Big Ten football teams will likely play nine conference games within a couple of years, according to Minnesota coach Tim Brewster. In an interview with Sports Headliners, Brewster also said he expects Syracuse and possibly Texas to be on future Gopher schedules.
Big Ten teams play four non-conference games and eight league games but during an interview that focused on improving the Gopher schedule Brewster brought up the possible change to nine conference games. “I think the chances of that happening are good,” he said. “And I think it’s a good thing. …”
Big Ten teams would then play three non-conference games each as part of a 12-game schedule. An additional conference game will enhance the fan appeal of most schedules for league teams. The change can grow ticket revenues at schools that traditionally have struggled to fill their stadiums. The Big Ten also becomes a more attractive TV product with additional conference games instead of what too often are marginal games involving low appeal schools from conferences like the Mid-American.
The Gophers’ 2008 home schedule isn’t a fan’s dream or a marketer’s fantasy. The schedule offers non-conference games with Northern Illinois, Montana State and Florida Atlantic. The four conference home games are with Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan and Iowa.
Brewster looks to the future. “We’re working very hard on the schedule,” he said. “In a long term plan we’re trying to add the University of Texas to our schedule. I understand more than anything how scheduling affects recruiting and everything is about recruiting. …”
His vision is to play one high profile team per season on national TV, citing Texas and UCLA as examples. Fans would love that but Brewster is motivated, too, by the desire of potential recruits and players to play against big-time teams in meaningful games.
The other non-conference opponents will be teams located in areas the Gophers recruit. With the east coast being targeted as one recruiting area, Brewster is pleased to open the 2009 schedule at Syracuse (the Orange may play here in 2012). Other schools that he would like on the schedule include San Diego State, SMU, South Florida, Central Florida and other Big East Conference teams in addition to Syracuse.
The Gophers’ home non-conference schedule for 2009 is attractive. Air Force comes to open the new TCF Bank Stadium and California also makes a visit in September.
In fairness to the Gophers, home schedule making is a challenge for most Division I schools. The problems include guaranteed money that is unreasonable or more than the host school can afford. Then, too, some schools will host teams like the Gophers but don’t want to travel here, preferring to schedule as many games at home as possible for financial and competitive reasons.
“Fans have no concept on how hard scheduling is,” Brewster said. “How far in advance it’s done. …”
If the Big Ten adds a ninth conference game, that’s one less scheduling date to worry about.