OT: The B1G Case for CFB Conference Challenges.

Submitted by Snidely Doo Rash on

Since it appears to be a slow night.  

Exhibit A:

ASAP, structure and recognize the BIG-TEN and MAC conference scheduling relationship (looking at you Delaney)?   Match better teams and I think the MAC would get better and better over time.  As it stands, some Big Ten teams schedule 2 / year and the rest schedule 1 a year and this seems LUDICRIS.  I'd call it the Heartland Challenge and it would be cool if a few of the games each year were at MAC venues (realistically not).  I can't see the midwest not embracing this.

Exhibit B: 

In the near future, strike a multi-year deal with a power conference.  For example, the Big Ten and Pac-12 could do a double helix Home-and-home (The War of the Roses) over a 4 year period with each team paired off with two other teams from the opposing conference.   Seems like a random selection process is best for this one.  

Additional points

1. It further alienates ND from reality.  

2. It balances schedule strength within- and between- conferences and make rankings and bowl matchups more logical and less computerized particularly if other conferences make similar deals.

3. This is stuff leaders and legends have for breakfast.  

 

Zone Left

May 13th, 2011 at 11:34 PM ^

Not okay with playing a game at EMU's 30K seat stadium. They aren't either, they need the cash they get for losing in Ann Arbor.

Big 10/Pac-12 challenge or something similar just isn't happening. Teams need the home games and the revenue, but it would be pretty neat. I'd prefer it take place in early November--when was the last time USC played in 35 degree rain?

dakotapalm

May 14th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^

I don't see why there couldn't be a one-week "War of the Roses" between teams in the B1G/Pac12. One game a year that would be matched by previous year's record- conference commissioners would arrange it. Of course, as long as we have the BCS that rewards undefeated seasons over weak opponents, there is little incentive for the teams to play a tough NonConference game that would potentially knock them out of the MNC hunt.

tomer

May 14th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

But say, for example, Michigan beat USC and Penn State beat Oregon and then Michigan and PSU both ran the table while Oregon and USC both finish in the top 15. The winner of the B1G championship would then have be able to claim an advantage schedule wise if there were more than 2 undefeated teams at year end for a shot at the NC. I personally love the idea.

Zone Left

May 14th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^

When it comes to Michigan, being undefeated is going to be enough for a championship berth 95 out of 100 times, especially with OSU as the last game before a Big 10 Title Game.

justingoblue

May 14th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^

I would go even higher than that. 2004 is the only year a major conference, undefeated team got shut out, and that was Auburn in favor of USC and Oklahoma. The Michigan name carries enough cache to get them in that game, even if the other two teams are USC and Oklahoma.

justingoblue

May 14th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^

It probably isn't true for the BE. Looking at preseason expectations for Pitt last year, they would have had to steamroll ND, Miami and Utah in the nonconference (and sweep the Big East) to have a realistic shot at getting into the game, and that's one of the two premier programs in the conference. I have no idea what a Rutgers or UConn would need to do.

tbeindit

May 14th, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^

To me, this is the way not necessarily to develop a "playoff," but will actually add a little more legitimacy to the BCS standings.  The more cross-conference matchups we have, and I'm talking REAL matchups not stuff such as Eastern v. Michigan, but stuff like Alabama v. Penn St or Michigan.  At least we can get a little bit of a feel for which conferences and teams are superior.  To me, every team should basically be required to have at least 1-2 legitimate non-conference games.

Now, how can you force a team to face legitimate non-conference opponenents?  Well, the easy solution is to work out deals between the major conference such as this, but I would be onboard 110%

gajensen

May 14th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^

As this is the only thread dealing with scheduling, I may as well post this here:

My buddies and I thought it'd be a good move if we were to play a service academy every season, with each one coming in every third year.  We're playing Air Force in 2012, and it'd be nice to see Army and Navy get a shot to come and see the Big House.  

I think it'd send a good message to the country that we, as an institution, support the troops.