The logical scheduling solution for 18 teams is to modify the Flex Protect Plus schedule drafted for 16 and modify it for 18, using a 2-7/7 model. The “2” being a combination of permanent and flexed (3 times out of 4 yrs) rivals. Here’s how I’d do it (any time you see School A/School B, those are the flex rivals, the ones you play for two years, and then play once every other year in alternating 2 yr cycles)

Maryland: Rutgers, Penn St/Ohio St
Rutgers: M’land, Ohio St/Penn St
Penn St: Mich St, M’land/Rutgers
Ohio St: Mich, Rutgers/M’land
Mich: Ohio St, Mich St
Mich St: Penn St, Mich
Indiana: Purd, Ill/NW
Purdue: Ind, NW/Ill
Illinois: NW, Ind/Purd
Northwestern: Ill, Purd/Ind
Wisconsin: Minn, Iowa/Neb
Minnesota: Wisc, Neb/Iowa
Iowa: Neb, Minn/Wisc
Nebraska: Iowa, Wisc/Minn
Washington: Ore, UCLA/USC
Oregon: Wash, USC/UCLA
USC: UCLA, Wash/Ore
UCLA: USC, Ore/Wash

Michigan St and Michigan end up being the sole members with 2 protected rivals, as opposed to 1 protected rival and 2 flex (3/4ths) rivals.

In each 2 year cycle there will be one school that each team misses for the cycle. Missing a school for a two year period would only occur once every 3 decades—I think that’s acceptable in order to ensure that everyone gets to play their primary rival annually and secondary rivalries 3 yrs out of 4. This should be desirable for television too.

I like the approach. As a Michigan alumnus I would prefer Ohio State to be permanent and MSU and Minnesota flexed. Need to play for the Little Brown Jug with more regularity!

(08-19-2023 01:02 PM)NotoriousOne Wrote:  I like the approach. As a Michigan alumnus I would prefer Ohio State to be permanent and MSU and Minnesota flexed. Need to play for the Little Brown Jug with more regularity!

Mich St really deserves a permanent rivalry with U of M. They are already taking one for the team by having Penn St as their rivalry week opponent.

To me, the Little Brown Jug is right up there with the Illibuck and Old Brass Spitoon as trophy games that don’t generate that much animosity or interest

(08-19-2023 04:35 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(08-19-2023 01:02 PM)NotoriousOne Wrote:  I like the approach. As a Michigan alumnus I would prefer Ohio State to be permanent and MSU and Minnesota flexed. Need to play for the Little Brown Jug with more regularity!

Mich St really deserves a permanent rivalry with U of M. They are already taking one for the team by having Penn St as their rivalry week opponent.

To me, the Little Brown Jug is right up there with the Illibuck and Old Brass Spitoon as trophy games that don’t generate that much animosity or interest

The MSU game has taken a nasty turn and skipping ahead here and there wouldn't be horrible. Also, the LBJ is one of the oldest trophy games in all of college football. Let’s try and keep some traditions…

Football:
10 games would work best but Fox will need to pay more
> 3 annual rivals
> 14 biannual rivals (7/7)

Basketball:
20 games
> 6 games vs 3 opponents (H/H)
> 14 games vs remaining 14 schools (7H/7A)

4 year rotation

3 teams you play 4 times in 4 years
10 teams you play twice in 4 years
4 teams you play once in 4 years.

This way the West coast teams can all play each other every year if they want.
Iowa can play it's 3 rivals every year if it wants.
Other teams can play the 0-2 teams it wants to play every year and the other teams can be switched up during the next 4 year rotation.

So if the money is there, how do you feel about 10 game conference schedule?

It only makes sense to me as there is so much variety in conference with 18, there isn't need to play but a couple of out of conference games.

Personally, I like MAC matchups for money games and neighborly games.

(08-24-2023 10:57 PM)Strut Wrote:  So if the money is there, how do you feel about 10 game conference schedule?

It only makes sense to me as there is so much variety in conference with 18, there isn't need to play but a couple of out of conference games.

Personally, I like MAC matchups for money games and neighborly games.

With the 12 team playoff, I’m all for 10 games in conference Strut!

I posted my proposal at the "main" board under "Big Ten Scheduling".