Biggest issue with 9 conf. game schedule

[treychase]

One of the big topics since last summer's expansion/alignment drama has been the B1G and others considering moving to a 9 game conference schedule.

Most of us understand why. Money.
Payouts for most non-conference games are in excess of $700,000, some exceeding $1M.

I also understand the desire to play other conference members MORE rather than less.
I agree with that premise.
I also agree with most that 9th game for Iowa should be Wisconsin.

Most of us also understand that everyone needs 7 home gates.

The biggest issue in all of this to me is this...
The rotation of 5 home 4 road is being considered solely on an individual school level.
It needs to be done on a DIVISIONAL level.
By that I mean that in year 1 of a 9 game conference schedule, one ENTIRE division should have 5 home games & 4 road games. Year 2, the other division gets 5 home games.

The whole alignment process was built on competitive balance & without factoring in this important piece, that balance goes out the window.

In theory, I'm behind the move to 9 conference games, but we can't have half of a division playing 5 home games & the other half playing 4. That's not competitive balance.

In my opinion, the move to 9 games is a good thing IF they can get the schedules linked up to allow a yearly rotation between ENTIRE divisions.

 

[olddude]

One of the big topics since last summer's expansion/alignment drama has been the B1G and others considering moving to a 9 game conference schedule.

Most of us understand why. Money.
Payouts for most non-conference games are in excess of $700,000, some exceeding $1M.

I also understand the desire to play other conference members MORE rather than less.
I agree with that premise.
I also agree with most that 9th game for Iowa should be Wisconsin.

Most of us also understand that everyone needs 7 home gates.

The biggest issue in all of this to me is this...
The rotation of 5 home 4 road is being considered solely on an individual school level.
It needs to be done on a DIVISIONAL level.
By that I mean that in year 1 of a 9 game conference schedule, one ENTIRE division should have 5 home games & 4 road games. Year 2, the other division gets 5 home games.

The whole alignment process was built on competitive balance & without factoring in this important piece, that balance goes out the window.

In theory, I'm behind the move to 9 conference games, but we can't have half of a division playing 5 home games & the other half playing 4. That's not competitive balance.

In my opinion, the move to 9 games is a good thing IF they can get the schedules linked up to allow a yearly rotation between ENTIRE divisions.

Right. I dont know how they do it or if they will. But the way it stands now, leaves alot to be desired. The Wiskey deal was the biggest let down there was out of all this. Yes it gives us a break, but come on you cant just throw history to the wind.

 

[HawkinGoferLand]

That's a great idea. I wonder if it works out schedule-wise, with the protected cross-rivalries?

 

[treychase]

I continue to be amazed at the lack of attention to this part of the equation.

 

[hawkinIL]

I continue to be amazed at the lack of attention to this part of the equation.

My guess is that it's not a huge hot topic right now as the immediate focus is on this year and the new team and alignments. It will be a number of years before a 9 game would/could happen, so this will probably pick up steam in the future.

 

[treychase]

My guess is that it's not a huge hot topic right now as the immediate focus is on this year and the new team and alignments. It will be a number of years before a 9 game would/could happen, so this will probably pick up steam in the future.

Problem with that is we're already looking at 2017 to sync these schedules allowing current contracts to run their course. This really needs to be figured in NOW to allow it to get done.

 

[silvanthalas]

There's no need for a 9 game conference schedule in the first place.

 

[treychase]

There's no need for a 9 game conference schedule in the first place.

Seeing how states continue to cut funding to universities, and pay outs for non conference foes continue to skyrocket, I think there actually is a NEED for it.