(06-15-2017 11:32 AM)JRsec Wrote:  At 18: You have 5 divisional games, 2 crossovers from the other two divisions annually. For 9 conference games. Add a permanent rival and it's 10. You play everyone every three years.

At 20: You have 4 divisional games. You play 1 permanent rival from each of the other 3 divisions. You play 1 rotational game from each division annually. That's 10 games. You play everyone every four years.

At 16: you actually have more problems. If you divide into 4 divisions you play 3 divisional games (not enough to determine a true winner in a weak division) and you play 2 each from the other four divisions and that equals 9 games. You can have division winners with losing records.

You could break into 2 divisions of 8. Now you have 7 division games and if you rotate 2 from the other division annually you can play everyone in 4 years. That's 9 games. If you want a permanent rival it's 10.

So actually at 18 you have better flexibility and can play everyone more quickly.

From a scheduling perspective, I've always thought that 16 allows for the perfect scenario - 4 scheduling divisions (often called pods) and then the 3-2-2-2 format. Play 3 division games each year and play everyone else in the conference twice in 4 years - and visit every stadium in the conference in the 4-year span.

For this to work, you would need complete CCG deregulation, where the CCG would simply be the top-2 teams, regardless of divisions.