Butler official 2010 schedule

[Col Hogan]

Aside from the very old, very tired discussion of Butler's scheduling (putting aside issues such as: 0-11 2005 record...nearly dropping football completely...reported 10-year home-and-home contract with Albion ...adding YSU, ISU, Dartmouth in place of DIIIs in coming years...), it would appear that some folk have extremely short memories:

"Non-scholarship Cornell hasn't got a chance in the NCAA Tournament against Temple."

"Non-scholarship Cornell hasn't got a chance against Wisconsin."

"Kansas has a cake-walk to the next round. Northern Iowa poses no challenge."

"Butler has no answer for the speed, length, and athleticism of UTEP."

"Butler's dance is done. Murray State is too long and athletic for Butler to contain."

Number of "experts" that picked Butler to beat Syracuse: 0

Number of "experts" that picked Butler to beat Kansas State: 0

"Non-scholly Butler, co-champion of the PFL is the definite underdog to NEC champion Central Connecticut State."



YSU may very well beat Butler in Football this season. (Goodness knows that they certainly haven't gotten the job done in Basketball!) However...

This is why I enjoy FCS football. IT IS DECIDED ON THE FIELD.

And, as a side note... As a coach, parent, and fan of high school and college football, I am keenly aware of how much talent and hard work it takes to play college football at any level. Any of you who think that the players on non-scholarship Division I teams are a bunch of scrubs know nothing about (and I mean NOTHING) about what it takes to make the jump from high school to college.

My older son (a 2-Star defensive back) turned down scholarship offers and walk-on offers from scholarship programs to attend Butler, the school that he really wanted to attend. During the recruiting process, I was surprised by the number of All-State players on Butler's roster. They all may have been a few inches short, or a step too slow for Michigan, Notre Dame or Ohio State, but these kids can seriously play football.

If there is a "shortcoming" in non-scholarship or limited-scholarship Division I football rosters, it is depth. In most cases, the starting 11 for teams such as Butler, Albany, San Diego, Harvard, or Dayton are the equal to the majority of teams in the FCS. They may not match the "elite" teams in first-team talent, but they certainly cannot be described as "pee-wee".

Duquesne, a limited-scholarship program was decimated by injuries last season. Depth (or lack thereof) was a serious issue. The Delaware folks that are expecting a walk-over against Duquesne this season may be unpleasantly surprised.

I'm not predicting a victory by Butler over Youngstown State, or Duquesne over Delaware. I am saying that these teams are far better than some limited-vision fans of full-scholarship programs may realize or admit.

Your heartfelt arguement about the difference between the non-scholly FCS teams and full scholly teams is basically the same arguement made about the top level of FCS playing FBS teams...they have just as talented players...just lots fewer (DEPTH)...

And it's a very valid issue...

I may be wrong, but I don't remember ANYONE on these boards comparing non-scholly teams to Pee-Wee football...

But...Reality is a bitch...

And Butler in basketball is not equal to Butler in Football...not even close...

[CoachL]

Your heartfelt arguement about the difference between the non-scholly FCS teams and full scholly teams is basically the same arguement made about the top level of FCS playing FBS teams...they have just as talented players...just lots fewer (DEPTH)...

And it's a very valid issue...

I may be wrong, but I don't remember ANYONE on these boards comparing non-scholly teams to Pee-Wee football...

by Libertine » Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:30 am

Butler is experienced at beating D3's, NAIA's and the mediocre-to-bad teams that make up the Pioneer League. YSU competes in the MVFC and plays Penn State the week before this game. Butler will look like a peewee squad compared to that.

But...Reality is a bitch...

And Butler in basketball is not equal to Butler in Football...not even close...

I wasn't directly comparing Butler Basketball with Butler Football. I was simply comparing what "experts" and "fans" in general were saying about "mid-major" basketball teams like Butler competing against the "big boys". Some folks still think of non-scholarship and limited-scholarship football programs as "mid-major" FCS programs. (There were even "mid-major" FCS football rankings up until recently. ) It was all the "little (budget) guy" vs. the "big (budget) guy" comparison.

[dbackjon]

Except in Basketball, Butler gives the same number of scholarships as Duke, etc.

[CoachL]

Except in Basketball, Butler gives the same number of scholarships as Duke, etc.

But Cornell doesn't.

And I don't have the time to look up the relative basketball budgets of Duke and Butler. I suspect a slight difference there.

I get it. Butler basketball plays a tough OOC schedule. Butler football does not. Butler basketball awards scholarships. Butler football does not.

After Butler football going 0-11 in 2005, putting up only 3 victories in 3 years, and coming that close to dropping football I have two words to say to those who continue to bitch about Butler's football scheduling:

Northeastern

Hofstra

[DetroitFlyer]

Except in Basketball, Butler gives the same number of scholarships as Duke, etc.

But Cornell doesn't.

I actually feel bad having these arguments, it really is like taking candy from a baby....

[SUUTbird]

No offense to Butler but this is a really weak schedule and i doubt very much if you guys were to run the table that you would get an at large bid. I just feel that there are to many teams from both autobid conferences and at large ones who have a better shot such as the Big South or Big Sky has a bunch of decent teams and dont forget about us Great West teams. I feel that if Cal Poly, SUU or one of the other teams (besides the dakotas, dont think they can get in yet) finish with at least 7 wins i see them getting in ahead of the Bulldogs

[dbackjon]

But Cornell doesn't.

I actually feel bad having these arguments, it really is like taking candy from a baby....

Huge difference - Cornell basically offers schollies, and as an IVY school, gets players that others would not. Only takes a few players to have a huge impact in basketball, where a few players don't have that great an impact in football.


Everyone is glad that Butler has a team. And if bulter needs to sign a long-term home and home deal with a DIII to do that, then so be it.

Just don't expect to find many people thinking that is an at-large worthy schedule.

Candy from a baby, indeed.

[CoachL]

Random, off-topic thoughts from the parent of two children...

Have you actually tried to take candy from a baby?

What was the baby doing with the candy in the first place?

[guinzone]

Okay, we are 0-9 against Dayton. Care to share the last time we played? You non-scholarship folks are in for a rude awakening the next three years... Wolford is bringing YSU back to the promised land!

[Just a bit outside]

Off topic, but I figured I'd post it here since it's not really worthy of its own thread. Davidson will be playing AT Lenoir-Rhyne on Sep. 11 2010. http://www.lrbears.com/schedule.asp?sportID=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; This is the same D2 team that clobbered them last year.

[OL FU]

I'll show my ignorance (nothing new here ) has Butler stated their goal is an at large bid or are we assuming because they are in FCS. Asking simply because, if they are in the process of re-building their program then I see nothing wrong with the schedule. If they really want a shot at the playoffs then obviously the schedule won't help.