Where the Illinois Fighting Illini Sit in the New Big Ten Divisional Alignments

The above logos represent Illinois' Big Ten division, which could be named the Woody Division after former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes.

Last night, the Big Ten formally announced its new divisions for the conference as it expands to 12 teams.

While announcing the new divisions, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany noted how competitive equality, maintaining rivalries and geographical location all played into the final decision.

Let’s take a look at where and with whom Illinois has been situated.

Illinois’ Place in the New-Look Big Ten

Illinois will play the five teams in its division (Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin) and a protected rival (Northwestern) every year, while rotating playing two of the other five teams from the opposing division (Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska).

The crossover games will rotate every two years to allow a home-and-home series. This means that Illinois will have the same conference opponents in 2011 and 2012.

Illinois should be happy with the division it landed in. While the big three in its division (Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin) appear stronger than the big three in the opposing division (Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska), the other teams in the bottom half of the division are less talented than those in the other division.

Being in the same division as Ohio State and Penn State, two teams that gain a huge amount of national spotlight, will be something Illinois can use to its advantage when recruiting. With that said, the Illini will be in for a challenge where it all matters, on the field, against these three teams.

Here is a look at Illinois’ official schedule for 2011.

Sept. 3 – Arkansas State

Sept. 10 – South Dakota State

Sept. 17 – Arizona State

Sept. 24 – Western Michigan

Oct. 1 – Northwestern

Oct. 8 – at Indiana

Oct. 15 – Ohio State

Oct. 22 – at Purdue

Oct. 29 – at Penn State

Nov. 5 – Bye

Nov. 12 – Michigan

Nov. 19 – Wisconsin

Nov. 26 – at Minnesota

This is a great schedule for Illinois. With 8 home games as opposed to the usual 6, Ohio State and Wisconsin at home, and the two weakest non-crossover teams from the other division in Michigan and Minnesota, Illinois should have no problem making a bowl game.

In 2015, there are talks of expanding to a 9 game conference schedule, but for now Illinois should be extremely happy with how things shook out in the conference realignment, at least in the short-term.

Some Other Thoughts on the Big Ten Divisional Breakdown

→ BIG TEN REVEALS DIVISIONAL BREAKDOWN

→ ZOOK: 9 BIG TEN GAMES WILL MAKE SCHEDULE TOUGHER

→ RON ZOOK ON BIG TEN REALIGNMENT

→ ILLINI’S GUENTHER, ZOOK PLEASED WITH DIVISION SPLIT

→ BIG TEN’S NEW SET-UP: NU WINS, ILLINOIS LOSES AGAIN (AND AGAIN AND AGAIN)

→ 2011, 2012 FOOTBALL SCHEDULES FOR NORTHWESTERN, ILLINOIS

→ BIG TEN DIVISIONS: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

→ ILLINI TO LAND IN DIVISION WITH OSU, PSU, WISCONSIN

→ TOUGH NEW LANDSCAPE COULD BE HARD ON ILLINI

→ NORTHWESTERN-ILLINOIS RIVALRY APPEARS SAFE

Tags: Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, Big Ten Conference, Big Ten Division Breakdown, Big Ten Divisional Realignment, Big Ten Divisions, Big Ten Football, Fighting Illini Football, Illini Football, Illinois Fighting Illini football, Illinois Football, Indiana Football, Iowa Football, Jim Delany, Michigan Football, Michigan State Football, Minnesota Football, Nebraska Football, Northwestern Football, Ohio State Football, Penn State Football, Purdue Football, Wisconsin Football