Rate the 2012 Strength (difficulty) of schedule

Same format as ranking the 2011 schedule.

If 10 is the hardest schedule we've ever faced, then it's a fairly low ceiling. If 10 was something like the strongest existing schedule of any team this year, then I'd put us around 3-4

The 2012 schedule difficulty is similar to the 2010 schedule:



at Utah (2010) = at Utah (2012)

at FSU (2010) = at GA Tech (2012)

at TCU (2010) = at Notre Dame (2012)

Washington (2010) = Washington St. (2012)

Nevada (2010) = Oregon St. (2012)

at USU, SDSU, Wyoming, UNLV, at CSU, New Mexico (2010) similar to USU, Hawaii, at NMSU, at SJSU, Idaho, Weber St. (2012)



The differences: at Boise St. (2012) is more difficult than at Air Force (2010) and Weber State (2012) is likely less difficult than one of the above-mentioned MWC (2010) games.



Luckily, this year's BYU team should play better than their 2010 counterparts. 9-3 or even 10-2 is much more doable than the 6-6 record in 2010.

YNot wrote:
The 2012 schedule difficulty is similar to the 2010 schedule:



at Utah (2010) = at Utah (2012)

at FSU (2010) = at GA Tech (2012)

at TCU (2010) = at Notre Dame (2012)

Washington (2010) = Washington St. (2012)

Nevada (2010) = Oregon St. (2012)

at USU, SDSU, Wyoming, UNLV, at CSU, New Mexico (2010) similar to USU, Hawaii, at NMSU, at SJSU, Idaho, Weber St. (2012)



The differences: at Boise St. (2012) is more difficult than at Air Force (2010) and Weber State (2012) is likely less difficult than one of the above-mentioned MWC (2010) games.



Luckily, this year's BYU team should play better than their 2010 counterparts. 9-3 or even 10-2 is much more doable than the 6-6 record in 2010.

I was right there with you until you just blew off the BSU difference,



Here is what is and is not important.



It does not matter whether one year had the #1 team in the country on the road and the other year had #10 on the road. You are almost certain to lose either way.



It does not matter if cupcake Weber State had more frosting than cupcake New Mexico. You are almost certain to win either way.



What does matter is how many opponents you play that will be expected to beat you and how many other games you play where you Re favored, but only slightly.



2012 has at least one more expected loss and at least as many close calls.



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Cougarbib2 wrote:
I was right there with you until you just blew off the BSU difference,



Here is what is and is not important.



It does not matter whether one year had the #1 team in the country on the road and the other year had #10 on the road. You are almost certain to lose either way.



It does not matter if cupcake Weber State had more frosting than cupcake New Mexico. You are almost certain to win either way.



What does matter is how many opponents you play that will be expected to beat you and how many other games you play where you Re favored, but only slightly.



2012 has at least one more expected loss and at least as many close calls.

I wasn't trying to blow off the Boise State game and the 2012 Boise game gets the nod over 2010 Air Force. However, with hindsight, it's obvious that the 2010 pre-season expectations were very blue-goggled and the 2010 schedule was much tougher than expected.



In the end, 2010 TCU and Nevada each won 13 games and 2010 Florida State and Utah each won 10 games. 2010 Air Force and San Diego State each won 9 games. When was the last time BYU's schedule had 6 teams that won 9 games? (most had wins against BYU to bolster their records, but you get my point).



Comparing AFA 2010 and Boise 2012, Boise is the more difficult opponent, but not by a huge margin. The 2010 Air Force team finished 9-4 and won the Independence Bowl over Georgia Tech. They were ranked briefly during the season and lost AT Oklahoma by a field goal and AT 9-win San Diego State by two points and stayed competitive against 10-win Utah. Whereas 2012 Boise State is rebuilding somewhat - replacing central pieces to its offense (QB, RB, and WR).

7



We don't have a single game where anyone can say there is no way we win. However, all of our good games are on the road so yeah it'll be pretty tough. I'd love to see us break out and become road warriors this season!