For clarification, I'm very well aware of who we've played in the past. Heck, we even played FSU in 2007. While that wasn't our opener, it was still a massive non-conference opponent. Tell me what bearing that has on this upcoming season again? None of the players who will be on the 2018 team were here from '07-'13 and very few will be left from '14-'15. so I'm not sure how those games predicate "needing a break."
Secondly, a precedent has been set, and that is that the fans will have a big game to look forward to in the beginning of the year. You're telling me that Louisville and Duke should cause the same level of buzz as a Clemson, Florida State, or USC? No, I want to see us play a game in a neutral site that will serve as a barometer of our championship caliber. Of course I'll be excited for a non-conference warm-up, but we get enough of those in scheduling teams like ULL, Colorado St, MTSU, and WKU.
This is my opinion, and you are welcome to disagree, but I think every team should schedule at least one competitive non-conference team during the season. The SEC from top-to-bottom has trended down the past few years. I won't go so far as to say that it's no longer the best conference, but there is a far closer level of parity than there used to be. With a 4 team playoff, no team should rely solely on their conference resume to lock down a spot in the dance. Especially with a 12 game schedule. Heck, Clemson played Auburn, Oklahoma played OSU, and Georgia played ND. The top teams play other top teams and have for years.
Of course non-conference games can absolutely be a crap shoot. Who would have guessed after the "game of the century" that FSU would have to win 4 straight to even become bowl eligible. Still, that type of game builds reputation, appeals to recruits, and helps prepare the younger players for a championship atmosphere. It's the aspect of being the best by beating the best, which we've consistently built our program around. I think a little disappointment is only natural when we get away from that for the first time.
Lastly, it's not like teams have been backing away from big matchups. Heck, we'll open against Miami in 2020. There are big matchups littering the college football landscape in the first couple of weeks of next season. The big boys aren't backing away from the big games, and I don't think we should either. Louisville will be an okay matchup. Heck, maybe they shock people and are hiding a qb who continues in the tradition of Brohm, Bridgewater, and Jackson. I guarantee you that we won't overlook them, and I'll be dying for that game all summer. However I don't think there's anything wrong with admitting that at face value it seems like an underwhelming matchup, and a step back from where we've been.