Jon Joseph

All valid points. How far did Indiana travel to play Purdue? How far did Indiana travel the next week? Iowa traveled to SC last season in November, but didn't play Oregon in Eugene two weeks later. Instead, after the SC game, Iowa played Michigan State at home, followed by a trip to Nebraska. B1G HQ does not control the weather. It does control this: Week 10 at Ohio State, Week 11 vs. Michigan, Week 12 at Michigan State, and Week 13 vs. Washington. That's a lot of travel in the last four weeks of the regular season. It also controls Oregon, being the only Big Ten team in 2024 and 2026, to play 8 straight Big Ten games without a break. It's great having you on the Forum. Allow to ask: If Ohio State had been scheduled to play straight Big games after an early bye, in 2024 and 2025, would TOSU fans, including Jack Nicklaus, say, "Well, that's just the rub of the green?" In 2027, Oregon plays at Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, UCLA, and UW. Plays home games vs. Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, and Purdue. And IMO, the level of competition in 2027 is all good. Bring It On! Bring on the B1Ggest, baddest teams. Swap Maryland with Indiana if you want to. No complaints, mega-conference in-conference scheduling will not be equal SOS-wise. Fine, that's part of the deal. But it won't be all good in 2027 if Oregon has to play 8 straight B1G games without a nap and has to play two of Maryland, Michigan, and Nebraska in November. If the B1G schedules year to year, or for two years, were designed for the best media results, Oregon should be playing Indiana twice and not once in 2026, 27, and 28. Other than playing all the conference teams in five seasons, is there any method being used in scheduling? Was there any method in having Northwestern play 11 games in a row? Thanks for the comment. I'm not looking for an easy-peasy schedule, but I do want a fair shake.

We disagree on something. That's fine, eh. It's what pondering on the Forum is all about. One of the few places in today's world where folks can disagree without being disagreeable. Where does our disagreement lie?

Six Big Ten Men's hockey teams and Notre Dame compete in men's ice hockey. National rankings as of 1/29/26 - 1 Michigan, 2 Michigan State, 5 Penn State, 8 Wisconsin. This Saturday, Michigan State travels to Penn State for a game that will be played outdoors in Beaver Stadium. 70,000 plus fans are expected to attend the game. NIL has changed the college game. Players who want to be paid do not have to play in the Canadian Junior Hockey League. If he leaves after this season for the NHL, Penn State true freshman forward Gavin McKenna will be the No.1 pick. Big Ten Network - 1 ET/ 10PT Grab a Molson's or six, and enjoy, eh.

Oregon123, if you start a contest for how many games a team in Lubbock, Texas, will win this season, on December 4, 2026, well, I predict That'll Be The Day Texas Tech goes 13-0.😁 - 🤪 But, be wary of Beavis! But automatic qualifiers will destroy CFB, right? With this schedule, I'll leverage everything I have and borrow money to get down on the Ducks going 12-0. Oregon would probably have to face a worthy opponent in the conference champ game. Wreck'Em RedCFB fans sound off on the Big 12 as Texas Tech’s 2026 foo...Well, the 2026 Texas Tech football schedule has been released and it sure seems like something that the Red Raiders are going to enjoy playing. Being fully tra

Correct, there is no way to balance mega-conference schedules. But there is a way to ensure that one member school doesn't play 8 straight conference games without a break in 2024 and 2026. With today's computer power and AI, how about asking "HAL" to have 10 teams bye in Week 6, 8 teams bye in Week 7, including the four teams in the Pacific time zone that have the farthest to travel, and have quality over quantity in Week 6 and 7 by scheduling appealing matchups between the teams playing those weeks. Also, HAL, please have the Pacific time zone teams travel East before inclement weather arrives in November. I'm a 79-year-old tech dummy, but in today's wired world, with the world's knowledge in whatever hand you carry your smartphone, I don't think this is a huge ask. No way one conference team in two of three seasons should be asked to play 8 straight conference games without a break. And sending any team from the Pacific to the Eastern time zone twice in November is just wrong. UW traveled East twice last November, and its PO hopes were doomed when UW lost to Wisconsin on the second trip, which was a trip to the Central and not the Eastern time zone. East Lansing, Michigan, like Columbus, Ohio, is in the Eastern time zone. There's a good chance that the game in Columbus will be a 9 AM body clock kickoff, coming off a game at Illinois, which is off the week prior, and Northwestern at home. Three trips East in six of the final regular-season games is a yo-yo with a good chance of the string running out. You want better TV ratings? Take control of when the games are played. Ohio State at Texas this season at 7:30 Eastern will draw millions more eyeballs than last season's B1G Noon game. OBD will show up and play the games as scheduled, but to give B1G HQ a pass on Northwestern playing 11 games in a row, and doubling down on 2024 conference champ and a two-for-two Oregon PO team that brought millions of dollars to the conference in 2024 and 2025, playing 8 straight conference games? Why? Because scheduling is hard? Because you want to make more money off the Ducks' back? Male Bovine Excrement! Playing the best opposition is one season, like in 2027, bring it on, but don't tie a wing behind my back. If I have done nothing to deserve it and get punched in the mouth, not once but twice, I'm not going to apologize on behalf of the guy doing the punching. I'd wager that members of the Forum with less computer power at their hands could do better than this.

OR123, pondering the schedule, looking at teams to be played in November with two games on the road, the loss of jack-knife Sadiq, the talent lost through the portal, especially on defense and QB, I have to hedge my prediction. If all hands are on deck, 10-2. If not? However, screw the folks at B1G HQ: Win 'Em All!

Thanks for the post Mr. Smith, I think? What a sunshine pumping, puff piece. The schedule stinks, stinks with a B1G S. In today's world of constant roster turnover and lack of roster depth, asking any team to play 8 straight games against Power 4 competition without a week off is unfair to the players and the program. OBD is the only B1G team playing 8 straight against P4 competition, including Northwestern and UCLA. This, for the second time in three seasons. Asking a Western member to make two trips East in November, to Columbus to play Ohio State with a home game against Michigan to follow, then a game at Michigan State with a home game against rival UW to follow? And possibly another trip to the Eastern time zone to play the best or second best team in the conference? Does anyone at B1G HQ give a whip about the health and safety of the athletes? Looking at the opponents, before the dates of the games were revealed, I thought OBD would finish 11-1. Now? Knock wood that OBD this season has the same luck on the injury front Indiana had last season. Knock wood that OBD doesn't have injuries to its WRs, RBs, and O-Line players like last season. If Dante isn't healthy come and through November? However: Next Case! What are you going to do other than hope that Rob Mullens is making it known that 8 straight without a break will not fly in 2027, and 2028. Changing the schedule is out of anyone and everyone's control so let's hope for the best and play ball!

Love it, I'm down, and if doable, I'll color within the lines and complete my prediction as required, Mr. Trebek, er, Oregon123. Somehow, in a world with an ocean of rules and regulations, except for college football, I wonder if funds up front are kosher? As Ladies and Gentlemen of OBD Forum, will our word suffice? If so, I promise to pay up, if need be, that is, cross my heart and hope Cig doesn't die. 🤪 Get It On. And thanks for another entertaining topic; desperately needed between now and September 5th.

In 2024, Oregon was the only Big Ten team to play eight consecutive Big Ten opponents without a week off. In 2025, Oregon is the only B1G team that plays eight Big Ten opponents in a row with a week off. It is the only B1G team that will play a road game against a Big Ten team coming off a bye. And the team is Illinois, not Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, or Maryland. Your Honor, on behalf of OBD, coaches, players, and fans, I respectfully plead: Res Ipsa Loquitor - The schedule compared with other top Big Ten teams speaks for itself. Of course, in an 18-team conference, the four Western teams will have to travel East. However, there is no justification for Oregon to have to travel to the Eastern time zone twice in November. And Oregon will have its third trip in five weeks to the Eastern time zone if it plays in the Big Ten champ game. On posts up on the Forum, read what the Oregon players had to say about playing eight Big Ten, that's eight Power 2 teams, in a row without a break in 2024; the players were on their last legs when they traveled to and barely defeated Wisconsin. After playing Ohio State in Columbus in Week 10 and returning home to play Michigan in Week 11, look out for a Week 12 letdown at Michigan State. Hopefully, OBD will not be too dinged up when it plays UW and its mobile QB in Week 13. Today, with players able to transfer at will for better deals, no program has the depth it once had. Oregon lost its very good slate of young edge rushers and D-Line players. The depth is not there, and it's not there at the LB position. Eight games in a row increases the chance of injury. Oregon could play 16 or 17 games in 2026-27. I care about the players' health and safety. I want Oregon to have the same chance as Ohio State to play PO games with a healthy roster. Equal, no. In a mega-conference, there will be scheduling winners and losers, but Oregon should not be taking 'losses' in both 2024 and 2026. Eight straight for Oregon and five for the Buckeyes give Ohio State an unnecessary advantage that could have been easily avoided by having the Ducks play UCLA in Week 5, Nebraska in Week 6, with a Bye in Week 7 before traveling to Illinois in Week 8. I'm not buying that Oregon, because it's a junior partner, should willingly accept this scheduling disparity. Dan will put a public positive spin on things, but Dan and Oregon's Strength and Conditioning coach cannot be happy about playing the same gauntlet two out of three seasons. If you are fine with the schedule and believe it doesn't put Oregon at a disadvantage, allows more folks to watch one of the most-watched college football teams, and that playing eight without a break helps with recruiting, good on you, mate. You and others who are not worrying about something out of your control hold the high ground. So, hats off to you and those who have the serenity not to worry about one of the many things in life that we cannot change. However, when it comes to scheduling, I do hope Rob Mullens is speaking up on behalf of OBD. And Rob, about scheduling Boise and playing P4 opponents OOC and on the ... Oops! 😁 BEAT BOISE!

11 - 1 Playoff - 1st round bye. Which is fine. So far, Cig is the only coach who knows how to win 2nd round games. Tie breaker not needed. What's my prize and where is it? 🤬

Lose some, fine. But lose two in three seasons? How would Buckeyes fans react if Ohio State had to play eight B1G teams in a row without a break, with two of the last four games on the West Coast?

UCLA plays 8 straight games without a bye, but G6 Mountain West's Nevada is one of the eight. The Bruins do not play 8 Power 4 opponents in a row without a break. Northwestern plays 11 straight games, but the Wildcats play 7, not 8, B1G games in a row. OBD is the only Big Ten team playing 8 Big Ten teams in a row.

CBS Sports' list of the 2026 B1G football schedules. https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2026-big-ten-football-schedule-games-dates-as-indiana-ohio-state-championship-rematch/

Michigan site - Maize and Brew 😁predicts the Wolverines going 9-3 in 2026 with losses to Indiana, OBD, and Ohio State 🤬 I do hope the Wolverines take down Oklahoma in Ann Arbor in Week 2. Maize n BrewWay-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2026 Michigan...The entire 2026 Michigan Football schedule has finally been released, and we made some way-too-early predictions for each game on the schedule:

11-1 - PO - 3 and 0, or 2 and 0 with a PO bye. Champ game in Las Vegas on 1/25/27. With tens of thousands of Oregon fans in Allegiant Stadium. Here's hoping that OBD fans will not want the last game of the season to stay in Vegas. Tough schedule, but a lot of talent on this Oregon team. Please, football gods, allow OBD to have all hands on deck for this season's B1Ggest and PO games. On3Way-Too-Early 2026 All-America football teamWith the 2025 season over, On3 looks towards the 2026 college football season. This week we bring you the Way-Too-Early All-America team.

The Games You Remember are Played in November. I don't know if there will be snow on the ground in Columbus or East Lansing, but OBD has tough sledding in November. Oregon Ducks On SIToughest Three Game Stretch of Oregon Ducks Football Sche...The Oregon Ducks’ 2026 schedule is out, featuring a mix of marquee matchups and highly winnable home games at Autzen Stadium. Under coach Dan Lanning, Oregon ha

Darren, please forgive me for going OT. Smitty, you can debate which conference is better in whatever sport, but there is no debating when it comes to Big Ten wrestling. The Big Ten is on top, and it isn't close. No other conference can take down 😁the B1G. The Big Ten has won 17 NCAA titles in a row, and Penn State, 49-1 in its last 50 dual matches, is the prohibitive favorite to win the 18th straight this season. Penn State sends 6 All-Americans in a row out on the mat. Good luck. If you can do so, watch B1G wrestling expert Shane Sparks when he is interviewed on the B1G Today show by Dave Revsine. Or, catch him when announcing a Big Ten match. Feeling down? Watch and listen to the High On Life Sparks. Enthusiasm personified. Dave Revsine has been with the Big Ten Network since it opened shop in 2007, and there is no one Revsine enjoys interviewing more than Shane Sparks. Rhetorical question: Does Shane look like a wrestler? WIN MagazineShane Sparks more than lives up to his broadcasting name...By Katie Finn For many wrestling fans, the voice and face of wrestling is Shane Sparks. What makes this wrestling broadcaster so good and what makes it so interesting are his enthusiasm and apparent

Thanks, Darren, for once again Perking Up my day. 😁 Sorry, Brother, but Go Pats!

I guess voters looked at the record when Bill had TB and when he didn't? Perhaps the TB Bucs winning a Super Bowl with TB was noted? Folks in Chapel Hill, NC, missed the memo. 🤪

Good point. But the fact that travel is more difficult for other sports does not negate the Big Ten handing Oregon eight games straight without a break, which includes two trips to the Eastern time zone in November. Twice in three seasons, B1G HQ has Oregon as the only Big Ten team playing eight in a row. This is a competitive disadvantage that should not have happened once, let alone twice.

Good take. Thanks for being on the Forum and for all of the great posts. Thanks for the heads up on Northwestern playing 11 games in a row. Good luck, Chip. 😉 I was focused on conference contenders. NW will battle, but it is one of the longest shots to contend for a conference title. In a mega-conference with teams coast to coast, some teams will get the short end of the scheduling stick. Understood. What isn't right is taxing Oregon for the second time in three seasons, with eight B1G games in a row without a break, including a trip to Columbus on 11/7 and to East Lansing on 11/21. Like 2024, Oregon is the only Big Ten team playing eight straight without a break. THIS does not have to and shouldn't happen. It's a competitive disadvantage. Michigan plays seven in a row, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, six straight, Penn State, and UW play 5, and USC, with an OOC opponent still to be named, plays 5. Just to rub it in, Illinois is off the week before Oregon travels East to play the Illini. Mercy!

Here's more on the Ducks twice in three seasons being behind a Big Ten scheduling 8-ball and the demands of traveling twice to the Eastern time zone in November. Autzen ZooOregon's 2026 schedule demands adjustments in planning, p...No one has depth anymore, not like the pre-portal days. Oregon lost 30 players to the NIL chase. Texas Tech lost 31.. Suck it up and play ball! Fine, but being asked to play 8 Big Ten games in a row, again, is over the line.

Thank you, NJ. This is one of the best DucksWire articles I've read. It hits the schedule's high notes and low notes. I am not the only one to notice the game in Stillwater will be against a much-improved team. In his second season at North Texas, Eric Morris took the Mean Green to the AAC champ game. 17 players are following Morris to OK St, including QB Drew Mestermaker, whose 4,379 passing yards were the best in FBS in 2025. OBD better make no misstate in the first three games. 😁 The author noted that the Ducks, as in 2024, play eight games in a row against B1G opponents without a week off. What he failed to add is that Oregon is the only Big Ten team running this gauntlet. In 2024, Oregon was the only FBS team to play eight straight without a break. I'm in the process of determining whether this will be the case in 2026, and I will report back. As the author did note, OBD travels to the Eastern time zone twice in November, Week 10 at Ohio State, and Week 12 at Michigan State. UW had this November travel yo-yo west to east late in the 2025 season; one reason UW lost at Wisconsin. The weather in Columbus on 11/7 should be decent, but 11/21 in East Lansing, Michigan? Thanks again, NJ.

Yes. And this is the reason many SEC teams are dropping future OOC games vs P4 opponents. I don't blame the SEC teams for doing so. Check out Indiana's 2025 consumption of cupcakes, rinse and repeat in 2026. It's plain as can be. You want better OOC games, go with Tony Petitti's automatic qualifier 16-team PO format.

Upon further review and after a double vodka and tonic, in 2026, like 2024, Oregon is the only B1G team playing eight B1G games in a row. Whether OBD is the only P4 team playing eight in a row is under further, further, and perhaps another cocktail's review. That Illinois is off the week before Oregon travels to the Central time zone to play the Illini in front of CFB's largest stadium scoreboard is another B1G slap in the face. I need to look at the ACC, B12, and SEC conferences, but I will not be surprised if OBD is the only P4 CFB team playing 8-straight, possibly nine in a row if Oregon plays in the 2026 B1G champ game. Another preseason B1G title contender, Michigan, plays seven B1G games in a row. Indiana, USC, Iowa, Illinois, and UW play six. Ohio State and Penn State play five. Rob Mullens, where are you? Portland State's on the schedule, and OBD opens with Boise State? What the Hxxx, blast Boise!