The 2021 Clemson football season is less than two weeks away from kickoff and we’re still here hearing about decisions that are going to be made to affect the long-term health of the program.
The entire landscape of College Football was shaken earlier this summer when it was reported that Oklahoma and Texas were leaving the Big 12 for the SEC. The SEC, thinking it was the superior to the other conferences, was not expecting a countermove to be made by the other Power Conferences.
However, because of the SEC’s move, an alliance has been formed by the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12. The conferences are expected to release an official announcement on Tuesday afternoon and it will be based on future scheduling, CFB Playoff and several other items.
It would benefit Clemson football for The Alliance to make this scheduling change
Looking at this from the Clemson football perspective, we started to think what might most benefit the Tigers.
What about this? The Alliance agrees to drop playing FCS opponents in the fall for an added non-conference game between one another each season.
Members of The Alliance could still play an FCS opponent in the spring in an exhibition, but during the fall they agree to play scheduled games against one another in the non-conference. It would increase strength of schedule and would give each conference more television revenue and negotiating power.
Can you imagine games like this in the place of meaningless FCS games:
- Clemson at USC
- Ohio State at Florida State
- Michigan at Miami
- Virginia Tech at Oregon
- Penn State at Washington
Even games featuring smaller conference opponents– like Syracuse vs. Minnesota; Arizona State vs. Virginia; and Northwestern vs. Colorado– would draw better television ratings than seeing FCS opponents.
This gives Clemson a better strength of scheduling to be considered for the CFB Playoff and it helps all three conferences garner more revenue.
ESPN and FOX are going to be willing to pay more for Power Conference games– even if they aren’t particularly marquee matchups– than seeing Clemson beat The Citadel by 50 or seeing Ohio State beat Youngstown State.