College Football Teams That Could Be Hurt By Hard Schedules

[scott715]

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Last year, BYU’s weak schedule precluded them from the national discussion. This year, does any team have a tougher first four games than at Nebraska, Boise State, at UCLA, at Michigan? The Cougars also have November road trips to Missouri and Utah State, both double-digit winners in 2014.

[hawkwing]

Actually BYU had a great deal of national discussion before going on a 4 game losing skid.

[byucougar1]

Let's not forget the Taysom for Heisman talk and the thought that if BYU continued wining games they were the most likely non-P5 team to play on New Years day. The injury to Hill and beat down by USU dashed hopes of those dreams. I believe we all collectively went into a funk watching the national attention and much-hyped season go up in flames.

The 2015 schedule by far puts BYU up for the same consideration or at least a better game/opponent than the Miami Bowl should they run the table or even finish with 2 losses. This year will be a challenge but I think we have a very good chance to get some attention should Hill and Williams stay injury free as well as the team and hopefully a much improved D with Bronco's more active involvement.

Of note was Bronco's comment that when he turned the D over to Howell he effectively removed a coach from helping out so that the team was somewhat short-handed. This understanding plus the fact that the D wasn't assignment sound even before the slew of injuries meant that the team was only as successful as the play of the QB and offense in general.

[Cougs_Rule]

Thanks to all the posts. You put more politely what I have been hacking about to some of you schedule freaks.
BYU had plenty of attention last year with a moderate schedule. They were rolling on the love. The likelihood of the second four games going undefeated vs the first four games were significantly higher. The pathway was totally there. BYU had NY6 ALLLLLL OVER IT!! And there was even some talk of busting the playoff. And even though that may not have happened and we would have been screaming, like Baylor, like TCU, BYU would have been right there. They didn't need 6-7 P5 games!!!
And now, BYU could be significantly hurt by their tough schedule!! Oh, but that's right we get to play all the big boys to prove that we just aren't that good the whole season long. Wait, we proved that last year too. Moderation, pretenders, moderation.

[YNot]

BYU had a clear path to the NY6 last year. Wins over Texas, Houston, and Virginia were enough to get the conversation going. Those were not world beaters, but respectable enough names. Wins over Utah St., UCF, Boise St., and Cal would have likely landed BYU into the NY6 - assuming BYU finished undefeated.

The issue with the 2014-type schedules is that BYU is out of the conversation as soon as they lose. With a schedule that includes Nebraska, Michigan, UCLA, Missouri, and Boise St. (and Utah St., Fresno St., Cincinnati, and ECU), it gives BYU a little cushion.

Ole Miss and Arizona ranked in the top-10 and thus were selected for NY6 bowls in 2014 with THREE losses. Michigan St. and Mississippi St. had TWO losses. With improved schedules, BYU will not need to be perfect. (to reach the CFP, however, is a different story).

The 2014 BY6 bowl set up had the most at large availability of the 3-year cycle. Things will be tighter after the 2015 and 2016 seasons. But, with the better schedules, BYU can afford a loss, and may be even two if the cards fall right, and still end up in the NY6.

The other issue with 2014-type schedules is that attendance goes down. That is not good for BYU in any shape or form. Whether BYU appears to be over-scheduling or not, it's what Cougar Nation has asked for, and TH is delivering.

[byucougar1]

One other benefit of the hard/challenging scheduling across the country vs P5 teams is that the recruiting net has become wider and very attractive to recruits for exposure. As a recruit, who wouldn't want the opportunity to regularly be seen on an ESPN affiliate against NE, MO, UCLA, etc. that's big-time football and a chance to see how you stack up against well known teams. As an Independent, not only is BYU now recognized as a P5 team by P10, B12, SEC and ACC, but BYU has shown continued improvement in their recruiting and was able to land some very talented players in 2015:

1. Mid-year transfers: FS Eric Takenaka (JUCO All-American Snow College) - likely starter, RB Squally Canada (Washington State, 4-star recruit in HS), and likely San Jose (Calif.) City College safety Khari Vanderbilt (rumored to attend if grade situation clears up).
2. 17 players of the 21 players recruited rated three or four stars, including four-star prospects Mika Tafua (6-3, 225, OLB), Kieffer Longson (6-7, 295, OL)and Dayan Lake (5-11, 190, DB).

Personally, I like the difficult schedule and believe it will pay off in bringing credibility to the school if BYU is able to garner success.

[Cougs_Rule]

I don't see how you can draw this conclusion, that one, overall recruiting has improved; And two, that if it has, it is as a result of an "improved" schedule. Sorry, I'm not buying your argument. I'm happy for the good recruits. But we've seen other "good" recruiting classes like this sprinkled a few four stars.

[Cougs_Rule]

BYU had a clear path to the NY6 last year. Wins over Texas, Houston, and Virginia were enough to get the conversation going. Those were not world beaters, but respectable enough names. Wins over Utah St., UCF, Boise St., and Cal would have likely landed BYU into the NY6 - assuming BYU finished undefeated.

The issue with the 2014-type schedules is that BYU is out of the conversation as soon as they lose. With a schedule that includes Nebraska, Michigan, UCLA, Missouri, and Boise St. (and Utah St., Fresno St., Cincinnati, and ECU), it gives BYU a little cushion.

Ole Miss and Arizona ranked in the top-10 and thus were selected for NY6 bowls in 2014 with THREE losses. Michigan St. and Mississippi St. had TWO losses. With improved schedules, BYU will not need to be perfect. (to reach the CFP, however, is a different story).

The 2014 BY6 bowl set up had the most at large availability of the 3-year cycle. Things will be tighter after the 2015 and 2016 seasons. But, with the better schedules, BYU can afford a loss, and may be even two if the cards fall right, and still end up in the NY6.

The other issue with 2014-type schedules is that attendance goes down. That is not good for BYU in any shape or form. Whether BYU appears to be over-scheduling or not, it's what Cougar Nation has asked for, and TH is delivering.

If BYU is undefeated or even one loss, attendance is just fine, even vs SavState. Four losses in a row destroyed fan interest. Just WIN!

[byucougar1]

If one looks at the geographical composition of the recruits since the major coaching change with addition of Anae, 2J, Atuaia, and our WR coach, we have made inroads into TX, improved our numbers in Cali, WA, and even states outside our normal range: GA, MS, KS, OK. With the hiring of the new strength and conditioning coach (Wintrich sp?) and director of player personnel (Anderson), even greater inroads into the south and shoring up of UT is expected. Exposure in playing at different venues and being on TV has helped as has influence of former players who are now coaching across the country in recommending BYU to their players. While the results on the field have not yet met our expectations, there has been steady improvement in the quality of the players that BYU can now attract. They are now working on 2-3 deep talent so that injuries do not have such a devastating impact after starters go down. A good portion of these hires and recruits coming to the Y is because of the visible attention BYU is garnering through ESPN and game scheduling. As an out-of-stater, I see more games in person and on TV than at any other time since I started watching them in the early 80s. I'll take more difficult schedule any day because it lends credibility to your record and accomplishments when you can play with the best.

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[scott715]

Perhaps we need to design a program to help former players get high school coaching jobs around the country. That would be very good for the program.

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