The Uneven Schedules Of College Football: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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Each year, the BCS discussion always includes a comparison of schedules that contenders played in. There have been years when a weak schedule can cost a team a trip to the National Championship, or they can mask the true identity of team that makes it to a BCS game.

Looking at the schedules of teams before the season starts can give us an idea of which teams have the cojones to play teams that will make them better, or teams that shy away from non-conference competition in hopes of making a run at a BCS berth.

Some conferences are known for playing tougher schedules than others. For example, teams from the ACC play perhaps the toughest non-conference games, while the Big 10 seems to avoid competition from tough non-league games. Of course in each conference it depends on the schools because there are exceptions.

Here is a look at 10 teams that are trying to fool us with their schedules:

Boston College: Northeastern, Kent State, Central Michigan, @Notre Dame

Michigan: Notre Dame, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Delaware State

Penn State: Akron, Syracuse, Temple, Eastern Illinois

Wisconsin: Northern Illinois, Fresno State, Wofford, Hawaii

Michigan State: Montana State, Central Michigan, @Notre Dame, Western Michigan

Kansas: Northern Colorado, UTEP, Duke, @Southern Mississippi

Texas: UL Monroe, @Wyoming, Central Florida, UTEP

Texas Tech: North Dakota, Rice, @Houston, New Mexico

Florida: Charleston, Troy, Florida International, Florida State

LSU: @Washington, UL Lafayatte, Tulane, Louisana Tech

As you can see, there are some teams on here that are legitimate National Title contenders. While you see teams such as Boston College and Michigan State playing against other contenders like Notre Dame, playing the Irish and three pushovers doesn't impress anyone right now.

A team like Florida is on the list because they should play more highly competitive teams like Florida State, especially when they are reigning national champs.

Last year playing Miami was good enough for Florida, but no mid-level BCS conference teams and their schedule is very unimpressive, even if the Seminoles have a breakout year.

On the other hand here are 10 teams that aren't afraid to play against a little competition:

Oklahoma: BYU, @Miami, Idaho State, Tulsa

Virginia Tech: Nebraska, @East Carolina, vs. Alabama, Marshall

Oregon: Boise State, @Utah, Purdue

Florida State: Florida, @BYU, South Florida, Jacksonville State

Georgia Tech: Georgia, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Jacksonville State

Miami: Oklahoma, @South Florida, Central Florida, Florida A&M

West Virginia: East Carolina, Colorado, @Auburn, Liberty, Marshall

UCLA: @Tennessee, Kansas State, @San Diego

California: Maryland, at. Minnesota, Eastern Washington

Georgia:

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