BYU has been declared worthy of the Big Ten.
In an effort to boost its chances of having a conference team qualify for the College Football Playoff, the Big Ten has made a requirement that all of its squads must play a Power 5 team in their nonconference schedule each year.
It was originally unclear whether or not BYU as an independent would meet the Big Ten's standard, but ESPN's Brett McMurphy reported Tuesday that in fact the Cougars will.
Other independents Army and Notre Dame will also meet the requirement, as will Cincinnati, Connecticut and Navy of the American Athletic Conference, McMurphy reported.