Big 12 to require teams to play a non-conference Power Five opponent

[El Supremo]

The Big 12 will make its teams schedule Power Five non-conference games in the future.

The conference announced Wednesday (sic) it is implementing a non-conference scheduling requirement for its teams. Going forward, teams will have to play a team from either the ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12 or SEC for one of its three non-league games. There is no specific timeline for the requirement, however, as the release states that existing game contracts would not be affected by the requirement.

“Schedule strength is a key component in CFP Selection Committee deliberations,” commented Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “This move will strengthen the resumes for all Big 12 teams. Coupled with the nine-game full round robin Conference schedule our teams play, it will not only benefit the teams at the top of our standings each season, but will impact the overall strength of the Conference.”

Notre Dame also counts as a Power Five team. The provision is similar to other requirements other Power Five conferences have made for their teams' schedules.

Since existing contracts won't be affected by the mandate, a team like Baylor wouldn't be forced to schedule a Power Five opponent until 2019. However, Baylor fulfills the mandate starting in 2017 with a home-and-home series with Duke. The Bears play Northwestern State, SMU and Rice in 2016....

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/big-12-to-require-teams-to-play-a-non-conference-power-five-opponent-172141326.html

Let's see, Wake Forest, Purdue, South Carolina and Colorado? Hey, they count!

[trotsky]

1. A good idea.

But they still need a conference championship game.

[El Supremo]

2. So that two teams can play each other a second time?

Conference championship games are stupid.

[trotsky]

3. I view conf championships as a logical step toward a complete playoff system.

Next time you change your avatar you'll probably agree with me.

[El Supremo]

4. No. Interconference playoff games is the next logical step.

E.g. SEC vs. B1G one year and another match-up the next year.

Hey! I just invented the next college playoff system! Dr. Pepper here!

[El Supremo]

5. Texas played two this year.

Notre Dame and Cal. UT usually plays one or more Power Five teams. Time for the rest to do so too.

Also OU played Tennessee, TCU played Minnesota, Texas Tech played Arkansas, Iowa State played Iowa (as in every year), Kansas played Rutgers and West Virginia played Maryland. That leaves out Baylor, Oklahoma State and Kansas State.