NEW YORK -- Eddie George was a prototypical Big Ten running back during his career at Ohio State.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder was a workhorse for the Buckeyes, with 604 carries in final two seasons. George won the Heisman Trophy in 1995 after racking up 1,927 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Now an analyst for Fox Sports 1 and SiriusXM Radio, George doesn't think the Big Ten has changed much in the past 20 years.

"It's a physical conference," George said at a Big Ten Network kickoff party Thursday night in Manhattan. "Almost every team has something in store for you. Whether you're playing Iowa, Indiana or Illinois, they all have that same brand of football, which is running the ball and stopping the run."

George is aware that Rutgers has built its program on those tenets.

"I think Rutgers is actually a great (fit) for it because they have that same mentality, being able to run the football, play-action and having great defense," George said. "They've put some great players in the NFL over the last 4-5 years."

George believes that Rutgers' style of play will have the team ready to compete immediately in its new conference.

"I think Rutgers will be a surprise to most teams in the Big Ten this year because of the quality of athletes that they have on the East Coast and their style of play," George said. "I think it's a perfect fit."

The Big Ten is steeped in tradition, and many traditionalists from the Midwest-based conference have bristled at the Eastern expansion to include Rutgers and Maryland, which becomes official on Tuesday. But George, a Philadelphia native, has no problem with the Big Ten extending its footprint.

"I think it's the evolution of college football," George said. "If you're not expanding, you're contracting. You're going into oblivion and that's not the way you want to go. I think Rutgers coming into the Big Ten is a great addition. They bring a great program from all sports. They have a great tradition – heck, college football started at Rutgers, so in terms of history, they bring that added value."

The Big Ten Network event, which was a celebration of the conference's expansion to the East Coast, was a star-studded affair with legends from every school in the conference. Each player and coach was introduced individually, with former Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand the last to be called on stage.

The Big Ten Network donated $15,000 to Team LeGrand of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which funds research to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

In addition to LeGrand, Rutgers was represented by football coach Kyle Flood, women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer and former star running back Brian Leonard.

George was one of five Heisman Trophy winners in attendance. He was joined by Eric Crouch (Nebraska, 2001), Ron Dayne (Wisconsin, 1999), Mike Rozier (Nebraska, 1983) and Johnny Rodgers (Nebraska, 1972).