I guess there are people who don't know this, but FSU was a random-ass independent in 1981. They had just tasted success in 1980. Sure, they were independent, but so is BYU today. Their schedule sucks, too.
Here's what FSU scheduled in 1981 to get on the map. In consecutive weeks:
@ 17 Nebraska
@ 7 Ohio State
@ Notre Dame
@ 3 Pitt
@ LSU
They went 10-2 the previous year, but they knew they weren't in the "in" group. So they scheduled like that the following year. They went 3-2 in those games. They also played 13 Miami and 14 So. Miss later in the year, going 6-5. But they earned respect.
3 years later, they were ranked in the preseason and kept scheduling tough.
1984: @ 4 Miami, 16 Auburn, @ 5 S.Carolina, 3 Florida
Of course, they played Memphis and Tulane and East Wherever, but they scheduled 4-5 big-boy teams, understanding that they had to in order to eventually get a seat at the table.
The Bearcats have one good year and want it all. Screw that. Utah went 12-0 TWICE and was still left out. So they were proactive and joined the PAC-10. NOW if Utah goes 12-0, they're in the party. NOW there is no doubt.
