BYU almost has always had a front-loaded schedule as that is when we've typically played the P5, non conference games. It's been the case for years. 2017 was spread out every other game and we still struggled at 100% vs. Portland St, couldn't even cross the 50 vs LSU (who lost to Troy that year). To blame how bad that year was on injuries because of schedule is completely missing the mark.
2018 looked much tougher on paper than it was. AZ was a favorite in the south and couldn't make a bowl in the weakest division, Cal was mediocre, Wisc was a great win--but they turned out to be a mediocre team. We had a gimme right before Washington and couldn't even compete in that game.
Bottom line, we are playing weaker schedules with worse results. Time to show something on the field of play instead of making excuses that don't hold up.
2017
Port. St--(gimme, should've been)
LSU--9-4 (good team)
Utah 6-6 (mediocre)
Wisc 13-1 (great team)
Utah State 6-7 (not very good)
2018
Arizona 5-7 (mediocre-bad)
Cal 7-6 (mediocre)
Wisconsin 8-5 (good-mediocre)
McNeese gimme
Washington 10-4 (good)