There was a time when LSU’s non-conference schedule was as frightening as Southeastern Conference play. 
Rather than play one tough game and sprinkle the rest with cupcakes, LSU used to seek out tough opponents to further its pride and reputation. LSU played teams like a pre-SEC Texas A&M, Notre Dame and Florida State in the ‘80s and ‘90s. 
In recent years, strength of schedule became less important to LSU and prompted a new mind set. The Tigers wouldn’t turn to the AP Poll for non-conference games; they’d turn to their checkbook.  
LSU will play its second “paycheck” game in a row this Saturday when it maims University of Louisiana-Monroe by a similar margin as its win against Sam Houston State. UL-Monroe will pick up $975,000 only one week after Sam Houston received $500,000. In two weeks, New Mexico State will receive $975,000 to get slaughtered in Tiger Stadium. 
That’s three-fourths of LSU’s non-conference schedule. To paraphrase Don Draper, money doesn’t solve everything, but it solves this particular problem. 
The teams playing will say these games aren’t all for show, especially the opposing coaches. Before last week’s demolition, Sam Houston coach K.C.
Keeler said the LSU game “isn’t a money game for us,” and his team did not schedule a predetermined score, it scheduled a football game. 
That’s a nice sentiment, but it’s completely untrue. 
That score Keeler didn’t schedule was 56-0, just in case you forgot. Keeler may have, because the only number that should matter to him and the Bearkats is $500,000.
The Sam Houston State players probably walked out of the stadium thinking of what they could’ve done to make it a closer game. Meanwhile, the Bearkats athletic director was only thinking about the facilities he or she can now build with the new paycheck. 
If this sounds a little depressing and pathetic, just remember: there are two
more games like this on the schedule. 
Winning one game through money is fine, but three seems out of hand. LSU finds itself under the mind set of “If we have the money to do it, then we should do it.” 
Buying up as many wins as possible may be smart, but it lacks pride. If you have the best home-field advantage in the country, prove it. If you have the best athletes, display them against schools that can actually compete. 
Then there’s the excuse that LSU plays in the high and mighty SEC, and therefore the paycheck games are justified. People who say that must have forgot the SEC earned its sterling reputation by dominating other conferences throughout the season in head-to-head matchups. 
Yes, the Tigers beat Wisconsin. They beat a team ranked No. 14 nationally, preseason. They beat a team who we believe will be good but don’t know will be good. In 2008 LSU began the season ranked No. 7 in the nation and finished it with five losses. Same thing could happen to the Badgers.
You know who isn’t going to have good seasons? Sam Houston State, UL-Monroe and New Mexico State. Sam Houston lost to fellow FCS foe Eastern Washington by 21 this season, and New Mexico State almost lost to Georgia State last week.
Just remember when you’re walking out of the stadium at halftime Saturday: LSU used to play non-conference games that were worth staying for all four quarters.