Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, November 18, 2015

Arkansas coach Bret Beilema offered an idea that garnered plenty of attention on social media Wednesday.

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Speaking to the media, the former Wisconsin coach proposed a Big Ten/SEC Challenge to help with future non-conference scheduling.

What a great idea. The Big Ten/ACC Challenge is an all-around success on the hardwood every winter, and this would be even bigger. Can you imagine the popularity of such an annual event, considering the overwhelming Big Ten and SEC pride and the desire to have the unofficial bragging rights as the nation's top conference?

Hey, a fella can dream, can?t he?

Let?s have seven games, with four taking place on campuses, one in New York City another in Atlanta and another rotating between Chicago and New Orleans. How perfect would this be?

Here's what the 2015 matchups could have looked like:

Alabama at Ohio State. From Woody and Bear to Nick and Urban, these programs carry heft and tradition like few others. We got to see the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes meet last year in the college football playoffs in the Sugar Bowl. And, it was a classic, with No. 4 seed Ohio State shocking No. 1 Bama. A clash this year would pit top backs Derrick Henry vs. Ezekiel Elliott. Henry is No. 2 in the nation with 1,458 yards rushing; Elliott is No. 3 with 1,425. Bring your own neck roll to this game.

Iowa at Florida. A clash between two of the nation?s most surprising teams. Who was picking the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten West or the Gators to take the SEC East back in August? No one. But here they are. In fact, first-year UF coach Jim McElwain–a former Michigan State assistant–already has sewn up the SEC East for Florida and Kirk Ferentz is a win this Saturday from claiming the West for Iowa. Both of these teams play tough defense, so a meeting likely wouldn?t feature many points.

Michigan State at LSU. How much fun would it be to see Bayou Bengal stud running back Leonard Fournette-who leads America with 1,474 yards rushing–try to run into the teeth of the rugged Spartan defensive line led by Malik McDowell and Shilique Calhoun?

Michigan vs. Ole Miss (New York). Jim Harbaugh?s ?M? hat vs. Hugh Freeze?s visor. Yes, please. The matchup to see would be the Wolverines defense and a strong secondary vs. Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly and the talented Rebel wideouts. Jabrill Peppers vs. Laquon Treadwell. Hotty toddy! Gosh A?mighty! This would be fun.

Arkansas at Wisconsin. Oh, this would be too perfect-Hogs coach Bret Bielema returning to the school he abruptly left. Wisconsin A.D. Barry Alvarez still has to be miffed that Bielema bolted without so much as a ?good-bye? right after the 2012 Big Ten title game. I don't think they've spoken since. This storyline writes itself. And Bielema would be facing his former Badger offensive coordinator Paul Chryst. Let?s wire Bielema for sound.

Penn State vs Tennessee (Georgia). Brew a pot of decaf Sanka for this meeting between high-energy coaches James Franklin and Butch Jones, who would provide some sideline theatrics for two of the nation?s fast-rising programs. No need for caffeine when watching this battle between Vols QB Josh Dobbs and Nittany Lions signal-caller Christian Hackenberg, which will keep you rocking in your seat.

Nebraska vs. Missouri (Chicago/New Orleans). The former Big 12 rivals met 104 times, the conference's second-longest rivalry, with Nebraska owning the advantage, 65-36-3. The Cornhuskers left the Big 12 after the 2010 season, and the Tigers followed the next season, a pair of moves that played a significant role in the latest wave of conference expansion. Neither team is having the season is expected, but this matchup would pit one of the nation's most storied programs vs. its longtime rival and the two-time defending SEC East champ.

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