A team’s schedule obviously plays a role in its won-loss record. Heck, who wouldn’t rather play Florida International, Eastern Michigan and South Alabama than Florida, Michigan and Alabama?
At the same time, it can be dangerous to think of games as “tough” or “easy” three months out. What can look to be an easy game in May can end up being tough in October or November. For instance, Missouri was coming off back-to-back SEC East titles when the 2015 season kicked off, and games against Mizzou were viewed as potentially difficult ones. But the Tigers ended up being an easy opponent.