Athletics Releases 2011-2012 Conference Football Schedules, Comments on New Divisional Alignment
Sept. 1, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- IU Athletics tonight released its 2011 and 2012 Big Ten football schedules following the league's announcement of new divisions for football effective next season. The new alignment will place Indiana in a division with Illinois, Ohio State, Purdue, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Photo by Mike Dickbernd/IU Athletics
The alignment ensures that Indiana will annually face longstanding rival Purdue and each other member of its respective division. Indiana's annual Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue will continue to be played on the final week of the regular season. In addition, the conference has designated that Indiana will annually play a cross division game against Michigan State, which allows the teams to continue to play for The Old Brass Spittoon.
Chaired by Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie, the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors unanimously accepted the new conference alignment and conference football schedules for 2011 and 2012. IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass and his fellow athletic directors unanimously recommended the new alignment to the CPAC.
"We felt they did a very good job of preserving storied rivalries while maintaining a competitive balance across the conference," McRobbie said. "We're convinced that these new alignments will bring even more excitement and fan interest to Big Ten football competition."
"I am sure our fans will be excited that we will open up conference play at home in 2011 against Penn State and Illinois," said Glass. "I am also pleased that the Old Oaken Bucket game remains as the regular season finale for IU and Purdue ."
"We are happy to be a part of the Big Ten realignment," said IU Football Coach Bill Lynch. "It is great to see that our traditional rivalries are respected in the new divisions. We look forward to years of competitive football and showing the country why the Big Ten is the best conference in the nation."Click here to find out more!
2011 Big Ten Schedule
10/1 Penn State
10/8 Illinois
10/15 @Wisconsin
10/22 @Iowa
10/29 Northwestern
11/5 @Ohio State
11/19 @Michigan State
11/26 Purdue
2012 Big Ten Schedule
9/29 @Northwestern
10/6 Michigan State
10/13 Ohio State
10/27 @Illinois
11/3 Iowa
11/10 Wisconsin
11/17 @Penn State
11/24 @Purdue
