(For WarBeagle a good football fan who happens to like Colorado)
Why are BCS teams still afraid to schedule decent OOC (out-of-conference games)? What is the deal here? I am of the oldskewl belief that, win or lose, playing good teams makes your team better. There is no reason for a good team in a BCS conference not to schedule two good opponents OOC. Period!
It is embarrassing to fans of good teams to watch their team pummel Western Kentucky, Southeastern Louisiana, and Buffalo (sorry Turner) in consecutive weeks. There was a strategy before the advent of the BSC, but now it is moot. Teams in a BCS conference will get an automatic bid to a BCS game if they win their conference. It is as easy as that. A two-loss LSU proved that to be true last year and rightfully so, they were in the National Championship game. However, there is a reason to schedule nothing but patsies if you are a Non-BCS conference team. Example: 2007 Hawaii. I’m not trying to pick on the Warriors. I understand that Hawaii has been efforting to schedule better teams as of late, but who can not say that Hawaii was exposed last year in the BCS game?
Here are my thoughts on the OOC scheduling for the Big 12 this year. I am looking at the strength of the scheduling team, FBS (Div-1A), and current success of the scheduled team. I am not factoring in past schedules. In case you missed my other grades here are the links: ACC, Big 10(+1), SEC, Pac-10, and Big East.
Colorado – Colorado State, Eastern Washington, West Virginia, Florida State. Colorado has managed to make their OOC schedule rather competitive. The rivalry game with Colorado State is always a tough game for Colorado. Eastern Michigan is a tune up game, and Eastern Washington is a patsy. West Virginia made minced-meat of the vaunted Oklahoma defense last year, but we must remember that Colorado also handed OU a loss last year. This year's WVU may not be quite as good as last year's with out R-Rod there. Florida State is loaded with talent and controversy. Grade: A
Baylor – Wake Forest, Northwestern State, Washington State, Connecticut. Baylor has a monster OOC schedule, but I think it may have been an accident. WF and UCONN are quality teams as of late, but PAC-10 Spoiler Washington State is not a patsy. Northwestern State is though. I am willing to overlook the Northwestern State game because it is Baylor we are talking about. Baylor will need to play better than they have in the past in order to get to conference play 1-3. Grade: A
Oklahoma – Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Washington, TCU. Chattanooga is a patsy and should not be on the schedule. Cincinnati has improved and they are coming off a stellar season, but for Oklahoma they should be no problem. Washington is a BCS conference team that may have a good game a few times a year, but they have not been consistently good since the early to mid 90’s. TCU is one of the most consistently good non-BCS conference teams out there. When I see TCU on an OOC schedule, I consider that a decent test for any team. The problem I have with this schedule is the Cattanooga game. You are OU. Schedule Div-1 teams. Grade: B-
Nebraska – Western Michigan, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Virginia Tech. Nebraska must subscribe to the philosophy that supports only scheduling one quality team OOC. Very disappointing, but with the way the Huskers played defense last year some of these game should be closer than expected. You have to give Nebraska credit for the VA Tech game. VA Tech has been in the Top-10 consistently over the past decade. That game is certainly a great OOC game. The pass-happy Aggies from NMSU have a legitimate shot at an upset here if the Blackshirts don’t turn it around. Any other year, for Nebraska, Western Michigan and (Do you know your way to) San Jose State would be considered patsies, but Nebraska can’t take any team for granted anymore. Grade: B- (that is all VA Tech)
Oklahoma State – Washington State, Houston, Missouri State, Troy. I must say that this is a reasonable attempt at a challenging OOC schedule. It is not very top heavy with the Cougars of Wash U at the top of the heap, but Houston and Troy are solid teams that will put up a fight. They will run out of gas by the 4th quarter, but they will put up a good fight. Troy may even threaten in the 4th. Not outstanding, but not too bad. Grade: C+
Texas – Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Arkansas, Rice. Texas likes to keep their OOC games close to home with UTEP and Rice. Both of which are bad teams, very bad. When this game was scheduled, I am sure that Florida Atlantic was considered just as bad as UTEP or Rice, but what a difference a few years makes. FAU is not a bad team. Not real good, but not bad. Arkansas is an old SWC rivalry we all miss. This year without McFadden, Texas should be able to handle the Razorbacks easily. I am sure Arkansas will be up for this one. Grade: C (only because FAU has turned it around)
Texas A&M – Arkansas State, New Mexico, Miami, Army. Like Nebraska, there is only one team on this schedule that is of any worth competing with a BCS conference school. New Mexico did shut out Nevada in a bowl that was created just for them last year. Arkansas State is a patsy. Army is a mismatch, but there is Miami. They are talent-laden and needing to make a comeback in a big way. Grade: C- (that is all Miami’s potential)
Missouri – Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, Nevada, Buffalo. Mizzou has scheduled a monster by accident with Illinois. How great was that game last year!?! Nevada is improving, but they still can’t hang with the big boys. SM St and Buffalo are patsies (sorry Turner). Missouri is set up really nice to repeat as the Big 12 North Champs, but it has nothing to do with their OOC scheduling. Grade: D (that is all Illinois)
Iowa State – South Dakota State, Kent State, Iowa, UNLV. Iowa State has not had much of a team for quite a while now. I don’t really blame them for going so soft, but it is disappointing when they can’t even beat the patsies on their schedule. South Dakota State should lose, but nothing is for sure. Iowa should win, but the Hawkeyes are having problems with the law in Iowa City. UNLV and Kent State have legitamate shots at getting a win over a BCS conference opponent here with ISU. ISU did come on strong at the end of last season, but there is no indication that they will carry that momentum into this year. Grade: D
Kansas – Florida International, Louisiana Tech, South Florida, Sam Houston State. Kansas tried really hard not to schedule any real tests OOC, but they got unlucky with South Florida. I guess 3-4 isn’t too bad. I will all but guarantee you that when South Florida was added to the schedule, they had never been ranked #2 in the country. Neither was Kansas. They both had spectacular years last year and I will be looking forward to this game. La Tech can score a bit, but they are still a patsy along with Sam Houston State and FIU. FIU is the only Florida team to get a bad rap from me. Grade: D-(dumb luck getting South Florida on the OOC schedule.)
Kansas State – North Texas, Montana State, Louisville, Louisiana-Lafayette. Louisville without Brian Brohm is no good at all. They proved that last year’s pre-season hype was just that. All these teams are patsies this year. K-State should change their mascot from the Wildcats to the Scaredycats. North Texas is ok sometimes. With the way Louisville played defense last year, KSU has a legit shot to get an OOC win over a BCS opponent. Grade: F
Texas Tech – Eastern Washington, Nevada, Southern Methodist, Massachusetts. Congratulations! We have a winner! The Red Raiders have managed to win the patsy lottery in their OOC scheduling. They were the only team to manage to avoid another BCS conference team and not get unlucky enough to get a team that has any potential at having a good season. The best team, by far, is Nevada. PEA-YOU!! This is very disappointing because they will have a great season and contend for the Big 12 this year. They will have to defend a constant onslaught of criticism over their OOC schedule. It serves them right. I am acutally getting physically ill looking at their OOC schedule. I'm going to go barf now. Grade: F-
There is no real benefit to playing tough OOC games. Sure, it's good for football fans, but it's not good for the team. When you play any important game there are three weeks of importance involved. The week prior, the week of, and the week after. For BCS schools, thier SOS is really a non issue unless you put it next to another school w/ identical records for the BCS title game. Otherwise, it's just fan talk.
Ed, Maybe so. I can see the injury problem it may cause, but I tend to disagree. Example: Missouri vs Kansas last year.
Kansas played one of the softest schedules I have ever seen of any Big 12 team. The first half of that game was dominated by a battle-tested Mizzou team. In the second half, KU got their composure and was very competitive for the rest of the game. They stopped Chase Daniel a couple times, and they were scoring well. I think they were overwhelmed by the atmosphere. If KU had played in a big game earlier in the season, then it wouldn't have taken a half o####ame for them to get over the fact it was a big game.
The reason for cupcake schedules? You used the term BCS in your opening statement, you needn't have said more...
The polls drive the BCS... In order to be voted high in the polls a team must go undefeated... It doesn't matter what quality the competition is, just so long as you go undefeated. The Big 12 from last season is a prime example... Look no further than Kansas and Missouri. They've taken their lessons from the "Elite" Big Ten schools.
So long as we have a "Bowl Championship Series" that is driven by popularity polls (BTW, the BCS has their own poll, don't they?) you're going to have so called college football "powerhouses" scheduling the #### Dunk States of this world... Now I understand that in the future Notre Dame will be playing easier schedules as well.
The bowl dollars trump all and you know it's true oldskewler!
Here's hoping the Huskers whip up on the rest of the Big 12!
oldskewler: I am so honored. I happen to believe that at least one good OOC on your schedule gets you ready for conference play. Kansas is a wonderful example of a soft OOC causing problems later on. Thanks again. Talk to you soon.
I must amend your post, University of New Mexico handed Nevada the shut out in the New Mexico bowl. CU has Eastern Washington not the E. Mich team. That's more of patsy, though. Good to see how the teams schedule their OOC. I'll say that Nebraska will smack down NMSU somewhat easily, especially if Pelini gets the blackshirts going again.
OSU will have their hands full with Troy. Look at what they did to them last year. Ouch!
Also I would say OU's is pretty good. Cincy and TCU are good and Wash. should be better this year.
Also with your Huskers. Although the names are not big WMU and San Jose are no pushovers. They might be if NU was the team of the 90's. But they could play tough this year.
Colorado should be commended on their Non-Conference scheduling for the past 20 years. I doubt anyone has scheduled as tough as Colorado year in and year out amongst BCS schools. Texas, fine. Our Huskers fine, at least we play one tough game, but STILL at home. OU's schedule is WAAAAAY better than you give them credit for. Cincinnati, Washington, and TCU is A- material. If not even A+. They miss the marquee matchup, but that was supposed to be Washington. Not their problem they have fallen in the past 5 years. A&M, I'm surprised they scheduled Miami. Must have been a mishap in which they thought it was Miami(OH). They paid for it last year in the Orange Bowl. Mizzou should get an F. They play Illinois every year in a border rivalry game. The rest is an absolute joke. Kansas gets an F-. You are taking their history, like Missouri's into consideration when evaluating their schedule. An absolute joke. Okie State is at least playing a BCS school in Wazzu and a respectable Houston squad and decent Sun Belt team in Troy. I give them a C+. K-State gets an A, for the simple fact that they scheduled ANYBODY tough in Louisville. IN past years? Iowa State, at least they play Iowa, and Texas Tech? Not even on the alphabet radar. 4 Non-BCS schools, plus, I believe 2 non DivIA schools. What a joke.
Why play strong games, you get very little credit for it and it's a huge negative even if you lose to a great team. Change the system then teams may change their schedules--until then I would rahter go undefeated playing second rate talent than lose a game to the big boys.
Nost, Thanks. TCU dissapointed last year. Cincy was much better last year than anyone expected. I know it is not OU's fault Washington is down. I think I was not consistent when looking at OU. What I tried to do is evaluate the teams based upon their most recent performance. I did not do that with Cincy. Now that I look at it maybe Texas and OU could switch spots. Yeah, Houston looks ok, but I'm not convinced about how competitive Troy will be this year outside of the Sun Belt. They did lose to Hawaii last year. I believe that game was away for Hawaii. I hear you on K-State. They have no shame for their OOC games. Iowa State is not a good team, but Baylor got really unlucky. Tech should be embarassed.
Mizzou, You have a valid point, but I do not agree in principal. Call me a slow learner, but I think if you want your team to be considered a top tier team, then you need to seek to play top tier teams.
Ed, thanks for your input. I wouldn't expect anyone to agree with me. I try to call them like I see them. Sometimes well, sometimes not so well.
Warbeagle is a heck of a fan and welcome at our table any time. I also agree that while as Huskers fans we're bred to dislike CU, I will definitely tip my hat to their OOC. They've routinely scheduled the Florida States, Miami's, and various other powerhouses. Whoever has been scheduling for the past couple decades certainly knows no fear.
Our own OOC is going to get even worse in the years to come. We have a series with UCLA coming up, but we also have South Dakota State scheduled too. Can it get any more patsy than that? Some of these schools make you wonder if they take a loan out to charter a bus and rent some pads for a game. Although the payout for a tiny school going up against a huge team like that is phenomenal.
Let's not forget that. These little podunk schools have everything to gain and nothing to lose by playing a powerhouse team. They want to schedule mainstream teams for the exposure, and of course, for the almighty dollar.
My first thought reading this installment o####reat blog was that the Buffs are walking around with a huge "kick me!" sign on their hindquarters. I can only look with both respect and horror at the Colorado schedule. Good luck Buffs.
You are right about a few years making a difference. Remember, just a few years ago WSU beat texas in the holiday bowl, and for a few years WSU started and finished as a top 10 program. UW was pretty good too, i still remember that 19 point comeback engineered by Major Applewhite. Arkansas state, did give texas a scare last season in the opener, and corey leonard is coming back at quarterback A&M might see an upset.
Now for Texas' scheduling, Rice (who was also in the old SWC) and UTEP might be part of Texas' in state outreach program (referring to the fact that 5 0f 12 sceduled teams are in state, and in recent years have played TCU, Houston, Sam Houston State, and North Texas on a consitant basis), which is sure to help the Horns win the hearts and minds of impressionable young in-state recruits. Texas also plays many OOC games with bordering states, like New Mexico (NM State), Arkansas (ASU and the Hogs), and Louisiana (ULL and Tulane, LSU doesn't count because it was a bowl). Aside from the surrounding states, in state, and Conferrence play, texas has only played Ohio State, North Carolina, UCF, and this year FAU. That is only 4 teams since 2002. This does 2 things: 1)ensures they travel well, 2)show cases to regional talent. I believe it is part of Mack Browns so far very successful recruiting strategy.
Last edited by augustd23 on April 28th at 6:02 PM.
August, Say what you will about Coach Brown on gameday, but that guy is a premiere recruiter. Sometimes I am in amazement with the amount of talent there is in Austin.
This is exactly what is wrong with the BCS. Why anybody want a strong OOC games when the only thing it can really do is hurt you? Nobody wants to pay a team like USC/OSU/Florida, because while you may beat them, you also may not, and there goes your entire season in the second or third week of the season when you're team is still trying to find its rhythem.
If you want to see better OOC games, ask for a playoff.
TTech, that is what I would expect to hear from a person trying to defend TxTech's pitiful OOC schedule. It has been proven, time and again, that early losses to quality teams do not end your hopes for a National Championship. Stop it with this drivel and grow some balls.
wow colorado is going to have their hands full, but they look to challenge with a good offense and a sub-par defense. i'm excited to see the new running back installed inot CU's system.
West Virginia has lost their coach and is reeling from last year's graduation. The thin air in Boulder and a very hungry and well-coached once proud Colorado team knows that WVU was only one of 3 teams that beat the mighty Sooners. I like the Buffs chances in this one.
That is if Colorado comes out as good or better than last year. There is the distinct possibility that they may stink it up. I don't think that will happen with Hawkins at the helm, but it could.
What's the benefit of scheduling talent, the answer is nothing in the BCS as it stands. Look at the big 10 and ohio st. are you serious that they schedule anyone out of conference--no way--and how many times have they played for the NC in the past several years? Same goes for every team in a BCS conference--My question is why do it and why does it matter. Worked for KU last year--The big games come at the end of the year and not playing big teams early.
Mizzou, I respectfully disagree with your opinion. First, Ohio State has USC this year. Secondly, Kansas was untested when they faced Missouri last year. I'm sure you saw the game. Mizzou flattened them at the beginning, but as KU got their bearings they began to score and stop Chase Daniel and company. My opinion is that KU was not ready to have such a big game because they were never really tested all season. If they had played a decent team OOC, then they may have been able to regroup before the end of the first half against Mizzou. Just my theory. I'm probably wrong.
Oldskewler, remember we had Tulsa, but THEY backed out. Nobody wants to come to Lubbock to play because they fear it would end their season. You call it ballless, I call it smart. The early season losses DO matter. You think if Hawaii played an LSU/OSU early in the season and lost they still would be in a BCS? I think not.
What about Kansas? They rolled right through and had they beat Mizzou and OU they would be been in the NC game, but had they won those two games and lost a game early they wouldnt even have been considered.
TTech, you do not understand. Hawaii is not in a BCS conference. I never said that OOC games don't matter to teams outside the BCS conferences. I'm saying that the same rules do not apply to teams within a BCS conference. Had Kansas lost an OOC game and rolled through Mizzou and OU they would have been in the NC for sure. You are lying to yourself if you do not believe that. A one loss team with wins over 2 top 5 teams? Puh-leeze.
Also, there is no excuse for this ####-poor schedule. I would be upset with your AD. You guys have a phenominal team and will be at a disadvantage when it comes to the polls and bowl game.
The reason Colorado schedules such good OOC foes is because their fans vote with their feet. Mizzou's schedule is an embarrasment. We were supposed to have a home and home with Georgia, but Mizzou backed out. How great would that have been? Mizzou did the same thing with UCLA a few years back. I refuse to subsidize travesties (sp?) such as South East Missouri State. Until more people do so, it will not change.
As long as coaches have a big say in scheduling, and people don't mind attending gameas against such opponents, the situation will remain.
1. Tulsa backed out and was replaced by EWash after LSU refused a home and home.
2. Also, bowl games bring recruits, not early season losses. You use the BCS rules to your advantage.
3. EWash and UMass may be tougher than Tulsa...these are risky games....ask Michigan. Probably not worth it to play them.
Lindy's 2008 FCS Pre-season Poll
----------------------------------- -------
1. Appalachian State
2. North Dakota State
3. James Madison
4. UMass
5. Montana
6. Richmond
7. Eastern Washington
8. McNeese State
9. Delaware
10. New Hampshire
I just want to comment on the "weak" OOC schedule for the red raiders..... Eastern Washington and UMASS may be FCS teams, but dont think that they cant hold up to the teams in DIV 1-A. Both teams are ranked in the top 7 on Lindsey's FCS polls Eastern Wash (7) and Umass (4). Eastern Wash barely losing against App. St. (whom beat Michigan last year) in the playoffs by 3 points. App. St. went to win the FCS Crown once again. Last year the Eagle offense was able to put up points and the defense was able to hold the opponent to minimal points. As for Umass... finishing with a 10-2 regular season record and losing by a touchdown in the first round playoffs against southern illinois, they are not a bad squad themselves. They lost against then #12 Boston College 14-24 last season. By that score, just shows that this Umass team of last year was able to hold its own against a top 25 ranked team from Div 1-A. Both teams have very high expectations in their divisions and both teams are looking better this year than last. Mike Leach took a gamble on picking both of these teams, but he does have full confidence in the red raiders as do I. With both of these offenses from Eastern Wash and Umass putting up numbers, maybe Coach Leach is trying to toughen up that defense of Ruff Mcneal for the competition ahead. The Red Raiders along with the Longhorns, Sooners, Jayhawks and the Tigers are all ranked in the top 25.
Continuation of the last comment.....Some polls show they are ranked in the top 15. The Raiders have to go to Kansas and Oklahoma to face those teams. They have to go to Aggland to face A&M. The Longhorns know first hand what can happen over there. Though A&M is rebuilding once again this year, anything can happen in college football. A rebuilding Nebraska team visits Lubbock this year the OSU cowboys make way this time around. Its always a toss up between the Cowboys and Raiders. Then there are the Longhorns. Yes, I will admit (hate to say), they have our number, just like we have been able to beat the Aggies, and the Aggies have been able to pull out the upset against the longhorns. Its just one of those things, like a thorn in our side, that the raiders have been having to deal with for the longest time. Maybe this year, we will be able to pull out that thorn. Anyhow, dont count these two FCS teams out, they were very impressive last year and look to build with that momentum coming into the 2008 season. As for LSU.... they got App. ST for their first game this season. Wonder how that one is going to play??
To me there is no real benefit then the obvious 4 wins if you schedule cup cake games. You do not get pushed to your limit and have to fight to win. All cupcake games are about padding stats and keeping your first team offense and defense healthy.
what makes you think Leach wanted to schedule these games in the first place?? The coach and staff dont mind to play teams suchas UTEP, Houston or even LSU, Florida.... and at their stadiums.... as long as they play a return game. Coach Leach doesnt mind playing any team in college football... its the love of the game to him. If the strength of the OOC is weak, that is not the fault of the staff or Coaches.... its because teams dont want to make the return trip to Lubbock. Teams such as Nevada, Houston, UTEP, SMU, NM, and Rice dont mind it much... but anyhow its like fighting a lose, lose situation when talking with others that just dont get it.
free polls
I like the match-ups and the years of bad-blood between rivals in college football. I enjoy a good game no matter the national implications. Give me a 3OT game between a couple of Sun Belt teams over a 40 point blowout between a couple top 25 teams anytime. I consider myself to be a fan of the game. I will be as respectful to visitors on my blog as they are to me. Go Huskers! Go Navy! Go Jags! Go Cubbies!
Why are BCS teams still afraid to schedule decent OOC (out-of-conference games)? What is the deal here? I am of the oldskewl belief that, win or lose, playing good teams makes your team better. There is no reason for a good team in a BCS conference not to schedule two good opponents OOC. Period! 
Colorado – Colorado State, Eastern Washington, West Virginia, Florida State. Colorado has managed to make their OOC schedule rather competitive. The rivalry game with Colorado State is always a tough game for Colorado. Eastern Michigan is a tune up game, and Eastern Washington is a patsy. West Virginia made minced-meat of the vaunted Oklahoma defense last year, but we must remember that Colorado also handed OU a loss last year. This year's WVU may not be quite as good as last year's with out R-Rod there. Florida State is loaded with talent and controversy. Grade: A
Baylor – Wake Forest, Northwestern State, Washington State, Connecticut. Baylor has a monster OOC schedule, but I think it may have been an accident. WF and UCONN are quality teams as of late, but PAC-10 Spoiler Washington State is not a patsy. Northwestern State is though. I am willing to overlook the Northwestern State game because it is Baylor we are talking about. Baylor will need to play better than they have in the past in order to get to conference play 1-3. Grade: A
Oklahoma – Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Washington, TCU. Chattanooga is a patsy and should not be on the schedule. Cincinnati has improved and they are coming off a stellar season, but for Oklahoma they should be no problem. Washington is a BCS conference team that may have a good game a few times a year, but they have not been consistently good since the early to mid 90’s. TCU is one of the most consistently good non-BCS conference teams out there. When I see TCU on an OOC schedule, I consider that a decent test for any team. The problem I have with this schedule is the Cattanooga game. You are OU. Schedule Div-1 teams. Grade: B-
Nebraska – Western Michigan, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Virginia Tech. Nebraska must subscribe to the philosophy that supports only scheduling one quality team OOC. Very disappointing, but with the way the Huskers played defense last year some of these game should be closer than expected. You have to give Nebraska credit for the VA Tech game. VA Tech has been in the Top-10 consistently over the past decade. That game is certainly a great OOC game. The pass-happy Aggies from NMSU have a legitimate shot at an upset here if the Blackshirts don’t turn it around. Any other year, for Nebraska, Western Michigan and (Do you know your way to) San Jose State would be considered patsies, but Nebraska can’t take any team for granted anymore. Grade: B- (that is all VA Tech)
Oklahoma State – Washington State, Houston, Missouri State, Troy. I must say that this is a reasonable attempt at a challenging OOC schedule. It is not very top heavy with the Cougars of Wash U at the top of the heap, but Houston and Troy are solid teams that will put up a fight. They will run out of gas by the 4th quarter, but they will put up a good fight. Troy may even threaten in the 4th. Not outstanding, but not too bad. Grade: C+
Texas – Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Arkansas, Rice. Texas likes to keep their OOC games close to home with UTEP and Rice. Both of which are bad teams, very bad. When this game was scheduled, I am sure that Florida Atlantic was considered just as bad as UTEP or Rice, but what a difference a few years makes. FAU is not a bad team. Not real good, but not bad. Arkansas is an old SWC rivalry we all miss. This year without McFadden, Texas should be able to handle the Razorbacks easily. I am sure Arkansas will be up for this one. Grade: C (only because FAU has turned it around)
Texas A&M – Arkansas State, New Mexico, Miami, Army. Like Nebraska, there is only one team on this schedule that is of any worth competing with a BCS conference school. New Mexico did shut out Nevada in a bowl that was created just for them last year. Arkansas State is a patsy. Army is a mismatch, but there is Miami. They are talent-laden and needing to make a comeback in a big way. Grade: C- (that is all Miami’s potential)
Missouri – Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, Nevada, Buffalo. Mizzou has scheduled a monster by accident with Illinois. How great was that game last year!?! Nevada is improving, but they still can’t hang with the big boys. SM St and Buffalo are patsies (sorry Turner). Missouri is set up really nice to repeat as the Big 12 North Champs, but it has nothing to do with their OOC scheduling. Grade: D (that is all Illinois)
Iowa State – South Dakota State, Kent State, Iowa, UNLV. Iowa State has not had much of a team for quite a while now. I don’t really blame them for going so soft, but it is disappointing when they can’t even beat the patsies on their schedule. South Dakota State should lose, but nothing is for sure. Iowa should win, but the Hawkeyes are having problems with the law in Iowa City. UNLV and Kent State have legitamate shots at getting a win over a BCS conference opponent here with ISU. ISU did come on strong at the end of last season, but there is no indication that they will carry that momentum into this year. Grade: D
Kansas – Florida International, Louisiana Tech, South Florida, Sam Houston State. Kansas tried really hard not to schedule any real tests OOC, but they got unlucky with South Florida. I guess 3-4 isn’t too bad. I will all but guarantee you that when South Florida was added to the schedule, they had never been ranked #2 in the country. Neither was Kansas. They both had spectacular years last year and I will be looking forward to this game. La Tech can score a bit, but they are still a patsy along with Sam Houston State and FIU. FIU is the only Florida team to get a bad rap from me. Grade: D- (dumb luck getting South Florida on the OOC schedule.)
Kansas State – North Texas, Montana State, Louisville, Louisiana-Lafayette. Louisville without Brian Brohm is no good at all. They proved that last year’s pre-season hype was just that. All these teams are patsies this year. K-State should change their mascot from the Wildcats to the Scaredycats. North Texas is ok sometimes. With the way Louisville played defense last year, KSU has a legit shot to get an OOC win over a BCS opponent. Grade: F
Texas Tech – Eastern Washington, Nevada, Southern Methodist, Massachusetts. Congratulations! We have a winner! The Red Raiders have managed to win the patsy lottery in their OOC scheduling. They were the only team to manage to avoid another BCS conference team and not get unlucky enough to get a team that has any potential at having a good season. The best team, by far, is Nevada. PEA-YOU!! This is very disappointing because they will have a great season and contend for the Big 12 this year. They will have to defend a constant onslaught of criticism over their OOC schedule. It serves them right. I am acutally getting physically ill looking at their OOC schedule. I'm going to go barf now. Grade: F-
