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The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/mashtodon on 2024-02-01 01:08:26.
I was looking through old (1945 and earlier) Chicago Daily Tribune articles and I noticed that they frequently talk about teams trying to make the “first division” of the Big Ten. I can’t find any explanation of what the first division might have been. From context, it sounds like it was probably just an informal way to describe the top certain number of teams based on record, but there’s reference to it playing into Rose Bowl eligibility as well. In one article on basketball, the author even talks about a team hoping for “promotion” to the first division.
I found the language surprising and was hoping some of our CFB historians here might be able to provide some context.
Some examples:
- “The other games Saturday will determine largely the makeup of the first division. Wisconsin and Illinois, each with one victory, meet at Madison. Ohio State, with no victories, two defeats, and one tie, faces Northwestern.” – “BEAT MICHIGAN” CRY KEEPS BIG 10 ROOTERS AWAKE: Rivals Have 3 Chances at Leaders. Smith, Wilfrid, Chicago Daily Tribune, Nov. 3, 1932.
- WEARY WILDCAT ELEVEN AIMS AT FIRST DIVISION: Meets Illini Saturday in Final Game of Season. Chicago Daily Tribune, Nov. 20, 1945
- "Northwestern’s schedule included every team which finished in the first division except Wisconsin, and of these Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota defeated the Wildcats, which obviously is one reason why Northwestern could do no better than top the second flight." – FIELD GOALS ARE REVIVED TO WIN BIG GRID GAMES: Field Goals Revived to Win Titles. Chicago Daily Tribune, Nov. 21, 1932