It is no secret the Big Ten is committed to spreading its reach. Traditionally a Midwest conference, the Big Ten dove into the Great Plains in 2011 to pull in Nebraska as its 12th member. This past summer, East Coast schools Maryland and Rutgers joined the nation's oldest athletic conference.

To display this growth, the Big Ten unveiled a commercial showing off the geography. The 40-second bit takes viewers into and out of the college towns and cities included in the Big Ten. Such cities as Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, which do not actually have teams located in the urban city limits, are prominently featured.

A YouTube user named Tom McGrath created a remix of the commercial to the 'Game of Thrones' theme music. The map scenario is eerily similar to the 'Game of Thrones' intro.

The tone is much darker than the first cut, but maybe the Big Ten could use the intimidation factor against SEC opponents.

Although the commercial made an appearance on television during every Big Ten opening game this weekend, the 'Games of Thrones' version is holding its own on YouTube. On Monday night, the Big Ten's upload had garnered about 3,600 views. Tom McGrath's version had more 5,600.

George R.R. Martin, the writer of the 'Game of Thrones' books and co-executive producer of the television series, is actually no stranger to the Big Ten. Martin attended Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism where he earned a B.S. in 1970 and an M.S. in 1971.

The 65-year-old Wildcat could have helped with Northwestern's plot on Saturday. The team lost its opener to Cal, 31-24, at home.

Big Ten Heisman Trophy Winners

 

Troy Smith

Ohio State quarterback, 2006.

 

Ron Dayne

Wisconsin running back, 1999.

 

Charles Woodson

Michigan cornerback/returner, 1997.

 

Eddie George

Ohio State running back, 1995.

 

Desmond Howard

Michigan receiver/returner, 1991.

 

Archie Griffin

Ohio State running back, 1975.

 

Archie Griffin

Ohio State running back, 1974.

 

Howard Cassady

Ohio State running back, 1955.

 

Alan Ameche

Wisconsin running back, 1950.

 

Vic Janowicz

Ohio State running back, 1950.

 

Les Horvath

Ohio State quarterback, 1944.

 

Bruce Smith

Minnesota running back, 1941.

 

Tom Harmon

Michigan running back, 1940.

 

Nile Kinnick

Iowa running back, 1939.

 

Jay Berwanger

Chicago running back, 1935.

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