I am building a custom schedule generator in Excel.
Holy. Cow. So many moving parts.
Anyway, I was trying to solve an issue regarding non-conference matchups, and it hit me that I could use an old trick from EA's NCAA. I am creating a second pool of independent teams to represent FCS schools that will be available every week to soak up the occasional odd match-up here or there.
I thought I would mention that so that if anyone else is working on a custom schedule generator, it might be helpful.
If/when I get my tool created, I will offer it up here.
I am creating templates for many conference configurations. A user simply makes a copy of the appropriate template for each conference, fills in the team info, and then the templates create your conference schedule and collect the available teams each week for non-conference games. Each conference can randomize the weekly progression. Users can also directly enter conference schedule information, as long as they follow the correct format, and thereby implement known conference schedules out as many years as are available.
Anyway, that is all. Just thought I would share that idea of using faux fcs teams as scheduling stand-ins where needed. I am using 13 as I look to set this up for my own use.