I hope a CU athletic leader reads this thread: Based on Chris Klieman scheduling comments for the Big XII

[#1 pick]

Chris makes a great point about the challenges the Big XII faces with its scheduling. Unlike other conferences that play 8 games, the Big XII schedules 9, which makes our losses appear far worse in comparison. Meanwhile, teams with easier schedules often receive more favorable consideration from the selection committee. While finding opponents for the 2025 season this late in the process is difficult, many HBCUs, including SWAC and MEAC schools and programs like Chicago State and Tennessee State, have yet to finalize their schedules.

Prime has previously expressed enthusiasm for Week 0 games, which we haven’t traditionally participated in because our schedules are set years in advance. I propose introducing an HBCU Week in the Big XII. This initiative would not only provide these schools with a play fee (a common practice) but also include a contribution of several million dollars to the Urban League or a fund of their choice. Additionally, we could collaborate in basketball by scheduling games for both men’s and women’s teams.

From a broadcasting perspective, this idea is feasible. We already have two Week 0 games scheduled, utilizing two of our seven Saturday TV slots. To maximize exposure, we could partner with ESPN and FS1 to broadcast two games each on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, creating six additional TV slots. This setup would allow 13 out of 14 Big XII games to be televised, with only one airing on ESPN+. For Fox, this offers the opportunity to extend Big Noon Kickoff into an additional week, with a marquee matchup like Jackson State vs. Colorado serving as the highlight game to promote for them.

This approach not only enhances exposure for the Big XII and HBCUs but also creates a meaningful partnership that promotes equity and engagement in college sports. Just to be clear, my suggestion is to drop one conference game from the schedule for an HBCU game. A game we can play at Week 0 or Week 14. The SWAC really can't do Week 14 but the MEAC can. Both can do week 0.

 

[Jens1893]

Why don’t you email Rick George if you want the CU AD to read this?

 

[#1 pick]

Why don’t you email Rick George if you want the CU AD to read this?

I would prefer not to but you can do it on my behalf. I wouldn't mind it at all.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

The Big 12, ACC and B1G all play 9 conference games. The only conference that plays 8 conference games is the SEC.

 

[Darth Snow]

I would prefer not to but you can do it on my behalf. I wouldn't mind it at all.

Are you a secret agent?

 

[#1 pick]

As far as the future schedule for 2025. I can see either TCU or West Virginia getting dropped as we have 5 away games in 2025. Houston is the only team that works for Week 3 so I don't see them getting dropped. Just depends on the Big XII. They like to have it where every other conference game is a home game.

 

[FLounda]

Are you a secret agent?

It’s because RG knows him and see him on a daily basis.

 

[#1 pick]

The Big 12, ACC and B1G all play 9 conference games. The only conference that plays 8 conference games is the SEC.

The B1G is top-heavy as well as the ACC. For a balanced conference, 9 games just doesn't make sense.

College Football Ratings Page

sagarin.com

The Big XII has 12 teams in the top 50. For as bad as OK State been, they have the 14th best schedule via the Sagarin.
The ACC only has 6 teams in the top 50.
The SEC has 14 teams in the top 50.
The B1G also has 12 teams in the top 50 but 4 teams outside of the top 74.

 

[Jens1893]

What Klieman is saying is right, of course, but that ship has sailed. With FOX being married to the B1G and ESPN married to the SEC programs from those conferences will always get the benefit of the doubt as two 2 networks shape the narrative regarding most things college football. It's also why I believe the expanded playoff won't lead to more parity across the board, but rather just help the rich get richer as it acts as a safety net for the so called top teams from those conferences. I've seen that exact same thing play out elsewhere.

 

[Jens1893]

I would prefer not to but you can do it on my behalf. I wouldn't mind it at all.

I am not solving your problems for you when you can very easily solve them yourself.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

The other issue is that the Big 12 doesn’t have any marquee brands (outside of Prime led CU), so eliminating a P4 opponent weakens everyone’s schedule in the Big 12 and basically removes any shot of two B12 teams making the playoff. Adding HBCU opponents, while a noble endeavor, doesn’t do anything to help the programs in this conference.

 

[Bison]

I don't think the Big 12 would drop one conference game at this point since the media rights has been already signed and if the Big 12 was to do that, the next media rights deal might not have an increase from the new one that kicks in next year.

 

[Jens1893]

The other issue is that the Big 12 doesn’t have any marquee brands (outside of Prime led CU), so eliminating a P4 opponent weakens everyone’s schedule in the Big 12 and basically removes any shot of two B12 teams making the playoff. Adding HBCU opponents, while a noble endeavor, doesn’t do anything to help the programs in this conference.

Compared to the SEC/B1G elites not even Prime's CU is.

 

[#1 pick]

I don't think the Big 12 would drop one conference game at this point since the media rights has been already signed and if the Big 12 was to do that, the next media rights deal might not have an increase from the new one that kicks in next year.

This is a great point. Media rights ultimately shape the direction of the conference as a whole. That said, I'm not sure what the current media rights agreement specifies for the Big XII regarding the number of conference games—does it have to be 9?

 

[#1 pick]

The other issue is that the Big 12 doesn’t have any marquee brands (outside of Prime led CU), so eliminating a P4 opponent weakens everyone’s schedule in the Big 12 and basically removes any shot of two B12 teams making the playoff. Adding HBCU opponents, while a noble endeavor, doesn’t do anything to help the programs in this conference.

The committee has decided that simply doesn't matter. That's why Chris is stating what he's stating. Boise, UNLV, and other ranked G5s as well as P4 with weak schedules is your proof.

 

[slider]

My wife owes me dome. I hope she reads this

 

[Bison]

This is a great point. Media rights ultimately shape the direction of the conference as a whole. That said, I'm not sure what the current media rights agreement specifies for the Big XII regarding the number of conference games—does it have to be 9?

It would be nice to read the wording of those contracts. Another thought is that if the SEC only has eight conference games and the Big 12 has nine conference games while the SEC is earning significantly more, just think about how much the value of one Big 12 game is in comparison with a SEC game.

It seems like CU did better overall with an eight game conference schedule than with a nine game conference schedule (CU started nine conference games when they joined the Pac-12 and now plays nine in the new Big 12).

With the CFP, there is room for a four loss SEC team as if the SEC team went 0-4 in OOC play only to win every conference game including the CCG which sends the SEC team into the CFP via auto-bid. Now if a SEC school can get to the SEC championship game with two SEC losses, that means that SEC school could get into the CFP with six losses. Just imagine the public outcry if that happens.

The Big 12 conference race has been entertaining with nine conference games just like the SEC has been entertaining with just eight conference games. One more SEC conference game wouldn't change that but it could make it more entertaining.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

The committee has decided that simply doesn't matter. That's why Chris is stating what he's stating. Boise, UNLV, and other ranked G5s as well as P4 with weak schedules is your proof.

We have no idea what the committee has decided. To this point, the CFP rankings have been strictly for ratings and we are still two weeks away from a definitive answer. There's a reason the major debate is about a 1 or 2 loss non-SEC program getting in over a 2 or 3 loss SEC program. SOS is absolutely going to matter in this discussion every year.

 

[Birch1]

My wife owes me dome. I hope she reads this.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

Compared to the SEC/B1G elites not even Prime's CU is.

If Prime sticks around for a while, I think he can build CU into a brand on par with anyone outside of the true blue blood elites. Basically a top 15-20 caliber program year in, year out that is consistently playing for the Big 12 championship and going 10-2 or 11-1. That's the upside of him being in a conference that's as "meh" as the Big 12.

 

[BuffWarHog]

Chris makes a great point about the challenges the Big XII faces with its scheduling. Unlike other conferences that play 8 games, the Big XII schedules 9, which makes our losses appear far worse in comparison. Meanwhile, teams with easier schedules often receive more favorable consideration from the selection committee. While finding opponents for the 2025 season this late in the process is difficult, many HBCUs, including SWAC and MEAC schools and programs like Chicago State and Tennessee State, have yet to finalize their schedules.

Prime has previously expressed enthusiasm for Week 0 games, which we haven’t traditionally participated in because our schedules are set years in advance. I propose introducing an HBCU Week in the Big XII. This initiative would not only provide these schools with a play fee (a common practice) but also include a contribution of several million dollars to the Urban League or a fund of their choice. Additionally, we could collaborate in basketball by scheduling games for both men’s and women’s teams.

From a broadcasting perspective, this idea is feasible. We already have two Week 0 games scheduled, utilizing two of our seven Saturday TV slots. To maximize exposure, we could partner with ESPN and FS1 to broadcast two games each on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, creating six additional TV slots. This setup would allow 13 out of 14 Big XII games to be televised, with only one airing on ESPN+. For Fox, this offers the opportunity to extend Big Noon Kickoff into an additional week, with a marquee matchup like Jackson State vs. Colorado serving as the highlight game to promote for them.

This approach not only enhances exposure for the Big XII and HBCUs but also creates a meaningful partnership that promotes equity and engagement in college sports. Just to be clear, my suggestion is to drop one conference game from the schedule for an HBCU game. A game we can play at Week 0 or Week 14. The SWAC really can't do Week 14 but the MEAC can. Both can do week 0.

If we want to compete, we have to play their game and schedule this event Week 14. Imagine we played Jackson St instead of Kansas this past weekend. Season looks a lot different.

 

[Jens1893]

If Prime sticks around for a while, I think he can build CU into a brand on par with anyone outside of the true blue blood elites. Basically a top 15-20 caliber program year in, year out that is consistently playing for the Big 12 championship and going 10-2 or 11-1. That's the upside of him being in a conference that's as "meh" as the Big 12.

Correct, but I think that's a 5-10 year Clemson/Dabo like process where you play and beat the SEC/B1G elites to get the benefit of the doubt that your 10-2 is better than their 9-3 when you just play HS squads and they play a schedule that includes a best of Saban's Alabama every week.

 

[Jens1893]

Speaking of Dabo, he hits the nail on the head here

"We've scheduled tough," Swinney said. "All you can do is play the schedule that you have. It is what it is. We basically have an SEC-Big Ten Invitational. That's really what we've got in college football. So you just got to focus on what you got."

Dabo Swinney takes jab at College Football Playoff race: 'We basically have an SEC-Big Ten Invitational'

Swinney did not mince words when talking about the potential 12-team College Football Playoff field

www.cbssports.com

 

[CarolinaBuff]

We have no idea what the committee has decided. To this point, the CFP rankings have been strictly for ratings and we are still two weeks away from a definitive answer. There's a reason the major debate is about a 1 or 2 loss non-SEC program getting in over a 2 or 3 loss SEC program. SOS is absolutely going to matter in this discussion every year.

Yes the final rankings - the only ones that matter - are still 2 weeks away but so far the committee has given almost no indication that SOS matters.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

Correct, but I think that's a 5-10 year Clemson/Dabo like process where you play and beat the SEC/B1G elites to get the benefit of the doubt that your 10-2 is better than their 9-3 when you just play HS squads and they play a schedule that includes a best of Saban's Alabama every week.

The ACC still has 3-4 brands that dwarf anything the Big 12 has, though. Clemson was able to beat FSU, Miami, UNC, etc to go 13-0/12-1 to make the CFP and win national championships. CU will be able to make the 12 team playoff by winning the conference, but likely end up the 3 or 4 seed every time no matter what because nobody is ever going to impressed with CU's resume.

Removing a P4 game and replacing it with an HBCU matchup will give Big 12 schools an extra win far more often than not, but the committee as currently constructed still isn't going to view that in higher favor than SEC and B1G resumes.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

Yes the final rankings - the only ones that matter - are still 2 weeks away but so far the committee has given almost no indication that SOS matters.

Not with an undefeated Indiana team being the primary culprit in a weak SOS. Watch what happens to Indiana tonight and we'll circle back to this conversation. Also, if you think Missouri continuing to be ranked at all isn't a ploy to bolster SEC resumes, you're naive. I'll also wait and see what happens with Ole Miss and Alabama.

 

[Jens1893]

The ACC still has 3-4 brands that dwarf anything the Big 12 has, though. Clemson was able to beat FSU, Miami, UNC, etc to go 13-0/12-1 to make the CFP and win national championships. CU will be able to make the 12 team playoff by winning the conference, but likely end up the 3 or 4 seed every time no matter what because nobody is ever going to impressed with CU's resume.

Removing a P4 game and replacing it with an HBCU matchup will give Big 12 schools an extra win far more often than not, but the committee as currently constructed still isn't going to view that in higher favor than SEC and B1G resumes.

As I say, you need to get to a point where you can play and beat teams with a name recognition factor to get the benefit of the doubt. In that sense I think even beating Nebraska may have helped us more than a better team like (hypothetically say) BYU because Nebraska is still Nebraska in people's minds.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

As I say, you need to get to a point where you can play and beat teams with a name recognition factor to get the benefit of the doubt. In that sense I think even beating Nebraska may have helped us more than a better team like (hypothetically say) BYU because Nebraska is still Nebraska in people's minds.

CU will need to do that in the playoff, and yes, I agree that Nebraska on the schedule every year should be mandated as it's still a program that is at least viewed as a brand.

 

[Jens1893]

CU will need to do that in the playoff, and yes, I agree that Nebraska on the schedule every year should be mandated as it's still a program that is at least viewed as a brand.

Correct. But does Nebraska want us on the schedule every year? LOL

 

[BuffWarHog]

Yes the final rankings - the only ones that matter - are still 2 weeks away but so far the committee has given almost no indication that SOS matters.

I 1000% agree that strength of schedule matters. But there has to be some sort calculus for “attempting” a tough schedule, even if it doesn’t pan out…I’m looking at ND in this situation (I’d say Texas falls into this category as well). The opposite would be Boise St - just scheduling, and losing to, Oregon shouldn’t be the only thing their SOS rests on.