Big 10 no longer scheduling FCS teams

[yotefan]

It looks like the Big 10 is saying goodbye to FCS games.

[#1CoyoteFan (Admin)]

Maybe they realized that Indiana and Minnesota are on the schedule. Or that some Big 10 teams come way too close to losing those pay for win games.

[Yote 53]

I'm guessing they are trying to increase the SOS of their OOC schedule. Differentiate themselves from the SEC.

[coyoterj]

Maybe because the Small 10 or 11 or whatever they are don't want to GET BEAT by The University of South Dakota or the 2 time National Champion North Dakota State, or have a game long battle on their hands with SD State.

Hey Big 10 Coaches, why dont you get some KAHUNAS and get YOUR program where it SHOULD be and quit avoiding OURS!!!!

[yotemeal]

Maybe the deserved perception and actual ranking of SEC strength affords the SEC the luxury of playing FCS games, because they certainly do it, and I haven't heard of any plans to discontinue the practice (though I haven't really been paying attention). espn.go.com/college-football/schedule/_/seasontype/2/week/12

It's not like the Big Ten is going to replace its FCS games with the Oregons and Florida States of the world. My guess would be MAC and Sun Belt type teams, which some of its members already pad their schedules with. Is that really going to close the gap? If the Big Ten wants to elevate its status, I think simply beating an SEC team every now and then is the most direct, effective path. Of course, it's all about slipping into the "Final Four" and cashing a check.

[bluffrunner]

A quick review of the big 10 schedules last year you will see that there was not ONE non-confernence victory over a ranked opponent (end of the year rankings for sure but I also think that would include at the time they played). Bowl games the big 10 only won 2 games a 1 point squeaker against TCU and I am not sure about the other.

My point is, the big ten is pretty weak right now. I have followed it pretty close the last few years, and based upon head to head with FCS schools, there really isn't that much difference. Depth in at the line of scrimmage is the big difference. I believe the bottom half of the MVC can compete and win against the bottom 1/4 of the big ten and I think the top 1/3 of MVC can compete with and beat the middle tier big ten schools... OSU, Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin are probably at another level (on most Saturdays).

As the big 10 commissioner would you rather see ESPN highlights of South Dakota beating Indiana or Tulsa beating Indiana? Would you rather see Iowa losing to Ball State or NDSU? It's all about the P.R. what looks better to the national press?