Notre Dame's Supposedly Weak Schedule

[jason_h537]

a person asked one of Rivals writers why Notre Dame is getting any respect with theyr current schedule.

Q: From Gerry in Seoul, South Korea: Why is Notre Dame getting any credit at all? How could the Irish be in the top 25? They've only played one really good team all season and, despite playing well, they lost.

A: It seems fashionable this season to dismiss Notre Dame's 6-2 record as a product of a powder-puff schedule. Yet, when all is taken into consideration, the Irish's schedule compares favorably with most of the teams currently ranked in The Associated Press top 10.

Notre Dame's eight opponents are a combined 33-35 (.485 winning percentage). Seven of its eight opponents are in Big Six conferences. Notre Dame does not schedule FCS opponents, and the Irish's only non-Big Six opponent is Nevada (5-3) of the WAC.

Compare that to, say, Alabama. The Crimson Tide's opponents are a combined 32-33 (.492 winning percentage), and only three currently have a winning record. The Tide also scheduled two teams from the Sun Belt Conference - Florida International (2-6) and North Texas (2-6).

Is that really stronger than Notre Dame's schedule?

But No. 3 Alabama isn't alone. No. 9 LSU, which faces Alabama on Saturday, has played just two teams with a winning record and its opponents are a combined 33-34.

Big East-leading Cincinnati, ranked fifth with an 8-0 record, is a national championship contender. But the Bearcats' schedule has been less than demanding. Their opponents are a combined 30-35, and that includes an FCS opponent (Southeast Missouri State) and Miami University (1-8). The Bearcats boast wins over Rutgers and USF, which are both 6-2. But both also have two wins over FCS opponents.

No. 6 TCU's opponents are 34-33, and that record is somewhat boosted by Texas State, which is 5-3 in FCS competition. The Horned Frogs also have a win over SMU (4-4), which lost to 1-7 Washington State, which Notre Dame beat last week.

So, while SMU's break-even record enhances the overall record of TCU's opponents, the cumulative record of Notre Dame's opponents is compromised by Washington State. See the irony?

The most blatant difference in caliber of competition is with Boise State. Some are blasting the BCS system (which is flawed) because the Broncos likely won't land in a BCS bowl. Yet, Boise State's opponents are a mere 27-37, and that includes a season-opening win over Oregon (7-1).

Remember, all the teams listed above are ranked in the top 10. Notre Dame is No. 22. Considering its two losses were by a touchdown or less to Michigan (5-4) and USC (6-2) and that the outcome of both of those games was in doubt down to the final play, I'd say that ranking is justified.

Rivals.com College Football - Mailbag: They play football outside the SEC

 

[jason_h537]

Also has a great response to the SEC fans

 

[NY_IRISH_FAN]

Wow nice read thanks for the post

 

[undirishnut]

Enlightening info!

 

[NDgettysburg]

This is always fun to look at for SoS....

CBS college football polls

Check out Boise St.....84th? Instead of asking why ND doesn't get any love because of their schedule, ask why Boise DOES get a ton despite one of the easiest schedules in the FBS.

 

[tankjeep]

nothing new here. i've felt that nd's schedule is very underrated. oh well, the hate continues as usual

 

[phork]

This is always fun to look at for SoS....

CBS college football polls

Check out Boise St.....84th? Instead of asking why ND doesn't get any love because of their schedule, ask why Boise DOES get a ton despite one of the easiest schedules in the FBS.

If you don't think that Boise would roll into ND and steam roll this team you are probably delusional, or drunk on Koolaid. Boise, like ND, can't help their scheduling quandary. Since they started picking off good BCS teams, no one wants to play them.

The BCS certainly doesn't want it either. MidMajors are like your Uncle Freddie. You know, that creepy Uncle that no one invites to family gatherings?

 

[weisbank4]

The schedule isnt bad but looking back the Mich loss is terrible and obviously Navy is a brutal loss. The last 3 games is a gauntlet.

 

[NDgettysburg]

If you don't think that Boise would roll into ND and steam roll this team you are probably delusional, or drunk on Koolaid.

What does that have to do with my point? The subject is strength of schedule, not who would win in a fictional matchup.

BSU is undefeated so it's not fair to criticize their powderpuff schedule, but since ND is sucking balls, it is?

 

[BGIF]

What does that have to do with my point? The subject is strength of schedule, not who would win in a fictional matchup.

BSU is undefeated so it's not fair to criticize their powderpuff schedule, but since ND is sucking balls, it is?

It's got nothing to do with your point.

 

[NDgettysburg]

that's what I thought