One of the most significant side-effects of the changes in television policy since 1991 has been the sharp decrease in independent schools and realignment of athletic conferences , as schools sought to pool and increase their bargaining power ; few schools had the clout or national following that could garner an exclusive contract the way Notre Dame did . Prominent independents Pitt and Penn State joined the old Big East in 1991 and the Big Ten in 1993 , respectively . Television has also driven the trend of universities ( generally mid-majors ) playing football on weekdays rather than the traditional Saturdays , in order to have their games broadcast
Big East
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
College football on television