A breakdown of each B1G team's non-conference schedule, from the NYTimes' Paul Myerberg.

He did an analysis of the SEC's non-conference schedule last week.

Guess which conference plays better teams?

As most of the playoff detractors had noted in the past, that a playoff would end up de-valuing the regular season, Mandel brings up the point that there is no requirement that the BCS itself stays in its current format when a playoff is inntroduced.

There could be a possibility that a committee could be formed to seed the schools, like in basketball. Personally, I think this would be a much better format than letting the clueless Harris voters (who pretty much mimic the idiotic AP poll) and the equally clueless USA coaches' poll (who never see games of the other schools) that currently decide 2/3 of the BCS rankings.

If a committee is established, strength of schedule, icluding non-conference, most likely would be a component in the decision. As Delany/Scott have already instituted a non-conference game between the B1G and Pac12, this could lead to fan friendly matchups other than FCS creampuffs.

This in itself would create and even better regular season (think 80s/90s) when most OOC games where BCS caliber schools and only 1-2 might be MAC foes. Body bag games might actually go down.

Remember when the B1G was absolutely against a playoff? Now they are tossing around the idea of having a system where the top four teams in the BCS go to semifinal games, with the higher seed teams hosting the matchups on campus. Like the Super Bowl, cities could bid for the title game.

It is amazing how the Big Ten's attitude has changed so quickly on this topic. Still, after lower bowl ratings and the SEC title game mess, it probably isn't entirely unexpected.

With signing day around the corner, this is a good time to take a close look at the methodology of Rivals and Scout.

(Bumped. Great writing, great quotes from JoePa.- G.F.)

This article describes better than any published recently the ideal he espoused for college sports. It also refers to the "youthful keeper" of the Penn State program, which makes it worth reading just for that.

They are hated but it should be for the right reasons. Read why.

Predictably, the rematch no one outside of Tuscaloosa, Baton Rouge and Bristol wanted saw a significant drop-off in viewership.

And the ratings pose an interesting Zen koan: if the Big East and ACC play in a bowl game and no one watches, did it happen?

The Big Ten weighs in about how you'd expect, from Michigan at #3 to Purdue down at #48. Everyone kind of stacks up accordingly.

Per ESPN... Thoughts from Nittany Lions and everyone else? For your sake, I hope he's not the next Charlie Weis.

247 Sports is reporting that Montee Ball will return next season for Wisconsin. This will make Wisconsin even more of a favorite in the Leaders Legends East I still can't memorize the name Rotel division, with Ohio State's bowl ban and Penn State's issues.