Without the asinine 9 conf game rule, we’d be 5-1 and ranked.

[Letsgohawks411]

If we had only 8 conf games, we’re probably playing someone like Kent St. at home instead of MSU on the road. We’d be 5-1 right now. Why do we penalize ourselves with a 9 game conf schedule while other leagues such as the high and mighty SEC only play 8?!?!!? Just ask Michigan. Last year with only 8 conference games they’re playing Akron at home instead of Iowa on the road. That would have put two Big Ten teams in the final four. We have to go back to only 8 conference games unless all the other conferences follow suit.

 

[nychawkeyes]

Heh. Some of us want 10 Big Ten games!

Sedge.

 

[rchawk]

If we had only 8 conf games, we’re probably playing someone like Kent St. at home instead of MSU on the road. We’d be 5-1 right now. Why do we penalize ourselves with a 9 game conf schedule while other leagues such as the high and mighty SEC only play 8?!?!!? Just ask Michigan. Last year with only 8 conference games they’re playing Akron at home instead of Iowa on the road. That would have put two Big Ten teams in the final four. We have to go back to only 8 conference games unless all the other conferences follow suit.

I see your point. But with the addition of teams to the Big Ten (Nebraska, Maryland, Rutgers, Penn State) it is becoming even more rare to play the old historical foes we are more familiar with. We miss Michigan and Indiana this year, and we are going to play Eastern Division teams a lot less than in the past.

I also think that with 14 teams you get somewhat closer to having the best teams in each division play in the title game, and for bowl pecking order. Nine league games gives you a little better of an idea of who deserves to be there than eight does.

Also, for me, Big Ten games are more fun than non-league games.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

I'd like every game to be a conference game. Scrap the non-conference.

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

Since we are 5 home, 4 away this year it means we would be out an East division home game...either OSU or PSU. Replace the Penn State loss with a Kent State win and we are in exactly the same place in the polls where we are now, even at 5-1...a small handful of ORV.

 

[rchawk]

I'd like every game to be a conference game. Scrap the non-conference.

I like this. Twelve regular season games, we would only miss one Big Ten team.

 

[Wahawk56]

If we had only 8 conf games, we’re probably playing someone like Kent St. at home instead of MSU on the road. We’d be 5-1 right now. Why do we penalize ourselves with a 9 game conf schedule while other leagues such as the high and mighty SEC only play 8?!?!!? Just ask Michigan. Last year with only 8 conference games they’re playing Akron at home instead of Iowa on the road. That would have put two Big Ten teams in the final four. We have to go back to only 8 conference games unless all the other conferences follow suit.

I don't like fluffy schedules. That's what we play.

 

[LeftyLarry]

If we had only 8 conf games, we’re probably playing someone like Kent St. at home instead of MSU on the road. We’d be 5-1 right now. Why do we penalize ourselves with a 9 game conf schedule while other leagues such as the high and mighty SEC only play 8?!?!!? Just ask Michigan. Last year with only 8 conference games they’re playing Akron at home instead of Iowa on the road. That would have put two Big Ten teams in the final four. We have to go back to only 8 conference games unless all the other conferences follow suit.

You had no problem with it, when Wisconsin had one of the hardest schedules in the country last season.

 

[markfromj]

Michigan (and all the Big Ten) played 9 last year. Try again.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Who is to say that the 2 ccross games were PSU and MSU and that OSU would be the third game?

 

[Hawkeye Dan in Storm Lake]

oh yeah rite. We can't even beat northern dakota state! let alone michigan spartans. hoping that Our recruiting keeps improving tones the teams in the big are good athletes. Thanks

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

Iowa benefited from soft schedules for a number of years. In fact, that was the main criticism of Iowa in 2015. Many fans have talked at length about dumping Iowa State to try to get a home and home or a neutral site game with a Top 25 caliber opponent. Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Frankly, the two advantages of having a more difficult schedule are one) it toughens you up and helps you get better and two) it prevents you from being in bowl games you shouldn't be in (and ultimately get embarrassed in).

I have zero problems with 9 conference games.

 

[Letsgohawks411]

Michigan (and all the Big Ten) played 9 last year. Try again.

Uhhh, that was kinda my point. If they had only 8 conf games last year instead of 9, they would have had a sure win home game against someone like Akron instead of Iowa on the road (their 9th conference game).

 

[Letsgohawks411]

You had no problem with it, when Wisconsin had one of the hardest schedules in the country last season.

Hey, they’re freakin’ Wisconsin. I wouldn’t complain if they had to play the Patriots every year!

 

[bagdropper]

I bet if we had Wisconsin's schedule this year you'd be happier.

With 14 teams, two divisions, 9 conference games - some schools will love their schedule, some will get the short end of the stick.

This year, it's our turn. And if my memory is good, our crossover rival is PSU for 6 straight years coming up.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

You had no problem with it, when Wisconsin had one of the hardest schedules in the country last season.

Why the hell would we care about Wisconsin's schedule?

 

[naturalmwa]

Kent St wouldn't be the alternative. We would be playing some mid level P5 program in a home and home like we used to. Arizona, Syracuse, Pitt, etc. Does playing Arizona really excite you more than MSU and would you really expect to win that game more?

 

[markfromj]

Uhhh, that was kinda my point. If they had only 8 conf games last year instead of 9, they would have had a sure win home game against someone like Akron instead of Iowa on the road (their 9th conference game).

Got it now. You said "Akron" not "someone like Akron" so that threw me.

 

[anon_01irjibf16qqj]

I'd like every game to be a conference game. Scrap the non-conference.

Wow. Agreed.

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

I understand the "what if game", but let's stick to the... "What if we made a couple more plays". Not "what if we played highschool teams".

I'm 100% for playing more quality opponents. I think most would prefer that Penn St type night game over playing another N. Texas team.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

A 12 game conference schedule would work and simplify the process. Your SOS would likely be higher due to the fact that you play all but one team. You would have six home/six away games. Then there could still be a conference title game in Indy.

Can you imagine instead of vs Wyoming, @ ISU, vs North Texas that we'd have say....

vs Rutgers
@ Michigan
@ Indiana

 

[KuwaitHawk]

10 conference games with a 5 & 5 split and then two non-conf games at home against non-P5 schools.