by Fitzgerald Cecilio

Park Ridge, IL

The Big Ten will use geography to determine its new divisions and division names beginning 2014 season when Maryland and Rutgers join the league.

It will replace current division names Legends and Leaders with East and West.

The proposed Big Ten West is composed of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin and Purdue.

The proposed Big Ten East includes Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers.

Presidents and chancellors are expected to approve the said changes, along with a move to a nine-game conference schedule beginning in the 2016 season, when they vote next week.

The Legends and Leaders divisions will remain for the 2013 season. The Legends are composed of Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern; while the Leaders aree formed by Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.

A 10-game conference schedule, once considered by the league, is no longer a possibility because of the necessity of teams needing seven home games a year, a source said.

The Big Ten's initial division alignment for the 2011 season was based primarily on competitive balance rather than geography.

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Big Ten to Rename, Realign Divisions in 2014