Off Season football fodder other than recruiting.

Looking at our future schedues here, over the next 9 seasons we are currently set to play the following teams OOC:

Notre Dame - 4 times

USC - 2 Times

Cal - 2 Times

BYU - 2 Times

Ole Miss - 2 Times

Rice - 2 Times

Arkansas - 1 Time

UCLA - 1 Time

UCF - 1 Time

UTEP - 1 Time

Wyoming - 1 Time

There are still several (9-10) games yet to be scheduled, though most of the filler will likely be the lightweights, as the heavy hitters schedule further in advance. And there is always the chance (especially with realignment) that teams will cancel or reschedule. So things could change.

However, with 4 games vs Notre Dame, 7 games vs solid PAC 12 teams, and 3 games against SEC teams I do not think that you could call this slate of OOC opponents weak by any stretch. Keep in mind, we will only play 3 ooc games per year now. There is often a heated debate as to what teams Texas should play ooc by the BONers. So what do we think of this slate of future opponents? Here is what I think:

I like it, as long as it is spread out. We do not need to play 2 top 10-15 ooc opponents in a year when we are in the Big 12. But playing 1 has its benefits.

Particularly if a Plus-1 system is adopted in the near future. Even if we lose, say at USC one year when (lets assume) they are a very good team, it is OK. If we still go undefeated and win the Big 12, we could be in the top 4 and have a shot.

All the while, we would be more battle tested and confident, having played such quality.

Not to mention the exposure that premiere ooc games gives a school to national recruits who probably aren't watching the game against Tech....

I still like it even without a plus-1 system, but not as much. You have much more to lose than to gain if you have to go undefeated to play for it all. So it is very debateable then. But I really like it if we get a plus-1.

And I love the Notre Dame scheduling for 2 reasons. 1) The sheer number of times they will say "All time wins" on TV and 2) ND is always, always, always overrated. When you play an overrated team, you look better if you beat them and you do not look as bad if they beat you. Win-Win. We should play them every year.

Also, I love all of the Pac 12 opponents. I think we could really cherry pick recruits in Arizona, SoCal, and Colorado if we try and this schedule sets us up to do that.