Lots of chatter about the 2009 schedule, which looks like it will feature the weakest non-conference schedule at Texas in some time. It's not completely Deloss Dodds' fault, of course, but it is what it is.
As a fan, it's not an exciting slate of games, but there are some who note that with the team potentially peaking in two years, that might not be such a bad thing. Others, including Wells, have argued in the past that it may actually be smart to schedule a weak non-conference schedule, assuming your goal is to get to the BCS Title game.
So, let's take the following premises, and then ask a couple questions:
- Texas will have the talent to contend for the national championship in 2009.
- The non-conference schedule, as it currently stands, is such that one loss will make it very difficult for the team to play for the national title.
Questions:
- Among all the teams undefeated heading into their spot in the BCS Title game, did any feature a cream puff non-conference schedule?
- Have any one-loss teams made the national championship game with a cream puff schedule? (And if so, what were the circumstances of the national standings that allowed it to happen?)
I don't have time to research this today, but maybe one of you does. If so, post away. I'd be eager to see the answers.
--PB--