When UC was in C-USA, I expected to lose v. BCS opposition. There should be a large talent gulf an quality of coaching gulf between BCS and non-BCS programs. BCS programs should expect to win when they go out of conference to face WAC, MAC, C-USA and MWC competition.
I don't think that's an unrealistic standard to hold the team to at all. Very few programs in BCS conferences would ever shrug off a loss to a program like Fresno by saying "Eh, they're a good team." I don't see why such a loss should be acceptable for UC.