Cupcakes in Bloomington: Investigating Indiana's Non-Conference Opponents

Since 1990, the Indiana Hoosiers have played in a mere four bowl games, winning just one. Of course, becoming bowl eligible is difficult in major college football, especially when contesting the likes of Big Ten foes Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. 

Or is it?

A 6-6 record and a BCS conference team is, most likely, "going bowling." Therein lies the reason coaches and athletic directors schedule weak, and sometimes non-FBS, opponents.

One school, among many, guilty of this is IU. But even with lower-division foes, the Hoosiers still rarely make the postseason. Why? If scheduling all but guarantees four wins, shouldn't a team have little trouble reaching a bowl game?

Certainly that's a logical conclusion to draw. But perhaps it's because IU's schedule includes such cupcakes that the program fails to progress and qualify for bowls. Consider Indiana's non-conference slate the last five years:

2006: Western Michigan, Ball State, Southern Illinois and UConn

2007: Indiana State, Western Michigan, Akron and Ball State

2008: Western Kentucky, Murray State, Ball State and Central Michigan

2009: Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan, Akron and Virginia

2010: Towson, Western Kentucky, Akron and Arkansas State

Imagine a potential recruit looking at IU's 2010 non-conference schedule. Do Towson and Western Kentucky scream "prime time" to him? Probably not. And, given IU's scheduling track record, that probably won't change any time soon. Hence the Hoosiers fall short of landing 4- and 5-star athletes and, therefore, are undermanned when they play within the conference.

In college football today, it takes more than a strong conference to attract stud recruits; it also requires some choice non-conference counterparts. IU, like many others, fails to grasp this concept. In the short run, a stronger schedule will lead to more losses. In the long run, however, such a schedule could lead to better recruits...and more bowl games.