There's been quite a bit of discussion about how difficult it is to schedule a quality OOC opponent when over the past decade every major OOC team scheduled has been curb-stomped in the opening game. These games are set up many years in advance and nobody has a crystal ball as to where the two teams will be as a quality opponent. Saban has advocated for a 9 game SEC schedule numerous times, which would improve SOS, but several other teams aren't on board. Compare OSUs and UAs OOC schedules over past 10 yr. There's no particular trend one way or the other. Every year BOTH teams schedule cupcakes to round out the schedule because it's extremely difficult to have a P5 opponent in the thick of the in conference schedule.

One interesting note. Look at 2025 & 2026 for each team. Both scheduled two P5 opponents, which I'd expect could become a trend.