(06-03-2015 07:30 PM)Antarius Wrote: (06-03-2015 07:16 PM)owl95 Wrote: Now of course they have the big BCS bowl win against Oklahoma but I feel like since then, they've been getting ducked by the traditional powers during bowl season, including this past year.
BoKnows point would apply IF we were in the process of BCS-busting (or whatever the new phrase is). When we get to the point that the country looks at us the way they did early on for Boise or TCU, then maybe we can talk about why we play UT or Baylor.
Gotta love the enthusiasm though. I'll give BoKnows that.
I guess my overall point is that the schedule is not our limiting factor to being a TCU. When we get to the point where good powerhouses are our ONLY losses, then we can consider it. Regardless, this is our chance to put up a heck of a fight against Texas - Im glad we're playing them.
I agree with you, we need to win all our games against lesser competition. Running the table against our conference mates would be a good start.
However, if you look at Boise St's opponent list, it doesn't look like Boise St ever tried playing two top 10 teams in a season during early non-conference play(like we did last year). Take their undefeated 2006 season ending with the Fiesta Bowl win against Oklahoma.
8/31 vs. Sacramento State (non-IA) W 45 0
9/7 vs. Oregon State (10-4) W 42 14
9/16 @ Wyoming (6-6) W 17 10
9/23 vs. *Hawaii (11-3) W 41 34
9/30 @ Utah (8-5) W 36 3
10/7 vs. *Louisiana Tech (3-10) W 55 14
10/15 @ *New Mexico State (4-8) W 40 28
10/21 @ *Idaho (4-8) W 42 26
11/1 vs. *Fresno State (4-8) W 45 21
11/11 @ *San Jose State (9-4) W 23 20
11/18 vs. *Utah State (1-11) W 49 10
11/25 @ *Nevada (8-5) W 38 7
1/1 vs. Oklahoma (11-3) W 43 42
I see Oregon State. The rest of their regular schedule was like Marshall's last year. I can see why people were truly shocked that they knocked off Oklahoma, because prior to the bowl game I could see people saying that they hadn't really beaten anyone.
We're not Boise St. I'm not delusional. However, I think there is a larger point here that multiple years(we're talking at least a 5 year consecutive string) of gaudy 10,11,12,13 win seasons along with convincing Bowl wins and conference championships WILL move the needle on national perception, no matter the conference or the schedule.
All that being said, I'm still glad we are playing UT and Baylor next season, and I do like the look of our non-conference opponents for the next several years.