Jim Delany: Big Ten ADs agree to no longer schedule FCS games beginning in 2016
Beginning in 2016, the Big Ten will implement a new scheduling outline for all of its members that will not permit its programs from scheduling FCS opponents, conference commissioner Jim Delany announced during Friday's Big Ten Media Days session.
Big Ten strength of schedule model that begins next season (includes no FCS foes). pic.twitter.com/PXDAPhTP7G
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) July 31, 2015
Delany called the move an "athletic directors agreement," rather than an official league rule.
"I'm not sure that there's penalties. We haven't really talked about that. But everybody has agreed," Delany told media members gathered at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago. "We have the nine conference games. We have a commitment to schedule an intersectional game. We have a conference championship. And we have a commitment to play only FBS opponents."
Delany added that the new system is "a commitment to the FBS," and if it creates a contractual issue with any of its members, those situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
He also stressed that the focus of the new system is improving the overall strength of schedule for Big Ten teams.
"I think that's the template that everybody thinks is best going forward from a variety of perspectives," Delany said.