Has the time come for the Big Ten and Notre Dame to join forces? The Big Ten is just god awful. Last week Illinois beat Iowa and then Western Michigan beats Illinois and then Iowa beats Penn State. Does this mean that the MAC can compete with the Big Ten? You bet they can. Penn State and Ohio State would both be bottom feeders in the SEC or Big 12. USC is also a mile ahead of them.
Notre Dame is also falling on hard times. Many negative ramifications could come of this. Cancellation or reduction of the TV contract from NBC, reluctance of major colleges to schedule them. Notre Dame could have a schedule made up of Army, Navy, Air Force, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, etc. As you know, when they needed a coach, Urban Meyer stood clear of that situation. Long term recruiting could also be effected.
The solution: The Big Ten and Notre Dame need to join forces and form a 12 team league with a championship game. This game could be held indoors at Ford Field in Detroit each year. The Big Ten also needs to build in a bye week before their rivalry games in order to limit the longer layoff between the last game and the bowl game.
North Division Penn Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
East Division Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana