During that time we transitioned from playing mostly patsies and mediocre teams to playing top teams OOC. And (just like when Utah made a big step up in competition going to the PAC12) it resulted in a few down years.

2003, 2004, and 2005 were probably tougher schedules than anything we've played in the independence era (also 2009 and 2010 were tougher than our Indy schedules) with the possible exception of 2012.

Consider the top 5 opponents each year (by Sagarin rank)

2001: 27, 36, 50, 56, 68
2002: 40, 43, 58, 65, 73
2003: 2, 12, 25, 33, 43
2004: 1, 4, 10, 43, 46
2005: 8, 12, 15, 29, 51
2006: 25, 26, 35, 44, 46
2007: 33, 33, 34, 43, 49
2008: 5, 7, 24, 56, 73
2009: 4, 17, 24, 31, 34
2010: 4, 14, 16, 26, 28

2011: 17, 20, 35, 39, 77
2012: 5, 15, 19, 29, 41
2013: 11, 18, 28, 34, 37
2014: 36, 39, 51, 52, 53
2015: 9, 24, 30, 38, 42
2016: 28, 37, 47, 52, 64
2017: 8, 17, 19, 33, 35
2018: 9, 23, 25, 27, 28
2019: 17, 20, 26, 32, 35
2020: 21, 37, 41, 59, 84
2021: 23, 24, 25, 31, [32]

(Haven't played #32 yet)

So if I just looked at those schedules, I'd assume
2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2018 would be rough seasons.

And in those years, we went 4-8, 5-6, 6-6, 11-2, 7-6, 8-5, 8-5, 4-9 and 7-6. With the exception of 2009, when we play a top schedule, we struggle. Crowton just didn't get easy scheduled.

By comparison, I'd expect strong seasons against the schedules from 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2021.

And in those years we went 12-2, 5-7, 11-2, 11-2, 10-3, 8-5, 9-4, 11-1, [6-2 with 5 games left].

Again with only one exception (2002) when we play crappy schedules, we look good