Part 6/9:
Evaluations within college football hinge upon strength of schedule, historical context, recruiting strategies, and overall team performance. SEC teams, known for their robust rosters and recruiting prowess, continually dominate player drafts. This raises a pointed question: if a team like Indiana, with a middling schedule, were to face top-tier SEC teams, would they retain their status?
Utilizing metrics from past seasons, when teams from smaller conferences have faced elite competition, the results often leave much to be desired. The harsh reality is that strength of schedule and quality of opposition significantly affect perceptions, rankings, and ultimately, playoff representation.