The top 10 softest Power-5 non-conference schedules in 2015

Fox Sports ^ | August 3, 2015 | Bruce Feldman

[C19fan]

Last week's Top 10 was about 2015's toughest non-conference schedules in college football. Time to examine who has the softest non-conference schedules among Power 5 conference teams. A caveat: Since some teams play three non-conference games and others play four, I assigned a point system to try and put each in context. The system is as such: Teams merit 5 points if I think they'll be Top-5 caliber; 4.5 if its Top 15; 4 if they're Top 25 caliber; 3.5 is Top 40ish; 3 is Top 60; 2.5 is Top 80, 2 is Top 100; 1 for the bottom of FBS; 0.5 is a winning FCS program and 0 for losing FCS program. I also gave a bonus 0.5 if it's a road game and 0.25 if it's a neutral site game.

[C19fan]

K-State has always played cupcakes one of the few exceptions when Auburn paid a visit to Manhattan last season. Miss State was frankly not a very good program until recently so a lot of their cupcakes were probably scheduled years ago. Baylor has played nothing but joke programs outside the Big 12 = 10. They need to schedule up if they want a place in the playoffs. Just a Colorado Buffalo has been in terminal decline since Gary Barnett was forced out their non-conference schedule is now in the toilet. When I was a fan during the McCartney thru Barnett years they would play powerhouse non-conference games including Michigan, Texas during the SWC days, U-Tenn, etc. That was one of the reasons I rooted for the Buffs including having the best mascot in all sports.

[The Iceman Cometh]

Baylor has played nothing but joke programs outside the Big 12 = 10

As a Boise State fan having followed the program for a while, scheduling quality out of conference teams is certainly a difficult task as usually there is nothing in it for the supposedly superior team.

Home and home schedules usually don't work as the larger teams are not financially awarded with the smaller venues that these teams often offer. Also, the larger schools have a lot to lose if they are beaten by these up and coming teams.

[tumblindice]

So how’s that whole Pac 12 thing working out for your Boofalos?

Pacific-12 Conference (2011–present)
2011 Jon Embree 3–10 2–7 T-5th (South)
2012 Jon Embree 1–11 1–8 6th (South)
2013 Mike MacIntyre 4–8 1–8 6th (South)
2014 Mike MacIntyre 2–10 0–9 6th (South)

Not so good huh? Every division needs cupcakes, good luck with that.

[Stevenc131]

Most major schools try to schedule at least 7 regular season home games for financial reasons. Powerhouse schools demand home-and-home games, meaning you’re looking at scheduling another away game to get a good team at home.

Much easier to pay N. Dakota State or Murray State to come to your place and take a beating rather than trying to work out a deal with ‘Bama, Michigan, FSU, Oklahoma etc while trying to play a full conference schedule and still have 7 home games.

[FlJoePa]

Hard to believe PSU isn't in the top 5. The schedule (especially the home schedule) is the worst I've seen in 45 years. 5 home games in a row? Against THAT?

I long for the independent days when we had ND, Nebraska, Bama, BC, WVU, Pitt, etc. on the schedule every year.

[demshateGod]

I’m an Oklahoma State alum. Despite being unranked we have hopes for this season. Our lousy non-conf is going to hurt if we do run the table. Gundy has said many times he only wants to play home games against cupcakes during the non-conf season. He cites Alabama for their 4 cupcake non-conf games they play every year. However, Alabama plays a brutal conference season and has to win a conference title game.

The other side of that: I’m currently a KU student and we’re looking at a winless season. We play 3 upstarts who combined to go 27-13 last year. Not great, but daunting when you’re used to beating teams like 5-7 SE Missouri State by 1 touchdown at home.

[DoodleDawg]

The other side of that: I’m currently a KU student and we’re looking at a winless season.

Nice to know that some things never change.

[C19fan]

I understand what you are saying but schedule a powerhouse but double or triple the ticket prices to make up the difference for losing home game in a home and home schedule. How much more are fans would be willing to pay to see Michigan come to town than [Insert Directional] State U?

[dfwgator]

Meanwhile, for the 25th straight year, Florida will not play a non-conference game outside of the State of Florida.

[demshateGod]

Hey, at least we proved this summer we’re the best basketball team in the world./sarc

[demshateGod]

I am so ready for college football season.

[DoodleDawg]

Hey, at least we proved this summer we’re the best basketball team in the world./sarc

My team opens against William Jewell so I'm not one to talk. I'm mildly surprised they didn't rustle up a Division III team to start the season against.