Big Ten Rejects 10th Power 4 Game as Coaches Push 24-Team CFP Calendar Changes

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 23

Four Big Ten teams — Indiana, Penn State, USC and Nebraska — will play only nine Power 4 opponents this fall, and league officials said they have no plan to restore a 10-game mandate.
A.J. Edds said the conference abandoned that policy after it brought little CFP benefit, while Big Ten teams have still won the last three national titles with nine Power 4 regular-season games.
Jan. 25, 2027 emerged as another flashpoint at league meetings, with coaches led by Ohio State's Ryan Day arguing the season should end by early January because the transfer portal opens Jan. 2.
The timing debate is tied to commissioner Tony Petitti's 24-team CFP proposal, which would likely start Dec. 3-4 in 2027 and needs SEC backing to advance.
Separate structural ideas also cooled: athletic directors said the league's $2.4 billion private-equity plan remains on hold, and Petitti signaled no appetite for a flex-schedule finale if the title game disappears.

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