Report: Big Ten 'strongly considering' ending non-conference Power 5 scheduling requirement

A big change could be coming to the Big Ten as it pertains to their non-conference scheduling requirement, per Brett McMurphy of The Action Network.

According to McMurphy’s report, the conference is mulling ending the requirement that Big Ten programs must schedule their non-conference games against Power 5 teams, instead allowing a whole new batch of possibilities to enter the mix.

“The Big Ten is ‘strongly considering’ removing its requirement for league teams to play a Power Five nonconference team, starting in 2024, sources told Action Network,” wrote McMurphy. “Big Ten teams also would be allowed to continue scheduling Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponents, sources said.”

Additionally, the decision would of course coincide with the addition of the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins to the Big Ten. McMurphy added some more context regarding the potential scheduling format of the conference, including that they’re expected to continue with a nine-game league schedule, “unless something crazy happens.”

“In 2024, the Big Ten grows to a 16-team league with the additions of USC and UCLA. Although the league’s scheduling format has not been officially determined, the Big Ten is expected to continue with a nine-game league schedule ‘unless something crazy happens,’ a source said,” reported McMurphy.

“If the change is made, Big Ten teams could still schedule games against Power Five non-conference opponents, but it would no longer be required.”

Of course, the schedules for most college football teams are made long in advance of the upcoming season. While the requirement would cease to exist as early as 2024, many Big Ten squads already have their opponents mapped out, for the most part.

“Even though the Big Ten is expected to remove its Power Five nonconference opponent requirement starting in 2024, each Big Ten school already has scheduled a Power Five nonconference opponent in at least three of the four seasons between 2024-27,” added McMurphy.

“What’s unknown is whether or not those Big Ten schools will keep those future Power Five nonconference opponents or adjust their future schedules by playing fewer Power Five teams out of conference.”

Alas, time will tell how rampant the changes in the Big Ten scheduling are, but it’s evident change is on the horizon. It’ll be something to keep an eye on for the foreseeable future, it seems.