Look for Ohio State or Michigan to be in Iowa's Big Ten division for football next year - maybe

It sounds like there is a distinct possibility the Big Ten will separate Michigan and Ohio State when it forms its two divisions for football.

The key word is "possibility." Not "probability."

But when an athletic director is talking the way Michigan's David Brandon talked today, assume that what is possible is very possible.

In this Detroit Free Press story, here was Brandon's response on WTKA-AM when asked if he would put Michigan and OSU in the same division:

"No, because we're in a situation where one of the best things that could happen in a given season, in my opinion, is the opportunity to play Ohio State twice. Once in the regular season and once for the championship of the Big Ten."

OK, but please remember the decision isn't Brandon's. However, Brandon sounded awfully confident when he was asked if Ohio State and Michigan would still meet in a regular-season finale.

"I think there's a distinct possibility that game will be a later game in the season but not necessarily the last game of the season," he said. "That's simply because I don't think the coaches or the players or the fans or the networks or anyone would appreciate that matchup twice within a seven-day period."

OK, let's say Brandon does know something and the Buckeyes and Wolverines will be in opposite divisions. What would be the total breakdown? I can't get a handle on it.

You know Michigan and Michigan State would be together. And the Big Ten feels it has four superpowers in Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Nebraska, so two go in one division and two in the other. But would that mean the league would also separate Iowa and Wisconsin, who are held in nearly the same esteem football-wise? I think so, but I'm guessing.

I've run this around in my mind a few times and come up with nothing I feel confident will be the final decision. But I'll put this out there, . Putting OSU and Michigan in opposite divisions, let's hear what you've got.

Lou Holtz Division: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State.

Lee Corso Division: Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin would hate this. The Badgers have great rivalries with Minnesota and Iowa, and want to play Wisconsin. But Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska have to be together in my mind, and I just don't see the Big Ten having two of its "historical power" programs in the same division with both Iowa and Wisconsin.

Maybe I'm just slanting things to make things easier for myself. Outside of Ohio State, all other divisional opponents would be games that a sportswriter could easily reach by car.

If Michigan and Ohio State are indeed split, how do you divide everyone else? More importantly, should they be split? I say no.