i could not disagree more with this article. if mandel is arguing that NU has an easier non-conference schedule than bsu, there is not question. but if he is arguing that NU has an easier complete schedule than bsu, he is out of his mind. the problem with this article is that he could only publish it this week. it is not a timeless article; lets see the revision of this at the end of the year. also, he seems to be trying to defend bsu, but he is only bashing NU. what, he is going to go through every school and come up with some argument why bsu is just as deserving as that school? it is like some political hit piece, but bsu does not have to prove it is more deserving than just NU (which if both teams were undefeated at the end of the year, i think the bcs rankings, including the sos, would make it quite apparent that bsu is much less deserving than NU), bsu has to prove it is more deserving than almost any other undefeated team, including an undefeated TCU. :moreinteresting mandel's argument is specious, at best.
this whole argument is all backwards. NU does not need a tough non-con, nor should it seek one. with how tough conference play is, why start the gauntlet early? and it is because bsu that NU should have a weak non-con. why schedule a tough non-con when there are teams that are just trying to meet the bare minimum and still get a shot at the championship? there is no advantage to one when the only goal is to be undefeated. this is why there should be a playoff, because with one loss, your season is not done. with a playoff and a stronger emphasis on strength of schedule, that would make better football and demand stronger non-con. or, screw non-con and just play everyone in your conference. then bsu would be screwed because they could not schedule a tough non-con (although they are changing conferences), and the big 10 would provide a great schedule a create great football and a true conference champion.
oh, here is another reason to deny bsu access to the championship game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZufxP1ko4GU&feature=player_embedded
i posted this somewhere else, but i forgot where. hope not this thread.