OT- Big 10 Conference Schedule Changes & Eliminating Divisions Possibility

[rucker4]

Big news here in Big 10 country where I live is the Big 10 looking at possible significant football schedule changes after this next season.

First is going back to an 8-game conference schedule vs. the current 9 games.

Second is eliminating the two division format (East & West) and just one big conference standing.

Having 3 teams as your "permanent" opponents each year and then play every other league team two years on/two years off to fill the rest of the conference schedule each year.

Totally aside from this is the fact the B1G has the new alliance now with the ACC and Pac 12 for its non conference games each season. We still have few details on that though.

Big Ten discussing potential elimination of divisions as part of future football scheduling plans

In conversations about its football schedules beyond 2022, the Big Ten has had "active conversations" about the potential elimination of its current divisions.

theathletic.com

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I like eliminating divisions as I think that is stupid because the east has clearly been the stronger division with OSU, Michigan, MSU and Penn State in it.

I do not like going back to 8 conference games as I think all these power conferences should be playing more in conference games, at least by the time the playoff expands. I get that the math makes perfect sense with 8 games.

This is still not going to guarantee OSU vs Michigan most years like some assume as Michigan will draw OSU, and Michigan state as 2 of its 3 permanent rivals...and that could be 2 losses some years for sure off the bat. Again, I like it...and still really curious when the SEC will leak out what they plan on doing when OU and TX join up.

 

[RSUK5022]

Aw, man. The 9-game schedule suits me perfectly. If I need a nap I tune into a noon B1G/OSU game.

 

[rucker4]

I like eliminating divisions as I think that is stupid because the east has clearly been the stronger division with OSU, Michigan, MSU and Penn State in it.

I do not like going back to 8 conference games as I think all these power conferences should be playing more in conference games, at least by the time the playoff expands. I get that the math makes perfect sense with 8 games.

This is still not going to guarantee OSU vs Michigan most years like some assume as Michigan will draw OSU, and Michigan state as 2 of its 3 permanent rivals...and that could be 2 losses some years for sure off the bat. Again, I like it...and still really curious when the SEC will leak out what they plan on doing when OU and TX join up.

I like what I read regarding this also as an Iowa guy.

Believe it or not, I HATE the fact Iowa has played Ohio State only 4 times in the past 13 years because of the divisions. The B1G currently has 9 conference games and 6 of those are against your division opponents,, while only 3 are against teams from the other division. This is how this irregularity can happen.

 

[JHB4UK]

If the SEC is smart they also will eliminate divisions. Just be 1 16 team conference, play 3 permanent rivals, rotate 5 opponents among the others so fans & players get the chance to see the rest of the schools.

Texas A&M has been in the SEC 10 yrs but has not brought their football team to Lexington once. Freaking ridiculous.

The SEC championship should be played between the 2 best teams irregardless of random geography sorting. If it is Alabama & LSU, fine. If it is Kentucky & Georgia, great.

Will be interesting if ESPN/ABC are expecting 9 game conf sched. They are paying a lot of money and will want more Oklahoma-Georgia, LSU-Texas than Alabama-Charleston Southern.

 

[kyleb740]

I like what I read regarding this also as an Iowa guy.

Believe it or not, I HATE the fact Iowa has played Ohio State only 4 times in the past 13 years because of the divisions. The B1G currently has 9 conference games and 6 of those are against your division opponents,, while only 3 are against teams from the other division. This is how this irregularity can happen.

Texas A&M moved to the SEC for the 12-13 season we have played them once in 18. We aren’t due to play them again till 25. 2 times in 13 years ☹️ Instead we get an away game to Starkville every other year, which is better for our record probably but terrible for the ears.

 

[rucker4]

Texas A&M moved to the SEC for the 12-13 season we have played them once in 18. We aren’t due to play them again till 25. 2 times in 13 years ☹️ Instead we get an away game to Starkville every other year, which is better for our record probably but terrible for the ears.

This is exactly my point on the Ohio State example I used.

We play bad football teams every year like Illinois and Nebraska and in-conference the same 6 every year. I want to see more diversity and actually want to play the best of the best far more often.

Under this new concept, Iowa could now play Ohio State two times every 4 years....so a kid who plays for 4 years at Iowa could have one home game and one rod with Ohio State during his career. I like that.

For UK to have played Texas A & M just one time in the last 10 years is a travesty; and then not playing them for 4 more seasons still. Damn.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

If the SEC is smart they also will eliminate divisions. Just be 1 16 team conference, play 3 permanent rivals, rotate 5 opponents among the others so fans & players get the chance to see the rest of the schools.

Texas A&M has been in the SEC 10 yrs but has not brought their football team to Lexington once. Freaking ridiculous.

The SEC championship should be played between the 2 best teams irregardless of random geography sorting. If it is Alabama & LSU, fine. If it is Kentucky & Georgia, great.

Will be interesting if ESPN/ABC are expecting 9 game conf sched. They are paying a lot of money and will want more Oklahoma-Georgia, LSU-Texas than Alabama-Charleston Southern.

That would make sense and you could play your 3 permanent every year and then play 6 of the others 2 years and then the next 2 the other 6. That would mean 9 games.

 

[rucker4]

If the SEC is smart they also will eliminate divisions. Just be 1 16 team conference, play 3 permanent rivals, rotate 5 opponents among the others so fans & players get the chance to see the rest of the schools.

Texas A&M has been in the SEC 10 yrs but has not brought their football team to Lexington once. Freaking ridiculous.

The SEC championship should be played between the 2 best teams irregardless of random geography sorting. If it is Alabama & LSU, fine. If it is Kentucky & Georgia, great.

Will be interesting if ESPN/ABC are expecting 9 game conf sched. They are paying a lot of money and will want more Oklahoma-Georgia, LSU-Texas than Alabama-Charleston Southern.

I will almost guarantee that if the B1G goes to this model the SEC will not just pay close attention, but will likely do the same.

The UK-Texas A & M example is just pathetic and we have similar bad situations in the B1G. These teams might as well not even be in the same conference....seriously.

 

[SosaUK87]

If the SEC is smart they also will eliminate divisions. Just be 1 16 team conference, play 3 permanent rivals, rotate 5 opponents among the others so fans & players get the chance to see the rest of the schools.

Texas A&M has been in the SEC 10 yrs but has not brought their football team to Lexington once. Freaking ridiculous.

The SEC championship should be played between the 2 best teams irregardless of random geography sorting. If it is Alabama & LSU, fine. If it is Kentucky & Georgia, great.

Will be interesting if ESPN/ABC are expecting 9 game conf sched. They are paying a lot of money and will want more Oklahoma-Georgia, LSU-Texas than Alabama-Charleston Southern.

Jesus, has it been 10 years already?

 

[Tskware]

I think SEC should do the same, for many of the same reasons

 

[JHB4UK]

FWIW a CFB show i listen too said right now Conf office is working on 2 2023 schedules....1 with Texas & Oklahoma, 1 normal

 

[YaketySax]

I hope B10 gets rid of divisions and it leads to the other P5 conferences following suit

 

[Tskware]

Here is a random thought, no divisions with a 8 game SEC schedule, with the tie breaker to be something like weighted RPI for non conference opponents which would encourage teams to play better OOC schedule, giving the fans more for their money's worth and make it worthwhile for Auburn to play Clemson and Penn State, USC to play Clemson and UNC or NC State, UK to play Louisville and Purdue/Indiana/UC or Northwestern, etc., etc.

Or schedule an occasional game against a PAC 12 team, or maybe Ok State or Tex Tech or BYU (Tennessee played them a couple of years ago)

You could elect to just schedule four patsies to pad your overall record, but would almost certainly lose on any tiebreaker due to strength of schedule.

 

[vhcat70]

Second is eliminating the two division format (East & West) and just one big conference standing.

Having 3 teams as your "permanent" opponents each year and then play every other league team two years on/two years off to fill the rest of the conference schedule each year.

Exactly what I advocated for the SEC when the threads were going on about what the 16 teams schedule should be - pods, etc. I like 9 conference games for 16 teams so you have a 3/6-6 schedule thus playing every team 50% of the time at least. If you don't want to play them, don't bring them into the conference.

 

[rucker4]

Exactly what I advocated for the SEC when the threads were going on about what the 16 teams schedule should be - pods, etc. I like 9 conference games for 16 teams so you have a 3/6-6 schedule thus playing every team 50% of the time at least. If you don't want to play them, don't bring them into the conference.

If the B1G adapts these things starting in 2023, I'm sure the SEC will pay very close attention.

Again, on the surface, I really am excited about the B1G potentially doing this. Being able to play everything in the league on a two years on/two years off schedule is AWESOME!

 

[Tskware]

If the B1G adapts these things starting in 2023, I'm sure the SEC will pay very close attention.

Again, on the surface, I really am excited about the B1G potentially doing this. Being able to play everything in the league on a two years on/two years off schedule is AWESOME!

If nothing else, gives you some fresh road game options to attend, instead of the same three or four venues which we get every year

 

[Pickle_Rick]

Here is a random thought, no divisions with a 8 game SEC schedule, with the tie breaker to be something like weighted RPI for non conference opponents which would encourage teams to play better OOC schedule, giving the fans more for their money's worth and make it worthwhile for Auburn to play Clemson and Penn State, USC to play Clemson and UNC or NC State, UK to play Louisville and Purdue/Indiana/UC or Northwestern, etc., etc.

Or schedule an occasional game against a PAC 12 team, or maybe Ok State or Tex Tech or BYU (Tennessee played them a couple of years ago)

You could elect to just schedule four patsies to pad your overall record, but would almost certainly lose on any tiebreaker due to strength of schedule.

No! No weighting! Anytime you add the human element you allow charges of favoritism in. A small school could be the whipping boy of a few teams, then win their conference, and those teams would get a bigger boost than a team that plays an underdog that plays them close, but looses their qb and tanks the rest of the year. Employ the Kiss principle.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I hope B10 gets rid of divisions and it leads to the other P5 conferences following suit

Big10 is not the pace setter of college football. Remember last year when they proclaimed no college football for 2020. Then cam catfishing back, changing their own rules multiple time to get OSU in their championship game only to get blown out in the playoffs, j7st like Michigan did in 21. Big 10 will make all these proclamations and then backtrack to follow what the SEC is doing. Which looks like 4 pods, wait for the Big 10 to follow suit. The 2 best team system has really worked for the Big12, which is on the verge of losing P5 status.

 

[vhcat70]

If the B1G adapts these things starting in 2023, I'm sure the SEC will pay very close attention.

Again, on the surface, I really am excited about the B1G potentially doing this. Being able to play everything in the league on a two years on/two years off schedule is AWESOME!

SEC doesn't need B1G input/guidance/leadership on scheduling. SEC are the big boys. They've already had 6 months to work the subject & will have at least another year, probably more, to figure it for themselves. Hell, maybe B1G heard what SEC was planning to do & said hey, that's a good idea.

 

[vhcat70]

Here is a random thought, no divisions with a 8 game SEC schedule,

I don't get just 8 games. Hell, then let the SEC add another 8 schools & still just play 8 games. Why?

The idea of adding more bigtime schools is TV revenue. More games equals more revenue. I don't think that's hard for SEC leaders.

 

[THE_OAK]

Hopefully, the B10 doesn't give OSU a favorable schedule every year. I could see them loading it most seasons that OSU gets teams when they are down to pad their chances of making the playoffs every season. It's exactly what the SEC would do for Bama if we did away with divisions.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Hopefully, the B10 doesn't give OSU a favorable schedule every year. I could see them loading it most seasons that OSU gets teams when they are down to pad their chances of making the playoffs every season. It's exactly what the SEC would do for Bama if we did away with divisions.

I just don't see the Big10 sitting any trends, the only place they are revelant is in the Big10. Sitting around and complaining about the SEC not playing fair and wanting SEC teams to play outdoors in Dec. In Big10 country. What they have a hard time accepting is the win about the same number of games against top SEC teams as the Sun Belt does and the scores are similar. SEC doesn't need the BIG10.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

I just don't see the Big10 sitting any trends, the only place they are revelant is in the Big10. Sitting around and complaining about the SEC not playing fair and wanting SEC teams to play outdoors in Dec. In Big10 country. What they have a hard time accepting is the win about the same number of games against top SEC teams as the Sun Belt does and the scores are similar. SEC doesn't need the BIG10.

Thank you. Well said.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I understand the Big12 not having divisions, because each team plays all of the other teams. Getting rid of divisions, but keeping a set rotation only makes sense from the perspective of maintaining real rivalries. Otherwise, if you are not playing every team and the schedule is not random, the new format will put some teams at an annual disadvantage. There is only one OSU in the B1G. This year was an anomaly. If you have to play OSU every year and some teams don’t, that will place you at a disadvantage. Whereas, if you play every team in your division, it seems a bit more equitable.

 

[rucker4]

I just don't see the Big10 sitting any trends, the only place they are revelant is in the Big10. Sitting around and complaining about the SEC not playing fair and wanting SEC teams to play outdoors in Dec. In Big10 country. What they have a hard time accepting is the win about the same number of games against top SEC teams as the Sun Belt does and the scores are similar. SEC doesn't need the BIG10.

Get over yourself. Sitting around and complaining about the SEC not playing fair? You happen to listen to a couple grumpy old fans on a call-in show one day to form that opinion?

I live in the heart of B1G country and guessing you don't. Tuned in quite well to how B1G fans think. Have there been years worth of people everywhere who have talked of the infamous cheating of a couple schools in the SEC? Yes. Outside of that, there's been much respect for the SEC.

In the end, the SEC has had, and now, two very dominant programs-- year in and year out. Some other nice programs, but it's those top two-- akin to the days of the Big 2 Little 8 in the B1G.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Get over yourself. Sitting around and complaining about the SEC not playing fair? You happen to listen to a couple grumpy old fans on a call-in show one day to form that opinion?

I live in the heart of B1G country and guessing you don't. Tuned in quite well to how B1G fans think. Have there been years worth of people everywhere who have talked of the infamous cheating of a couple schools in the SEC? Yes. Outside of that, there's been much respect for the SEC.

In the end, the SEC has had, and now, two very dominant programs-- year in and year out. Some other nice programs, but it's those top two-- akin to the days of the Big 2 Little 8 in the B1G.

Obviously it is impossible to have 4-5 dominant programs when you play each other and someone has to lose. The SEC has won the last 3 titles with 3 different teams. LSU will be back and win big again under Kelly IMO, maybe not a national title, but the last 3 guys there have won a national title so they have precedence. TX A&M probably would have been in the playoff by now if they had stayed in the Big XII but again, playing Bama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, etc, every season is tough.

 

[mebeblue2]

This is exactly my point on the Ohio State example I used.

We play bad football teams every year like Illinois and Nebraska and in-conference the same 6 every year. I want to see more diversity and actually want to play the best of the best far more often.

Under this new concept, Iowa could now play Ohio State two times every 4 years....so a kid who plays for 4 years at Iowa could have one home game and one rod with Ohio State during his career. I like that.

For UK to have played Texas A & M just one time in the last 10 years is a travesty; and then not playing them for 4 more seasons still. Damn.

remember that time IOWA broke OSU's season
i think it was 2017

 

[rucker4]

remember that time IOWA broke OSU's season
i think it was 2017

Will never forget it-- I was in my usual Kinnick Stadium seats that fall day in 2017. 55-24 and yes, we were the reason OSU got knocked from the college playoff that season.

Never thought I'd see the day where the game went from 17-17 to Iowa scoring the next 31 straight points on that OSU team to go up 48-17 and ultimately win 55-24.

To this day I laugh at Urban's post game presser. Rarely have I ever seen a coach so dumfounded in the 3 minutes the media was allowed with him after the game. Enjoy below if you want a good Urban laugh:

 

[rucker4]

Obviously it is impossible to have 4-5 dominant programs when you play each other and someone has to lose. The SEC has won the last 3 titles with 3 different teams. LSU will be back and win big again under Kelly IMO, maybe not a national title, but the last 3 guys there have won a national title so they have precedence. TX A&M probably would have been in the playoff by now if they had stayed in the Big XII but again, playing Bama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, etc, every season is tough.

I have huge respect for the SEC as does rest of the country-- that's why Grumpyolddawg has zero clue what he's talking about to imply nobody does.

I'm not sure though I agree with you entirely. Under current conference alignments, whether the SEC or B1G, so many schools rarely play one another (like UK playing Texas A & M just once in the past 10 years) very infrequently so it's not like it's always the powerful going head-on against the powerful.

UK is like Iowa-- a tough road ahead in every season. You have the Alabama, Georgia, LSU powers not to mention Ole Miss which is solid again and A & M then damn, Oklahoma and Texas soon entering. We have Ohio State and Michigan and Wisconsin and Penn State and other solid programs too like Michigan State former lightweights like Minnesota and Illinois and Purdue are getting stronger now.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Get over yourself. Sitting around and complaining about the SEC not playing fair? You happen to listen to a couple grumpy old fans on a call-in show one day to form that opinion?

I live in the heart of B1G country and guessing you don't. Tuned in quite well to how B1G fans think. Have there been years worth of people everywhere who have talked of the infamous cheating of a couple schools in the SEC? Yes. Outside of that, there's been much respect for the SEC.

In the end, the SEC has had, and now, two very dominant programs-- year in and year out. Some other nice programs, but it's those top two-- akin to the days of the Big 2 Little 8 in the B1G.

SEC schools have done nothing OSU hasn't done and continues to do. Go to the Mich, OSU, PSU boards and read them if you don't think what I said was true.

Yes there have been schools busted for cheating in the SEC, just like there have been in the Big10, where they set around and whinevabout getting blown out because SEC cheats, but on the rare occasion a Big10 beats an SEC team it's because of coaching, talent right? Too bad living in Big10 country has blurred your vision to reality, nothing I said wasn't true.

You point out that the SEC is 1 quality program and a couple other decent programs. Since 2005 the SEC has had 5 different teams win NC, how many has the Big10 had? So it appears I am not the one who needs to get over myself and the Big 10 needs to understand they are no longer the trend setters.

 

[rucker4]

SEC schools have done nothing OSU hasn't done and continues to do. Go to the Mich, OSU, PSU boards and read them if you don't think what I said was true.

Yes there have been schools busted for cheating in the SEC, just like there have been in the Big10, where they set around and whinevabout getting blown out because SEC cheats, but on the rare occasion a Big10 beats an SEC team it's because of coaching, talent right? Too bad living in Big10 country has blurred your vision to reality, nothing I said wasn't true.

You point out that the SEC is 1 quality program and a couple other decent programs. Since 2005 the SEC has had 5 different teams win NC, how many has the Big10 had? So it appears I am not the one who needs to get over myself and the Big 10 needs to understand they are no longer the trend setters.

Never said the B1G was the trend setters- get over yourself. Are you a Georgia grad or a "tavern Dawg"?

 

[vhcat70]

Hopefully, the B10 doesn't give OSU a favorable schedule every year. I could see them loading it most seasons that OSU gets teams when they are down to pad their chances of making the playoffs every season. It's exactly what the SEC would do for Bama if we did away with divisions.

Baloney. Both would have a balanced rotation of schools set years in advance that will favor the top schools some years & not others.

 

[fabcat]

Texas A&M moved to the SEC for the 12-13 season we have played them once in 18. We aren’t due to play them again till 25. 2 times in 13 years ☹️ Instead we get an away game to Starkville every other year, which is better for our record probably but terrible for the ears.

How is it better for our record? We haven’t beaten them in Starkville since maybe the turn of the century. It’s been so long can’t remember.

 

[KentuckyTexan]

How is it better for our record? We haven’t beaten them in Starkville since maybe the turn of the century. It’s been so long can’t remember.

'08 was our last win with Hartline at QB in a 14-13 barn burner!

 

[fabcat]

'08 was our last win with Hartline at QB in a 14-13 barn burner!

I knew it has been a while. But every year people just pencil in a win when history shows the opposite

 

[KentuckyTexan]

I knew it has been a while. But every year people just pencil in a win when history shows the opposite

When we were making predictions on this year, I think I had us as a loss here because we can never seem to win there. At some point, I think that changed. We used to ONLY win down there and never win at home. Now it's the other way around.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Never said the B1G was the trend setters- get over yourself. Are you a Georgia grad or a "tavern Dawg"?

What exactly have I got to get over myself about? You don't like reading the truth? Would you be interested in knowing what the Big10 is tr d ND setters in? And yes I am a UGA grad, what does that have to do with the SEC owning the Big10 and me getting over myself?

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I have huge respect for the SEC as does rest of the country-- that's why Grumpyolddawg has zero clue what he's talking about to imply nobody does.

I'm not sure though I agree with you entirely. Under current conference alignments, whether the SEC or B1G, so many schools rarely play one another (like UK playing Texas A & M just once in the past 10 years) very infrequently so it's not like it's always the powerful going head-on against the powerful.

UK is like Iowa-- a tough road ahead in every season. You have the Alabama, Georgia, LSU powers not to mention Ole Miss which is solid again and A & M then damn, Oklahoma and Texas soon entering. We have Ohio State and Michigan and Wisconsin and Penn State and other solid programs too like Michigan State former lightweights like Minnesota and Illinois and Purdue are getting stronger now.

How can anyone have respect for a place that not only covered up years of little boys being abused but provided access for him. Or a team physician that was allowed to abuse female athletes. Did the big10 not declare no football in 2020, only to come begging to be included in the playoffs. Then change their own rules to get their preferred team in the conference championship game. The big 20 might as well let the ADs pick their conference champion and not suited up for a single game. I am sure UGA has lost to a Big10 team, I just can't remember when it was.

All 4 of those teams you mentioned are mid level teams, OSU was physically abused by Michigan and the only sure win they get in the SEC was Vandy. Those 2 DE that were going to control the game against us must have stayed home, one had zero stats and the other was dominated by a frosh OT.

 

[JHB4UK]

'08 was our last win with Hartline at QB in a 14-13 barn burner!

lol pretty sure Cobb took every snap at qb that day