5 worst conference realignment moves in modern college football history

One might be forgiven for expecting Rutgers to be higher up on this list. But given that they were only rarely the strongest program in the Big East/American Athletic Conference during more than two decades in the league, the Scarlet Knights were lucky to be snatched up by the Big Ten when that league looked to expand eastward into the lucrative New York-New Jersey television market.

That was honestly the only reason why the Big Ten looked at Rutgers and said they were a worthy new member. Other than a tie for the 2012 conference championship, the Scarlet Knights had few bright spots as a Big East member. Rutgers posted an average Big East winning percentage of .326 from 1991 to 2013.

When a league like the Big Ten came calling, then, Rutgers was quick to jump at the opportunity before it was removed from consideration. The school hoped that an influx of Big Ten revenue sharing would bolster their hopes of competing in the storied conference. Instead, it has been a nightmare of epic failures.

Since joining the Big Ten, Rutgers wins only one out of every six conference tilts. After going bowling the first year after the transition, the Scarlet Knights average fewer than three wins per season. It has been a rough transition, but this is also a program that had a low ceiling before the move.