three opponents (Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota) is 13-14. Meanwhile, Nebraska plays host to Minnesota and Maryland before finishing the season in Iowa City.

Remember all of the scheduling assessments about Wisconsin in the preseason? LSU at Lambeau Field, at Michigan State, at Michigan, Ohio State, at Iowa and Nebraska, it was logical to forecast doom.

'I remember when that schedule came out (in 2013) and I thought, 'How the hell did you kick out something looking like that?'' Wisconsin athletics director Barry Alvarez said in September. 'But it's cyclical. I look around and Nebraska had a bad draw when they came in. I think maybe that's something we've got to look at down the road — equity for everybody. I can't complain about it because other people went through the same gauntlet in past years.

'I think you could take a look at the general strength of some programs and split them up. Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State have been good for a long time. Penn State normally is in that group. Just make sure someone doesn't get all three in a year. That's hard to do. That's something the ADs are going to have to talk about someday.'

Will the West Division, as it's currently configured, be able to throw a punch at the East? This is the first year the league is playing a nine-game conference schedule. Every indication from Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany is that the nine-game league schedule will stick, even with the SEC and ACC deciding to hold at eight.

The regular season totals might match up and might say parity exists between the East and the West, but the championship results have to come along for the ride.

Wisconsin is on track to again represent the West. In the first two-plus seasons, the Badgers have been the class of the division, holding a 12-3 record against B1G West opponents. Iowa is second with a 10-6 mark, including the only 6-0 mark in the first two full seasons (UW is tracking there with a 3-0 mark).

Wisconsin was basically the guinea pig for what would happen if the crossover games roulette wheel landed on the toughest possible East Division opponents. The Badgers have lived. How would any other West Division program hold up?

If Wisconsin crumbles in the title game against Michigan or Ohio State, could a divisional adjustment be something that happens in the near future? Maybe it's something that has to happen.

FIRST 2-PLUS SEASONS IN THE B1G WEST

(Big Ten West Division games only)

Wisconsin 12-3

Iowa 10-6

Northwestern 8-7

Nebraska 8-8

Minnesota 7-8

Illinois 4-11

Purdue 3-13

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com