needed at least 12 members in order to divide up into 2 divisions so it could hold a CCG.

2005-2006 Bylaws
17.11.5.2 Annual Exemptions. The maximum number of football contests shall exclude the following (see Figure 17-13):
(c) Twelve-Member Conference Championship Game. A conference championship game between
division champions of a member conference of 12 or more institutions that is divided into two divisions (of six or more institutions each), each of which conducts round-robin, regular-season competition among the members of that division;

2018-2019 Bylaws
17.10.5.2 Annual Exemptions. [FBS/FCS]
(b) Conference Championship Game. One conference championship game:
(1) Between division champions of a conference that is divided into two divisions (as equally balanced
in number as possible) and conducts round-robin, regular-season competition in each
division; or
(2) Between the top two teams in the conference standings following full round-robin regular season
competition among all members of the conference.

Whether fans like the bylaws or not, there is a reason the various committees and subcommittees (which are made up of college Presidents and ADs) decided on those bylaws.

Also, back then 1 of the tiebreakers was when each team last played in the Rose Bowl (if the teams didn't play each other during the regular season). The tiebreaker went to whichever team has not played in the Rose Bowl for the longest time. So the "best" team or highest ranked team was not always selected to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl.