Are Fans Happier With Oklahoma State’s Non-Conference Scheduling?

When the 2017 Oklahoma State Fan Survey results came out, there was a lot of interesting information. But, there was one thing in particular that intrigued me — OSU fans’ opinion of the non-conference scheduling.

Back in 2015, OKC Dave starting asking about whether or not OSU should toughen the level of competition in the non-conference. You guys voted overwhelmingly that you wanted to see better competition, with the majority asking for a slight increase.

Since then, it seems like fan’s approval of OSU’s non-conference scheduling has been on the rise.

When asked if the OSU football program should schedule tougher non-conference competition this year, here’s how the voting went.

The highest percentage of fans believe that the non-conference scheduling is just fine. A look at the schedules over the past three season, might help explain this change.

In 2015, OSU opened with a road game against Central Michigan, followed by home games against Central Arkansas and UTSA. That’s not exactly the kind of non-conference schedule to get excited about, especially when you’re being asked to fork over $90 per game to attend.

In 2016, there was an improvement with the addition of a Power Five program. OSU had home games against Southeastern Louisiana, Central Michigan, and Pittsburgh. Obviously fans were happier.

This year, the schedule improved again. OSU skipped the FCS opponent in favor of two group-of-five opponents. Tulsa, South Alabama, and Pittsburgh. And again, the voting was more favorable.

It seems like the voting is based more on what OSU is facing each year. If that’s the case, the approval rating may dip a bit next year, with a non-conference line-up of Missouri State, South Alabama, and Boise State.

The biggest drop in the survey were votes for a much tougher strength of schedule. Is that because voters are happier with this year’s schedule, of did last year’s *loss* to Central Michigan and close win over Pitt scare them a bit? I have a feeling last year’s Pitt game has something to do with it.

The other reason I think more fans are happy with things the way they are? The College Football Playoff implications, or lack thereof. If Washington can make it with a non-conference schedule of Rutgers, Idaho, and Portland State, then why bother making the non-conference schedule harder than it already is?

The problem with that logic is that if your team doesn’t make the playoff, and isn’t going to make the Big 12 title game, why not schedule a Florida State or replace an FCS with a Houston? It gives fans something worth playing $90 to see. Real people paid that money to see OSU beat Savannah State 84-0. Are you okay with that?

Obviously, the vast majority of voters still want to see a tougher non-conference schedule. That’s good. To me it means fans believe that we should schedule better, because we can beat better. I agree. Do away with the FCS opponents. Give us a better Power Five opponent more often. I’m not saying face Boise State, Alabama, and Utah every year, but sprinkle in the Georgias, Michigan States, and Oregons of the world every once in awhile.

After Pitt this year, are best opponents over the next six seasons are Boise State, Oregon State, and Arizona State. Those are fine. I’d just like to see a Notre Dame sprinkled in once every five years.