Conference Schedule

[Sota1]

Is there some NCAA rule that says you can only play 18 conference games? If not, I cannot understand why the big ten would not play every member of the conference. Instead, they choose to leave 2 teams off and play the likes of Stephen F Austin? I'm sure this has been discussed in the past, but does someone have an explanation for this? I could see if you had 15 teams in the conference and it just was not feasible to play everyone. It makes no sense whatsoever.

- Increase your strength of schedule
- Provide an equal schedule for the entire conference
- Provide an extra big ten home game for the locals

 

[Southpaw]

Is there some NCAA rule that says you can only play 18 conference games? If not, I cannot understand why the big ten would not play every member of the conference. Instead, they choose to leave 2 teams off and play the likes of Stephen F Austin? I'm sure this has been discussed in the past, but does someone have an explanation for this? I could see if you had 15 teams in the conference and it just was not feasible to play everyone. It makes no sense whatsoever.

- Increase your strength of schedule
- Provide an equal schedule for the entire conference
- Provide an extra big ten home game for the locals

We'd all like what you're suggesting, Sota. However, by playing the 2 extra B10 games (one of which would be on the road), B10 schools would be giving up gate receipts they would normally get by scheduling a NC creampuff like Stephen F Austin (although FOT labels them as a "good" NC opponent) - it's all about the $$$ as evidenced by the lousy teams the Gophers have on their home NC schedule (none of these mutts require a return visit)

 

[Sota1]

Wow! Getting 2 gate receipts for lousy teams vs. Integrity of the Big 10 schedule. Makes sense I guess? Seems like a warped perspective from the conference. Oh well........

 

[station19]

Two more Big Ten conference games? I would think BTN would find a way to scrape up some more revenue from extra conference games.

 

[GVBadger]

The nmoney and some coaches desire to schedule two easy wins are the main reasons. Unfortunately, there is no real incentive for the Big Ten to make a change. Except that it makes sense from a competitive standpoint.