Conference Realignment: Traditions Must Not Be Neglected in Realignment Talks

When the Big 10 added Nebraska, it split into two different divisions. Geographically, there is no way to load those divisions without having one half be significantly better.

So, they divided themselves not by geography, but called themselves the "Legends" and "Leaders." Forget about what you think about those names for a second, but that particular alignment is fine.

The only problem is that it put Michigan and Ohio State in two different divisions. Still, it was made abundantly clear early on that their rivalry would continue.

As long as that continues, I don't even care if the two are actually in different conferences.

But with the constant talk about realignment and "Super Conferences," it's hard to see how some of these traditional rivalries are going to remain intact.

Let's take the Oklahoma-Texas rivalry, or the Red River Rivalry.

The Sooners and Longhorns played their first game in 1900 and have played each other every year since 1929.

Now, they haven't always been conference rivals. Actually, that's a relatively new phenomenon. Still, they have played every year for more than 80 years now.

That's one of the best rivalries in the game and can't be neglected. The Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry has already been neglected, as those two teams no longer play every year.

The game is not better because of it.

Realignment is fine. I get the need and desire to try to find ways to crown an undisputed National Champion every year. Actually, I agree with that need.

But I am afraid that tradition will be neglected by the powers that be.

I don't mean to say that every single game needs to be honored. But the people making these decisions can't just neglect how important these games are to the fans.

Honestly, tradition is a big part of college sports. Some of those traditions need to be phased out (if they haven't already).

There are some games that were relevant nearly 100 years ago that just don't matter much anymore. As unfortunate as it is, it's fine to neglect some of these games in the quest to find a National Champion.

But when you think about how many teams that will be in these conferences, the non conference schedules are going to be virtually nonexistent.

Honestly, it's hard to keep track of who's going where. These are things that change daily. Quite frankly, it's hard to keep track.

But when you talk about conferences dissolving, there are no ways to do that without having rivals go their separate ways.

Sometimes, that's just a way of the world.

Is conference realignment better for the game? Yes, it is. Anything that can help us get a true National Champion is better.

But it’s not better if the games best rivalries are going to be neglected. I understand that traditions can be something of an anchor, but the best traditions can’t be forgotten.