A few years ago, the Big Ten asked its football coaches to vote on whether theyd favor moving to a nine-game conference schedule.Their answer was unanimous: No.We wanted to stay at eight [league games], Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. We liked that. We knew it. We understood it.Like it or not, ready or not, the league is embarking on a (sort of) new path this fall. The Big Ten will initiate its nine-game conference schedule in 2016, joining the Pac-12 and Big 12 among Power 5 leagues to do so. The SEC and ACC will continue to play eight-game conference schedules.The change is part of the Big Tens new scheduling mandate, which directs member schools to play at least one Power 5 nonconference opponent and no FCS teams in addition to those nine conference contests. The rationale for this model: improving strength-of-schedule ratings to impress the College Football Playoff selection committee and boosting attendance and interest.It is, I think, a sign of the times, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. Were looking to try and move forward and play more Power 5 conferences and within the Power 5 conferences.The increased number of high-stakes regular-season games does pose some risks when it comes to the Big Tens postseason chances, however.The additional losses that might come with more competitive schedules could dent a playoff contenders résumé. Perhaps its no coincidence that the Big 12 (in 2014) and the Pac-12 (in 2015) are the only two Power 5 leagues who have missed out on a playoff spot in the events first two seasons. Stanford coach David Shaw has been vocal about the inequality of some leagues going through a nine-game conference grind while others have stayed at eight.So the big question is, do committee members give extra weight to teams that play nine league games instead of eight?It depends on whom they schedule in nonconference games, said Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, who has served on the playoff selection committee since its inception. One of the criteria were mandated with is strength of schedule. Thats important, and a conference championship game is important.So we have criteria that we look at it, but thats up to each individual conference. Thats not our job.Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany has acknowledged the possibility that a league playoff contender could get knocked out by the tougher schedules. But the league is willing to gamble that the strength-of-schedule component will be worth it.I would say the champion of our league probably will get in the playoff because of it, provided they can get through with only one loss, said Dantonio, whose Spartans made the playoff last year despite a conference loss. I think its going to give us more credible conference scheduling.The playoff isnt the only place where the nine-game schedule could impact the postseason. An extra week of conference action means a Saturday in which seven league teams are guaranteed to lose. In the past, Big Ten teams struggling to make a bowl could get to 6-6 by playing four soft nonconference games and finding two league victories. Thats what Indiana did last season in qualifying for its first bowl game since 2007.Now teams would need to beat at least three Big Ten opponents to claw their way into the postseason. And, as Fitzgerald points out, those extra losses and potential missed bowl games could lead to more coaches being fired.I dont know why we want to beat ourselves up one more time, Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson said. Its not going to be easy, but we embrace the challenge.The nine-game league schedule presents other wrinkles. The uneven number means that half the league will play five conference home games in a season, while the other seven teams get only four. The Big Ten will rotate that by division, with the East getting the five league home games in 2016. In some years, that could affect the balance of power.Some teams will have an inherent advantage with five home games, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. In the years that you have that extra away game, you just have to accept it as a little bit of an extra challenge.Every team aims to have seven total home games per season for budgetary reasons. That creates some tricky logistics in years when a team has only four conference home games and also still has the Power 5 opponent requirement. Several Big Ten athletic directors and coaches would actually prefer to play 10 conference games per year so the schedule would have more balance. The league investigated that idea but decided going to 10 games is a little too radical right now.Coaches and administrators may sweat some of the details, but as Alvarez said, the nine-game schedule will be great for our fans. It means fewer cupcake games and more recognizable conference opponents. After expanding to 14 teams, the Big Tens eight-game schedule created some gaping on-field absences between programs; for example, Wisconsin and Michigan will meet this year for the first time since 2010.Adding those kinds of matchups is important. As Delany has often said, Big Ten teams want to play against each other more, not less. (And TV executives apparently agree, as the conference just signed a record media rights deal.)I committed to play in the Big Ten because I know its quality football, Badgers linebacker Vince Biegel said. I wanted to go play in the Big House and those kinds of venues.I love playing against other Big Ten teams, Minnesota senior linebacker Jack Lynn said. Thats kind of our identity. Its more intense, and preparing for each team is a little more strenuous.The Big Ten has actually gone down this road once before, albeit briefly.The league moved to a nine-game conference schedule from 1981-84, though Ohio State and Iowa refused to play the extra conference game in 1981 and 1982. Illinois remains the only team to go 9-0 in regular-season league play, doing so during its 83 Rose Bowl season. After Ohio State won the Big Ten with a 7-2 conference record, the league ditched the nine-game plan.Athletic directors had some of the same issues then as they have today, especially with the five home games versus four, senior associate Big Ten commissioner Mark Rudner said.Of course, those were much different times, with no playoff, less intense media coverage, and little emphasis on any bowl postseason besides the Rose Bowl. How will the nine-game schedule work in this era?I look forward to seeing how it plays out, Fitzgerald said.So does everybody else. Wholesale Jerseys For Cheap . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Cheap Jerseys Authentic . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. http://www.wholesalenfljerseysforcheapauthentic.com/ . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Wholesale Jerseys China . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale Jerseys Cheap . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Sussex 326 for 4 (Wells 102*, Nash 66) trail Gloucestershire 367 (Klinger 129*, Mustard 71, Miles 56, Magoffin 5-73) by 41 runsScorecard There was, as Chris Jordans bouncer hit the back of Liam Norwells helmet, and the stem guard protecting his neck fell off, an almighty crack. Michael Klinger, at the non-strikers end, immediately felt something was awry and went to see his partner, who remained standing but shaken, while the bowler and umpires quickly offered to help, too. Out came a medic and, while Norwell was initially - and surely unwisely - deemed fit to play out an over in which he nabbed two more singles, he retired hurt at its end.This was the incident that would shape the second days play - and possibly the whole match - at Hove.By the time Norwell was sconed, Craig Miles had already been bowled by the third ball of the day, from Steve Magoffin, without adding to his overnight 56, to give the lanky Queenslander his 30th wicket of the season but, curiously, his first five-wicket haul. Not long after Norwell was hit, Matt Taylor was also castled, by David Wiese. Immovable at the other end stood Klinger who turned down singles but picked off boundaries and ran hard between the wickets to finish unbeaten on 129, a mighty achievement given his side had been perilously poised at 34 for 4.Yet it was later in the day that Norwells absence was truly felt as Gloucestershires bowling resources were stretched to the limit. Miles and Taylor (playing his first Championship game of the season), the two standing quicks, ran in gallantly for a pair of wickets each. But little lay beyond; Taylors brother Jack bowled 25 tidy but toothless overs, just 11 days after having his action cleared once more, and barely uttered an appeal in anger. Benny Howell wheeled away, conceding nine no-balls and well over four an over, while Graeme van Buuren briefly left the field with a shoulder injury and managed just one over.So buggered - in Klingers words - were the seamers that, rather than taking the new ball with three overs to go, Chris Dent stayed on in search of his fifth first-class wicket. For the days last over, Hamish Marshalls medium pacers got their first outing of the season.Luke Wells was the main beneficiary of this, flicking and driving his way to a fourth century of the season as Sussex closed just 41 adrift of Gloucestershires 367. The news that, having been assessed, Norwelll is stable if a touch groggy, and will play no further part in the game, makes life tougher still for Gloucestershires bowlers.ddddddddddddWells reached his ton from the days penultimate ball, his 225th, a miscued pull off Marshall flying over the slips for four. This stroke, however, was not representative of a steely innings that saw few false strokes, having begun just before lunch when Ed Joyces attractive 25 - brimming with lovely cuts and drives - was abruptly ended as he played on to Miles.Wells put on a healthy stand of 79 with Chris Nash, who made 66 full of attractive drives before edging to first slip trying one too many, having been struck nastily on the hand by Matt Taylor, who eventually took his wicket. Christian Davis followed soon after, spooning Taylor behind square on the leg side, then Luke Wright - looking ever so determined and bunting plenty of drives on the up - joined to put on 116. Sussexs last 70 of their fine day were put on by Wells and Wiese, who looked to push the score on as the attack flagged.This was an unobtrusive innings, played late and full of deft deflections and neatly nudged singles. I wont lie, said the articulate and affable Wells, when Chris Dent came on to the short boundary I did have quite a large man on my shoulder telling me to run down the wicket and give it a slog. I knew Id get a bad ball, and thankfully I did, albeit a streaky one over the keeper, but it was enough to get there. Im trying to stick to what I do best, playing the ball late, each ball on his merits, all those cliches. Things are going alright.This matchs defining period awaits on Monday morning, however, when Klinger will take that new ball. Im chuffed to be starting again tomorrow against the new ball with three figures, said Wells. I think the new ball might be the deciding factor of this game. If we get through that unscathed, we back ourselves to go and get a big score, 500 or something, and then its up to us with the ball.A win is becoming a must for Sussex, who, as Wells said, have drawn in every way imaginable this season - from being behind and in front on first innings, weather affected, all sorts. Should they nab that elusive second win to go with their nine draws, then a late dart for promotion remains on the cards. ' ' '