One unknown to scheduling nonconference opponents years in advance is whether those future foes are as attractive when game day finally arrives as they were when the contract was signed.
Still, so-called “cupcake” guarantee games against overmatched lower-tier foes often end up providing a lopsided win along with valuable experience for reserves and underclassmen.
But judging from the September schedules of some of the top contenders in the Southeastern Conference — top-ranked Georgia, No. 2 Texas, No. 4 Alabama, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 15 Oklahoma — a beefed-up out-of-league menu is preferred over cupcakes. And with some teams, sweets are out altogether.
Schedule strength is no small matter with the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this year after being a four-team event for its first decade of deciding the Football Bowl Subdivision’s national champion. How much credit that earns with the CFP committee won’t be known until the initial rankings are revealed on Nov. 5, but this year’s schedule suggest SEC teams don’t plan on easing into their league seasons going forward.
“I like playing good opponents,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart, whose Bulldogs opened this season with a 34-3 blowout of Atlantic Coast Conference member Clemson, which was ranked 14th at the time and had been a CFP regular before tailing off the past few seasons.