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PAC-12 SCHEDULES VS. POWER FIVE CONFERENCES THROUGH 2020
Note-Chart doesn’t include games scheduled by USC and Stanford with Notre Dame, a major independent obligated to play at least five ACC teams a year. *-at Houston. **-at Arlington, Texas.
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The Arizona Wildcats’ football program, the only Pac-12 team without an opponent from the Power 5 conferences between 2015-2020, has seven non-conference slots to fill in those six years. This site has taken a look at potential teams from Power 5 conferences other than the Pac-12, who could play against the Wildcats. The other four conferences include the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. Notre Dame is a major independent that will play five ACC opponents each year. BYU is also an independent and it plays Arizona in 2016, 2018 and 2020. The Cougars have recently competed in the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conference.
PREVIOUS POSTS:
— Southeastern Conference
— Atlantic Coast Conference
— Big Ten Conference
— Big 12 ConferenceRECENT SCHEDULING NEWS:
— To fix college football’s scheduling imbalance, consult the NFL
— Weak SEC slate raises scheduling questions
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ESPN College Gameday started its broadcast this morning discussing scheduling and how the strength of them affects the new playoff system.
The schedule today for SEC teams was dubbed “Cupcake Saturday” with a slate that includes Arkansas State at Tennessee, Florida Atlantic at Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham at Mississippi State, Nicholls State at Arkansas, Sam Houston State at LSU and Lamar at Texas A&M.
“Do us a favor and schedule better games,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said.
The plea could be made to Arizona, which is the only Pac-12 team without a Power 5 non-conference opponent on its schedule presently from 2015-2020.
ARIZONA FOOTBALL FUTURE OPPONENTS (2015-2020)
*Glendale, Ariz. **UA can play 13 games due to Hawaii Exemption Rule.
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The Wildcats have one opening in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020. Their non-conference schedule is complete in 2018. They have a potential three openings in 2019.
Seven teams from the Power 5 other than the Pac-12 have openings next year: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Georgia Tech, Miami and Pitt.
Alabama is an unlikely opponent for Arizona because of a well-publicized difference in offensive philosophy between Nick Saban and Rich Rodriguez. Kentucky’s head coach is Mark Stoops, the former Arizona defensive coordinator whose brother Mike was the Wildcats’ head coach who was fired in 2011. The Wildcats vs. Wildcats scenario will not likely happen because of that rift.
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Mississippi State and Arizona have already scheduled a home-and-home arrangement in 2022 and 2023, so they likely will not play each other in 2015.
That leaves Missouri, Georgia Tech, Miami and Pitt as 2015 possibilities from a Power 5 conference.
Arizona can always schedule a non-Power 5 conference team or NAU next year. The Lumberjacks are not listed on any Arizona future schedules. Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne has mentioned he wants that series to continue because it is good for the state.
The Wildcats have a road game scheduled against Nevada next year, so Arizona will likely play the other non-conference game at home. Arizona is scheduled to host Texas-San Antonio, completing a three-year arrangement with the Roadrunners. Arizona won at UTSA 26-23 on Thursday night.
SEC OPENINGS (2015-2020)
Source: FBSchedules.com. Number in parenthesis is number of openings. *-UA does not have an opening.
RED – Not likely or not at all.
[table “” not found /]BIG 12 CONFERENCE OPENINGS (2015-2020)
Source: FBSchedules.com. Number in parenthesis is number of openings. *-UA does not have an opening.
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BIG TEN CONFERENCE OPENINGS (2015-2020)
Source: FBSchedules.com. Number in parenthesis is number of openings. *-UA does not have an opening.
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ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE OPENINGS (2015-2020)
Source: FBSchedules.com. Number in parenthesis is number of openings. *-UA does not have an opening.
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
