#1 Strength of Schedule in the nation

We won't end there.

We won't fall far given that all three are conference opponents.  I mean of course you'll try and spin it negatively as per usual, but it'll be mostly futile spin.

Not spinning it negatively at all, but you're right I should've elaborated. We finish with UCLA, Arizona, and Oregon. Combined record of 8-19, 2-16 in conference. Assuming we win those games, it only hurts our SOS more. That's a fact. It's been pretty a pretty brutal schedule for sure, but it gets much easier from here on out.

Also, SOS means absolutely squat unless you're competing for the CFP. We consistently play one of the more difficult schedules in the nation - it's the nature of the beast as long as the Pac-12 plays a 9 game conference schedule. If we were 7-2 right now against the toughest schedule in the nation, that's one thing. But we're 2-7 with wins over Idaho State and Cal (the 4th worst defense in terms of yards allowed in the nation, and the 2nd worst in terms of points allowed).

Sports-reference.com has SOS Rankings a little different, they have us 2nd in the nation right now. Looking back on past years though:
2015: 8th
2014: 34th
2013: 27th (played in Hawaii Bowl)
2012: 10th (played in Alamo Bowl)
2011: 20th
2010: 1st
2009: 29th (played in Las Vegas Bowl)
2008: 7th (played in Sun Bowl)

It's not like it's going to be a much easier road next year. We're going to swap out UCLA and Arizona for ASU and USC most likely. We always play a tough schedule.