People continue to ask what it will take for Notre Dame to get back to the glory years. There has been talk, even amongst the Irish front office, of lessening the schedule. A plan has been put into place to gradually maneuver towards a lighter load. 2005 is exempt from that process as schedules are made years in advance. The Irish will do battle versus THREE of the Top FOUR teams currently listed in the just released AP Top 25 Poll (No. 1 USC, No. 3 Tennessee, No. 4 Michigan).

The argument "this is nothing new" when compared to decades of national title hunts for the Irish holds some water. However, scholarship reductions and parity have morphed today's game such that Notre Dame cannot stack its three-deep with guys who are good enough to start somewhere else. While new head coach Charlie Weis and his offensive mind have been handed an offense cocked for “hunting” the big game, his defense has been decimated…which has been the biggest issue in South Bend the last 10 years. No need to wish Charlie the best of luck, it won't be enough.

Arkansas took our No. 1 position in this NationalChamps.net Strength of Schedule department just one year ago. So, to no surprise, they still rank near the top. Playing in the SEC is usually enough, but now the decision-makers in Fayetteville have gone out and scheduled a road trip to Los Angeles - the Hogs battle the top rated USC Trojans. Are they Nutts? Maybe not as much as one would think. That game has nothing to do with conference standings and Arkansas has no shot at seeing USC in a Rose Bowl national title game. Take the money/exposure and run, even without Matt Jones behind center.

Speaking of the SEC...other than Notre Dame, the rest of our Top 5 Strength of Schedule list is loaded with SEC teams. Before an argument commences about the SEC playing weak non-conference foes, take a look at our out-of-conference opponent list. The SEC is ranked second toughest out of all the BCS conferences.

2005 AP Preseason Poll
1. Southern California (63)
2. Texas (24)
3. Tennessee (31)
4. Michigan (49)
5. Louisiana State (28)
6. Ohio State (6)
7. Oklahoma (40)
8. Virginia Tech (62)
9. Miami FL (43)
10. Florida (3)
11. Iowa (33)
12. Louisville (102)
13. Georgia (22)
14. Florida State (48)
15. Purdue (73)

Conf USA had no choice but to expand. With heavy hitters Louisville, Cincinnati, South Florida and TCU jumping ship, the new seven additions enter the league with a combined 2004 record of 26-54. Only Marshall and UTEP garnished more then three wins last fall. Ergo, more than half of the newly formed conference rank below 100th, rivaling the lowly Sun Belt.

Toughest and Easiest SOS by BCS conference

ACC
Toughest - North Carolina: How good is Matt Baker? He attempts to replace UNC's all-time passer Darian Durant, so we'll find out.
Easiest - Boston College: No wonder they have a shot at getting to the first ever Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game.

Big East
Toughest - Syracuse: Seeing the writing on the wall? Another season with ex-head coach Paul Pasqualoni would have only been good for yet another six win season under this scenario.
Easiest - Louisville: Reminds us of WVU last year about this time.

Big Ten
Toughest - Ohio State: September 10th game (in Columbus) versus Texas represents the nation's best cross-conference match up.
Easiest - Purdue: …no Ohio State, no Michigan, home versus Iowa and closing with Indiana and Illinois. Surprise team?

Big XII
Toughest - Oklahoma State: These days it does not help to be hanging out down South with Norman and Austin.
Easiest - Iowa State: The Cyclones stay in a race where the North Division winner maintains a 7-4 record.

Pac Ten
Toughest - UCLA: Karl Dorrell needs to win in order to get off the hot seat. He has a shot with the talent and experience on the roster. Schedule-wise...he better brush off the résumé.
Easiest - USC: The Trojans do not play themselves, which hurts their rating.

SEC
Toughest - Arkansas: Good for season ticket holders? Maybe not, as USC, Alabama, Georgia and LSU are on the road.
Easiest - Auburn: Dare we say 13-0 and no National Championship Banner? C'mon, are there truly any easy schedules in this league?