Why Fresno State's Tough Scheduling Ultimately Hurts the Bulldogs

I've written many opinionated pieces on the weak non-conference scheduling of the SEC.  However, in all reality, it makes perfect sense to schedule cupcakes. A mid-major team like Fresno State should never schedule a top-tier BCS program in their non-conference schedule because it does more harm than help. When you have the philosophy that you will take on anyone, it hurts you.  If you schedule three BCS teams in the non-conference per year, you are bound to lose one. In 2002, Fresno State played tough non-conference games against Wisconsin, Oregon, Oregon State, and No. 21 Colorado State.  They lost three out of four (they beat Colorado State) of those games.  They were a solid team in 2002, showing that by beating Georgia Tech in the Silicon Valley Bowl.  Although they were worthy of a quality season, they finished 9-5.  That record would have been much better had they scheduled some mid-majors in there. In 2003, the non-conference schedule got even ... (link)