re: Is it too early....

I've become a huge fan of opening with challenging opponents ever since Oregon. Before that had never given it much thought.

Its high risk/reward but also gives the program a much needed focus during the long offseason. Not so much game-planning for a certain team, but just the simple fact they'll be challenged right off the bat by a good team.

LSU opened 2012 playing a nobody, and that squad never really hit its stride all year. Im not saying it was solely because of that, but the surrounding years do give some credence to the advantage of playing a tough opener.