Big Ten touts plan for tougher schedules as playoff push

CHICAGO (AP) — Big Ten teams plan to play at least one nonconference game against a Power Five opponent and eliminate FCS schools from their schedules starting in 2016.

That’s the same year that Big Ten teams go to a nine-game conference slate.

Commissioner Jim Delany touted a “1910” scheduling model Friday at Big Ten media days: one Power Five nonconference game, nine conference games, one conference championship game, zero games outside the Bowl Subdivision.

Delany said the scheduling guidelines are not a mandate but an agreement and that he believes it will make an impression on the playoff selection committee.

The Big Ten would become the only Power Five conference to play nine league games, eliminate FCS opponents and require a Power Five nonconference game.