Maryland may drop some planned games with FCS schools

Big Ten is asking its member schools to stop scheduling games against Football Championship Subdivision opponents

The Big Ten wants Maryland — which joins the conference in 2014 — and its other members to stop scheduling Football Championship Subdivision opponents.

As a result, according to multiple officials, Maryland may drop at least some of their planned games with FCS schools in future seasons. The schools include James Madison, Richmond and Howard.
While it is too soon to say which games might be cut, the school said it would honor all existing contracts. Nonconference contracts typically contain buyout provisions if one school needs to withdraw.

There is another factor at work besides strength of schedule. The Big Ten is moving to nine conference games in 2016. The extra league contest will result in shorter nonconference schedules — and the weaker opponents are likely to be the ones sacrificed.
Maryland plays Old Dominion, an FCS school, in the second game of the 2013 season on Sept. 7. That game will be played as scheduled.

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