Big Ten’s Scheduling Weakness Revealed: Implications for College Football Playoff

There’s a new opinion column over on AL.com, and it’s not exactly flattering for the Big Ten. The writer, a veteran sports journalist, digs into Penn State’s 2026 football schedule and raises a few eyebrows about the Big Ten’s standing in college football.

It’s all coming out just as the Big Ten gears up for media days. The conference has been riding high after some recent College Football Playoff (CFP) wins, but if you look a little closer, things start to look a bit shaky—especially when you see how their schedules are put together.

Big Ten’s Scheduling Disparity

The main gripe? The Big Ten’s schedule just isn’t as tough as the SEC’s. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) has Penn State’s 2026 schedule sitting at 62nd in the country for difficulty.

Compare that to the SEC, where even the easiest schedule is ranked 20th. That’s a pretty big gap, and it makes you wonder about how these schedules get made—and what it means for the playoff picture.

Uneven Playing Field

The Big Ten doesn’t force its teams to schedule at least one power-league opponent outside the conference. The SEC does. That’s a big deal.

It means Big Ten teams can rack up wins against weaker opponents, which might make them look stronger than they really are. Take Penn State: their non-conference slate is Marshall, Temple, and Buffalo. All three had losing records in 2025. Meanwhile, SEC teams usually go up against some real heavyweights.

Impact on CFP Considerations

So how does all this mess with the CFP? The Big Ten’s been on a roll lately—three straight titles with three different teams. But here’s the thing: none of those champs played a power-league opponent outside the conference during their title runs.

That’s tough to ignore, especially when you stack it up against what SEC teams have to deal with every year.

Strength of Schedule Matters

Strength of schedule isn’t just a talking point—it really does matter when it comes to CFP picks. SEC teams go through the wringer just to get there.

For instance, Georgia has the “easiest” SEC schedule, but they’re still facing three CFP teams, with two of those games on the road. Penn State? Their 2026 schedule doesn’t include any team that finished better than 9-4 last year. Plus, they dodge the Big Ten’s top three teams from the previous season.

The Role of Mega-Conferences

The article also brings up how these mega-conferences—like the Big Ten with its 18 teams—change the game. Expansion means more money and a bigger footprint, but it also lets teams skip out on playing the toughest opponents in their own league.

That can make some teams look stronger than they are and gives them an easier path to the CFP.

Penn State’s 2026 Schedule

Just look at Penn State’s 2026 slate. Their nine Big Ten opponents had a combined record of 57-56 last year.

They don’t have to face any of the top three teams from the previous season, but they do get four of the bottom five. That’s a pretty smooth road compared to what teams in other conferences are facing.

Conclusion

The Big Ten’s gearing up for the 2026 media days, eager to put its latest achievements front and center. But, honestly, there’s more to the story than just shiny records and trophies.

AL.com pointed out some real issues—mainly, scheduling disparities that make you wonder about the true competitive balance in college football. Does the current system really give every team a fair shot?

Sure, the Big Ten’s had a great run lately. Still, you can’t help but ask if their road to the top is as tough as it looks.

If you’re curious and want to dig deeper, the full article is worth a read: here.