What If The Big Ten Adopted the SEC's Scheduling Model?

Over the past few days, the SEC has been in the process of holding their annual meetings.  This is a chance for the leaders of the conference to meet and look at the conference's agenda going forward.  Often at these meetings, rule changes are discussed including, among other things, scheduling changes.

One particular change to note is that the SEC announced a new scheduling format where each team will get three guaranteed conference opponents each season.  Before this change, each SEC team would play 13 teams once and then 5 of those teams an additional time.  Now, instead of the 5 teams being randomly selected, 3 of them will come from these guaranteed matchups.  Fans will now be guaranteed get to see matchups like Alabama-Auburn, Florida-Kentucky, and Tennessee-Vanderbilt at least twice per season.

This leads to an obvious question.  What if the Big Ten adopted this model?

Over the last few years, fans and this site have repeatedly complained about the Big Ten's scheduling model.  Currently, the Big Ten uses the SEC's former model, where each team would face 13 teams once and then 5 of those teams an additional time.  These double-plays are selected simply based on a rotating schedule with no acknowledgement of history, team performance, or location.

The Big Ten's current model does assist with things like schedule balance, but it also interferes significantly with great matchups and rivalry games.  In fact, next year, Indiana-Purdue, Michigan-Michigan State, and Michigan-Ohio State will play just once.  Considering that these are some of the best games of the season, the frustration has boiled over and this model could provide relief from those concerns.

Ss such, BTPowerhouse has taken the liberty of selecting the matchups if the Big Ten reflected the SEC's new scheduling model.  Team history, team status, and location were taken into account.  Take a look below.

Big Ten Double-Plays With SEC Model:

• Illinois - Indiana, Northwestern, Ohio State
• Indiana - Illinois, Michigan, Purdue
• Iowa - Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin
• Maryland - Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers
• Michigan - Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State
• Michigan State - Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin
• Minnesota - Iowa, Purdue, Wisconsin
• Nebraska - Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State
• Northwestern - Illinois, Nebraska, Rutgers
• Ohio State - Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State
• Penn State - Maryland, Nebraska, Rutgers
• Purdue - Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota
• Rutgers - Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State
• Wisconsin - Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota

Some of these potential matchups certainly look more exciting than others, but what matchups would you like to see if the Big Ten adopted this model?  Let us know in the comments.