J. Michael Jackeon wrote:
 
> Ralph Baer says that he doesn't have a problem with the Big 10 teams
> playing each other more, but doesn't want it taken too far.  I'm not sure
> what he means by 'too far', but I suspect that I'll disagree with him.  I'd
> argue for playing each other at least twice a year and getting an
> established Big 10 championship going.
 
Yes, I guess that we do disagree.  This would, of course mean that Wisconsin
and Minnesota would play six games per year against out-of-conference Big-10
teams.  Depending upon whether or not they play in Alaska in any given year,
this wouldn't leave much room for playing anyone else, would it?  I suspect
that given the opportunity these schools would do as you stated, I just
don't feel that it is in the best interest of College Hockey, in general,
for this to happen. Just my two cents.
 
> In so many ways, these really are the natural rivals for teams like
> Minnesota and Wisconsin.
 
This might be the case, but if it is then why did Michigan and Michigan
State leave the WCHA many years ago?  If they had not left the WCHA, then
we would not have this problem (my apologies to OSU).
 
<snip>
 
> Besides, I want a chance to pay Ohio State back for all the football
> humiliation I've suffered.
 
I suspect that OSU will be much improved in the next year or two.  This
might not happen.
 
<snip>
 
I do understand that certain teams play other teams in other sports all the
time, and thus are natural rivals.  The unique part of hockey is that out
of the 43 current Div-1 teams, 17 are not Div-1 in all sports.  Granted
that the teams that play some of these 17 teams in other sports are also
in Div-1 in hockey (e.g., Clarkson, St. Lawrence, RPI, and Union all play
in the same league in other sports).
 
I also agree with comments that Nathan Boyle made and won't repeat them.
 
Ralph Baer
RPI-Troy '68, '70, '74
(I have been reassured by Dick Tuthill that RPI-Hartford still exists.)
 
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