2003 for example, we played (by Sagarin) the
#2, #12, #25, #33, #43, #44, #49, #54

That's the 2021 equivalent of Ohio St, Texas A&M, Mississippi St, Kentucky, Miami, SMU, North Carolina and Nevada

This year our opponents rank #10, #15, #21, #35, #53. Which is good, but not 2003 quality

2004 we played #1, #4, #10, #31, #43, #46, #49
That's the 2021 equivalent of playing Georgia, Michigan, Utah, Tennessee, Miami, UTSA and North Carolina

And the last two years before we went Indy were similar.
2009 was (with 2021 equivalents)
#4 (Michigan), #17 (Iowa St), #24 (Purdue), #31 (Tennessee), #34 (Arizona St), #35 (LSU (

2010 was (with 2021 equivalents)
#4 (Michigan), #14 (Clemson), #16 (Oregon), #26 (Michigan St), #28 (UCLA), #34 (Arizona St), #37 (Houston)

That's not a weak schedule by any stretch