Revive old question. With USC/ND rivalry returning

[RolexKong]

Ok so if that’s the case. How come OU still played OSU every year before leaving for the SEC. I know it was a Conference game but I never heard them complain. In fact, when OU left for the SEC, they made it clear the want to continue the rivalry but the Cowboys don’t want to. How come UGA has no problem playing GaTech every year? And before Matt Campbell got there you could argue why would Iowa lower themselves to play ISU every year? Clemson USCe?

I think Penn State and Pitt should play every year. It’s great for the sport, great for the State, and most importantly great for the fans. If they play every year it’s a Top 10 Rivalry Game in College Football. No doubt!

And why doesn't LSU play Tulane anymore? It was a rivalry game for nearly 100 years.

Penn State-Pitt is not a top ten rivalry game.

 

[doctornick]

I just want us to schedule a Power team, anyone really. First, it is terrible that we are not playing a power team non-conference this year (or last year). And it's utterly ridiculous that we have no one scheduled for 2029 or beyond.

I know there are many things to do, but filling out the football schedule effectively should be a top priority of the AD.

 

[Bison13]

Penn State should never play pit in football again. It does nothing to help the team and only helps pit in that regard.

 

[grinagrin]

Penn State should never play pit in football again. It does nothing to help the team and only helps pit in that regard.

But what about all those other non conference rivalries I mentioned? They’re not scared to play little brother. A Power Team win is better than anything on our OOC schedule lately.
Honestly if we’re “scared” to play Pitt then we have no business worrying about ever winning a National Championship.

 

[KingLando]

Ok so if that’s the case. How come OU still played OSU every year before leaving for the SEC. I know it was a Conference game but I never heard them complain. In fact, when OU left for the SEC, they made it clear the want to continue the rivalry but the Cowboys don’t want to. How come UGA has no problem playing GaTech every year? And before Matt Campbell got there you could argue why would Iowa lower themselves to play ISU every year? Clemson USCe?

I think Penn State and Pitt should play every year. It’s great for the sport, great for the State, and most importantly great for the fans. If they play every year it’s a Top 10 Rivalry Game in College Football. No doubt!

Because it's a conference game--I'm never going to complain about playing a conference game
Should Georgia play Georgia Tech yearly--absolutely not--they gain nothing.
Iowa and Iowa State are pretty much comparable but, yes, Iowa should drop them for an SEC school if possible--not Clemson
You can want to play Pitt every year--not sure how it's great for the fans--most don't care. But it's not a top 10 rivalry game--it's been dead way too long to be a top 10 rivalry game even if it's unfortunately revived

 

[KingLando]

But what about all those other non conference rivalries I mentioned? They’re not scared to play little brother. A Power Team win is better than anything on our OOC schedule lately.
Honestly if we’re “scared” to play Pitt then we have no business worrying about ever winning a National Championship.

It has nothing to do with "fear"--Pitt-Penn State has almost zero interest at this point
Pitt considers WVU their biggest rival
Why play Pitt? Schedule a real opponent.
Beating Pitt adds no value in the current system--none. SEC and Big Ten wins along with ND are all that matter.

 

[slwlion]

What team would like to see PSU add for a home & home? I'll go with any of the following:
POWER 4 teams
-Alabama
-LSU
-Clemson
-BYU
-Florida
-South Carolina
-Miami

Non POWER 4
-Army, Navy, or Air Force
-

Gators. just up the road from me !

 

[slwlion]

I like Miami a lot of history there going back to the 60's.

I would not go to a Miami game for all the money in the world. Don't have many years left and I'm not gonna take any chances going to that place. lol

 

[Corner Room Breakfast]

I would not go to a Miami game for all the money in the world. Don't have many years left and I'm not gonna take any chances going to that place. lol

I've heard that.

 

[Bison13]

But what about all those other non conference rivalries I mentioned? They’re not scared to play little brother. A Power Team win is better than anything on our OOC schedule lately.
Honestly if we’re “scared” to play Pitt then we have no business worrying about ever winning a National Championship.

Who gives a crap about those other rivalries I’m talking specifically about pit. playing them give them money, I’d love to see their program fall off so bad they have to drop it. Playing Penn State regularly would give them a constant influx of cash. I’d rather see them go D3.

 

[Shep]

I do not agree with scheduling a "50-50" win-loss non conference opponent and here is why:
The typical Big 10 schedule will have us playing four or more 50-50 games in a typical year (2026 schedule is not typical). Plus our recruiting talent does not match up with the 3-5 top Big 10 teams on a yearly basis due to out NIL picture. So in a good year, we will likely have 2 conference losses before a potential non-conference loss. No Bueno for me until the playoff expands--until probably 24 teams.

 

[CDLionFL]

Just give it until about 2030 and the Big Ten will be the AFC and the SEC will be the NFC of college football and you'll see all those juicy matchups you want and none of the high-sugar, low-nutrition cupcakes from the MAC and 1-AA.

 

[Knickslions69]

Just give it until about 2030 and the Big Ten will be the AFC and the SEC will be the NFC of college football and you'll see all those juicy matchups you want and none of the high-sugar, low-nutrition cupcakes from the MAC and 1-AA.

Ya if they are going to go 24 playoff teams why would you schedule those games. Get in playoffs then you will play those teams.

 

[KingLando]

I do not agree with scheduling a "50-50" win-loss non conference opponent and here is why:
The typical Big 10 schedule will have us playing four or more 50-50 games in a typical year (2026 schedule is not typical). Plus our recruiting talent does not match up with the 3-5 top Big 10 teams on a yearly basis due to out NIL picture. So in a good year, we will likely have 2 conference losses before a potential non-conference loss. No Bueno for me until the playoff expands--until probably 24 teams.

Right but that's coming sooner than later

 

[KingLando]

Just give it until about 2030 and the Big Ten will be the AFC and the SEC will be the NFC of college football and you'll see all those juicy matchups you want and none of the high-sugar, low-nutrition cupcakes from the MAC and 1-AA.

Perfect

 

[LMTLION]

Just give it until about 2030 and the Big Ten will be the AFC and the SEC will be the NFC of college football and you'll see all those juicy matchups you want and none of the high-sugar, low-nutrition cupcakes from the MAC and 1-AA.

I agree this could be the eventual outcome, but I do think there will be a bit of realignment movement first. There’s no way that ND, FSU, Miami, and a few others will be left out of that.

 

[KingLando]

I agree this could be the eventual outcome, but I do think there will be a bit of realignment movement first. There’s no way that ND, FSU, Miami, and a few others will be left out of that.

I don't believe FSU and Miami currently have the value that others think. But I agree it's unlikely they get left out. Clemson getting left out wouldn't shock me.

 

[OKLALionsFan]

For purely selfish reasons OSU, OU, Arkansas. I could catch a road game every other year.

 

[PSUForever]

I want to play Notre Dump, Texas, OU, Georgia and Bama.

The B10 and SEC need to setup a challenge weekend every Sept just like hoops used to do.

 

[PSU4U]

Currently true. PSU schedule needs some OOC splash.

Yes, but thankfully it wasn't this year.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Yes, but thankfully it wasn't this year.

I wonder if any changes will occur to the OOC for 2027 and beyond? Maine in 2027, give me a break.

 

[BobPSU92]

We’re missing the OBVIOUS. . Why doesn’t PSU start a home-and-home with iowa state? Duh. I can’t think of a better rivalry for PSU.

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

I would choose to play Pitt every season. I would also be in favor of rotating Pitt, WVU, and Syracuse.

Why help Pitt? Let them rot. Even the best teams in the ACC want out of the ACC.

 

[Bison13]

I want to play Notre Dump, Texas, OU, Georgia and Bama.

The B10 and SEC need to setup a challenge weekend every Sept just like hoops used to do.

The SEC wouldn’t want to do it. They automatically get 8 to 10 teams in the top 25 at the beginning of the year and then because of that get to claim how strong their conference is all year long. If they each had to play a big 10 team in the first month of the season that ideology would take a serious hit.

 

[Warlerski]

The SEC wouldn’t want to do it. They automatically get 8 to 10 teams in the top 25 at the beginning of the year and then because of that get to claim how strong their conference is all year long. If they each had to play a big 10 team in the first month of the season that ideology would take a serious hit.

Fans need to face reality. Many top teams and even conferences shun OOC games that are a real challenge. That is viewed as hazardous to
their playoff chances and reputation.

 

[LionJim]

Fans need to face reality. Many top teams and even conferences shun OOC games that are a real challenge. That is viewed as hazardous to
their playoff chances and reputation.

Historically, this surely has been a factor but this might change what with the expanded playoff system. PSU’s 2016 team would have been given a home playoff game if the current playoff system had then been in force.

 

[LafayetteBear]

I understand the monetary reality of scheduling cupcakes. They don't demand a home and home arrangement from Penn State, and PSU can fill the stadium even for cupcake games. But it certainly doesn't help for TV ratings or playoff eligibility. The Lions should at least have one high quality OOC game every year. And it should preferably be a true intersectional game. I always thought that PSU should play USC, UCLA, Washington or Oregon, but those teams are now part of the B1G, so they no longer work for an OOC game. Bama would be a great choice, as would Miami or Notre Dame, but couldn't the Lions schedule a team that is just a tad lower on the power level, so that the odds of prevailing are better? Not saying the Lions could not beat those teams, but the risk of a deflating early season loss is certainly greater. How about an FSU, a Clemson, an Oklahoma, an ASU, or a TAMU? All would be high profile games, and all would present a better chance of a win.

 

[LMTLION]

I understand the monetary reality of scheduling cupcakes. They don't demand a home and home arrangement from Penn State, and PSU can fill the stadium even for cupcake games. But it certainly doesn't help for TV ratings or playoff eligibility. The Lions should at least have one high quality OOC game every year. And it should preferably be a true intersectional game. I always thought that PSU should play USC, UCLA, Washington or Oregon, but those teams are now part of the B1G, so they no longer work for an OOC game. Bama would be a great choice, as would Miami or Notre Dame, but couldn't the Lions schedule a team that is just a tad lower on the power level, so that the odds of prevailing are better? Not saying the Lions could not beat those teams, but the risk of a deflating early season loss is certainly greater. How about an FSU, a Clemson, an Oklahoma, an ASU, or a TAMU? All would be high profile games, and all would present a better chance of a win.

Agreed. I would even do one-off type matchups in neutral stadiums, like playing VT or UNC in DC or playing Utah or ASU in Vegas.

 

[PSUForever]

I understand the monetary reality of scheduling cupcakes. They don't demand a home and home arrangement from Penn State, and PSU can fill the stadium even for cupcake games. But it certainly doesn't help for TV ratings or playoff eligibility. The Lions should at least have one high quality OOC game every year. And it should preferably be a true intersectional game. I always thought that PSU should play USC, UCLA, Washington or Oregon, but those teams are now part of the B1G, so they no longer work for an OOC game. Bama would be a great choice, as would Miami or Notre Dame, but couldn't the Lions schedule a team that is just a tad lower on the power level, so that the odds of prevailing are better? Not saying the Lions could not beat those teams, but the risk of a deflating early season loss is certainly greater. How about an FSU, a Clemson, an Oklahoma, an ASU, or a TAMU? All would be high profile games, and all would present a better chance of a win.

Fans are the last consideration. This about money and making the playoff. We play nine B10 games so our strength of schedule will always be good. The scenario where we are excluded from the playoff because our schedule was too weak or we didn't have a quality oocg is pretty remote in my opinion.

Take this year for example. Let's replace one of the cupcakes with Miami. Then we lose that. Then we lose two more. We probably don't make the playoff or are barely squeaking in with things breaking our way. If we play cupcake #2 instead of Miami and only lose two then our playoff chances drastically increase.

I don't agree with this chicken little scheduling strategy but I can understand it from the AD pov. Maximize revenue and probability of making the playoff.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Fans are the last consideration. This about money and making the playoff. We play nine B10 games so our strength of schedule will always be good. The scenario where we are excluded from the playoff because our schedule was too weak or we didn't have a quality oocg is pretty remote in my opinion.

Take this year for example. Let's replace one of the cupcakes with Miami. Then we lose that. Then we lose two more. We probably don't make the playoff or are barely squeaking in with things breaking our way. If we play cupcake #2 instead of Miami and only lose two then our playoff chances drastically increase.

I don't agree with this chicken little scheduling strategy but I can understand it from the AD pov. Maximize revenue and probability of making the playoff.

I get your point, but I just can't get exited about watching the Lions roll over Dayton or Akron. More likely Dayton and Akron.

 

[RolexKong]

I understand the monetary reality of scheduling cupcakes. They don't demand a home and home arrangement from Penn State, and PSU can fill the stadium even for cupcake games. But it certainly doesn't help for TV ratings or playoff eligibility. The Lions should at least have one high quality OOC game every year. And it should preferably be a true intersectional game. I always thought that PSU should play USC, UCLA, Washington or Oregon, but those teams are now part of the B1G, so they no longer work for an OOC game. Bama would be a great choice, as would Miami or Notre Dame, but couldn't the Lions schedule a team that is just a tad lower on the power level, so that the odds of prevailing are better? Not saying the Lions could not beat those teams, but the risk of a deflating early season loss is certainly greater. How about an FSU, a Clemson, an Oklahoma, an ASU, or a TAMU? All would be high profile games, and all would present a better chance of a win.

TV ratings only matter when it comes to negotiating the next conference media rights contracts. With a hundred or so games, one won't matter much.

 

[NittPicker]

Why should we play miami in football? Did Japan play football against the U.S. before Pearl Harbor?