The College Football Playoff era is supposed to be one that places an emphasis on strength of schedule. This is part of the reason why the Pac-12 and Big Ten will be using nine-game conference schedules and why the ACC and SEC will stick to eight conference games, but require non-conference competition against other power conferences. While most of the new playoff era has questions that can only be answered once we work through at least one or two seasons, the idea that strength of schedule matters more than it has in years appears to be legitimate. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is taking notes.
“I think it will impact scheduling in terms of teams having to take on a little bit tougher schedule, to be honest with you,’' Dantonio said in an ESPN.com interview on Wednesday. “I think you’ll have schedules that are formatted to the strength of schedule, hopefully.”
The selection committee will be taking a look at a team’s overall profile, including whom they have played and what level of competition they have faced. Whom a school plays, and when those games are played, will be influential when it comes to comparing résumés when determining which four teams will be given a chance to play for a national championship.
“They are going to recognize if you play a bigger opponent in your first four games, and I think that as the situation continues down the road, that people are probably going to be mandated into that at some point.’'
Michigan State is getting a jump on that scheduling philosophy this season with a road game at Oregon (Oregon will visit Michigan State in 2015) and future games against Notre Dame, Arizona State and Miami all on upcoming schedules.
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