Through well placed and shadowy sources I've obtained a copy of the unofficial but complete 2008 Mizzou Baseball schedule. The schedule in its entirety can be seen at SimmonsField.com.
The schedule looks like an exciting one, and a step up from the past few years in terms of schedule strength. Read on for analysis of this year's "intended strength of schedule".
The schedule looks like an exciting one, and a step up from the past few years in terms of schedule strength.
The chart that follows lists the teams on MU's 2008 schedule in order of their final RPI ranking (according to Boyd'sWorld.com). Also on the chart is the number of games schedule against each opponent. By multiplying each team's RPI by the number games, then totalling and averaging the results, we get the average End-of-2007 RPI for the 2008 Mizzou schedule.
Obviously most of those teams will not repeat their exact RPIs in 2008 - some will vary greatly. But the goal of this exercise to to see the "intended schedule strength" - in other words, when the MU coaching staff compiled this schedule, what level of competition did they anticipate they were getting, based on 2007 results.
The strength of schedule shows a steady increase in schedule strength over the past few years.
With an average RPI of .537 for 2008, this is an increase from .534 in 2007, .532 in 2006, and .528 in 2005 and 2004. A .537 RPI would be equivalent to that of Washington State or South Alabama in 2007.
Opponents by conference
Big XII
11 teams
28 games
Baylor (3)
Kansas (4)
Kansas State (3)
Nebraska (3)
Oklahoma (3)
Oklahoma State (3)
Texas (3)
Texas A&M (3)
Texas Tech (3)
Missouri Valley
4 teams
8 games
Creighton
Indiana State (4)
Missouri State (2)
Southern Illinois
Big 102 teams
3 games
Michigan State
Minnesota (2)
Ohio Valley
2 teams
2 games
Eastern Illinois
Southeastern Missouri St
Mid-American
1 team
3 games
Toledo (3)
Independent
1 team
2 games
South Dakota State (2)
Mid-Continent
1 team
2 games
Western Illinois (2)
Big East
1 team
1 game
Connecticutt
Big West
1 team
1 game
Cal Poly
CUSA
1 team
1 game
Central Florida
PAC 10
1 team
1 game
California
West Coast
1 team
1 game
San Diego