Here's a point about playing a softer out of conference schedule that I haven't seen brought up. Everyone always complains that we never get to play much of our 2nd/3rd string because we're always in close games. The Alabama, Ohio State, ugas, of the worlds play 2-3 patsies spaced out throughout the year. This gives them a chance to tryout young players, recover for tougher games ahead, and build confidence. Yes it won't look as good as winning games against tougher teams, but we should be able to swing an extra home game, develop players, and keep them healthier.
As it stands in 2020 we have an awful schedule with UCF, Notre Dame, and Georgia on top of the normal ACC schedule. We get one easy game that year the first against Garner-Webb. Even if we have a good team that year we are going to be limping through the schedule by the end and a complete patchwork of depth. I predict that being a non bowl year or a 6-6 year no matter how you slice the team.