Delany said he supports the idea of all P5 schools having to play at least 10 other P5 schools each seasonGETTY IMAGES
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said that a "big part of the reason" the conference has been "shut out of college football’s final four the last two seasons is because the selection committee has lost its way," according to Tom Oates of the WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL. Delany said that the group "hasn’t followed the selection criteria set down by the conference commissioners." He "indicated the constant turnover on the committee has led to a reduction in the weight it places on strength of schedule and conference championships, effectively penalizing teams that play tougher schedules, something the four-team playoff was supposed to encourage" (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 7/19). ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg noted Delany "supports the idea Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby voiced Monday to have all Power Five conference teams play at least 10 Power Five opponents." Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 teams all "play nine-game conference schedules and typically at least one non-league Power Five opponent." The ACC and SEC "play eight-game conference schedules, with most teams adding one non-league game against Power Five opponents and some playing two such contests" (ESPN.com, 7/18).
COME TOGETHER: Delany said that he and incoming Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren will "begin working together on Sept. 16." Delany said, "What we’re trying to do is to use that time in a way that gives [Warren] a sense of the rhythm of the conference. So we’ll have conference commissioners’ meetings at the Big Ten, we’ll have joined group meetings. He’ll be around for those. We’ve also invited external partners in from all over the country, from television to bowls to other groups" (AP, 7/18). Delany also said, "I don't think it will be awkward at all. At least I don't expect that it would be. We've got a really nice way with each other. I'm incredibly impressed by what he's done in his life, and kind of the skill set, the person that he is." Delany added, "One of the commitments I made was to try to be the best commissioner in transition that I can be, and I'm confident we can do that" (Lafayette JOURNAL & COURIER, 7/19).
