Honestly- I beleive it is a combination of things, yea schedule difficulty is part of it. I think a lot has to do with the fact that Since PAC12 teams play 9 conference games now, of we play BYU every year ( pretty good team most years BYU-Utah usually always close game). That leaves a total of 1 Cupcake game. One. The other OOC would be Michigan, Wisconsin, or even maybe a Northwestern one year but a BCS team regardless. It's pointless to Beef up your own schedule. Look at the SEC, they play 8 conference games & 3 Junk teams every year. Some years LSU has 8 home games. Talk about giving yourself an advntage.
I think the SEC has it right.

I believe there is pressure from Larry Scott & PAC12 to drop a rivalry. If BYu were in the BiG12, I don't think we'd be ever be having this discussion

I have mixed feelings about the hiatus. It's bitter sweet, we lose our fierce rival, but we get a home-home with Michigan