In fact, rarely did you have a really hard game at the beginning, despite playing 2-3 P5 teams every year.

In 05 your first two games were BC (9-3) and E. Illinois (FCS). You played Notre Dame (9-3) later in the year. You played TCU (11-1) early, but that's the MWC's fault, not Homoe's.

In 06 your first three games were Arizona (6-6), Tulsa (8-5), and BC (10-3), and you played USU and then TCU in week 5. Utah (8-5) was your last game.

In 07 you started with Arizona (5-7), UCLA (6-7), and Tulsa (10-4), and played Utah (9-4) and TCU (8-5) in November.

In 08 you started with N. IA (FCS), UW (0-12), and UCLA (4-8). You played Utah (13-0) and Air Force (8-5) in November and TCU (11-2) in October.

In 09 you started with Oklahoma (8-5), Tulane (3-9), and FSU (7-6) and played Air Force (8-5) and Utah (10-3) in November plus TCU (12-1) in October.

In 10 you started with UW (7-6), FSU (10-4), Nevada (13-1), USU (4-8) (plus 9-4 AF sandwiched in there) and ended with Utah (10-3) plus TCU (13-0) and SDSU (9-4) in October.