Penn State Football: O’Brien Calls New Big Ten East Division Murderers’ Row

The Big Ten announced Sunday afternoon that a nine-game conference schedule would begin during the 2016 season as well as new divisional realignment beginning during the 2014 season. Penn State coach Bill O’Brien likes the move and thinks the new divisions are a great idea.

“I think splitting it into east and west was a great idea,” O’Brien said. “I think that East Division is a tough division, that’s Murderers’ Row.”

The new divisions will feature more geographically-friendly arrangements with Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers in the East Division. Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin will make up the West Division.

“I have to give [Big Ten] Commissioner Delany a lot of credit,” O’Brien said. “He is on the forefront of expansion and just a really smart man that I’ve gotten to know over the past year. The nine game schedule, when you go to a 14 team conference I think it’s important to play more conference games.”

With the start of the nine game conference schedule in 2016, teams from the East Division will host five conference home games during even numbered years. Teams from the West Division will host five conference home games during odd numbered years. The rotation of play will allow for each student athlete to play each team in the conference at least once during his career.