I don’t buy the SOS issue because every team out there is playing 3 cupcakes in their non-conference. SEC gets an extra non-conference game to play a real opponent due to only have 8 conference games.
Not every team out there... First 2 I checked:
OSU opens with Texas.
Oregon, plays Oregon St and OK St
Like I said, I think the "ideal" is 1 P5 opponent (doesn't have to be high level, but a UVA, UK or LVille to me would be great), 1 weaker in state and 1 cupcake. And, if it has to be 3 cupcakes, so be it, but if we're having a "Bowl/playoff-worthy year" we're still going 3-0 vs what I'm proposing 9 out of 10 times. My gripe is ducking UVA entirely and paying out of pocket to do so. Live with it and it's probably a W anyway, then adjust as needed. I think the bad press is what's not worth it. Just my opinion.
Yes, I should have just said most.
With 9 conference games, our SOS is going to line up with most teams just fine.
I see what you're saying. I'd rather not duck games either. I don't think paying out of pocket is a big deal because apparently they'll probably make that up and more with a home game.
IU’s stupid non-conference scheduling cost them a bowl berth in 2013. There was no reason to play Navy AND Missouri.
Then we shouldn't have scheduled it. Lville may have been prior to SD, but I believe he agreed to UVA. I've not looked, but I'd guess TX didn't agree to only an away game vs OSU, so I think OSU will be going there as well. I guessed I'd be fighting an uphill battle, but on the heels of ducking Lville, and being chided for our schedule, doing it again is a bad look and unncessary, imo. Only 1 way to get better, I believe, and it's not by playing more cupcakes. If we are ever going to take a step beyond hoping we make the CFP, to actually beating someone, I don't believe Kennesaw St helps us, where going on the road @ UVA or some other P5 school probably does.
Then we shouldn't have scheduled it. Lville may have been prior to SD, but I believe he agreed to UVA. I've not looked, but I'd guess TX didn't agree to only an away game vs OSU, so I think OSU will be going there as well. I guessed I'd be fighting an uphill battle, but on the heels of ducking Lville, and being chided for our schedule, doing it again is a bad look and unncessary, imo. Only 1 way to get better, I believe, and it's not by playing more cupcakes. If we are ever going to take a step beyond hoping we make the CFP, to actually beating someone, I don't believe Kennesaw St helps us, where going on the road @ UVA or some other P5 school probably does.
I imagine the committee will eventually make an example out of IU and leave them out based on this. The narrative has already been set and it will be harped on repeatedly year after year (at least until the playoffs are revamped/expanded again).
Most B1G teams do in fact have P5 pre-con opponents next year and in coming years. Pretty sure IU is the only one without a single pre-con P5 opponent over the next 6 years (until 2031 and ND IF we even keep that one).
I understand IU is one of, if not the, worst teams in NCAA history but not a big fan of this look or the thinking we need to be in the tournament every single year.
ND starts in 2030 but your point stands. Maybe not playing UVA hurts us with the committee if we're on the edge for the last spot. That game can cut both ways though. Whatever, I've blabbed enough about that.
I'm more worried about the big game performance narrative with the committee. I'm not sure it's fair, it doesn't get harder than @OSU and @ND, but it's out there for folks who don't like our story. @Oregon and @PSU will be important. If we're not competitive in those two games, 10-2 may not cut it.
Of course we might go 8-4 and none of this matters and we can cross this bridge if we get to it, but just something that's out there if we have another very good season.
One game at a time, including the non-conferences.
IU doesn't owe an explanation to anyone!
9 B1G games means your schedule is as good as anyone.
We should have either 7 or 8 home games every year like all the " big name" football schools play.
Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina all lost 25% of their regular season games. 25%!!! Not one of them deserved to be in the CFP.
Put this tired narrative to rest.
