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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
UNLV
UNLV

Forgiving schedule of their own · San Diego State's is forgiving

Was
7-5
On San Diego State's schedule
6-6
-1.4 wins
Expected wins now
6.0
Was
7.4
Where it lands
6+63%
10+2%
SDSU
San Diego State

Forgiving schedule of their own · UNLV's is forgiving

Was
7-5
On UNLV's schedule
9-3
+1.2 wins
Expected wins now
8.6
Was
7.4
Where it lands
10+28%
11+9%
12-01%
Who benefits
San Diego State
+1.2 expected wins

San Diego State picks up about a win on UNLV's slate.

Who gets hurt
UNLV
−1.4 expected wins

UNLV gives back a win and a half on San Diego State's slate.

The game that changes everything

Vs James Madison

Week 3 · San Diego State's schedule
SDSU
San Diego State
60%
to win · favored by 4
UNLV
UNLV
47%
to win · James Madison by 1
13-point probability gap

Same opponent, same venue — and 13 points of win probability between San Diego State and UNLV.

UNLV · toughest games they inherit
At
TOL
Toledo
32%
At
UCLA
UCLA
34%
At
BSU
Boise State
34%
10 games on San Diego State's slate they would not have played.
San Diego State · toughest games they inherit
At
UNT
North Texas
39%
Vs
MEM
Memphis
51%
At
HAW
Hawaii
60%
6 games on UNLV's slate they would not have played.
The record test
UNLV: The record will flatter them · No. 80 strength / No. 36 projected wins
San Diego State: The record will flatter them · No. 66 strength / No. 35 projected wins
The verdict
Turns out the schedule mattered.

San Diego State picks up 1.2 wins on UNLV's schedule while UNLV gives back 1.4. That is the schedule talking, not the roster.

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. All 12 games modeled, non-FBS opponents included.

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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