The Big Ten and Pac-12 became the first Power 5 leagues to shift to an all-conference fall schedule as the college sports world faces difficult decisions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
More Power 5 conferences could follow, causing a ripple effect on small-conference schools across the country.
If more big conferences ditch nonconference games, smaller schools who rely on “buy games” to help fund their athletic departments will take huge financial hits at a time when they're already facing ugly bottom lines.
“It's significant, to say the least,” Northern Arizona athletic director Mike Marlow said Friday.