The ACC and Big East, two years after the dust has

[windbane]

No Big East school played fewer than two games against BCS opposition.

The BE has to play at least 2 games against BCS schools because they have 5 OOC games and only 7 conference games. For mere SOS percentages, to not play at least 2 BCS games would be fatal.

Next year's OOC opposition will be down a bit, Cincy goes from playing Ohio State and VT to playing 1 BCS opponent in Oregon State. UL goes from K State, UK, and Miami to UK and NC State. Rutgers goes from UNC and Illinois to Maryland.

OCC competition will be down this year so playing well is going to be HUGE for the Big East.

Whats even bigger is that USF's game against Auburn is the only OOC game in teh Big East against an opponent who finished the year ranked. USF IS THE FLAG BEARER OF THE LEAGUE THIS YEAR!

Well, cincy obviously has a downgraded schedule which might actually help them get more wins and potentially better bowl (ugh).  However, UL drops K-state which isnt exactly a power and switches miami with nc state which will likely be a downgrade but it's not like miami is awesome right now. Rutgers playing maryland is probably tougher than UNC and Illinois.  Lastly, we upgrade from Kansas to Auburn.  I don't think the big east's schedule is that much easier.  Maybe the other teams' schedules got easier?

[Joe]

2006: 18 BCS Teams: 9 Bowl teams: 4 Ranked Opponents

2007: 15 BCS Teams: 5 Bowl teams: 1 Ranked Opponent (Using 2006)

We lose the weight OSU, Va Tech, Wake Forest (twice) provided us. It is imparative the BE win the majority of their OOC games again, because outside of Auburn, Iowa, and possibly Maryland there are very few teams that will add the weight to the schedule that we got in 2006.

[windbane]

2006: 18 BCS Teams: 9 Bowl teams: 4 Ranked Opponents

2007: 15 BCS Teams: 5 Bowl teams: 1 Ranked Opponent (Using 2006)

We lose the weight OSU, Va Tech, Wake Forest (twice) provided us. It is imparative the BE win the majority of their OOC games again, because outside of Auburn, Iowa, and possibly Maryland there are very few teams that will add the weight to the schedule that we got in 2006.

those stats could change.  besides, the way people are talking UNC might make a bowl game.  heck, maybe Illinois finally plays like it recruits, too.  I do like that USF plays the toughest OOC team (most likely) in the big east

[Joe]

Understood, but looking at these schedules it's not that strong when comparing OOC top to bottom from last year. (Colors are Bowl Teams) Further the other conferences have upped their schedules (Va Tech: @ LSU) as they are in the 2nd year of 12 games.

Cincinnati:

2006: Eastern Ky, at Ohio State, at VT, Miami OH, Akron

2007: SE Missouri State, Oregon State, at Miami OH, Marshall, at San Diego State

UConn:

2006: Rhode Island, Wake Forest, @ Indiana, Navy, Army

2007: @Duke, Maine, Temple, Akron, @ Virginia

UL:

2006: UK, @ Temple, Miami, @ K-State, @ MTSU

2007: Murray State, MTSU, @ UK, @ NC STate, Utah

Pitt:

2006: Virginia, Michigan State, Citadel, Toledo, @ UCF

2007: Eastern Michigan, Grambling, @ Michigan State, @ Virginia, Navy

Rutgers:

2006: UNC, Illinois, Ohio, Howard, Navy

2007: Buffalo, Navy, Norfolk State, Maryland, Army

Syracuse:

2006: Wake Forest, Iowa, Illinois, Miami (OH), Wyoming

2007: Washington, @ Iowa, Illinois, @ Miami (OH), Buffalo

WVU:

2006: Marshall, Eastern Washington, Maryland, @ ECU, @ Mississippi St.

2007: Western Michigan, @ Marshall, @ Maryland, ECU, Mississippi St.

USF:

2006: McNeese St, FIU, UCF, @ Kansas, @ UNC

2007: Elon, @Auburn, UNC,@ FAU, UCF,

It is imparative this year that the Big EAst do better than they did last year in OOC play because the SOS will be down.