Maybe in terms of getting into the playoffs. But there’s something to be said for playing out of conference games against teams with a pulse. I’d much rather watch OSU vs. Texas than, say, OSU vs. the Florida A&M Rattlers.
It’s more interesting and also better for team development.
Harder schedules have bigger risks, but the last 2 years have convinced me that not just experience, but experience against the best of the best will force a team to evolve into the strongest versions of themselves.
Last year, OSU dealt with all sorts of adversity in the regular season, including playing 3 of the best teams and multiple top position groups, including Michigan’s DTs. They didn’t have that this year, and were able to go through the season without addressing the biggest issues with the offense. Last year they had issues on the OL and went through a bunch of iterations until they found their best one.
Also, off topic, but Lanning is actually who a lot of OSU fans think Day is. He (Lanning) is a very good coach who puts his teams in a good spot, but in the biggest game of the year, his teams don’t just struggle, they implode and quit.
For all Day’s weaknesses, his teams never quit. They may look dead in the water for a half, but will claw their way back. I know a loss is a loss, but it tells me he and his teams always care and have a will to persevere. OSU is building on a much stronger foundation and is often a few tweaks away from achieving their goals the next season.
