When the Big Ten announced a scheduling deal with the Pac-12 to begin in 2017, it ended the Big Ten's plans of having nine conference games.
But with the Pac-12 backing out of that agreement yesterday, the Big Ten is going to look at conference scheduling again, according to Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney told Greenstein that he will contact athletic directors and coaches to find out what the preferred number is.
"We'll have to go back to ground zero," (Delaney) said, "and we don't have a lot of time to do it."
Delaney said 10 conference games would produce the "truest champion," but with so many schools already having scheduling agreements with nonconference foes and schools wanting seven home games, that won't happen. The Big Ten approved a nine-game schedule last year, but many coaches were upset about playing five road conference games every other year. Delaney said he wants strong approval one way or the other.
A nine-game conference schedule was a major factor in the Pac-12 pulling out.
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