Will Muschamp, Nick Saban discuss strengthening schedules in playoff era

Will Muschamp told reporters that Florida won't schedule FBS opponents in the future. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images) Don't expect to see any FCS teams on

Will Muschamp told reporters that Florida won't schedule FBS opponents in the future. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Don't expect to see any FCS teams on Florida's football schedule going forward. The Gators likely won't schedule FCS teams in the future, coach Will Muschamp told reporters at Tuesday's opening day of SEC spring meetings in Destin.

Muschamp said fans simply want better competition. Florida, of course, lost to FCS-level Georgia Southern last season in the midst of a four-win campaign.

If Alabama coach Nick Saban had his way, scheduling requirements would extend a lot further than eliminating FCS opponents.

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The strength-of-schedule debate has become a key part of the upcoming College Football Playoff. Selection committee members are allowed to use any criteria they desire to select teams for the four-team playoff, but many have alluded to placing more weight on a team's strength of schedule.

Much of the issue has centered on a team's nonconference schedule. Last month the SEC announced it would stick with an eight-game conference schedule, but beginning in 2016, SEC teams will be forced to schedule at least one non-conference opponent from the "Power Five" conferences. The ACC announced it would also stick to an eight-game conference schedule, but it would require one "Power Five" non-conference game beginning in 2017. The Big 12 and Pac-12 already play nine league games, and the Big Ten will move to nine games in 2016.

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Saban seems to think the requirement of one nonconference game against a "Power Five" opponent is insufficient. The Crimson Tide coach told reporters that he thinks Power Five teams should only play games against other Power Five teams.

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