As the Big 12 awaits a decision on conference championship game deregulation, the league implemented a new rule to help its teams' strength of schedule.
From here on out, any unscheduled nonconference games Big 12 football teams may have must be filled by an opponent from the ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC, or by Notre Dame, the conference announced Tuesday.
The rule change will not affect currently scheduled nonconference games and will also limit member schools to one game against an FCS opponent per season.
"Schedule strength is a key component in CFP Selection Committee deliberations," Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in the conference's news release. "This move will strengthen the resumes for all Big 12 teams. Coupled with the nine-game full round robin Conference schedule our teams play, it will not only benefit the teams at the top of our standings each season, but will impact the overall strength of the Conference."
The Big 12 became the last of the Power 5 member to mandate a nonconference game against an opponent from one of the other four conferences, ESPN reported. Baylor does not have a Power 5 nonconference game on its schedule for the next three seasons and will not have an opportunity to schedule one until 2019.
The Big 12 is currently hoping for conference championship games to be deregulated so it can schedule a title game between its two top teams, rather than between two division winners. In an effort to have uniformity among the Power 5 conferences, the Big Ten wants to require conference championships to be between two division winners, ESPN reported.
The Big 12 currently has 10 members, no divisions, and no title game, so it would have to add two schools and create two divisions if the conference wants to change its ways.
