FCS foes being dropped from Big Ten football schedules

The Big Ten will change things up starting in 2016.

In an effort to increase the strength of schedule for the 14 member schools of the conference, president Jim Delaney announced there would be schedule changes for all teams.

Known as "Strength of Schedule 1910," teams will play one opponent from one of the Power 5 conferences, nine conference opponents through the regular season and will play only FBS opponents, eliminating FCS opponents.

Current contracts between Big Ten teams and FCS opponents will be honored in 2016, but after that no Big Ten team will play an FCS opponent.

"I think that's responsive to what the College Football Playoff committee is looking for," Delaney said. "It took a little while to get here because of schedules and expansion. But all of our coaches and players and athletic directors are committed to this platform.

"We think it's what our fans want. We think it's what our players want. And we think it's what the College Football Playoff committee wants."

At SEC media days, Auburn coach Gus Malzhan said SEC teams were at a disadvantage because of the strength of SEC teams.

Penn State coach James Franklin, who coached last season at Vanderbilt, thinks it's a double-edged sword.

"I think you could make the same argument that the Big Ten, we play nine conference games and do not play FCS programs," Franklin said. "The Big Ten scheduling model is taking care of strength of schedule for us. I have tremendous respect for the SEC, but I've also for the Big Ten. And I think you can make an argument we're going through a similar situation."

Harbaugh wins over media:

Jim Harbaugh took his own course during the second day of Big Ten Media Days at McCormick Place.

The first-year Michigan head coach spiced things up when he began to interview Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May.

"How long have you been at The Columbus Dispatch?" Harbaugh asked.

Harbaugh then began to talk with May about when the Big Ten had a press caravan and reporters would go from trailer to trailer to talk to coaches.

Harbaugh then did something that would make most Bears fans excited: He pulled out a Mike Ditka jersey he received Thursday and showed it to the reporters.

"I had a chance to spend the evening with Coach last night at his restaurant," Harbaugh said. "And Diana (Ditka) was there and Sarah (Harbaugh) was there and it was just really, really special to be with my coach."

Reflecting on signing day:

Suggestions for changes to the recruiting process have been ever present in college football. It was a growing topic at the Big Ten Media days.

"I would like to see an early signing day," Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said. "I think it's something that we certainly need to consider and certainly for recruiting in other areas because kids are having to come up on nonofficial business and their parents are having to pay for those."

He isn't alone in sharing that opinion.

"My personal opinion is I think that we could save some money and save some energy and time if we have an early signing period," Purdue's Darrell Hazell. "I'm in favor of that. I know it's kind of a split vote between the coaches. We talk about that constantly."

Westerkamp comes home:

Nebraska wide receiver and former Montini standout Jordan Westerkamp will have a few days to finally be home in Lombard.

As one of Nebraska's player representatives, Westerkamp took teammates Tommy Armstrong Jr. and Nate Gerry around town.

"It's been great seeing familiar faces," Westerkamp said. "We went out to Morton's (Steakhouse); it's pretty close here. I'm glad I'm here."