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.

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A lot of fans anticipate all the horses except Big Brown will be running for second place in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes from Baltimore.  You can count Jake Mauer, who has been handicapping races for nearly a quarter century at Canterbury Park, among them.

Mauer marveled along with a national TV audience when Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby earlier this month by about five lengths.  Not only did Big Brown easily outdistance the field, but he did it by starting from the unfavorable 20^th post position.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, coming from the 20^th hole,” Mauer told Sports Headliners.  “Powerful strides and pace. …”

Mauer said Big Brown is the best he’s seen since Secretariat and likes his prospects for the Triple Crown.  The last of the Triple Crown races is the Belmont Stakes from Elmont, New York on June 7.

“I think he’s going to go to the Triple Crown,” Mauer said.  “I can’t believe it.  Do you know how many extra furlongs he had to make up in that Churchill Downs from the 20^th hole? …”

Big Brown was bred and raised in Kentucky by Dr. Gary Knapp, a native Minnesotan.  Knapp, who was raised near Fergus Falls, sold Big Brown in 2006, according to a recent story on the Fergus Falls Daily Journal Web site.

Wagering on the Preakness Stakes begins at Canterbury on Friday.  Mauer sells his tip sheet in the Canterbury lobby on live racing days at the Shakopee track.

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Vikings’ coach Brad Childress informed and entertained more than 30 media representatives during a two hour session last week labeled the “Coaching 101 Media Clinic.”  He described his work day, including various meetings, and made a presentation on the Tampa 2 defense.

He talked about motivation including the concept of the hunter versus the hunted. He showed visuals of a lion attacking a man, and also water buffalo protecting one another, demonstrating the strength of the herd.

The coach’s dry wit was evident throughout the session and in a follow-up e-mail later in the week where he included a long list of humorous and informative items.  Childress suggested that you know you’re living in 2008 when you try to enter your pin number on the microwave.  There are more collect calls on Father’s Day than any day of the year.  It costs $16,400 to raise the average medium size dog to age 11.

Civic leader Denny Schulstad said about $315,000 of the $450,000 needed for construction of the Veterans Tribute area at the new TCF Bank Stadium has been raised. The memorial will be located at the open end of the Gopher stadium and honors the legacy of every Minnesotan who served in the armed forces.  The memorial will include a curved wall 72 feet long and 18 feet high identifying the area that will be a gathering place on game days.  Flag raising and other pageantry will also originate there on game days and for other events.  Anyone interested in donating to the project can contact Schulstad at 952-927-9822.  Schulstad, a retired Air Force brigadier general, is co-chair of the veterans project with University vice president Karen Himle.

Gordon Gund, the former Minnesota North Stars owner, has a minority ownership position with the Cleveland Cavs who trail the Boston Celtics 2-1 in the NBA playoffs.  Because Gund has been blind most of his adult life, he never saw the North Stars or Cavs play.

A week from Saturday is Willie Mays Day in San Francisco.  Every May 24 the city recognizes the 77-year-old Hall of Fame centerfielder who played in Minneapolis as a minor leaguer before joining the New York Giants who eventually moved to San Francisco.

Twins’ infielder Alexi Casilla, recalled from Rochester over the weekend to replace the injured Nick Punto, was batting .219 with two RBI for the Red Wings.

Jacques Lemaire, 62, announced on Saturday he’s returning for an eighth season to coach the Wild.  In a prepared statement he said: “When you are younger, it’s a lot easier to make a decision. At the end of the year, I said I wanted to ask questions of Doug (Risebrough, Wild general manager).  I wanted to make sure my boss is happy with the work I am doing and with the way I manage the team. This is what we talked about in our meetings.  I am reassured of my work and I want to coach again.  My satisfaction behind the bench is getting the team to play the best it can, individually and as a group. Success will come with that.”

Cristie Kerr, the defending U.S. Women’s Open champion, draws attention on and off the golf course.  Her beauty and skills make her one of golf’s most watched personalities. The 63^rd Open will be at Interlachen Country Club in Edina from June 23-29.

The presidents from every Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference school have pledged their support to Division II’s game-environment initiative.  Earlier this spring Division II chancellors and presidents stated “we are concerned about the uncivil behavior exhibited at college athletics contests, and, thereby, pledge to work together to make respectful, family-friendly events a standard of the Division II experience.” There is a new Division II game-environment Web site (www.diicommunity.org/gameenvironment/) featuring Winona State as a school with a positive atmosphere at basketball events.

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