A Comparison Of Four Teams Schedules to Determine Who Has The Toughest Road

Recently, all I’ve heard is, “Why doesn’t anyone like Boise State?” Or another of my favorites, “What does Boise State have to do to earn respect?”

I’ve heard so many arguments for and against Boise that it makes my head spin. It got me thinking, what makes a team worthy of a shot at the BCS Championship Game?

Is it their cohesiveness as a team? Is it based solely on their statistics or record? Maybe it’s how many 4- or 5-star recruits they have.

The way I see it, it should be based primarily on “who have they played and who have they beaten.” In the end, that’s the only barometer we have that isn’t subjective.

The following slides will lay out four teams' schedules minus the bye weeks (Boise State, Oklahoma, Michigan State and Alabama). Out of the four opponents, the best team will be chosen and tallied. Hopefully we can find out if Boise’s schedule has what it takes.

Game 1

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 8: A member of the Virginia Tech Hokies cheerleading team runs out on the field with the team flag during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers on November 8, 2003 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Panthers defeated

Boise State – @ Virginia Tech

Oklahoma – v. Utah State

Michigan State – v. Western Michigan

Alabama – v. San Jose State

Winner: Virginia Tech

This one was easy. Even though Virginia Tech had some trouble in the early going with the whole James Madison fiasco, they have come on strong as of late. Definitely give Boise props for heading into what was essentially a road game and coming out with a win. The smurfs are out to an early lead.

Game 2

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RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 28: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles drops back to throw a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 28, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Street

Boise State – @ Wyoming

Oklahoma – v. Florida State

Michigan State – @ Florida Atlantic

Alabama – v. Penn State

Winner: Florida State

Sitting with one loss right now, the Noles have a great shot at returning to the ACC championship game and maybe a BCS game. It’s too bad Penn State is having such a rough year, as the Alabama-PSU matchup could have been a great one!

Game 3

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Tim Jefferson Jr. #7 of the Air Force Falcons pitches the ball to a receiver against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Boise State – v. Oregon State

Oklahoma – v. Air Force

Michigan State – v. Notre Dame

Alabama – @ Duke

Winner: Air Force

This was a close one between Oregon State and Air Force. But I went with Air Force because they actually received a vote in the Coaches' Poll, whereas Oregon State didn’t. If I could give them a tie, I would, but the commish said I couldn’t. The real question is, who is worse, Duke or Notre Dame?

Game 4

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Tyler Wilson #8 of the Arkansas Razorbacks rolls out and looks downfield for a receiver during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Raz

Boise State – @ New Mexico State

Oklahoma – @ Cincinnati

Michigan State – v. Northern Colorado

Alabama – @ Arkansas

Winner: Arkansas

This one isn’t really close either. Arkansas is a quality team with a great quarterback. Currently they are ranked No. 19 (BCS). While Cincinnati could still win the Big East and get into a BCS game, they are clearly not as good a team as they were when Brian Kelly was there.

Game 5

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Running back James White #20 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives the ball down field against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half of play at Kinnick Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Wisconsin won 31-

Boise State – v. Toledo

Oklahoma – v. Texas (Cotton Bowl)

Michigan State – v. Wisconsin

Alabama – v. Florida

Winner: Wisconsin

Oh how it pains me to write that word. But they DID just knock off Ohio State. Texas is having a down year but will still go bowling. Florida is pretty much in the same boat as Texas. Toledo is having a great year (5-3), but when they played good teams, they got outscored 98-16. On Wisconsin.

Game 6

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: The South Carolina Gamecocks run on to the field against the Tennessee Volunteers at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Boise State – @ San Jose State

Oklahoma – v. Iowa State

Michigan State – @ Michigan

Alabama – @ South Carolina

Winner: South Carolina

While Michigan was tempting, I have to go with the Gamecocks, and here’s why. They beat Alabama, who was perched atop the polls at the time. Currently USC is sitting at No. 20 (BCS). If nothing else, we know that San Jose State pulls up the caboose for this week’s set of challengers.

We are halfway finished, and it’s a tight race!

Game 7

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Ima

Boise State – v. Louisiana Tech

Oklahoma – @ Missouri

Michigan State – v. Illinois

Alabama – v. Ole Miss

Winner: Missouri

Ouch. Being a Sooner fan, that one hurt to type. But with the Tigers sitting at No. 6 (BCS), it’s a pretty easy choice this week. They completely manhandled OU when OU was No. 1 in the BCS rankings. Sometimes it’s a tough choice for who should win. Who do you think comes in last this week?

Game 8

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats encourages his team as they take on the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo b

Boise State – v. Hawaii

Oklahoma – v. Colorado

Michigan State – @ Northwestern

Alabama – @ Tennessee

Winner: Northwestern

This is an interesting week. All of these teams are middle of the road. But with NU sitting at 5-2 on the year and their two losses combined by 10 points, I had to go with the challengers from the Big Ten. Hawaii is 6-2, but one of those losses was at the hands of Colorado, who just so happen to be in this week's set of challengers. This was a close one.

Game 9

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Jordan Jefferson #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates his touchdown against the Auburn Tigers with T-Bob Hebert #53 and Alex Hurst #72 at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/

Boise State – @ Idaho

Oklahoma – @ Texas A&M

Michigan State – @ Iowa

Alabama – @ LSU

Winner: LSU

Michigan State at Iowa was a great game (if your favorite colors are black and gold). Once again, this was a two-horse race between LSU and Iowa, but in the end, I had to go with the BCS poll, which has LSU at No. 12 and Iowa at No. 18. While Texas A&M will be a good game, it is nowhere close to the other two. And well, for Boise, it’s Idaho.

Game 10

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GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Wide receiver Carl Moore #9 of the Florida Gators grabs a mid-field pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Boise State – v. Fresno State

Oklahoma – v. Texas Tech

Michigan State – v. Minnesota

Alabama – v. Mississippi State

Winner:  Mississippi State

This one was tough. It’s between Mississippi State and Fresno State. In the end, Miss St is sitting at No. 21 (BCS) and Fresno isn’t even ranked. They got thumped by Ole Miss and Hawaii. Miss St, on the other hand, lost by three to Auburn and has a win at Florida. Actually, this one wasn’t so tough after all.

Game 11

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 8: Quarterback Robert Griffin #10 of the Baylor Bears runs the ball during the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 8, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 45-21. (Photo by Brian Bahr/G

Boise State – @ Nevada

Oklahoma – @ Baylor

Michigan State – v. Purdue

Alabama – v. Georgia State

Winner: Baylor

This one is a tight race between Nevada and Baylor. In the BCS rankings, Nevada comes in at No. 24 and Baylor at No. 25. On the other hand, Baylor is ranked in both the AP and Coaches' polls, whereas Nevada isn’t ranked in either. Both teams have great quarterbacks and are definitely above average teams.

Even though Baylor has two losses and Nevada only has one, Baylor’s losses came against better opponents (TCU, Texas Tech), while Nevada’s came against Hawaii.

Game 12

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers drops back to throw a practice pass before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Imag

Boise State – v. Utah State

Oklahoma – @ Oklahoma State

Michigan State – @ Penn State

Alabama – v. Auburn

Winner: Oklahoma State...just kidding, Auburn

As much as I think the OU-OSU game will be entertaining, this week’s winner has to be Auburn. The Iron Bowl is a battle every year, but add in national title implications and it’s sure to be downright nasty. Once again, too bad Penn State stinks because that could have been an interesting end to the Big Ten/11 season. What’s that you hear? Oh yeah...that’s Utah State pulling up the caboose for Boise again.

The Winner!

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 02: Quarterback John Parker Wilson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rolls out of the pocket in the second quarter while taking on the Utah Utes during the 75th Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2009 in New

Winner: Alabama – 5

Second place: Oklahoma – 4

Third place: Michigan State – 2

Fourth place: Boise State – 1

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Boise State is a good team. If they go undefeated, they deserve a BCS invite. But in no way do they play a schedule comparable to other AQ teams, and because of that in no way do they deserve a shot at the national championship. Let the debate continue!