Around the Big Ten

[lineygoblue]

Only bad thing about splitting M-MSU is that there's a possibility that Sparty would fall off our schedule occasionally. That is, unless they allow a "protected" rivalry in the cross-overs.

I like the idea of 10 conference games. 2 non-conference games is plenty. Teams don't need 3-4 "warm up" games before conference play. If you're not ready after two non-conference games, you're not going to BE ready.

[WM Wolverine]

Agree, the only issue is the 7+ home dates that draw in $6mil plus in revenue at places like M, Ohio, PSU and possibly Nebraska too. Yet Both M & Ohio AD's seem in support of 10-game schedules when speaking to the press...

Pretty sure the B10 knows the 'value' (in $) of the conference games on the BTN and they come out ahead by playing these BTN games instead of games against the MAC, CUSA, FCS, etc.

[iam416]

10 conference games screams expansion and screams automatic berth for conference champion in the new playoff.

[Hannibal]

10 conference games would definitely be an upgrade in TV revenue. The BTN would be loaded with good games from noon to 11 PM every Saturday, with maybe a game on Thursday night too. Home games do generate revenue, but you've got to cut a huge check to even a MAC opponent nowadays. And those Big Ten vs MAC games being the regional ABC game of the week throughout September have got to be a big drag on the TV contract values.

I still would have preferred an arrangement with another conference, as they were going to do with the PAC 10, to ensure that everyone plays at least one good OOC game that generates good TV ratings. But in the absence of that, I'll take 10 conference games. The only drawback is that it is already becoming increasingly hard to evaluate conferences, and 10 games will make it absolutely impossible.

[Rocky Bleier]

Barry Alvarez is a funny guy. Wisconsin has been scheduling cream puffs for years, and now he has a problem with the nonconference schedules?

[iam416]

The only drawback is that it is already becoming increasingly hard to evaluate conferences, and 10 games will make it absolutely impossible

Automatic bids.

[Hannibal]

Automatic bids.

You've still got to pick at-large teams and seed them.

Do you really think that it's good for college football if it evolves into Major League Baseball in the pre interleague play days, where the only interconference contests are in the post season?

As I write that, it occurs to me that we're probably going to see a 13-game schedule some day. The economic forces that could make it happen are just too strong to resist. That's a shitload of revenue just waiting to be grabbed, with essentially zero expense associated with it.

[iam416]

I'm torn, Hanni. For the bulk of CFB's history, the emphasis has been on winning the conference title. That was, of course, especially true with the B10. Adding conference games is entirely consistent with this history.

CFB's more recent history, of course, has been national title driven. A by-product of that has been ridiculous scheduling to ensure the best opportunity at going undefeated.

So, I guess the question is do you prefer to see lots more good games or do you prefer the CFB regular season remain a "playoff"? I should add, that for the latter, there is still a system out there that will retain a playoff feel with far better games. For example, if the B12, SEC, P12 and B10 end up with championship games and automatic qualifiers, you have a defacto 8-team tournament where conference games provide a playoff feel, if not the same life or death feel of the regular season these days (of course, how life and death is it when Alabama has 1 free pass every year?).

So, honestly, I don't know what I prefer. I think I'd prefer increased conference games *if* the quasi 8-team playoff described above was in effect. But, if it's just a 4 team playoff with no automatic bids -- which it is where it is now -- I think it's crazy for the B10 to kill themselves with more conference games.

[entropy]

national titles will be tough when one conference has a different set of rules.

The SEC has always cheated... yet in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's, never had this type of run.

[Hannibal]

I'm torn, Hanni. For the bulk of CFB's history, the emphasis has been on winning the conference title. That was, of course, especially true with the B10. Adding conference games is entirely consistent with this history.

That may be true, but even if I go back 40 years and look at Michigan's schedule, I see programs like UCLA, Texas A&M, Arizona, Washington, Stanford, Virginia, Navy, and Oregon in the non-conference season. I don't know how far back you'd have to go to find schedules that were literally only in-conference. Great interconference games are already on the cusp of extinction, and the game suffers for it. I don't want to think about what's going to happen if everyone in the country is only playing two conference games. I don't see a 4-team, automatic bid playoff as a viable system for a variety of reasons. College football is always going to need a system by which you can evaluate at-large teams.

[Whitley]

A couple things.

1) If an automatic berth is going to be awarded in a national playoff system, then winning the division and then the conference title game is going to matter a lot. In essence, winning the Big Ten puts gives you an automatic spot at the table for a national championship.

2) A 10 game schedule? It would make a lot of sense for the Big Ten. Does that mean the end of the non conference games....a big time showdown? I am not sure about that. I can see the NCAA allowing 13 games before the conference championship game. That would allow 2 home games and 1 marquee matchup game as well. That would give the Big Ten teams the 7 home games they desire (at minimum) while allowing a marquee matchup game in the early part of the season. To win a game against a marquee team from another conference would mean something for the final at large berths in a national playoff.

So for example a future Michigan schedule could look like this:

Home games- 5 big ten games, 2 MAC teams

Away games- 5 big ten games

And maybe a home and home series: USC/UCLA, Georgia Tech?, Florida State?

[entropy]

since UNL recruits nationally, I'd like to see some national Non Conference games

[Mackenzie]

As I write that, it occurs to me that we're probably going to see a 13-game schedule some day. The economic forces that could make it happen are just too strong to resist. That's a shitload of revenue just waiting to be grabbed, with essentially zero expense associated with it.

Do those 13 games include the conference championship? If so, that would make 14 games. Then, assuming you make the "playoffs" or a bowl game that would add another one or possibly two games. Is that what we really want for these student/athletes? Even a 13 game season seems an awful lot. These are kids--student/athletes. As much as I am against paying the players, I think I am reaching the point where I favor just "professionalizing" college football and basketball (if it's not already happened). Do away with the student part of the college experience and let the kids eat, sleep, get tatoos or whatever on campus and let the money roll in.

[Jeff Buchanan]

talent, or anyone ..... how does a set of 4 or possibly 5 Division I conference championship games segue into a BCS 4 team play off in your minds.

Will BCS rankings play? Good Lord, I can see an utter CF after the conference championship games regarding who deserves to be the 4 teams in a play-in.

[hack]

Do those 13 games include the conference championship? If so, that would make 14 games. Then, assuming you make the "playoffs" or a bowl game that would add another one or possibly two games. Is that what we really want for these student/athletes? Even a 13 game season seems an awful lot. These are kids--student/athletes. As much as I am against paying the players, I think I am reaching the point where I favor just "professionalizing" college football and basketball (if it's not already happened). Do away with the student part of the college experience and let the kids eat, sleep, get tatoos or whatever on campus and let the money roll in.

I agree. Especially because increasingly there are younger, less mature bodies at stake and also brains. If you run the risk of ending up like Junior Seau, or even suffering a small fraction of that kind of consequence, you need a fuckload more than a college degree as compensation. It's only fair.