that is the reality we compete in, we could schedule 3 top 20 teams , but then we could be ranked lower, not contend for a bcs spot, play in a less prestigious bowl, have our revenue drop, sell less merchandise, not get espn game day suffer poor attendance etc etc
on a positive note, tune up games serve a purpose and you want offense, defense firing on cylinders when conference play starts.
Absolutely. And that's kind of sad.
A laugher, blowout drubbing of some horribly outmatched opponent is more valuable to fans than a well played loss to an equal opponent.