The Big-10, Like the PAC-10, decided they wanted to expand and rebrand. When the PAC-10 announced expansion, they divided the 12 teams into logical divisions, came up with a new and exciting logo, and did it right. When the Big-10 announced expansion, they divided the 12 teams into divisions based on direction and geographic location, came up with a horrible logo that was a step back from what they had, and did it completely wrong.

Ladies and gentleman... The new Big-10

via www.midwestsportsfans.com

Eww...

What the hell is that? I could have made that in 10 minutes using paint. Oh! The 1 and the G look like a 10! That's fantastic, except that your conference has 12 teams. The last logo, was simple and symbolic.

via grfx.cstv.com

Now, I admit that I'm a little slow on the uptake (That and I've never really taken an up close look at the logo), but I have never seen that 11 in the middle of the logo. It's subtle, it's smooth, it's a great logo. The new one, not so much.

Update: Everyday Should Be Saturday chimes in with their hilarious, as always, take on the new logo.

Stupid Move #2: Divisions

When the PAC-10 was in the process of deciding divisions, people argued for the zipper arrangement, an aspect the Big-10 ran with. I didn't like it for the sheer confusion of what teams were in what divisions, but I could see a ton advantages that came with it. The Big-10 did it and I have no idea what teams will be where. But the stupidest thing that the Big-10 did was name the divisions what they did.

via media.bigtennetwork.com

Huh? Leaders and Legends? First of all, those names are stupid. Second of all, this is the only time in history that Northwestern is in the Legends category and that Joe Paterno isn't.

The conference also named all of their awards after two people, making the names unnecessarily long and annoying. Some examples:

Most fun to say: Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year

Biggest Mouthful: Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year

Wouldn't it be awesome if Paterno won the Paterno: Stagg-Paterno Championship Trophy

Good idea to showcase your history, but couldn't you settle on one name for each?

Way to go Big-10. For once, I am thankful that the Pac-10 administration didn't bumble something as bad as someone else.

(Via: Big-10 and Midwest Sports Fans)