Comparing overall records in all crossover games between B1G east v west isn't particularly useful. That rutgers and maryland have been inept isn't that relevant when trying to sort out who are the best of the bunch.
A more relevant comparison would be the crossover records of the top teams. Just in a quick look that I had time for now, the 3 teams from the west that have made the title game since 2014 are well below .500 against the 4 teams from the east that have made it (15-23). All of the teams from the west (Iowa, nw and wisky) are individually sub .500 against their 4 counterparts from the east. FWIW, Iowa has the best overall record against the top end of the east at 5-6. yay.
My argument is that in this case, the strength differential at the top between the two divisions far outweighs other factors when setting up a system to determine the best teams to get into a title game without the possibility of every team playing every other team during the regular season. If the goal is to get the two best teams in the conference into the title game, it probably does make sense to scrap the current division structure.
A more relevant comparison would be the crossover records of the top teams. Just in a quick look that I had time for now, the 3 teams from the west that have made the title game since 2014 are well below .500 against the 4 teams from the east that have made it (15-23). All of the teams from the west (Iowa, nw and wisky) are individually sub .500 against their 4 counterparts from the east. FWIW, Iowa has the best overall record against the top end of the east at 5-6. yay.
My argument is that in this case, the strength differential at the top between the two divisions far outweighs other factors when setting up a system to determine the best teams to get into a title game without the possibility of every team playing every other team during the regular season. If the goal is to get the two best teams in the conference into the title game, it probably does make sense to scrap the current division structure.