@Ppcannon
When you select ranked game mode, the game shows the descriptions "compete against similarly skilled opponents" or something like that, but if you select normal game mode, that text is gone. Also, as far as I know, Respawn has never said they use skilled based matchmaking in normal game mode. So I think its pointless to assume something that "isnt accurate" when said thing may not even exist in the first place.
My personal experience is that there is very little matchmaking for the normal game mode and yes, if you are below average, you will have a hard time winning games but maybe you need to re-think your goals and expectations of the game. A below average player maybe should be content with getting 1 kill per game and gradually become better and better and also gradually change these goals and expectations to higher ones. Most of us who played since week 1 of this game know what Im talking about. We all remember when we were new and just dropped, fought and died over and over and over again in Skulltown or Thunderdome. I mean I was terrible when I started but now Ive gradually become a little better and are now at a K/D of +3 and still (hopefully) improving.
But like someone else also said; you should play ranked if you want a more skilled based matchmaking. You will run into some smurfs here and there but bronze-gold is at least a bit lower level than normal imo.