Which teams will suffer due to division-less college football?

4. Nebraska would have to contend with teams currently in the East

The Nebraska Cornhuskers could have easily topped this list, and it is not because of the lack of success it has experienced in recent years. The Cornhuskers have played for one conference title since joining in 2011.

When the Big Ten moved from “Legends and Leaders” to a more traditional East and West division, most thought the Cornhuskers would contend annually; that has not been the case. Nebraska has finished second in the division only once since the Big Ten moved to East and West and four times overall.

There is also a macro-level issue with the Cornhuskers; they are not a good football program. Nebraska hasn’t had a winning season since 2016, hasn’t won a bowl game since 2015; they haven’t been to a New Year’s Bowl since 2001. Nebraska’s path to a conference title is much more complicated if the Big Ten follows suit and eliminates divisional play.

If Nebraska could return to form, playing in the West would give them a much easier path to the Big Ten Championship. The Cornhuskers have the best facilities and resources than any other team in the West. Without divisions, Nebraska would have to contend with the top of the Big Ten East (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Michigan State).