Scheduling now brings bids later:
Penn State, Bucknell agree to play game next season
It’s a little-known fact that some NCAA bids are decided in the spring, half a year before practice officially even begins.
“How can this be? It’s when the finishing touches are put on schedules, and the composition of a nonconference schedule can make or break any team’s NCAA chances.
“Coaches and their schedule advisers who know what they’re doing can make a huge difference 10 months later. The Missouri Valley Conference proved that this year. …”