Ad Disclosure
End of The Alliance? Ohio State AD says scheduling conversations essentially over among ACC, B1G and Pac-12
Published:
One of the biggest reasons behind the ACC, B1G and Pac-12 forming The Alliance in 2021 was to create scheduling advantages among the three leagues. Already, it sounds like that has been tossed out the window.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith met with reporters on Wednesday and was asked about potential scheduling changes that could be coming down the line through The Alliance. But Smith said those conversations are essentially over.
The B1G is likely to stick with a 9-game conference slate and keep its options open for out-of-league contests.
Gene Smith said the scheduling portion of The Alliance is essentially over. The Big Ten will likely stick with nine conference games.
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) February 16, 2022
When The Alliance was launched, there were discussions about the B1G dropping down to 8 conference games. To make up for the loss of a league contest, B1G teams would then add games against ACC and Pac-12 foes to future schedules.
From the sound of it, the B1G did not want to sacrifice games against potential SEC and Big 12 opponents, as well as Notre Dame. The conference’s 9-game league schedule also appears to be a pretty strong money-maker for television networks.
Gene Smith said that when the Big Ten/Pac-12/ACC Alliance started, there was more conversation about reducing to eight conference games and scheduling more non-conference games against each other, but he says they’ve moved away from that, believing nine conference games is best.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 16, 2022
Gene Smith says he doesn’t think playing annual games against the ACC and Pac-12 would be worth playing only eight Big Ten games and potentially not being able to play non-conference games against teams like Alabama, Texas, Notre Dame, etc.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 16, 2022
So, what’s left?
The greatest asset The Alliance appeared to have going for it was a scheduling partnership, blocking out the SEC from adding quality non-conference games to its future schedules. Perhaps The Alliance could still work together in terms of College Football Playoff expansion and working to incorporate more television partners into the deal, but there hasn’t been much of an update provided in those areas.
Could The Alliance be on the way out? Or are there other plans in mind for the three leagues moving forward? Right now, it’s a bit of an unknown.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB