First, minus OSU and Michigan, the Big Ten isn't what I would consider an elite FBS league. They're middle of the road. I would say that they're definitely not on the same level as the ACC or the SEC. So, I think that this policy smacks of elitism. Some of the Big Ten Schools need all the help they can get. Maybe some of them need to play more FCS schools.
Paul Myerberg, USA Today --- The scheduling guidelines set the Big Ten apart from its Power Five peers. The Big 12 Conference and Pac-12 also play nine league games; among the three, the Big Ten and Pac-12 each hold a conference championship game. No other league, however, will mandate at least one Power Five opponent and the elimination of FCS foes from its schedules.
“Everybody agreed,” Delany said. “We have the nine conference games. We have a commitment to schedule an intersectional game. We have a conference championship (game). And we have the commitment to play only (Football Bowl Subdivision) opponents.
“It’s really a commitment to FBS. I imagine if someone had a contractual issue we’d take a look at that. But this is the template that everybody thinks is best going forward from a variety of perspectives.”
