OT: Do you think tOSU has a creampuff schedule?

[Rambler Fan of NU Football]

A while ago on The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul really got into it with Alabama super fan Phyllis from Mulga over Ohio State's schedule. Phyllis has been arguing that Ohio State has an easier path to the College Football Playoff than her Crimson Tide and other teams in the SEC West. Granted, tOSU as a member of the Big Ten East Division has to play their six divisional opponents no matter what. And we probably all agree that the SEC West is better top-to-bottom than the Big Ten East. To tOSU's credit, they went to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. I don't know how the Big Ten determines that Minnesota and Illinois are Ohio State's Big Ten West opponents, but the Buckeyes obviously avoid Wisconsin, Nebraska, and us. They also have Hawai'i, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan as the rest of their non-conference opponents. That is not entirely strong, even though we know that NIU is no pushover. Furthermore, doesn't Ohio State's 2015 schedule fit the upcoming criteria for non-conference scheduling: At least one team from a power conference plus no FCS teams?

For his part, Finebaum defended Ohio State. He thinks Phyllis and her fellow Bama fans are too obsessed over the Buckeyes' schedule.

 

[NJCat83588]

A while ago on The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul really got into it with Alabama super fan Phyllis from Mulga over Ohio State's schedule. Phyllis has been arguing that Ohio State has an easier path to the College Football Playoff than her Crimson Tide and other teams in the SEC West. Granted, tOSU as a member of the Big Ten East Division has to play their six divisional opponents no matter what. And we probably all agree that the SEC West is better top-to-bottom than the Big Ten East. To tOSU's credit, they went to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. I don't know how the Big Ten determines that Minnesota and Illinois are Ohio State's Big Ten West opponents, but the Buckeyes obviously avoid Wisconsin, Nebraska, and us. They also have Hawai'i, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan as the rest of their non-conference opponents. That is not entirely strong, even though we know that NIU is no pushover. Furthermore, doesn't Ohio State's 2015 schedule fit the upcoming criteria for non-conference scheduling: At least one team from a power conference plus no FCS teams?

For his part, Finebaum defended Ohio State. He thinks Phyllis and her fellow Bama fans are too obsessed over the Buckeyes' schedule.

The SEC is better top to bottom (or below OSU to bottom) than the Big 10. But the best team from the SEC will go to the playoffs, irrespective of how many conference losses they have. And most of the SEC teams play easier OOC schedules than Big 10 teams.

 

[Seattle_Cat]

A while ago on The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul really got into it with Alabama super fan Phyllis from Mulga over Ohio State's schedule. Phyllis has been arguing that Ohio State has an easier path to the College Football Playoff than her Crimson Tide and other teams in the SEC West. Granted, tOSU as a member of the Big Ten East Division has to play their six divisional opponents no matter what. And we probably all agree that the SEC West is better top-to-bottom than the Big Ten East. To tOSU's credit, they went to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. I don't know how the Big Ten determines that Minnesota and Illinois are Ohio State's Big Ten West opponents, but the Buckeyes obviously avoid Wisconsin, Nebraska, and us. They also have Hawai'i, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan as the rest of their non-conference opponents. That is not entirely strong, even though we know that NIU is no pushover. Furthermore, doesn't Ohio State's 2015 schedule fit the upcoming criteria for non-conference scheduling: At least one team from a power conference plus no FCS teams?

For his part, Finebaum defended Ohio State. He thinks Phyllis and her fellow Bama fans are too obsessed over the Buckeyes' schedule.

They did luck out schedule wise this season as far as the BIG portion of it goes.

The SEC is notorious for scheduling OOC cream puffs, though.

 

[hdhntr1]

A while ago on The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul really got into it with Alabama super fan Phyllis from Mulga over Ohio State's schedule. Phyllis has been arguing that Ohio State has an easier path to the College Football Playoff than her Crimson Tide and other teams in the SEC West. Granted, tOSU as a member of the Big Ten East Division has to play their six divisional opponents no matter what. And we probably all agree that the SEC West is better top-to-bottom than the Big Ten East. To tOSU's credit, they went to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. I don't know how the Big Ten determines that Minnesota and Illinois are Ohio State's Big Ten West opponents, but the Buckeyes obviously avoid Wisconsin, Nebraska, and us. They also have Hawai'i, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan as the rest of their non-conference opponents. That is not entirely strong, even though we know that NIU is no pushover. Furthermore, doesn't Ohio State's 2015 schedule fit the upcoming criteria for non-conference scheduling: At least one team from a power conference plus no FCS teams?

For his part, Finebaum defended Ohio State. He thinks Phyllis and her fellow Bama fans are too obsessed over the Buckeyes' schedule.

She might be right for this year. But you can only play the games on the schedule.

 

[St_Henry_Buckeye]

I heard that call. She sounded like she was drunk or just whacked out of her mind.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

A while ago on The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul really got into it with Alabama super fan Phyllis from Mulga over Ohio State's schedule. Phyllis has been arguing that Ohio State has an easier path to the College Football Playoff than her Crimson Tide and other teams in the SEC West. Granted, tOSU as a member of the Big Ten East Division has to play their six divisional opponents no matter what. And we probably all agree that the SEC West is better top-to-bottom than the Big Ten East. To tOSU's credit, they went to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. I don't know how the Big Ten determines that Minnesota and Illinois are Ohio State's Big Ten West opponents, but the Buckeyes obviously avoid Wisconsin, Nebraska, and us. They also have Hawai'i, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan as the rest of their non-conference opponents. That is not entirely strong, even though we know that NIU is no pushover. Furthermore, doesn't Ohio State's 2015 schedule fit the upcoming criteria for non-conference scheduling: At least one team from a power conference plus no FCS teams?

For his part, Finebaum defended Ohio State. He thinks Phyllis and her fellow Bama fans are too obsessed over the Buckeyes' schedule.

OSU can't control how good the rest of the conference is. The part of the schedule they could control is similar to Alabama. The reminder of Alabama's OCC schedule is Middle Tennesee, Louisiana -Monroe and Charleston Southern. Hardly murderers row. They make this argument every year. How did the SEC do in bowl games last year? 3 teams came ranked in top 10 prior to bowl game. Results? Loss to Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC teams. LSU and Auburn lost to ND and Whisky and a certain 5-7 Big 10 team defeated both. Prove it on the field!

 

[NJCat83588]

I heard that call. She sounded like she was drunk or just whacked out of her mind.

Probably both. She is legendary in the SEC.

 

[shakes3858]

The SEC thinks that the only conference that matters is the SEC. They seem to have some respect for the Big 12 and the PAC 12, but the Big Ten sucks in their opinion. While I know the Big Ten has taken it on the chin lately, I don't see how you can say Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Arkansas are that much better than Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska. I get that they're all ranked, but the rankings are based on an SEC bias.

 

[pawildcat]

The schedules are made well ahead of time before anyone knows how good these teams will be. Remember all the hype about the B1G East being this super division after the bowl season? The problem with that view is that is assumed a return to power by Penn State and Michigan, which first-week results indicate might not happen this year. If Ohio State was playing the Penn State and Michigan programs of past years, they'd have a very strong schedule. As it is now, while the B1G East has two strong teams at the top, the West actually looks to be a better-balanced division overall to me.

 

[NJCat83588]

The schedules are made well ahead of time before anyone knows how good these teams will be. Remember all the hype about the B1G East being this super division after the bowl season? The problem with that view is that is assumed a return to power by Penn State and Michigan, which first-week results indicate might not happen this year. If Ohio State was playing the Penn State and Michigan programs of past years, they'd have a very strong schedule. As it is now, while the B1G East has two strong teams at the top, the West actually looks to be a better-balanced division overall to me.

Bielema and Arkansas shouldn't whine. The Razorbacks play UTEP, Toledo, Texas Tech and UT Martin, all home games. At least OSU played @Virginia Tech. SEC OOC schedules are usually a joke. And I'd argue Vandy and Purdue are about the same at the bottom of the conferences. The problem is apart from OSU and MSU the Big 10 is weaker throughout the middle of the conference than is the SEC. But in terms of getting to the playoff, the best SEC team will advance.

 

[NUCat320]

The SEC is notorious for scheduling OOC cream puffs, though.

Like Wisconsin.

Many SEC schools have a tough out of conference rivalry game, too, so they're locked into nine in conference and a tenth tough one.

Florida plays FSU, Georgia plays GaTech. South Carolina plays Clemson. Actually, maybe that's the extent of it. (Kentucky has Louisville, too, but it's arguable that that matters.)

Nice thing is schedule talk matters much less this year, assuming OSU urinates all over Bama again, or even if they don't.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Ohio State is in another league! My guess is they win by 20 points each BT game!

 

[NURoseBowl]

Ohio State is in another league! My guess is they win by 20 points each BT game!

Wouldn't be shocked if this came close to happening. Does anybody here - even those with SEC leanings - honestly believe that Ohio State wouldn't roll through the SEC West, losing no more than one game (if even that)? I can dislike the Buckeyes 'til the cows come home - and I do. There are a lot of reasons OSU is so dominant, many of which don't reflect well on the conference and have been thoroughly discussed here on the boards . . . but scheduling ain't one of them. The Buckeyes would be favored in Tuscaloosa, and rightly so.

 

[NJCat83588]

Does anybody here - even those with SEC leanings - honestly believe that Ohio State wouldn't roll through the SEC West, losing no more than one game (if even that)?

I don't. I could see them slipping up in 1 road game, but I doubt any SEC team goes undefeated. And OSU would thump anyone from the SEC East in the title game. OSU is in a different class from everyone else in college football right now.

 

[phatcat]

A while ago on The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul really got into it with Alabama super fan Phyllis from Mulga over Ohio State's schedule. Phyllis has been arguing that Ohio State has an easier path to the College Football Playoff than her Crimson Tide and other teams in the SEC West. Granted, tOSU as a member of the Big Ten East Division has to play their six divisional opponents no matter what. And we probably all agree that the SEC West is better top-to-bottom than the Big Ten East. To tOSU's credit, they went to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. I don't know how the Big Ten determines that Minnesota and Illinois are Ohio State's Big Ten West opponents, but the Buckeyes obviously avoid Wisconsin, Nebraska, and us. They also have Hawai'i, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan as the rest of their non-conference opponents. That is not entirely strong, even though we know that NIU is no pushover. Furthermore, doesn't Ohio State's 2015 schedule fit the upcoming criteria for non-conference scheduling: At least one team from a power conference plus no FCS teams?

For his part, Finebaum defended Ohio State. He thinks Phyllis and her fellow Bama fans are too obsessed over the Buckeyes' schedule.

For the sake of defending the conference, even if it is our loud, annoying, brash, big brother who lives in a Mcmansion, wears gold jewelry, drives Hummers, etc (dOSU)

a) the SEC has focused their previous B1G scorn on discrediting dOSU. No mention of 10 SEC teams being ranked for no particular reason. b) yes their schedule is easier than a typical SEC school. c) NIU is a couple of years removed from big time bowl action d) SEC tends to try to self-fulfill their greatness. "we beat an SEC team!" or "yeah we lost but it was to an SEC team". Look for that after the grovel-fest LSU and MSU hold this weeekend. e) MSU is legit, but the SEC won't admit it. Doesn't seem to matter how many 11 game win seasons they have f) finally, the main reason dOSU's schedule is easier than many others is...they don't have to play dOSU. Using their logic, Rutgers has a more difficult schedule than OSU because they have to play dOSU and don't get to play Rutgers. and so on.

 

[hdhntr1]

Bielema and Arkansas shouldn't whine. The Razorbacks play UTEP, Toledo, Texas Tech and UT Martin, all home games. At least OSU played @Virginia Tech. SEC OOC schedules are usually a joke. And I'd argue Vandy and Purdue are about the same at the bottom of the conferences. The problem is apart from OSU and MSU the Big 10 is weaker throughout the middle of the conference than is the SEC. But in terms of getting to the playoff, the best SEC team will advance.

Actually, at least in the West, there are a number of up and coming type teams that strengthen the middle of the conference. Includes NU, Minny, IA. Heck even IL looks stronger than last year.

 

[NJCat83588]

Actually, at least in the West, there are a number of up and coming type teams that strengthen the middle of the conference. Includes NU, Minny, IA. Heck even IL looks stronger than last year.

If you compare the SEC West to the Big 10 East, I think 5 of the 7 head to head match-ups would go to the SEC. Us ing a combination of Sagarin ratings and my own subjective seeding, the match-ups would go as follows:

OSU > Bama
MSU > Ole Miss
MD < Auburn
Rutgers < A&M
Michigan < LSU
IU < Arkansas
PSU < Mississippi State

If you substituted the Big 10 West for East, it probably is worse:

Wisconsin < Bama (already know that)
Minny > Ole miss
Nebby < Auburn
NU < A&M
Iowa < LSU
Illinois < Arkansas
Purdue < MSU

Indiana and Penn State have a better chance of beating Arkansas and MSU than Illinois and Purdue. But I give you Nebraska, NU and Iowa being more competitive than MD, RU and UM.

 

[NU 71 72 74]

We need to lighten our schedule somewhat -- I suggest playing Notre Dame on an annual basis toward the end of the regular B1G schedule. SEC teams regularly schedule an OOC cupcake later in their SEC schedules.

.02

and, Go Cats !!

 

[shakes3858]

If you compare the SEC West to the Big 10 East, I think 5 of the 7 head to head match-ups would go to the SEC. Us ing a combination of Sagarin ratings and my own subjective seeding, the match-ups would go as follows:

OSU > Bama
MSU > Ole Miss
MD < Auburn
Rutgers < A&M
Michigan < LSU
IU < Arkansas
PSU < Mississippi State

If you substituted the Big 10 West for East, it probably is worse:

Wisconsin < Bama (already know that)
Minny > Ole miss
Nebby < Auburn
NU < A&M
Iowa < LSU
Illinois < Arkansas
Purdue < MSU

Indiana and Penn State have a better chance of beating Arkansas and MSU than Illinois and Purdue. But I give you Nebraska, NU and Iowa being more competitive than MD, RU and UM.

Don't believe the ESPN hype on the SEC West. Yes, Alabama is very good.

Ole Miss: Finished the year terribly including a 30-0 loss to Arkansas and a 42-3 loss to TCU. Alabama was a good win from them which was followed up by a loss to Texas AM (which wasn't a good team).

Auburn does not play defense. It'll be a shoot out no matter who they play. Nebraksa beats Auburn because Nebraska plays both sides of the ball.

Texas AM lost 5 of their last 7 last year, has defensive issue, and QB issues. Yes, they had a big win over ASU, but ff they were in the Big Ten they would be getting the "Stanford isn't that good" treatment.

LSU has offensive issues and QB issues. They got shut out by Arkansas and looked like crap in a close lose to Notre Dame who's defense was terrible. The Michigan LSU game would probably be 6-3 and the winner is up for debate.

Arkansas gets the double pump. Not only are in the SEC so they must be good, they just beat Texas in a bowl game. They would beat Indiana, but I think Iowa Arkansas is a toss up.

Mississippi State went on a tear last year. They beat Auburn that was overrated when they played, and Texas AM which was overrated when they played, and then Auburn that was overrated when they played. Then they lost to all the good teams they played and walloped Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and UT Martin. I'm not impressed. I'd take em over Purdue, but again, I don't see a difference between them and Iowa.

 

[klemman]

OSU has had this moniker among the haters, specifically out of conference haters, more specifically the haters from the SEC, regarding the schedule. As mentioned, the difficulties experienced by traditionally strong football programs like Michigan, PSU, and Nebraska has hurt the Big 10. If the schedule included the VIrginia Tech, PSU, and Michigan, of 7 years ago, plus MSU today, it's a great schedule.

And to be honest the out of conference schedule for about a three year period was pretty bad, mainly because some schools,pulled out of the schedule as they were demanding a home and home arrangement. The Buckeyes aren't giving that to mid-level Power 5 schools anymore. Last minute fill-ins were less than stellar but there weren't many options.

Other than those two Issues the Buckeyes have had a decent schedule. Going from the early 2000's until the late 2000's, the OOC schedule included home and homes with Miami, NC State with Philip Rivers, Washington with Jake Locker, USC, and Texas. Starting next year and going forward are home and homes with TCU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame.

 

[hdhntr1]

Don't believe the ESPN hype on the SEC West. Yes, Alabama is very good.

Ole Miss: Finished the year terribly including a 30-0 loss to Arkansas and a 42-3 loss to TCU. Alabama was a good win from them which was followed up by a loss to Texas AM (which wasn't a good team).

Auburn does not play defense. It'll be a shoot out no matter who they play. Nebraksa beats Auburn because Nebraska plays both sides of the ball.

Texas AM lost 5 of their last 7 last year, has defensive issue, and QB issues. Yes, they had a big win over ASU, but ff they were in the Big Ten they would be getting the "Stanford isn't that good" treatment.

LSU has offensive issues and QB issues. They got shut out by Arkansas and looked like crap in a close lose to Notre Dame who's defense was terrible. The Michigan LSU game would probably be 6-3 and the winner is up for debate.

Arkansas gets the double pump. Not only are in the SEC so they must be good, they just beat Texas in a bowl game. They would beat Indiana, but I think Iowa Arkansas is a toss up.

Mississippi State went on a tear last year. They beat Auburn that was overrated when they played, and Texas AM which was overrated when they played, and then Auburn that was overrated when they played. Then they lost to all the good teams they played and walloped Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and UT Martin. I'm not impressed. I'd take em over Purdue, but again, I don't see a difference between them and Iowa.

While I agree that the SEC is overrated, probably not by as much as you suggest.

 

[hdhntr1]

OSU has had this moniker among the haters, specifically out of conference haters, more specifically the haters from the SEC, regarding the schedule. As mentioned, the difficulties experienced by traditionally strong football programs like Michigan, PSU, and Nebraska has hurt the Big 10. If the schedule included the VIrginia Tech, PSU, and Michigan, of 7 years ago, plus MSU today, it's a great schedule.

And to be honest the out of conference schedule for about a three year period was pretty bad, mainly because some schools,pulled out of the schedule as they were demanding a home and home arrangement. The Buckeyes aren't giving that to mid-level Power 5 schools anymore. Last minute fill-ins were less than stellar but there weren't many options.

Other than those two Issues the Buckeyes have had a decent schedule. Going from the early 2000's until the late 2000's, the OOC schedule included home and homes with Miami, NC State with Philip Rivers, Washington with Jake Locker, USC, and Texas. Starting next year and going forward are home and homes with TCU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame.

While PSU of 7 years ago was pretty stout, Michigan was weak. And while Minny is a good team, you do not have to get up for too many this year. MSU and Minny look like the only challenges at this point. As someone said, one of the big advantages in schedule for you is that you do not have to play yourselves. So while every other team in the East (other than MSU_ has to play 2 power teams, you have to play but one.

 

[klemman]

Ok, the point wasn't that exactly 7 years ago, Michigan was a good team, it was that generally speaking 7 years ago Michigan was still considered a top program, maybe going through a down year or two.

So for the sake of "accuracy", let's say 9 years ago when they were #2 in the nation.

 

[shakes3858]

Locker.... maybe the most overrated Q

Ok, the point wasn't that exactly 7 years ago, Michigan was a good team, it was that generally speaking 7 years ago Michigan was still considered a top program, maybe going through a down year or two.

So for the sake of "accuracy", let's say 9 years ago when they were #2 in the nation.

Was the 1 vs 2 game the beginning of the end for Michigan? Was the next year the app state loss followed by a loss to Oregon before they were seen as a power which lead to Lloyd Carr getting pressured to step down which lead to Rich Rod which led to Hoke.

I love how the 1995 NU ND marked the beginning of the end for ND. That started the Lou Holtz has been here too long murmur which led to Bob Davey and George Oleary and Willingham and Weis. Kelly is a good coach but he'll be in the NFL after they have a great year this year.

 

[EvanstonCat]

A while ago on The Paul Finebaum Show, Paul really got into it with Alabama super fan Phyllis from Mulga over Ohio State's schedule. Phyllis has been arguing that Ohio State has an easier path to the College Football Playoff than her Crimson Tide and other teams in the SEC West. Granted, tOSU as a member of the Big Ten East Division has to play their six divisional opponents no matter what. And we probably all agree that the SEC West is better top-to-bottom than the Big Ten East. To tOSU's credit, they went to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. I don't know how the Big Ten determines that Minnesota and Illinois are Ohio State's Big Ten West opponents, but the Buckeyes obviously avoid Wisconsin, Nebraska, and us. They also have Hawai'i, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan as the rest of their non-conference opponents. That is not entirely strong, even though we know that NIU is no pushover. Furthermore, doesn't Ohio State's 2015 schedule fit the upcoming criteria for non-conference scheduling: At least one team from a power conference plus no FCS teams?

For his part, Finebaum defended Ohio State. He thinks Phyllis and her fellow Bama fans are too obsessed over the Buckeyes' schedule.

Yes, they have a creampuff schedule. They miss Northwestern this year.

Although if they hold up to their end of the bargain, I guess they will see us in Indy.

 

[pawildcat]

Most teams scheduled quite a bit differently before the era of big money and multiple bowl games.
In 1969, the year I was in grad school at NU, the three OOC opponents were Notre Dame, USC and UCLA. We also played Ohio State, which had won the national championship the previous year and returned most of its players. During the Ara and Alex years, NU regularly played programs such as Oklahoma, Miami, Fla., Florida, Notre Dame, USC and South Carolina. The records often reflected that.

 

[NJCat83588]

Yes, they have a creampuff schedule. They miss Northwestern this year.

They will get NU in the 'Shoe next season. Cats will have a brutal stretch where they play @MSU, Indiana, @OSU and Wisky. Three out of 4 games against division contenders with the two toughest games of the season away. I like NU on the road, except in C'Bus.