Big 12 announces new non-conference scheduling requirement

The Big 12 made a change to their scheduling and requires all league teams to play at least one Power Five opponent during their non-conference schedule.

The Big 12 is making all teams play at least one team from the Power Five conferences, which could include Army and BYU, and limits teams to playing only one FCS opponent each year.

Big 12 conference commissioner Bob Bowlsby says the move is designed to enhance the conference’s strength of schedule and boost their resume for the College Football Playoff committee.

“Schedule strength is a key component in CFP Selection Committee deliberations,” Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said. “This move will strengthen the resumes for all Big 12 teams. Coupled with the nine-game full round robin Conference schedule our teams play, it will not only benefit the teams at the top of our standings each season, but will impact the overall strength of the Conference.”

This is a total no-brainer for the conference.

They are already behind the curve in the eyes of the playoff committee because the Big 12 doesn’t have a conference championship game, so having a beefed up strength of schedule will help to offset that when it comes time to determining the four best teams to play for the College Football Playoff.

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Outside of conference championships, there may not be a better resume padder than a difficult strength of schedule, so playing at least one Power Five opponent will help in that regard. But also the limit of FCS teams a team can schedule will be just as important.