My projected BI8 schedule over the next few years...

[psuro]

Conference broken down into 9-two team pods

USC- UCLA
Oregon-Washington
Minny- Wisky
Nebby - Iowa
NW-Illinois
Purdue - Indiana
Michigan - Ohio State
Rutgers - Maryland
PSU-MSU

You play one of each team in each "pod" home, and then away. After the first year of this, you end up playing the same team home/away in back to back years.

You play your "rival" in your pod every year. Home or away depends on the year.

This assumes a nine game Bi8 schedule.

Example future conference schedule for Penn State (cut and pasted from Excel).


Yes, it is a slow Friday afternoon....

2024	2025	2026	2027	2028
USC	at UCLA	UCLA	at USC	USC
at Oregon	Washington	at Washington	Oregon	at Oregon
Minny	at Wisky	Wisky	at Minny	Minny
at Nebby	Iowa	at Iowa	Nebby	at Nebby
NW	at Illinois	Illinois	at NW	NW
at Indiana	Purdue	at Purdue	Indiana	at Indiana
Ohio St.	at Mich	Mich	at OSU	Ohio State
at Rutgers	Maryland	at Maryland	Rutgers	at Rutgers
MSU	at MSU	MSU	at MSU	MSU

 

[LionJim]

The only drawback I can see is a personal one: PSU would play Maryland in College Park only once every four years.

 

[Woodpecker]

The only drawback I can see is a personal one: PSU would play Maryland in College Park only once every four years.

Of course the upside is that PSU would play Maryland in College Park only once every four years.

 

[LionJim]

Of course the upside is that PSU would play Maryland in College Park only once every four years.

Lol, I walked right into that one, Bernard.

 

[psuro]

The only drawback I can see is a personal one: PSU would play Maryland in College Park only once every four years.

And Piscataway and Ann Arbor and Columbus....

Gotta take the bad with the good....

 

[Got GSPs]

Conference broken down into 9-two team pods

USC- UCLA
Oregon-Washington
Minny- Wisky
Nebby - Iowa
NW-Illinois
Purdue - Indiana
Michigan - Ohio State
Rutgers - Maryland
PSU-MSU

You play one of each team in each "pod" home, and then away. After the first year of this, you end up playing the same team home/away in back to back years.

You play your "rival" in your pod every year. Home or away depends on the year.

This assumes a nine game Bi8 schedule.

Example future conference schedule for Penn State (cut and pasted from Excel).


Yes, it is a slow Friday afternoon....

2024	2025	2026	2027	2028
USC	at UCLA	UCLA	at USC	USC
at Oregon	Washington	at Washington	Oregon	at Oregon
Minny	at Wisky	Wisky	at Minny	Minny
at Nebby	Iowa	at Iowa	Nebby	at Nebby
NW	at Illinois	Illinois	at NW	NW
at Indiana	Purdue	at Purdue	Indiana	at Indiana
Ohio St.	at Mich	Mich	at OSU	Ohio State
at Rutgers	Maryland	at Maryland	Rutgers	at Rutgers
MSU	at MSU	MSU	at MSU	MSU

I don’t have a lot of arguments against your rival pairings... except a forced rivalry between Penn State and MSU. Also, some of the northern schools have multiple rivalries that they want to retain. Therefore I hope the big ten keeps up the “flex protect plus” philosophy going forward.

 

[CDLionFL]

I don’t have a lot of arguments against your rival pairings... except a forced rivalry between Penn State and MSU. Also, some of the northern schools have multiple rivalries that they want to retain. Therefore I hope the big ten keeps up the “flex protect plus” philosophy going forward.

Forced? The blasphemy!

 

[BobPSU92]

Forced? The blasphemy!

Be right back.

 

[manatree]

Be right back.

Hopefully with kerosene, matches, and tongs.

 

[psuro]

I don’t have a lot of arguments against your rival pairings... except a forced rivalry between Penn State and MSU. Also, some of the northern schools have multiple rivalries that they want to retain. Therefore I hope the big ten keeps up the “flex protect plus” philosophy going forward.

Point taken.

However that might have to go by the wayside in order to balance out the schedule.

Each team will play every other team twice in a four year window.

The end of year rivals (manufactured or otherwise) are played every year. The only outlier is Oregon-Washington because their end of year rivals are not part of the Bi8. As of now.

 

[DaytonRickster]

The only drawback I can see is a personal one: PSU would play Maryland in College Park only once every four years.

Hey Jim, are there any special food trucks around the stadium @ Maryland on game days? We are staying in D C. and taking Metro to the game, so we'll want to get some eats before heading into the stadium. Thanks for any help.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Hey Jim, are there any special food trucks around the stadium @ Maryland on game days? We are staying in D C. and taking Metro to the game, so we'll want to get some eats before heading into the stadium. Thanks for any help.

Follow up. I looked @ the concessions inside their stadium and they have a large variety. Some of the items feature crab meat. Have you had any of that food?

 

[86ed]

I think this is actually a good idea. It would ensure only one west coast trip every season. And we would play every conference team at least once every two years.

 

[LionJim]

Follow up. I looked @ the concessions inside their stadium and they have a large variety. Some of the items feature cramb meat. Have you had any of that food?

The cramp meat is initially tasty but then you do cramp up something fierce. Pass on that.

Can’t help you with the food trucks. I really am notably oblivious to whatever’s out there.

 

[K-Live]

Forced? The blasphemy!

There is is. Look at that masterpiece! Is there a more coveted trophy in all of sports? I can't think of one.

 

[Got GSPs]

Point taken.

However that might have to go by the wayside in order to balance out the schedule.

Each team will play every other team twice in a four year window.

The end of year rivals (manufactured or otherwise) are played every year. The only outlier is Oregon-Washington because their end of year rivals are not part of the Bi8. As of now.

But you are saying that manufactured rivalries are on par with real rivalries

 

[Woodpecker]

I don’t have a lot of arguments against your rival pairings... except a forced rivalry between Penn State and MSU. Also, some of the northern schools have multiple rivalries that they want to retain. Therefore I hope the big ten keeps up the “flex protect plus” philosophy going forward.

If you take out Rutgers and Maryland, some nice 4-team pods to allow those secondary "rivalries" could be created. But alas, there is no meaningful addition that would accommodate those two teams so that really isn't a viable way forward.

 

[LastTrainLion]

I happen to love this concept and could live with it just the way it is. I suspect most B1G fans would also go for it. To the B1G schedulers: Consider this idea. It seems very fair to every school.

Now then, if I were going to tweak it just a bit, I would suggest the following:
1) Switch PSU rival to MD. I for one would rather make a trip to Maryland any day than East Lansing, and franlky, I think it has much better potential for a heated rivalry. Although the PSU-UMd series was lopsided back in the day, it was very often a great game. And would rather eat crab cakes than burnt burgers anytime.
2) Pair Rutgers with Indiana. Could help IU recruiting in NJ, and very well could benefit Rutgers in the mid-west. And imagine the annual "Red-Out" game.
3) Pair MSU with Purdue - this series already had a great historic rivalry and I think both schools would buy into it. Purdue has only one way to go and that is up, and I think MSU would buy in since it would give them more chances at the new playoff.

Regardless of the pairings this concept is perfect!

BTW, I am already planning on an annual trip out west each autumn.

From a Season ticket holder since 1976.

 

[psuro]

But you are saying that manufactured rivalries are on par with real rivalries

No. I am not saying that.

I am saying that the desires of some programs that want to hold onto more than their end of year game may be out of luck - in order to have a balanced schedule.

Long standing rivalries based on a 10 team conference, got a little diluted with 11 teams. It got further diluted with 12 teams, and then 14 teams. Increasing the conference to 18 teams has, in the interests of balance, require the elimination of all but the end of season rivalry. Some of these end of year rivalry are long standing rivals (OSU-Mich) and some have been manufactured by the conference (MSU-PSU).

 

[psuro]

I happen to love this concept and could live with it just the way it is. I suspect most B1G fans would also go for it. To the B1G schedulers: Consider this idea. It seems very fair to every school.

Now then, if I were going to tweak it just a bit, I would suggest the following:
1) Switch PSU rival to MD. I for one would rather make a trip to Maryland any day than East Lansing, and franlky, I think it has much better potential for a heated rivalry. Although the PSU-UMd series was lopsided back in the day, it was very often a great game. And would rather eat crab cakes than burnt burgers anytime.
2) Pair Rutgers with Indiana. Could help IU recruiting in NJ, and very well could benefit Rutgers in the mid-west. And imagine the annual "Red-Out" game.
3) Pair MSU with Purdue - this series already had a great historic rivalry and I think both schools would buy into it. Purdue has only one way to go and that is up, and I think MSU would buy in since it would give them more chances at the new playoff.

Regardless of the pairings this concept is perfect!

BTW, I am already planning on an annual trip out west each autumn.

From a Season ticket holder since 1976.

Doing that would eliminate IU-Purude end of year game and that one has been protected by the BI8 - it’s the only guaranteed cross over game each year (since they are in different divisions). So, you are not going to get rid of that game for IU-Rutgers or MSU-Purdue

MSU-PSU, which not geopraphically close, is closer in terms of wins’losses the series between PSU-MSU (all time) is 18-18-1. (Tilted towards PSU since conf play).

The record between Rutgers and Maryland is 7-11. Much closer than the record between PSU- Maryland.

The Conf would not lean towards one sided end of season games.

 

[psuro]

I happen to love this concept and could live with it just the way it is. I suspect most B1G fans would also go for it. To the B1G schedulers: Consider this idea. It seems very fair to every school.

Now then, if I were going to tweak it just a bit, I would suggest the following:
1) Switch PSU rival to MD. I for one would rather make a trip to Maryland any day than East Lansing, and franlky, I think it has much better potential for a heated rivalry. Although the PSU-UMd series was lopsided back in the day, it was very often a great game. And would rather eat crab cakes than burnt burgers anytime.
2) Pair Rutgers with Indiana. Could help IU recruiting in NJ, and very well could benefit Rutgers in the mid-west. And imagine the annual "Red-Out" game.
3) Pair MSU with Purdue - this series already had a great historic rivalry and I think both schools would buy into it. Purdue has only one way to go and that is up, and I think MSU would buy in since it would give them more chances at the new playoff.

Regardless of the pairings this concept is perfect!

BTW, I am already planning on an annual trip out west each autumn.

From a Season ticket holder since 1976.

Doing that would eliminate IU-Purude end of year game and that one has been protected by the BI8 - it’s the only guaranteed cross over game each year (since they are in different divisions). So, you are not going to get rid of that game for IU-Rutgers or MSU-Purdue

MSU-PSU, which not geopraphically close, is closer in terms of wins’losses the series between PSU-MSU (all time) is 18-18-1. (Tilted towards PSU since conf play).

The record between Rutgers and Maryland is 7-11. Much closer than the record between PSU- Maryland.

The Conf would not lean towards one sided end of season games.

 

[DaytonRickster]

The cramp meat is initially tasty but then you do cramp up something fierce. Pass on that.

Can’t help you with the food trucks. I really am notably oblivious to whatever’s out there.

Oh man, you got me. Gonna fix that typo.

 

[Blair10]

Conference broken down into 9-two team pods

USC- UCLA
Oregon-Washington
Minny- Wisky
Nebby - Iowa
NW-Illinois
Purdue - Indiana
Michigan - Ohio State
Rutgers - Maryland
PSU-MSU

You play one of each team in each "pod" home, and then away. After the first year of this, you end up playing the same team home/away in back to back years.

You play your "rival" in your pod every year. Home or away depends on the year.

This assumes a nine game Bi8 schedule.

Example future conference schedule for Penn State (cut and pasted from Excel).


Yes, it is a slow Friday afternoon....

2024	2025	2026	2027	2028
USC	at UCLA	UCLA	at USC	USC
at Oregon	Washington	at Washington	Oregon	at Oregon
Minny	at Wisky	Wisky	at Minny	Minny
at Nebby	Iowa	at Iowa	Nebby	at Nebby
NW	at Illinois	Illinois	at NW	NW
at Indiana	Purdue	at Purdue	Indiana	at Indiana
Ohio St.	at Mich	Mich	at OSU	Ohio State
at Rutgers	Maryland	at Maryland	Rutgers	at Rutgers
MSU	at MSU	MSU	at MSU	MSU

Thank you for putting this together. I really appreciate the effort.

Problems with the methodology and approach:

1) Does not take into account the perspective of the networks paying the B1G $1 Billion for broadcasting rights.

2) Does not take into account views of most Penn State fans.

In both cases, the TV networks and most fans want to see multiple marquee games (meaning games involving U.S.C., Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan). In your 2025 and 2026 schedules, there is only 1 marquee game in each season for Penn State.

You need a minimum of at least 2 marquee games for Penn State every year. Otherwise, it will be considered a step down from the current 2 annual Ohio State and Michigan marquee games.

 

[psuro]

Thank you for putting this together. I really appreciate the effort.

Problems with the methodology and approach:

1) Does not take into account the perspective of the networks paying the B1G $1 Billion for broadcasting rights.

2) Does not take into account views of most Penn State fans.

In both cases, the TV networks and most fans want to see multiple marquee games (meaning games involving U.S.C., Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan). In your 2025 and 2026 schedules, there is only 1 marquee game in each season for Penn State.

You need a minimum of at least 2 marquee games for Penn State every year. Otherwise, it will be considered a step down from the current 2 annual Ohio State and Michigan marquee games.

The problem with your approach is

1) you are assuming the teams don't get better or worse. Wisky could very well be a top 10 team that year. UCLA is a top 20 team this year and wasn't just a couple years ago.

2) I don't think you can say what most Penn State fans want or don't want.

3) PSU is already losing Michigan or Ohio State after this year (based on schedule before BI8 brought in Oregon and Washington). This way it guarantees one or the other each year.

4) TV will love any combo of PSU OSU Michigan Oregon USC and probably Nebby for viewers.

5) every team will have ups and downs in the schedule. Because -to my first point -not every team is strong every year.

 

[Blair10]

The problem with your approach is

1) you are assuming the teams don't get better or worse. Wisky could very well be a top 10 team that year. UCLA is a top 20 team this year and wasn't just a couple years ago.

2) I don't think you can say what most Penn State fans want or don't want.

3) PSU is already losing Michigan or Ohio State after this year (based on schedule before BI8 brought in Oregon and Washington). This way it guarantees one or the other each year.

4) TV will love any combo of PSU OSU Michigan Oregon USC and probably Nebby for viewers.

5) every team will have ups and downs in the schedule. Because -to my first point -not every team is strong every year.

It’s not just my opinion. The top 10 TV ratings from 2022 prove it. All the top rated TV games involving the B1G included the marquee brands Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan.

The 10 most-watched college football games of the 2022 season

With just one regular season game remaining, the top 10 most-watched games of the 2022 college football season has been revealed.

www.on3.com

I would be shocked if Penn State’s near future schedules did not include at least 2 games annually from the following list: USC, Ohio State, and Michigan. These are the money match-up games that are guaranteed to have huge ratings.

UCLA is a basketball school and their football brand does not compare to a USC brand. The brand strength is driven by many factors beyond won-loss record. UCLA can’t even draw fans at home for football.

 

[Got GSPs]

No. I am not saying that.

I am saying that the desires of some programs that want to hold onto more than their end of year game may be out of luck - in order to have a balanced schedule.

Long standing rivalries based on a 10 team conference, got a little diluted with 11 teams. It got further diluted with 12 teams, and then 14 teams. Increasing the conference to 18 teams has, in the interests of balance, require the elimination of all but the end of season rivalry. Some of these end of year rivalry are long standing rivals (OSU-Mich) and some have been manufactured by the conference (MSU-PSU).

ok, but why should Penn State have to have a rival?

 

[pamdlion]

Of course the upside is that PSU would play Maryland in College Park only once every four years.

Yes but usually an easy road W.