An article recently came out on the scheduling subject and I find some of the comments interesting as it reflects upon this latest Miami Oh deal.
"With four nonconference games, it is reasonable for Big 12 schools to schedule: at least one game against a BCS opponent of equal strength; two games against teams from the upper echelon non-BCS conferences; one "guaranteed win" game against a I-AA foe."
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"This season, the six BCS conferences average just under 15 non-league games against teams from BCS conferences. Weiberg would like the Big 12 to play 12-15 games each season against BCS teams with another 15-20 games scheduled against
quality non-BCS teams. "
http://www.ncaabbs.com/forums/bigeast/ph...hp?t=17741
I think what is going on is BCS schools have a collective scheduling policy not to play other BCS non conference opponents so they don't knock each other out of bowl contention..........but the problem is a BCS school doesn't want to play all 1-AA teams either because
A) A school must have 9 Division 1-A wins to be eligible to play in a BCS game.
B) With computer polls factoring in for a national championship it is important to play a decent if not good non conference slate.
If Colorado came out of nowhere to have a big season it would be difficult to land in that national championship game on an OOC slate full of 1-AA.....therefore why not play an annual top 50 non BCS team like Miami Ohio that could result in a national TV game (1-AA games never do) while at the same time not being too challenging. Colorado wants to be able to look a recruit in they eye and say that if undefeated, they can play for a national championship on the schedules they play.
Before the BCS boys could tell a recruit they could play in a BCS bowl game but the MAC could not.........Now the pressure is on to be able to say they can play for a national championship.......something you still cannot do out of the MAC though a BCS bowl is very obtainable.
Look at the pattern as to who in the MAC is getting the 1for1 deals.......It is the Miami's, Toledo's, NIU's.......Eastern Michigan has a 2 for 1 with Northwestern.........the quality on the field non BCS schools are in demand.
This does give a school like Eastern Michigan hope because if they start winning games, they'll sign better deals.......attendance really has nothing to do with it.......If they started winning MAC Championships 1 for 1's would follow from BCS schools......leading to more exposure, recruiting ect for future seasons.......then EMU plays in a BCS bowl.
It is entirely possible to win your way to the top under the new structure.
