Big Ten going to East-West alignment for divisions, 9-game schedule format

PARK RIDGE, Ill. – The Big Ten says it is going to an East and West alignment for divisions and a nine-game schedule format for conference play.

Big Ten presidents and chancellors approved the moves on Sunday.

The new division alignments will begin in 2014 when Rutgers and Maryland join the conference, meaning "Legends" and "Leaders" will be a thing of the past. Teams will go from playing eight conference games to nine in 2016.

Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers will be in the East division. The West will consist of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin.

School will play six division games plus two against teams from the other division in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, they'll play three cross-division games.

Indiana and Purdue will meet on an annual basis.