🏈 SEC 2012: Who has the weakest out of conference schedule?

[TerryP]

Which SEC team wins the "RTB Annual Rent Some Wins" award for 2012?

As fans of the Crimson Tide, we've been in a unique situation the last few years. Even with some of us complaining about our weaker opponents on each years' schedule we've been fortunate to face some quality out of conference (OOC) teams to start our seasons. This year is no exception when the Tide face the Michigan Wolverines—an anticipated top 10 pre-season AP team—in Dallas to kick off the 2012 season.

As one of those fans, I cringe when I see teams scheduled from the FCS. Do I want BCS conference opponents in each out of conference games? No. I like having a team here and there on our schedule for a number of reasons (and would prefer those teams being from the FBS, at least.) As example, playing Western Carolina the week before Auburn will give our players some much needed rest and recuperation time.

On the same note every year we'll see pundits, rival fans, and in most cases fans of their own team criticize scheduling. I don't see this year as any exception. So, as a pundit and a rival fan I've looked over the OOC schedule for the teams in the SEC and found this year to definitely have its winners—or should we say losers?


Read More Here...

 

[FLTidefan]

Good job Terry. I prefer the model of 1 big name OOC showdown, 2 games against mid level teams, and one bottom feeder. I really enjoy the new "kickoff classic" type games. I think they bring an extra level of buzz and exposure to the program that benefits the whole University.

 

[Mr. Pink]

Good stuff Terry. I think I would have to agree with you on MSU's OOC schedule. I also, like most people here, enjoy the big games to start the season. It's been said before that talent can win you those early games before the team has a chance to "gel"... that plus the fact that we have that guy named Saban has lead us to 2 (soon to be 3) opening day wins against top 10 teams. If we had lost those games we may be singing a different tune, but as long as we're winning them i really really like them lol

 

[TerryP]

Good stuff Terry. I think I would have to agree with you on MSU's OOC schedule. I also, like most people here, enjoy the big games to start the season. It's been said before that talent can win you those early games before the team has a chance to "gel"... that plus the fact that we have that guy named Saban has lead us to 2 (soon to be 3) opening day wins against top 10 teams. If we had lost those games we may be singing a different tune, but as long as we're winning them i really really like them lol

That's an interesting point...one I'm going to start another thread on in just a second.

One thing I have to say in MSU's defense. It's one thing for a school like MSU to have two FCS teams on your schedule. At least they aren't doing it in back-to-back season ala Clemson when we faced them to start the season a few years ago.

I have to give A&M a pass, sort of, by scheduling another FCS school when they joined the SEC. But, Arkansas DID manage to find a FBS opponent.

I noticed yesterday that there were a few teams that were playing SEC teams but had horrible OOC schedules. Did they schedule the SEC team because of the point they are in the SEC?

Ole Miss has Texas this year. You would think that would look good for Texas until you see they scheduled New Mexico and Wyoming as well. New Mexico jumped out at me because it was one of the teams I talked about last year, around this time. NM played Arkansas last year, remember? It was a game I said, sarcastically (imagine that,) "that'll prepare you for meeting Alabama in Tuscaloosa" to the 'Backs fans I know. Now, this is the same New Mexico that lost to Sam Houston last year. The same Sam Houston you'll find on A&M's schedule this year. The same A&M that has two FCS teams on their schedule this year.

Does Texas get love from the Absolutely Pathetic pollsters to start the season?

I gave A&M some credit because they were forced to scramble as I mentioned earlier. Begrudgingly, I suppose I have to give the same "pass" to Florida State. They have two FCS teams on their schedule but they were also forced to replace West Virginia. BUT, I doubt we'll see the aforementioned AP pollsters taking anything away from them. They'll get a top 10 nod.

 

[Max]

Kentucky:

I'd be blue, and probably tempted to smoke a little grass as well, if I had the wealth of "rent-a-wins" common to some SEC teams like the Wildcats do for 2012.

Kentucky is having a hard time finding success on the football field. They'd have what some Wildcat fans would see as a semi-successful season if they were able to get through their OOC schedule undefeated, grab two conference wins, and make a bowl game to close the season.

They face in-state rival Louisville to open the season followed by Kent State and the Hilltoppers from Western Kentucky. Their strength of schedule certainly isn't boosted when Samford calls the week before Tennessee.

With the exception of two, possibly three games this year, their schedule is truly a joke.

 

[252BAMA]

My ideal schedule would be 9 conference games, 1 Top 40 OOC, 1 Middle 40 OOC, and 1 Bottom 40 OOC. No, none, zilch 1AAs! Of course, Michigan will wish Bama had opened with Appy State this year.

 

[TerryP]

My ideal schedule would be 9 conference games, 1 Top 40 OOC, 1 Middle 40 OOC, and 1 Bottom 40 OOC. No, none, zilch 1AAs! Of course, Michigan will wish Bama had opened with Appy State this year.

That all depends on the year. It sounds good now, sure.

If you put a Florida team on our schedule playing like a Florida team should, as well as a strong UT, UGA, etc., we don't want that top 40 OOC. We'd never make it through November healthy. No team in the SEC would.

 

[TerryP]

:02.47-tranquillity: