Grading nonconference schedules: Hokies, Dawgs, 'Noles tough enough

When Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer lift the national championship trophy on the night of Jan. 7, 2010, there will be many reasons why they will be standing there in a force-fed confetti shower:

• The Gators are the most talented beasts on the college football landscape.

• Meyer has proven to be a better coach than Steve Spurrier (yes, I just wrote that).

• Tebow could take on Godzilla and guarantee his fans he'll win.

• Just like nearly everybody else, they played a pretty easy out-of-conference slate.

I don't mean to be Gator-centric here. You could take the above scenario and apply it to Texas, Oklahoma, USC, LSU or just about any team in contention for the big prize.

See, we as college football fans have been duped by the upper brass of our sport. Those great Septembers of years past are long in the rearview mirror. Not exactly sure when it happened, but sometime in the past 10-15 years college football became more and more about money. The 12th game added to the schedule? That was only so teams could schedule another tomato can of an opponent and bring home a cool mint for their programs.

With that as a background, let's put on our tweed jackets with the leather patches on the elbows and grade the nonconference slates of the Top 25 teams in this preseason, according to Athlon magazine.

And remember, it's a sliding scale here, so the grade of each game depends on the expectations of each team.

Florida

Sept. 5: vs. Charleston Southern, F
Sept. 12: vs. Troy, D+
Nov. 21: vs. Florida International, D-
Nov. 28: vs. Florida State, B-

Overall grade: D+

The Gators get a few points for their traditional bruise vs. the rival Seminoles, but unfortunately for purists everywhere, that has become a mismatch rivalry to be ditched along with the USC-Notre Dames of the world -- at least for now. And sure, Troy won the Sun Belt last year, but really now, how much intrigue is in that game? Florida will win each of these three other games more than handily, maybe even by triple digits.

Oklahoma

Sept. 5: vs. BYU (In Arlington, Texas), B
Sept. 12: vs. Idaho State, F
Sept. 19: vs. Tulsa, C
Oct. 3: at Miami, B

Overall grade: C+

Oh, what could've been. Man, if this schedule could've been played in 1984 or 1991, right? But still give the Sooners major points for giving a "mid-major" like BYU a shot like this on opening day -- and it not being a home game in Norman, either. And doesn't that Miami game bring back memories of the Boz, Super Vinny, Switzer, Johnson and that stadium that used to be called the Orange Bowl? Well, don't get used to that thought; the 'Canes are still a fringe team at best. And they'll come into the game beaten up after taking their lumps against Florida State, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech beforehand.

Texas

Sept. 5: vs. UL-Monroe, F
Sept. 12: at Wyoming, D
Sept. 26: vs. UTEP, D+
Nov. 7: vs. UCF, D

Overall grade: D-

In a word, awful. Despite the beauty of a home-and-home vs. Ohio State in 2005-06, this is one program that has also taken some curious treks to some non-traditional powers in recent years, playing roadies at Stanford, N.C. State, Central Florida and even making the trip to UTEP for the first time last year. So that kind of explains the Wyoming head-scratcher here. Still, with the firepower the burnt orange will have this year, these are four games that should be free of charge to the fans.

Southern California

Sept. 5: vs. San Jose State, D-
Sept. 12: at Ohio State, A+
Oct. 17: at Notre Dame, C-

Overall grade: C+

You've seen stuff like this before: The Trojans are never ones to run and hide from a challenge (and with the way the Pac 10 has been the last few years, some people probably say they need to play out-of-conference games like this). The return trip to face the Buckeyes should be a better game this time, with Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor firmly entrenched as a QB with more confidence. More than likely, it will be the only nonconference matchup of BCS-bound teams this year. And as discussed above, the traditional rivalry with the Golden Domers has soured significantly, but deserves a "nice try here, boys" anyway.

Ohio State

Sept. 5: vs. Navy, C-
Sept. 12: vs. USC, A+
Sept. 19: vs. Toledo (at Cleveland), D
Oct. 31: vs. New Mexico St., D

Overall grade: C

With pre-conference home-and-homes against Texas and USC since 2005, OSU has provided us college football freaks with the most intriguing national September matchups the last few years. This will be the final installment of the Trojan Wars, this time in Columbus, so eat it up while you can, people.

The Bucks will have only one tuneup game to get things together before SC comes to town. But a tip of the sousaphone to the scarlet and gray if they can pull it off this time. An improved reputation lies in the balance.

Alabama

Sept. 5: vs. Virginia Tech (at Atlanta), A
Sept. 12: vs. Florida International, D-
Sept. 19: vs. North Texas, D
Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga, F

Overall grade: C

Give the Tide administration some credit for a second straight year of facing off with one of the upper crust of the ACC to start the season -- even though Clemson looked like a good challenge until the first hike of the 'Bama game last year, only to quickly face plant. You have to figure Virginia Tech will be more legit than the Tigers. But FIU? North Texas? or Chattanooga? Fuggedaboutit! They're road kill in waiting.

Penn State

Sept. 5: vs. Akron, D-
Sept. 12: vs. Syracuse, C-
Sept. 19: vs. Temple, F
Oct. 10: vs. Eastern Illinois, F-

Overall grade: D-

Back in the days when the Nittany Lions were playing an independent schedule they'd be more likely to take on anybody and everybody, no matter where -- especially when there was that whole "the East sucks" mentality from the media and fans back in the day. Now, as Big 10 members, nearly assuring a relatively easy road to the BCS, there's no reason for them to risk a nonconference loss.

You can see that in their philosophy because this is a pretty embarrassing collection of games.

Virginia Tech

Sept. 5: vs. Alabama (at Atlanta), A
Sept. 12: vs. Marshall, D
Sept. 19: vs. Nebraska, B+
Nov. 5: at East Carolina, B-

Overall grade: B

This is the best nonconference slate in the Top 25. Having Tyrod Taylor and Darren Evans in his arsenal means coach Frank Beamer won't be afraid of any defense, and 'Bama will have a great wall to throw up against them. What a matchup that should be. And the revenge factor will play into both the Nebraska and ECU showdowns. Only thing that could make this schedule better is if Chad Pennington and Randy Moss decided to re-enroll at Marshall.

Oklahoma State

Sept. 5: vs. Georgia, A
Sept. 12: vs. Houston, B-
Sept. 19: vs. Rice, D+
Sept. 26: vs. Grambling, F-

Overall grade: C+

It's hard to wrangle our hands around the slate here for the Pokes. A little bit of good and a little bit of bad. The triplets of Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant will be among the privileged few who can say they hosted an SEC team at their own stadium -- tantamount to the rarity of a Nessie sighting in Scotland.

Houston could be one of the true sleepers in the country and will make for a wild shootout. Too bad there's not a mercy-rule for that Grambling bloodletting.

Mississippi

Sept. 6: at Memphis, D+
Sept. 19: vs. Southeastern Louisiana, F
Oct. 17: vs. UAB, D-
Nov. 7: vs. Northern Arizona, F

Overall grade: F

Put grocery bags on over your heads for this collection of games. Talk about a sure-fire easy four scrimmages. It's almost criminal that a team like the Rebs, in a big-money conference, will need to win only three SEC games to make it to a bowl game. Terrible.

California

Sept. 5: vs. Maryland, C-
Sept. 12: vs. Eastern Washington, F
Sept. 19: at Minnesota, C-

Overall grade: D+

It was a case of "almosts" for the Bears' nonconference schedule. Maryland and Minnesota bring back some experienced skill players, including both quarterbacks, so there is potential for both teams to make for a tough afternoon. But overall, it's still a far cry from the Tennessees, Nebraskas and Utahs of the past handful of years that this team is used to taking on.

Boise State

Sept. 3: vs. Oregon, A-
Sept. 12: vs. Miami (Ohio), D-
Sept. 26: at Bowling Green, D+
Oct. 3: vs. UC Davis, F
Oct. 14: at Tulsa, C+

Overall grade: C-

Sometimes it's hard to judge the Blue Turfers' schedule. I mean, the Thursday Night Special with the Ducks will provide one of the few highlight matchups of the first weekend. The MAC matchups and the lower-division Aggies that follow are pretty poor, but they are also usually a necessity because it's not like the "Big Six" conference schools are lining up to play the Broncs. The trip to Tulsa could be a treat, though TU has some holes to fill. Still, it's a pretty good test before WAC play heats up.

Oregon

Sept. 3: at Boise State, A-
Sept. 12: vs. Purdue, D+
Sept. 19: vs. Utah, B+

Overall grade: B

As stated in the paragraph above, it is extremely rare that a BCS team actually visits the blue turf in Boise. So lets give the Ducks a bag full of lottery scratch-off cards just for having the guts here. The Boilermakers will be a lot easier this time compared to last year's overtime struggle. Too bad that game with Utah didn't take place last year, huh? Still, it's a matchup to look forward to either way.

Georgia

Sept. 5: at Oklahoma State, A
Sept. 26: vs. Arizona State, B-
Nov. 7: vs. Tennessee Tech, F
Nov. 28: at Georgia Tech, B+

Overall grade: B

This rivals Virginia Tech's slate as the toughest nonconference group in the country. A great marquee roadie to rowdy Stillwater will be as tough an assignment as the Dawgs will have this year -- other than the Florida scrap, of course. ASU will be down a bit, but still no cakewalk. And are you like me in thinking that them hairy Dawgs will be better prepared for Georgia Tech's weird option attack this time around, too? Either way, its three games in which Coach Richt's charges will be challenged.

Imagine that. Right here in 2009, a BCS team that takes on challenges. Sweet.

Florida State

Sept. 12: vs. Jacksonville State, F
Sept. 19: at BYU, B
Sept. 26: vs. South Florida, C+
Nov. 28: at Florida, A

Overall grade: B-

Solid if not spectacular work here. Kudos to Coach Bowden as this slate almost brings back memories of their early '80s travels. Remember, I said "almost." Even the Jacksonville State game won't be totally a walk in the end zone as the 'Noles will be coming off a five-day week after the Labor Day game vs. Miami. If some skill players emerge, along with a more stout defense, the Seminoles could use this schedule to become nasty.

Nebraska

Sept. 5: vs. Florida Atlantic, D+
Sept. 12: vs. Arkansas State, F
Sept. 19: at Virginia Tech, A-
Sept. 26: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, F

Overall grade: D

If Nebraska doesn't win at least nine games with this nonconference slate, I'll jog from Lincoln to Omaha in my skivvies in the dead of winter. Other than the impending loss at Tech, the Huskers will have a soft slate. After the Cajun romp, they'll ease into Big 12 play with games against decimated Missouri and Texas Tech, then back-to-back gimmes vs. Iowa State and Baylor. C'mon guys, show some pride and give the Big Red nation more.

LSU

Sept. 5: at Washington, D
Sept. 19: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, D-
Oct. 31: vs. Tulane, D-
Nov. 14: Louisiana Tech, D

Overall grade: D

Gah! Again with the cupcakes. Too bad the UW series comes at a time when the Huskies are at their worst ever, so it's hard to even give a passing grade. Louisiana Tech was 8-5 last year, but the other two teams are among the worst in the country. Once again, the LSU administration goes for the big paycheck of easy home games that should be half-price tickets for the Tigers' rabid fans.

Cincinnati

Sept. 12: vs. Southeast Missouri, F
Sept. 19: at Oregon State, B-
Sept. 26: vs. Fresno State, C-
Oct. 3: at Miami (Ohio), D-
Nov. 27: vs. Illinois, B

Overall grade: C-

This nonconference schedule looks like one of those Bracket Busters Saturdays in college basketball. The trip out West to Corvallis will be a good litmus test to where this year's Bearcats stand. They catch Fresno in rebuilding mode and SEMO and Miami are going to be pretty easy doormats.

North Carolina

Sept. 5: vs. The Citadel, F
Sept. 12: at Connecticut, C-
Sept. 19: vs. East Carolina, B
Oct. 10: vs. Georgia Southern, F

Overall grade: C

Curses! If not for the lower-division teams hangin' around on their schedule, the Tar Heels would be giving us college football fans a treat. As it is, we'll have to see UNC make a good roadie to UConn, which is in search of a quarterback, and then the in-state grudge match with a mid-major that relishes knocking off its big brother down the road. The other two games will make us wish it was basketball season ... since UNC will probably put up basketball-type scores.

Michigan State

Sept. 5: vs. Montana State, F
Sept. 12: vs. Central Michigan, D+
Sept. 19: at Notre Dame, C
Nov. 7: vs. Western Michigan, D

Overall grade: D

The Big Ten still doesn't play a full round-robin schedule, yet still has that habit of playing any and every available MAC team it can, be that good or bad. But for us college football freaks who want interesting games, it's a freakin' bummer. And MSU's grade reflects why. Then again, remember how fans around the country love to see MAC teams pull Big Ten upsets? Hmmmm.

Utah

Sept. 3: vs. Utah State, D-
Sept. 12: at San Jose State, D
Sept. 19: at Oregon, B+
Sept. 26: vs. Louisville, D+

Overall grade: D+

Call it the bad luck of the draw for the Utes. Last year would've been a better year to take on Oregon. Vintage Louisville was a couple of years ago. San Jose State went 9-4 in 2006. And Utah State ... well, nevermind. But you get the idea. This year's foes boasts only one challenge and that is from the Ducks, a Pac-10 team. And you know how little respect the occidental conference gets nationally. Sucks to be UU.

Georgia Tech

Sept. 5: vs. Jacksonville State, F
Oct. 3: at Mississippi State D
Oct. 31: at Vanderbilt, C
Nov. 28: vs. Georgia, B+

Overall grade: C

It almost looks like the Engineers are ready to rejoin the SEC after all (If you didn't know they were once part of the monster conference, hit the deck and give me 50.). And you know how the SEC is, MSU and Vendee could end up being better than expected. Nothing is a gimme down there. Now, for Paul Johnson's second matchup with Georgia, do you think he'll find the Bulldogs horribly overconfident again? Oh hell no.

Iowa

Sept. 5: vs. Northern Iowa, F
Sept. 12: at Iowa State, D+
Sept. 19: vs. Arizona, C
Oct. 3: vs. Arkansas State, D-

Overall grade: D

OK, first off, Kirk Ferentz and Co. need to go ahead and quit trying to win the state title. Teams like UNI and ISU just aren't worth it and nobody notices outside the state lines. How about trying to win the Nebraska or Kansas state titles instead? Anyway, the return of Mike Stoops to his old stomping grounds should be an interesting afternoon, along with being the Hawkeyes' sole challenge in the list above.

Notre Dame

Sept. 5: vs. Nevada, C
Sept. 12: at Michigan, C+
Sept. 19: vs. Michigan State, B-
Sept. 26: at Purdue, D+
Oct. 3: vs. Washington, D+
Oct. 17: vs. USC, A
Oct. 24: vs. Boston College, C
Oct. 31: vs. Washington State (at San Antonio), D
Nov. 7: vs. Navy, D
Nov. 14: at Pittsburgh, C-
Nov. 21: vs. Connecticut, C-
Nov. 28: at Stanford, C-

Overall grade: C-

Obviously, after the debacle of the last two years, the Golden Domers need a schedule that will help them build confidence and get some easy wins and enough W's for a bowl game. No wonder most of their schedule comes against teams from the three conferences that garner the least amount of respect in BCS-land; the Big East, Big Ten and Pac-10. I think Touchdown Jesus is actually throwing up his hands, saying, "What is going on here?"

Oregon State

Sept. 5: vs. Portland State, F
Sept. 12: at UNLV, D+
Sept. 19: vs. Cincinnati, B+

Overall grade: C- The Beavers are as much a Jekyll & Hyde team as there is in college football, so no wonder their nonconference slate is just as varied, despite being only three games long. Tony Pike vs. Lyle Moevao is going to make that game against the Bearcats an absolute scream to watch. Wish there were more of those kind of games here.