Big Ten Considers NFL-Style Scheduling Model Amid Playoff Expansion
The landscape of college football is on the brink of a significant transformation as the College Football Playoff (CFP) is set to expand to 24 teams, likely starting next year. This expansion is not just a numbers game; it is prompting the Big Ten Conference to rethink its scheduling model, potentially adopting a system similar to that of the NFL. During a recent appearance on The Ryan Day Show, Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork shared insights into these discussions, indicating that the Big Ten is exploring a scheduling approach that would be based on the standings from the previous year.
Bjork stated, "What we’re talking about in the Big Ten now is starting probably in 2028, is can we have a different scheduling model that’s based on current year standings?" This would mean that teams would not know their opponents for the upcoming season, except for preserving traditional rivalry games. The idea is to create a more dynamic and competitive environment, where matchups are determined by how teams performed in the previous season, akin to the NFL's scheduling practices.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt further elaborated on this potential shift, noting that the Big Ten and the SEC are already planning changes to their intraconference games in anticipation of the playoff expansion. Klatt mentioned, "There are scheduling agreements that are in place once this thing expands officially. The next thing that will happen almost immediately is we’re going to get scheduling agreements between the SEC and the Big Ten; top-end matchups, mid-tier matchups, low-end matchups — and we’re going to be expanding the valuable matchups in the non-conference, far surpassing what we have now."
Rethinking scheduling for competitive balance
While the playoff expansion is expected to take effect as soon as 2027, Bjork clarified that the regular season schedules for next year will remain unchanged. He emphasized that the Big Ten is actively discussing how to improve their scheduling strategy, particularly in light of the evolving landscape of college football, which includes factors like the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements. Bjork noted, "There’s a lot more parity in the system. A 24-team playoff. How can we do this a lot better and a lot smarter? And then what that does, frankly, is create better matchups for TV, which then drives ratings, which then drives revenue, which then goes back into the system. So it all plays. So there are no guarantees moving forward."
No Points for Excuses
This potential shift in scheduling could have far-reaching implications for college football. By aligning more closely with the NFL's model, the Big Ten aims to enhance the competitiveness of its games, attract larger audiences, and ultimately increase revenue streams. However, the challenge will be balancing this new approach with the tradition of college football, particularly the preservation of longstanding rivalries that fans cherish.
As the Big Ten navigates these changes, it will be crucial to monitor how these scheduling adjustments impact the dynamics of college football as a whole. The move towards a more NFL-like system may not only reshape the Big Ten but could also influence how other conferences approach their scheduling in the future, potentially leading to a more competitive and engaging college football landscape.
