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 tougher.  The Bulldogs scheduled No. 7 Tennessee, Oregon State, No. 3 Oklahoma, and Colorado State.  They managed to beat the Beavers by two but lost the rest of their games.  Despite beating UCLA in their bowl game, their record was again 9-5.

2004 is the best example of how a tough non-conference schedule kills you, even if you win the games.  Fresno State scheduled Washington (won 25-16) and No. 14 Kansas State (won 45-21) in the first two games of the season.  Following those two games, there were letdowns in consecutive weeks at Louisiana Tech, home against UTEP, and at No. 16 Boise State. 

Playing tough non-conference foes in the preseason forces you to play with banged-up players in the games that really count.  The Bulldogs had their best team in 2004, but their 9-3 final record didn't truly reflect that due to poor non-conference scheduling in the preseason.  The Bulldogs showed their prowess by beating No. 23 Virginia (8-4), 37-34, in the MPC Computers Bowl. 

It was a shame that Pat Hill wasted all his talent by scheduling tough preseason games, because his 2004 squad could clearly play with the best of them.

2005 was almost an exact copy of what happened to the Bulldogs in 2004.  Although the preseason was easier with Weber State, Oregon, and Toledo, a tough non-conference game again blemished the Bulldogs' record.  A late-season battle with No. 1 USC in Los Angeles again killed Fresno State's lineup and caused them to collapse down the stretch, losing their next three games to Nevada, Louisiana Tech, and Tulsa.

A team that takes No. 1 USC down to the wire, losing 50-42, should not be losing to these types of teams.

Again in 2007, Fresno State scheduled a nearly impossible non-conference schedule and paid for it by losing its games.  Included in that schedule were No. 23 Texas A&M and No. 19 Oregon.  The Bulldogs lost both games, plus two in conference, to finish the season 9-4.

This year is more of the same, as the Bulldogs have scheduled powers Rutgers, No. 13 Wisconsin, and UCLA as a part of their non-conference schedule.  Again, it will probably prove deadly.

It's a shame that Pat Hill won't loosen up a bit and schedule some cupcakes in his non-conference schedule.  Instead of being a mediocre eight- and nine-win team year in and year out, the Bulldogs would find themselves with 11 or 12 wins each year, placing them among the nation's best.

In this case, you don't have to beat the best to be the best.  Just ask Hawaii.