Starting subsequent season, three main conferences would require their members to face not less than 10 energy convention opponents — however the Large Ten is not becoming a member of them, based on a a number of experiences on Wednesday.
The Large 12 will proceed its coverage of 9 league soccer video games plus one nonconference opponent from an influence league, an ordinary it has used the previous two years. The Southeastern Convention and Atlantic Coast Convention to undertake related minimums in 2026, consisting of 9 convention matchups and one energy opponent exterior the league. As a result of the ACC has 17 groups, one college will play eight league video games every season, however each member will nonetheless meet the 10-game energy threshold.
The Large Ten will proceed to play 9 convention video games, because it has since 2016, however won’t add a requirement for a non-conference energy foe.
That call additionally lowers expectations for any change to the School Soccer Playoff for 2026. With no alignment on scheduling throughout leagues, the commissioners assembly this week in Chicago are anticipated to stick with the 12-team format utilized in 2024 and 2025.
The Large Ten’s stance comes months after coaches and officers highlighted their in-league grind at media days.
“Everyone has to play the identical variety of convention video games,” Penn State’s James Franklin stated in July in reference to SEC groups then solely taking part in eight league video games. “Everyone needs to be taking part in eight or everyone needs to be taking part in 9.”
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti pushed for broader consistency: “We have to standardize the schedule throughout the board if we need to have goal standards for who needs to be within the playoffs and who should not.”
In follow, a number of Large Ten packages are bypassing nonconference energy opponents. This season, Penn State, Indiana, Washington, Rutgers, Northwestern and Maryland have none scheduled. Present variations of subsequent season’s schedules present Indiana, Nebraska, Penn State and Washington in the identical place.
–Subject Degree Media
