... and the ACC sticks at 8 conf games because of the ND alliance, then what do you do if you are Pitt? Chances are a permanent annual series with PSU is not going to happen. Same with WVU. ND used to be our "8th conf game" when we were in the BE but that's not going to play out in the ACC because ND is now in the scheduling alliance with the ACC.

How does Pitt protect itself for a guaranteed 9th game? At best, I believe Pitt can have something guaranteed for 6 or 7 games out of 10 if it assumes that PSU and WVU are there twice per decade and ND possibly 3 times/decade. Is that enough or should Pitt go after a more solid guarantee for a "9th conf game"? I would strongly consider trying to agree with a permanent annual rivalry with BYU. They're committed to staying independent, they're a decent quality FB name in CFB and they need more solid arrangements for longer term scheduling security. I think it would seriously work.

Teams with 9 conference games are going to insist on their place in years when there are already 5 conference away games, but would be more willing to visit your house in the alternate (5 home games) years. That said, the best case scenario for Pitt would be something like this:

2016 Penn State has 5 Big Ten home games, plays @Pitt;
W Virginia has 5 Big XII away games, so Pitt @ WVU
2017 Pitt @ PSU; WVU @ Pitt
etc.

Unfortunately, unless something changes, BOTH WVU and PSU have 5 home conf. games in EVEN numbered years and 5 conf. away games in ODD years.

So unless something else changes, I think Pitt ends up alternating series (2 games w/ PSU followed by 2 w/ WVU then 2 more w/ PSU, etc.). Maybe.

(07-29-2013 08:22 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Teams with 9 conference games are going to insist on their place in years when there are already 5 conference away games, but would be more willing to visit your house in the alternate (5 home games) years. That said, the best case scenario for Pitt would be something like this:

2016 Penn State has 5 Big Ten home games, plays @Pitt;
W Virginia has 5 Big XII away games, so Pitt @ WVU
2017 Pitt @ PSU; WVU @ Pitt
etc.

Unfortunately, unless something changes, BOTH WVU and PSU have 5 home conf. games in EVEN numbered years and 5 conf. away games in ODD years.

So unless something else changes, I think Pitt ends up alternating series (2 games w/ PSU followed by 2 w/ WVU then 2 more w/ PSU, etc.). Maybe.

I could actually live with that... better than scheduling some mid tier BigTen schlub like Iowa... I don't have a problem playing the hoopies the same way many Pitt fans do.

(07-29-2013 08:22 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Teams with 9 conference games are going to insist on their place in years when there are already 5 conference away games, but would be more willing to visit your house in the alternate (5 home games) years. That said, the best case scenario for Pitt would be something like this:

2016 Penn State has 5 Big Ten home games, plays @Pitt;
W Virginia has 5 Big XII away games, so Pitt @ WVU
2017 Pitt @ PSU; WVU @ Pitt
etc.

Unfortunately, unless something changes, BOTH WVU and PSU have 5 home conf. games in EVEN numbered years and 5 conf. away games in ODD years.

So unless something else changes, I think Pitt ends up alternating series (2 games w/ PSU followed by 2 w/ WVU then 2 more w/ PSU, etc.). Maybe.

That's why I believe within a 10 year span, it will be 2 games with with PSU and 2 games with PSU and neither on the schedule at the same time. That coupled with ND at 2 - 3 years per decade will get Pitt a "9th" conf game 7 out of 10 years. It's those remaining 3 years that have me worried. And that is best case there because I could easily see ND on the schedule the same time that Pitt plays PSU or WVU. Worst case it drops to 4 years out of 10 where the "9th" conf game is assured. If every other power conference goes 9 games while the ACC stays at 8 games, then I see it being a huge problem for OOC scheduling down the road where the best available options would be extra games against G5 schools.

If everyone goes to 9 conf games, I think the ACC has no choice but to follow suit.

How would things look on the VT front? Is there plans for VT to have a guaranteed OOC agreement to take them to 9 games? If the ACC elects to stay at 8 conf games, I could see them entering into a scheduling agreement with BYU.

(07-30-2013 09:13 AM)miko33 Wrote:  

(07-29-2013 08:22 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Teams with 9 conference games are going to insist on their place in years when there are already 5 conference away games, but would be more willing to visit your house in the alternate (5 home games) years. That said, the best case scenario for Pitt would be something like this:

2016 Penn State has 5 Big Ten home games, plays @Pitt;
W Virginia has 5 Big XII away games, so Pitt @ WVU
2017 Pitt @ PSU; WVU @ Pitt
etc.

Unfortunately, unless something changes, BOTH WVU and PSU have 5 home conf. games in EVEN numbered years and 5 conf. away games in ODD years.

So unless something else changes, I think Pitt ends up alternating series (2 games w/ PSU followed by 2 w/ WVU then 2 more w/ PSU, etc.). Maybe.

That's why I believe within a 10 year span, it will be 2 games with with PSU and 2 games with PSU and neither on the schedule at the same time. That coupled with ND at 2 - 3 years per decade will get Pitt a "9th" conf game 7 out of 10 years. It's those remaining 3 years that have me worried. And that is best case there because I could easily see ND on the schedule the same time that Pitt plays PSU or WVU. Worst case it drops to 4 years out of 10 where the "9th" conf game is assured. If every other power conference goes 9 games while the ACC stays at 8 games, then I see it being a huge problem for OOC scheduling down the road where the best available options would be extra games against G5 schools.

If everyone goes to 9 conf games, I think the ACC has no choice but to follow suit.

How would things look on the VT front? Is there plans for VT to have a guaranteed OOC agreement to take them to 9 games? If the ACC elects to stay at 8 conf games, I could see them entering into a scheduling agreement with BYU.

VT has been willing to go to a 9-game conference schedule (but then, we don't have any OOC rival, so that apples & oranges). VT also has a totally different scheduling philosophy - I call it the Notre Dame schedule. We play 6 home, 5 road, and 1 neutral site game pretty much every year. IMO there will be more schools using the 6-5-1 schedule in the future (unless the Division 4 schools vote on a 13-game regular season, in which case you may see 7-6 schedules become the norm).