Conference expansion not just about BCS

[UConnJim]

Conference expansion is not just about the BCS, as it is also about scheduling. As the power conferences go to 9 conference games, scheduling out of conference games will become more difficult. The top teams will want 7 or 8 home games per season which means they will schedule one marquee out of conference game on a home and home basis and two home only games. During years they have 4 conference home games, they will schedule 3 home out of conference games. During years they have 5 home conference games, they will schedule 2 or 3 home out of conference games. Thus, there will be limited opportunity for schools to schedule attractive out of conference games.

What does this mean for the Big East and UConn? First, you have to have a conference with at least 10 teams so you can have 9 conference games. Second, you need relatively attractive conference opponents to play for both fan and TV interest (and money). Third, in order to be highly ranked you need to play a decent schedule. If you can't schedule any decent schools out of conference, you need decent schools in your conference.

Conference expansion and BE conference expansion is happening no matter what happens to the BCS.

 

[businesslawyer]

Of course, if the conferences don't play enough "real" OOC games, you have no way of knowing if a 6-6 Big Ten team is better than an 8-4 Big East team. So everyone can just assume Purdue is better than USF.

Which is what the conference expansion is really about.

 

[RS9999X]

It will become more important for the BE teams to the schedule the best Home/Away teams available. This is what they are selling to Versus -- The quality of the BE OOC schedule. I can't emphasize that enough.

Comcast/Versus/NBC Sports will want 2 marquee OOC matchups a weekend to go with their ND contract and they will want more OOC November dates not just the September glut. That's the BE ticket to success. UConn versus Michigan State in November, etc.

 

[Point6]

Agree. If AQ goes away SOS is critical. I hope we can get to the finish line of establishing a NBE (and then hold it for a while) even if AQ goes away. We will need a reasonable SOS just to maintain our current level in recruiting, etc., and absent moving to another current BCS conference, I dont see us doing better in SOS than NBE.