This take fundamentally misunderstands how strength of schedule is measured and valued. The data from last season shows that playing a dispersed schedule of Power Four teams, as an independent, actually hurts a program's ability to build consistency and depth. UConn's schedule last year resulted in a 1-11 record, with their only win against an FCS opponent. Their average margin of defeat was over 22 points. That's not building resilience, it's getting physically dominated week after week. The idea that playing different schemes is a tougher mental challenge ignores the physical toll of being outmatched in the trenches repeatedly. A conference schedule provides a baseline of competitive play and allows for tangible improvement. UConn's independent path has led to a defensive efficiency ranking in the 120s nationally for consecutive seasons. Scheduling for "quality wins" is meaningless if you lack the roster to compete. Their offensive yards per play was a dismal 4.2 last year. A cushy conference schedule with predictable opponents at least allows for strategic development and player confidence. The 10-2 independent record you propose is a fantasy when the current reality is a team getting blown out by Duke and Georgia State. The strength of schedule argument isn't lazy, it's a necessary filter that separates teams who can compete from those who just collect paycheck losses.