I'm not buying that the OOC schedule does not matter when at-large teams are being selected for the playoffs. Could it be possible that Ron Strollo misunderstood the question from Scalzo (or vice versa), and Ron's response was in regard to YSU missing the playoffs because of not winning enough games in the GFC.
One more conference win in each of the past 2 seasons, plus multiple times when Heacock was HC, and YSU would have been selected as an at-large team. Off top of my head, I know this would have been the case in 01, 02, and 05 with Heacock.
As for OOC schedule, I think playing 2 FBS teams would be okay, but do not advise that in a season with 12 games unless playing the other 2 OOC games against non/partial scholarship FCS teams at home. With the expanded playoffs, I definitely think a team from the GFC with a record of 7-5/5-3 could be selected for an at-large bid to playoffs if 2 of the losses were against FCS teams on the road. But, alot would also depend on where they finish in the GFC. To be assured of a playoff spot in the coming season, UNI is either going to need a win against 1 of the FBS teams, or go 6-2 in the GFC.
UNI has over scheduled themselves OUT of the playoffs before, as have a few other FCS teams