http://www.fbschedules.com/2017/05/perfe...ters-2017/

The Perfect Combo: CFB teams with the easiest schedules and most returning starters in 2017

3. MEMPHIS

2017 FBS Schedule Rank: 123

2017 FBS Returning Starter Rank: T25

Like FIU, only three of Memphis’ 2017 opponents went over .500 last season – Navy (9-5), Houston (9-4) and Tulsa (10-3). It is even more noteworthy given the Tigers’ membership in the American Athletic, considered to be a huge step up from C-USA in difficulty.

Memphis is tied for the second-most returning starters in the American. Nine are back on an offense that finished last season ranked No. 14 in the nation in passing. It includes quarterback Riley Ferguson, who was ranked No. 11 in the FBS in both total yards and touchdowns in 2016.

2. USF

2017 FBS Schedule Rank: 124

2017 FBS Returning Starter Rank: T9

USF’s schedule is only one degree easier than fellow American member Memphis’. Where the Tigers’ 2017 slate combined for a 64-84 (42.24%) mark, the Bulls’ went 63-85 (42.57%). Both play only three squads with a winning record in 2016.

USF also returns one additional starter, earning it a tie for the most in the AAC. Of the 16, seven are back on an offensive unit that finished No. 4 in the nation in scoring.

Like Oklahoma, the Bulls also received mention in ESPN’s premature Top 25 – coming in at No. 20. They may have the best combo for success in all of college football in 2017.

Who was number 1?

Miami OHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Never mind - didn't see link - Miami-Ohio

And its really good for the conference that these two teams are in different divisions and wont meet in the regular season.

(05-09-2017 12:36 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  And its really good for the conference that these two teams are in different divisions and wont meet in the regular season.

Indeed. Although, USF should have scheduled at least one team OOC with a hyperlink.

so now were bragging about playing cupcake OOCs? this is gonna really hurt USF if they win out and have nothing to show for it.

No, not bragging about it. Just posting for discussion, and agree this could come back to bite USF and/or Memphis.

Believe USF had another so called Power 5 team scheduled this year (either Mich St or Wisc, can't remember), and the contract got cancelled or moved back in the case of Wisc.

(05-09-2017 02:54 PM)Knights_of_UCF Wrote:  so now were bragging about playing cupcake OOCs? this is gonna really hurt USF if they win out and have nothing to show for it.

If they can get all the way through the conference schedule without a loss, they are a good team, but the power rankers out there won't know that because all they will see is Illinois (not their basketball team), Stony Brook, and San Jose.

(05-09-2017 02:58 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(05-09-2017 02:54 PM)Knights_of_UCF Wrote:  so now were bragging about playing cupcake OOCs? this is gonna really hurt USF if they win out and have nothing to show for it.

If they can get all the way through the conference schedule without a loss, they are a good team, but the power rankers out there won't know that because all they will see is Illinois (not their basketball team), Stony Brook, and San Jose.

definitely agree. USF even got breaks in the conference scheduling -- UH, Cinci, Tulsa all at home, no back to back road games, @uconn early in the season before it gets cold, no memphis.

(05-09-2017 02:58 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  No, not bragging about it. Just posting for discussion, and agree this could come back to bite USF and/or Memphis.

Believe USF had another so called Power 5 team scheduled this year (either Mich St or Wisc, can't remember), and the contract got cancelled or moved back in the case of Wisc.

man that really hurts now. Having a top 10 mich state on the schedule would have really set USF up to break into the top rankings. Most will look at this schedule and just think back to the marshall or ball state runs, even tho imo its unwarranted as AAC is way better than MAC or CUSA.

It would be nice to see last years list and see if benefited anyone

USF better hope the conference produces 2 or 3 ranked teams other than them...... or else even an undefeated season would not be a slam dunk for the Access bowl.

(05-09-2017 03:48 PM)otown Wrote:  USF better hope the conference produces 2 or 3 ranked teams other than them...... or else even an undefeated season would not be a slam dunk for the Access bowl.

I think any undefetead AAC team in any year is a slam dunk for the access bowl

Memphis has a few non-conference cupcakes scheduled, but they do play UCLA.

Usf going undefeated will get the access bowl. I have no doubt of that. We're in most top 25 rankings, in some as high as 10. We have a high profile coach who ESPN loves and potentially a top qb who could end up in Heisman consideration (not that he'd win it, but be in discussion). We're coming off a good season as well beating multiple power 5 teams.

The bigger question is if usf can actually run the table. I highly doubt this. In 2007 usf had 5 games left on the schedule, favored in all of them, and would have been in the national championship game had they run the table. Blew it. Obviously no one here now had any part in that, but I still doubt this team can run the table all season. There will be a slip up somewhere.

Furthermore, an injury to flowers sends the entire season into disarray.

(05-09-2017 03:51 PM)IAH Wrote:  

(05-09-2017 03:48 PM)otown Wrote:  USF better hope the conference produces 2 or 3 ranked teams other than them...... or else even an undefeated season would not be a slam dunk for the Access bowl.

I think any undefetead AAC team in any year is a slam dunk for the access bowl

Correct. Any undefeated AAC is an absolute shoe in for access bowl.

Heck, a 2 loss Navy was on the verge of getting a NY6 bid over an undefeated Western Michigan last year, before losing to Army.

(05-09-2017 03:52 PM)BullsBEAST Wrote:  Usf going undefeated will get the access bowl. I have no doubt of that. We're in most top 25 rankings, in some as high as 10. We have a high profile coach who ESPN loves and potentially a top qb who could end up in Heisman consideration (not that he'd win it, but be in discussion). We're coming off a good season as well beating multiple power 5 teams.

The bigger question is if usf can actually run the table. I highly doubt this. In 2007 usf had 5 games left on the schedule, favored in all of them, and would have been in the national championship game had they run the table. Blew it. Obviously no one here now had any part in that, but I still doubt this team can run the table all season. There will be a slip up somewhere.

Furthermore, an injury to flowers sends the entire season into disarray.

Into disarray? No. I really liked what I saw out of Kean and Oladokun this spring. Back into the pack, sure, but not disarray.

(05-09-2017 04:00 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(05-09-2017 03:51 PM)IAH Wrote:  

(05-09-2017 03:48 PM)otown Wrote:  USF better hope the conference produces 2 or 3 ranked teams other than them...... or else even an undefeated season would not be a slam dunk for the Access bowl.

I think any undefetead AAC team in any year is a slam dunk for the access bowl

Correct. Any undefeated AAC is an absolute shoe in for access bowl.

Heck, a 2 loss Navy was on the verge of getting a NY6 bid over an undefeated Western Michigan last year, before losing to Army.

It still depends on the landscape. It would be a long shot, but there are a couple of teams that would probably trump if they also had undefeated seasons.

Let me say now, LOUD AND CLEAR, that I AM NOT SAYING these teams have a better shot at going undefeated than USF. We've all seen their schedule, and they win the weakest schedule ever award.

However, these teams (if also undefeated) would probably get the bid over USF, just because of stronger scheduling.

San Diego State (Arizona State and Stanford)
Navy (FAU, Air Force, Notre Dame, Army)
Colorado State (Oregon State, Colorado, Alabama(just sayin))
Fresno State (Alabama(just sayin), Washington, BYU)
UL-Monroe (Memphis, Florida State, Auburn)

Also didn't include the rest of the AAC East, or the AAC West teams that USF plays, because they can't be undefeated at the same time as USF, despite all having tougher schedules.

You really put fau, air force and army as evidence that navy has a difficult schedule?