Big Ten deals another blow, this time in football

[IWB]

The Big Ten is now refusing to schedule "FCS" or D1-AA schools in football (http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/gregmatzek/190990711.html). I know this isn't a big deal here in Wisconsin as there is only one scholarship football program, but in states like Iowa and Illinois?

Iowa often plays Northern Iowa.
Illinois often plays Southern Illinois.
Northwestern often plays Eastern Illinois & Illinois State.
Indiana often plays Indiana State.

These games are a big deal to those programs and the in-state kids that play for them. What is the problem, is the Michigan loss to Appalachian State still too painful?

I am sure they will change their tune when they go from 9 bowl eligible teams to 6.

[TheSultan]

I think there are two sides to that coin. The criticisms that these schools get for scheduling such opponents is pretty high too. (However, the author used Buffalo as an example...they aren't an FCS team, but from the MAC.)

[The Reptile]

All about strength of schedule in the new BCS system and likely fewer non conference games in an expanded Big??

[TheSultan]

All about strength of schedule in the new BCS system and likely fewer non conference games in an expanded Big??

Yep. And television partners that want better match-ups.

[MayorBeluga]

Instead, the Big Ten Network just added two D3 football schools in Rutgers and Maryland.

[Goose85]

I don't mind one FCS school a year. It is a big deal for the FCS schools, as like our buy games in basketball, this makes the FCS schools budget.

Like IWB said, in Wisconsin with only one team at the D1 / D1AA / D2 level it is not a big deal, but in many other states where there are multiple teams it is. I also don't like the direction this is heading in either. Next it will be only schedule non conference games withing the Big 4/5 conference.
If the ACC gets poached then I could see where the big 5 conference football schools will move toward just playing themselves. More conference games and only two non conference games.

[TheSultan]

Goose that is already happening. The Big Ten is talking about 9 or 10 conference games in the future.

[Goose85]

Goose that is already happening. The Big Ten is talking about 9 or 10 conference games in the future.

No way to tell how good a conference is in football if they only play amongst themselves (unlike hoop where there are more games and a true season ending tournament). A few years back people thought Michigan and Ohio State should play again for the title. Turned out that game would have been an injustice as neither team won their bowl games.

[TheSultan]

Well, the Pac 12 already plays nine conference games. And I don't think the Big Ten would go up to 10 unless the NCAA starts allowing a 13 game season. But you have to understand that the current BCS system awards undefeated teams...no matter the quality of opponent. With a selection committee in place now, quality opponents are going to mean more - like in college basketball. And if it puts better games on television, the networks are going to be happier.

[ziggysfryboy]

so that's why Bielema bolted...

[IWB]

Funny - I looked it up so posted on his Facebook page....

Greg - You ask, "Why does Buffalo come to Madison to play a superior team?" You are correct in stating that it is because of the money. Programs like that do not have fat TV contracts or 8 conference bowl tie-ins, so they need the money to fund their entire athletic department. Without those games they would likely fold. Where you are wrong is using Buffalo as an example. They are not an FCS program. They are in the MAC, and would still be eligible to play Big 10 teams under the new rules. By the way, the MAC had 77 players in the NFL this year including 5 Packers, so while they might not be anywhere near as good as the Big 10, they aren't bad. FWIW - The last FCS team to play in Madison was Northern Iowa who the Badgers only beat 26-21.

[Goose85]

Michigan loses to App State. Virginia Tech losses to James Madison. Happens every year.

Look at Minnesota.
2009 beat South Dakota State 16-13 and went to a bowl that year.
2010 lost to South Dakota 41-38.
2011 lost to North Dakota State 37-24.

Iowa beat Northern Iowa in 2009 17-16, and actually won a bowl game that year.

South Carolina, ranked in the top 10, only beat instate team Wofford 24-7 last year. South Carolina beat UAB 49-6 and East Carolina 48-10.

Some of the higher level FCS teams are better than the low level FBS teams on an annual basis. Minnesota of the big money Big 10 seems to have a tough time beating FCS teams.

[MUMac]

so that's why Bielema bolted...

No, he bolted for the scenery ...

[CaribouJim]

Goose that is already happening. The Big Ten is talking about 9 or 10 conference games in the future.

And there are rumblings about a 9 game schedule with some teams getting 5 home games and others 4. Chicago Trib laid out some of the options and a some have negative consequences from the expansion.

[Goose85]

The Big 10 should go to 16 teams, and then have their own mini playoff to earn a spot in the Big 10 championship game.

Add two schools - likely Virigina and Georgia Tech to get to 16 schools.

Divide football into four pods of four and ensure rivalries stay in tact (Mich / Mich State in same pod).

Have an 8 game season.
Play everyone in your pod = 3 games. Rotate playing against the one of other pods = 4 games.
That is 7 games.
Take the top teams from each of the four pods and play it off (pod 1 v pod 2 and pod 3 v pod 4). Have the remaining teams do the same to get to their 8th game.

Basically, the champions of each of the four pods have a playoff to reach the big 10 title game.

Positives:
- Two new big tv markets.
- Big tv money for the Big 10's own mini 4 team playoff. Market as Big 10 playoff day and sell separate from normal tv deal.
- Creates far more excitement than a normal end of the year conference game.
- In a four team pod set up you will play all Big 10 schools within a four year span so all players know they will play Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State,etc during a four year career.
- Still allows for 4 non conference games.