Explore · Settle the Argument

Settle the Argument.

You've already had it. Now go settle it.

Every card here starts with something fans actually say — then runs it against the same canonical Verdict projection that ranks the board. Matchup Central predicts the game. This settles the argument.

The argument everybody has

“Put them through our schedule and see what happens.”

TRADE SCHEDULES

Swap two schedules, same venues, and run both seasons out. Who was carrying a schedule, and who was being carried by one.

Team
Trade with
MTSU
Middle Tennessee

Forgiving schedule of their own · Western Kentucky's is forgiving

Was
5-6
On Western Kentucky's schedule
5-6
-0.1 wins
Expected wins now
4.7
Was
4.8
Where it lands
6+28%
WKU
Western Kentucky

Forgiving schedule of their own · Middle Tennessee's is forgiving

Was
6-5
On Middle Tennessee's schedule
7-4
+0.3 wins
Expected wins now
6.6
Was
6.3
Where it lands
6+78%
10+2%
Who benefits
Western Kentucky
+0.3 expected wins

Western Kentucky picks up about half a win on Middle Tennessee's slate.

Who gets hurt
Middle Tennessee
−0.1 expected wins

Middle Tennessee gives back barely moves on Western Kentucky's slate.

The game that changes everything

Vs Nevada

Week 3 · Middle Tennessee's schedule
WKU
Western Kentucky
63%
to win · favored by 6
MTSU
Middle Tennessee
43%
to win · Nevada by 3
20-point probability gap

Same game. Same stadium. Verdict sees two very different problems.

Middle Tennessee · toughest games they inherit
At
UGA
Georgia
1%
At
IND
Indiana
3%
Vs
MOST
Missouri State
52%
3 games on Western Kentucky's slate they would not have played.
Western Kentucky · toughest games they inherit
At
KU
Kansas
17%
At
FIU
FIU
40%
At
MRSH
Marshall
42%
3 games on Middle Tennessee's slate they would not have played.
The record test
Middle Tennessee: The record will flatter them · No. 133 strength / No. 112 projected wins
Western Kentucky: The record will flatter them · No. 102 strength / No. 55 projected wins
The verdict
It's closer than the argument sounds.

Neither schedule is worth a full win to the other team — Middle Tennessee -0.1, Western Kentucky +0.3 — even where the likeliest record tips over.

Each team is run through the other's exact schedule, same venues. Head-to-head games between the two are set aside so both slates are the same size. 11 of 12 games modeled. Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky play each other, so that game is set aside — neither team can inherit itself.

More arguments to settle

2026 Preseason Model · Partial roster evidence · data as of 2026-07-11. QB continuity and verified personnel changes are included. Returning-production and updated coaching data are still pending. Projections are model estimates for analysis, not guarantees.

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