ESPN college football live has discussed this as well as some websites which I can't remember right now.
B1G joins PAC-12 and BIG-12 with 9 conf. games. SEC & ACC still at 8.
The bottom line it is going to be a little tougher for a B1G team to make playoffs this yr and in the future. Their reason: B1G teams are going to beat each other up possible champ will have 2 losses. Plus only having 4 conf. games at home every other yr makes it a little more difficult.
Pretty much a given a 1 loss B1G team will make playoffs. But look at Stanford last yr., 1 conf. lost plus 1st game loss to Kitty Cats. That cost them a playoff spot.
Personally I like 9 conf. games. I'm glad to see Wisconsin, Iowa and Illini back on schedule. Now I've liked the guaranteed wins like UMass or Delaware St. or Hawaii this yr., but give me the original B1G teams
Some SEC november games Florida vs. Presbyterian, Bama vs Chattanooga, Tennessee vs Tenn. St., UGA vs UL Lafayette, Auburn vs Alabama A&M. Of course usually right before big game the following week. In 17', M plays at Wisconsin then home vs OSU. Be nice to play cupcake U. before buckeye game instead.
I don't know how B1G decides cross-over games. Wisc. probably toughest, at MSU, at M, home vs OSU. M road trip to Iowa plus Wisc and Ill. at home, 3 very good games. Who knows if Lovie Smith turns around the Illini in 1st yr. OSU at Wisconsin, home vs Neb., and N'Western.
Lets make it a even playing field, instead of some of the SEC teams playing its annual cupcake every november, actually play a conf. game. ESPN kisses the SEC ass because 5 teams are in top 10, well let them start playing extra conf. game lets see how good some of these teams real are.
Next, neutral site games. GET RID OF THEM!!! Teams need to man up and agree to home-and-home series. Yes I know M vs Florida next yr in Jerrys Palace, sorry don't like it.
Alabama: GROW A PAIR!!! Actually take a road trip to USC or UCLA, or come up to a B1G or BIG-12 school. Enough of these neutral site games! At least LSU is coming to Wisconsin, OK its Lambeau Field, but they manned up. Next time do it in November!
My 2 cents on a rainy saturday night.
Thoughts?