A little schedule talk

Mike Hugenin does an outstanding job of breaking down college football’s 2011 schedule story here.  A few observations:

• There are six BCS conference schools which have no games scheduled against opponents from other BCS conferences.  Some of them are getting used to that:  “This is the sixth season in a row that Texas Tech has been on the list, the third season in a row for Ole Miss and the second season in a row for Baylor, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech.”
• Miami, on the other hand, has three of those such games.  If the ‘Canes suffer a late swoon in the ACC Coastal, that may explain some of it.
• Somebody at Rice has a serious death wish.  Plus, the Owls start their season off by playing three BCS-conference opponents in a row, including the opener at Texas (three of the four total are road games, to boot).
• The best reason to be optimistic about Tennessee’s win total in 2011 isn’t Tyler Bray.  It’s having eight home games on the schedule.
• Georgia Tech at Middle Tennessee.  BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!!!!
• It looks like the overall trend of playing 1-AA schools has plateaued.  At least for the moment.
• Here’s a reason the SEC may look strong during the regular season:  “There are 12 non-conference games against “Big Six” opponents, a decrease of four from last season.”