Arguments are a part of college football. People from Miami to Seattle, San Diego to Boston, and everywhere between can never agree on the following. Who's the best team? What's the toughest conference? Where is the most sacred rivalry?
As the full-time art of sitting on a couch and staring at school colors resumes (in earnest) next week, it's time to bring up another debate. Who has the toughest road to hoe in 2004?
But how can a question this expansive possibly be answered? First, invoke the help of five major preseason-ranking magazines. Second, add some overblown common logic on where not to play. Put it all together, and this sports writer reveals a top-10 complete with mammoth obstacles.
This time around, we look at the most difficult non-conference slates. This gives a shot to those smaller D-I schools that can't get respect because they play in conferences the high school equivalent of the JV squad.
10) Oregon State
All right, one big boy snuck into the countdown. However, their first test helped push them above the normal "patsies" you'll check out later. Start with a trip to Baton Rouge that would make anyone faint these days. Add on two stiff contests at Boise State and with New Mexico, and the Beavers have done a good job of getting ready for the Pac-10 season.
9) SMU
It's no secret that Southern Methodist has fallen flat on their face lately. It doesn't look like the Mustangs will get a gracious exit from the WAC this year, but the conference doesn't have to feel so bad because some regional schools should keep the horses hogtied early. The list includes high-flying Big 12 teams Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State, as well as a cross-town trip to face TCU.
8) Utah State
The basketball team might not get the most respect when it comes tourney time, but that isn't the case for the football team. They just can't think of the postseason yet, that's all. And in their first game, they may get "rolled" under a "tide" of Crimson at Alabama. They also have a trip to Clemson's Death Valley on the cards. Don't forget another Beehive State team, the up-and-coming Utes. UNLV is the lone "softy" on the schedule, but playing in Las Vegas is a trap all in itself.
7) East Carolina
In the mid-'90s, the Pirates were a mid-level team to deal with. Nowadays, they'd love to get back to middle-of-the-road status. This non-conference slate is highlighted by bookend games. To begin the season, ECU must travel north to Morgantown and oppose resurgent West Virginia. A neutral site game against N.C. State waits for the squad at season's end. Philip Rivers may be gone, but RB T.A. McLendon doesn't put thoughts at ease. Last year's ACC surprise, Wake Forest, shores up the slate.
6) Ball State
The MAC makes its first of three appearances with Dave Letterman's famed alma mater. The Cardinals start their schedule with two tough standards, hosting Boston College and meeting Purdue in West Lafayette. The third matchup features a possible up-and-comer, taking the team to Missouri. Normally, the Tigers wouldn't raise much of a fuss as far as strength of schedule. However, Brad Smith, like McLendon, is a player defenses just don't want to face.
5) Central Florida
When playing at Camp Randall or Happy Valley might not even be the toughest game on the list, something bad is brewing. At least by opening the season at Wisconsin, UCF gets the benefit of fairly warm weather (although with this summer's pattern, it could be snowing by game time). After a home date versus those lovable Mountaineers, the Golden Knights head back to Big 10 country, facing Joe "Methuselah" Paterno and the Nittany Lions.
4) Southern Miss
Last year, the Golden Eagles had a chance to get Nebraska in their own yard. Now comes the dreaded away portion of the series. Week one starts in the land of corn and ... well, more corn. Five days later, Hattiesburg opens its doors to Cal, a team that provided a 34-2 whuppin' last season in Berkeley. Traveling to Tuscaloosa and battling the Tide in a mid-season test ratchets up the equation just a smidge.
3) Louisiana Tech
Admittedly, there is a soft opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, but I guess that makes up for the potential obstacles ahead. That is, unless you don't think matches at Miami, at Tennessee, and at Auburn are truly an examination of one's spirit and fortitude. An average of around 80,000-90,000 thousand fans rooting against me wouldn't provide much confidence.
2) Marshall
The Thundering Herd has a similar opening act to the Bulldogs, opening at home versus Troy State. However, the next two weeks are killer, plain and simple. After getting an opportunity to visit Columbus' Horseshoe, the green and white will run through the hedges in Athens (no, not the really famous, foreign one). Ohio State and Georgia ... on the road ... back-to-back weeks ... yeah, it's not looking pretty.
1) Houston
Lather, rinse, sort of repeat. The Cougars get a chance to start growling quickly, staying in town and playing Rice. Then, the picture gets a little fuzzy. Oh no, there's no question about their opponents. The blurry vision comes from the amount of punishment Oklahoma and Miami should dole out to this team. The upside about the Hurricane game is that it's at Reliant Stadium. Houston should get some nice home-cookin', or would that be a last meal?
Even though this list looks more like the nerd that got thrown in the trash can every day, there's still hope for these schools. Or at least there will be before the kickoff.
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