With the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins set to join the Big Ten Conference next year, the Big Ten is considering a major change to its scheduling practices.
According to a report from Brett McMurphy of The Action Network, the Big Ten is “strongly considering” eliminating a rule that requires Big Ten teams to schedule at least one Power Five non-conference opponent every season.
“The Big Ten is ‘strongly considering’ removing its requirement for league teams to play a Power 5 nonconference team, starting in 2024, sources told Action Network. Big Ten teams also would be allowed to continue scheduling Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponents, sources said,” McMurphy wrote for Action Network on Wednesday.
If this change is made, Big Ten programs would still be allowed to schedule games against other programs from Power Five conferences, but it would no longer be required. Big Ten teams could instead fill their non-conference schedules with games against teams outside of the Power Five.
It’s worth noting that even if the Big Ten does make this change, it’s unlikely fans will feel any impacts for several years as each Big Ten school already has at least one game against a Power Five nonconference opponent in at least three of the four seasons between 2024-27, according to McMurphy.
