re: Should LSU play tougher non-conference schedule

With the playoff, the game has changed. It is about positioning your team to make a run at the SEC championship game and get in the playoff. Why would we continue to bang our collective head against the wall with a murderous OOC conference when our conference foes aren't doing the same. One of the Whiskey/TCU type games a season is good enough to demonstrate we have some schedule strength, plus the conference slate and a couple of cupcakes.

The playoff, if you get to it and advance, effectively gives you a couple of additional OOC conference games against a quality opponent. That is better than a Chicken Bowl or Outback game against an unknown or weak opponent year in year out.

NO, the last 3 years we have had 1 of the toughest schedule in the country while the gumps always get the pussy schedule!

we consistently schedule some very good OOC teams. more often than almost any other SEC school i can think of, although i guess you could make the case that SC and FL play Clemson and FS every year.

now, every time we schedule a good OOC team they don't always show up (see NC in 09), but its def not for a lack of trying.

also, we don't want to add an ohio state, oklahoma, or oregon every stinking year. we play in a division that year in & year out fields 3+ teams that would have an good shot at winning any other conference. look at the last 6-7 years and where the top 3 SECW teams wound up when they weren't ruining each other's seasons.

ETA: i missed the OPs part about them coming to tiger stadium. i admit, the good teams we've played the past couple of years (omitting WV) have not played in TS. i'm pretty sure it's tough (without a home & home) to get another marquee team to both be willing to play us twice in two years or to just come play at TS. as conceited as this might sound, i doubt anyone with national title aspirations wants to play LSU two years in a row. look what happened to oregon.