Can this be right?

[EWURanger]

Saw this on twitter.

"@FCS_Football: Runner up Sam Houston State only has 3 home games this fall. They will play 8 on the road."

Wouldn't they have 4 conference home games in the Southland?

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[grizzaholic]

Saw this on twitter.

"@FCS_Football: Runner up Sam Houston State only has 3 home games this fall. They will play 8 on the road."


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HAHA.. That cannot be correct.

[SuperHornet]

Wow. Even in UOP's bodybag last season, they still had four home games.

Something's goofy if this is true. Especially given that a team that nearly won it all really has no reason to be loading up on bodybag games, which would be the only reason to play such a barnstorming schedule. They've earned a season with a majority-home schedule, IMO.

[grizzaholic]

Stadium renovations?

[SuperHornet]

Turns out Ranger IS right. SHSU starts at home against Incarnate Word (9/8)and then goes on a massive road trip that doesn't end until Homecoming against McNeese (late OCT). Choosing McNeese for homecoming is probably a mistake, but the barnstorming schedule DOES upgrade the level of play as it includes games at Baylor and TX A&M. Uniquely, SHSU closes the season at TX A&M. Seven of the games are within a two-hour radius, so they're claiming that as an advantage.

The weird thing is that they don't explain why they're doing this. It COULD be a case of "We're doing this because we can." But I rather suspect that grizza's suggestion would be much closer to the truth.

http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.d ... M_ID=19900

[EWURanger]

Ok, so two body-bag games. I get that. What about their normal conference schedule, are they playing one of their normal home games at a neutral venue or something?


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[Screamin_Eagle174]

Turns out Ranger IS right. SHSU starts at home against Incarnate Word (9/8)and then goes on a massive road trip that doesn't end until Homecoming against McNeese (late OCT). Choosing McNeese for homecoming is probably a mistake, but the barnstorming schedule DOES upgrade the level of play as it includes games at Baylor and TX A&M. Uniquely, SHSU closes the season at TX A&M. Seven of the games are within a two-hour radius, so they're claiming that as an advantage.

The weird thing is that they don't explain why they're doing this. It COULD be a case of "We're doing this because we can." But I rather suspect that grizza's suggestion would be much closer to the truth.

http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.d ... M_ID=19900

I thought that was one of your nonsensical religious metaphor names, but I'll be damned if there's actually a college named Incarnate Word.

[kalm]

Turns out Ranger IS right. SHSU starts at home against Incarnate Word (9/8)and then goes on a massive road trip that doesn't end until Homecoming against McNeese (late OCT). Choosing McNeese for homecoming is probably a mistake, but the barnstorming schedule DOES upgrade the level of play as it includes games at Baylor and TX A&M. Uniquely, SHSU closes the season at TX A&M. Seven of the games are within a two-hour radius, so they're claiming that as an advantage.

The weird thing is that they don't explain why they're doing this. It COULD be a case of "We're doing this because we can." But I rather suspect that grizza's suggestion would be much closer to the truth.

http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.d ... M_ID=19900

I thought that was one of your nonsensical religious metaphor names, but I'll be damned if there's actually a college named Incarnate Word.

ICU?

[Mvemjsunpx]

Wouldn't they have 4 conference home games in the Southland?

Southland only has 8 teams now.

[T-Dog]

The SHSU/SFA game is a neutral site game at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The SFA game would be a home game. So out of their 7 conference games, 2 are at home, 1 is neutral and 4 on the road. Texas State would be a home game if they stayed but they replaced it with the A&M game.

[EWURanger]

Wouldn't they have 4 conference home games in the Southland?

Southland only has 8 teams now.

Yeah, I forgot about Texas State. Still, it seems like they'd still have either 3 or 4 home conference games a year. And I haven't heard of Incarnate Word being a member of the Soutland, which means they're only playing two home conference games. Guess I'll have to actually look at their schedule now.


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[nwFL Griz]

Southland only has 8 teams now.

Yeah, I forgot about Texas State. Still, it seems like they'd still have either 3 or 4 home conference games a year. And I haven't heard of Incarnate Word being a member of the Soutland, which means they're only playing two home conference games. Guess I'll have to actually look at their schedule now.


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Since there are only 8 members of the Southland conference, that means they would either have 3 or 4 home conference games in a given year. This year they would have 3 home, however, their game with SFA has moved to a neutral site game in Houston. That means that this year, they have 2 conference home games and 1 neutral site game where they are the home team.

Next year they will have 4 conference home games.

[JohnStOnge]

I think it's safe to say they won't have an undefeated regular season this year. It'll also be interesting to see if there's any indication of an effect of all of their conference mates having video of having played against their new offense.

I'm not sophisticated enough to know exactly what was going on. But it seemed like every time I watched them play on TV part of the story was that they had a unique offense that people weren't accustomed to. Now it's going to be the second time around with that offense for all of the teams they played last year. It'll be interesting to see if there's any suggestion of that making a difference.

[BDKJMU]

Notice their "bye" week is the 1st week of the season, meaning they have no bye week.

Ideally you would have an all I-AA schedule.

Majority full scholly I-AA teams play a I-A, no DII.
Whats really dumb if you're trying to make the playoffs is playing a I-A AND a Div II, or playing 2 I-A.
But playing 2 I-A AND a Div II
Playing 2 I-A AND a Div II with no bye week.
Playing 2 I-A AND a Div II with no bye week and only 3 home games

That is the worst, most brutal schedule I have ever seen. A team that made the NC game with only 5 of 22 senior starters, who with a normal schedule would be highly likely to make the playoffs, with a likely bye and good chance at a seed, now has almost zero chance of getting a seed, with probably a less than 50-50 shot at making the playoffs. That is also the DUMBEST schedule I have ever seen. Their AD ought to be fired.

[SuperHornet]

Worst schedule you've ever seen? It qualifies as VERY dumb, to be certain. But try THIS one on for size. [Keep in mind that the school was I-A (now I-AAA), but the league SHOULD have been classified as I-AA as the Big Sky was rated higher.]

1995 Season

9/2 @ Arizona (L 9-41)
9/9 OREGON STATE (W 23-10)
9/16 @ Fresno State (L 24-56)
9/23 @ Nebraska (L 7-49)
9/30 BYE
10/7 @ Oregon (L 7-45)
10/14 LA Tech* (W 47-41)
10/21 @ SW LA* (L 3-45)
10/28 @ San Jose State* (W 32-30)
11/4 NEW MEXICO STATE* (L 37-39)
11/11 NEVADA* (L 29-45)
11/18 @ Utah State* (L 22-38)

Now, THAT's a jacked up schedule! It was painful, too.

[EWURanger]

Notice their "bye" week is the 1st week of the season, meaning they have no bye week.

Ideally you would have an all I-AA schedule.

Majority full scholly I-AA teams play a I-A, no DII.
Whats really dumb if you're trying to make the playoffs is playing a I-A AND a Div II, or playing 2 I-A.
But playing 2 I-A AND a Div II
Playing 2 I-A AND a Div II with no bye week.
Playing 2 I-A AND a Div II with no bye week and only 3 home games

That is the worst, most brutal schedule I have ever seen. A team that made the NC game with only 5 of 22 senior starters, who with a normal schedule would be highly likely to make the playoffs, with a likely bye and good chance at a seed, now has almost zero chance of getting a seed, with probably a less than 50-50 shot at making the playoffs. That is also the DUMBEST schedule I have ever seen. Their AD ought to be fired.

Agreed. 2 x FBS is bad enough. I hate that we are playing WSU and Idaho this year, as I doubt that the Wazzu payout will be that much, and we won't make jack shit from Idaho. But at least both of those games are only an hour and a half away, and the UI game is winnable.

But 2 x FBS and a DII is just dumb. They've got almost zero margin for error to even make the playoffs. Plus only three real home games = wow. And I thought we had it bad in 2011.


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[SuperHornet]

Well, for me, 2 FBS being a horrible schedule depends on who you're talking about. Nebraska and Ohio State, I'll grant. But if you're talking about Ball State and Buffalo, I think you've got two easy wins with FBS brownie points.

Granted, it doesn't work out like that for most. Clearly, the payout isn't anywhere near as much. But it's something to think about if you are close enough that the trip is worth the cost.

Personally, I like the 1 FBS/1 Peer FCS/1 Down FCS or D-II model (assuming you have 3 OOC games to play with). You get a bit of a challenge and a chance to develop your backups in case your starters go down for the playoffs. Additionally, you're not really scheduling yourself out of the playoffs, either. IMO, it balances out. And it's an EXTREME plus if you can get a MAC/Sun Belt as your FBS. Heck, even the WAC might fit that paradigm in the near future.

[BDKJMU]

Well, for me, 2 FBS being a horrible schedule depends on who you're talking about. Nebraska and Ohio State, I'll grant. But if you're talking about Ball State and Buffalo, I think you've got two easy wins with FBS brownie points.

Granted, it doesn't work out like that for most. Clearly, the payout isn't anywhere near as much. But it's something to think about if you are close enough that the trip is worth the cost.

Personally, I like the 1 FBS/1 Peer FCS/1 Down FCS or D-II model (assuming you have 3 OOC games to play with). You get a bit of a challenge and a chance to develop your backups in case your starters go down for the playoffs. Additionally, you're not really scheduling yourself out of the playoffs, either. IMO, it balances out. And it's an EXTREME plus if you can get a MAC/Sun Belt as your FBS. Heck, even the WAC might fit that paradigm in the near future.

Even for a top I-AA, those aren't easy wins. Could win both, could lose both, more likely a split. I-A still wins about 90% of the games vs I-AA.

Playing a I-A AND a Div II is f'ing retarded. That leaves you with a likely loss and a likely win that doesn't count towards playoff eligibility, meaning you have to go 7-2 in your 9 I-AA games to be playoff eligible.

Instead of scheduling a non counting Div II, should just schedule a no or limited scholly cupcake I-AA that isn't any better than your avg Div II, but at least will count as a win as far as playoff eligibility.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Well, for me, 2 FBS being a horrible schedule depends on who you're talking about. Nebraska and Ohio State, I'll grant. But if you're talking about Ball State and Buffalo, I think you've got two easy wins with FBS brownie points.

Granted, it doesn't work out like that for most. Clearly, the payout isn't anywhere near as much. But it's something to think about if you are close enough that the trip is worth the cost.

Personally, I like the 1 FBS/1 Peer FCS/1 Down FCS or D-II model (assuming you have 3 OOC games to play with). You get a bit of a challenge and a chance to develop your backups in case your starters go down for the playoffs. Additionally, you're not really scheduling yourself out of the playoffs, either. IMO, it balances out. And it's an EXTREME plus if you can get a MAC/Sun Belt as your FBS. Heck, even the WAC might fit that paradigm in the near future.

Even for a top I-AA, those aren't easy wins. Could win both, could lose both, more likely a split. I-A still wins about 90% of the games vs I-AA.

Playing a I-A AND a Div II is f'ing retarded. That leaves you with a likely loss and a likely win that doesn't count towards playoff eligibility, meaning you have to go 7-2 in your 9 I-AA games to be playoff eligible.

Instead of scheduling a non counting Div II, should just schedule a no or limited scholly cupcake I-AA that isn't any better than your avg Div II, but at least will count as a win as far as playoff eligibility.

Exactly. I wish our AD would get on the phone and set up a home and home with San Diego or Drake. We've got two FBS this year, but for the first time in a while, both are winnable (Idaho and Wazzu). Most likely we'll split though (I don't see us losing to the Vandals... they went 2-10 last year, including a win over UND.)

[SuperHornet]

BDK: That's why I said D-II OR a down FCS. The problem with saying it's DEFINITELY a down FCS is that not everybody has a plethora of FCS programs in their area. In those cases, a D-II is the only one left if you can't justify a costly road trip to the other side of the country.

[EWURanger]

Instead of scheduling a non counting Div II, should just schedule a no or limited scholly cupcake I-AA that isn't any better than your avg Div II, but at least will count as a win as far as playoff eligibility.

I agree....problem is, there's exactly one of those that fit that description out west, and most Big Sky teams aren't going to dish out 200k to bring in some East Coast team. So sometimes the only option for teams looking for an additional home game is the DII. In that case I'd rather just play an additional FBS. It's at least a potential counter for the playoffs as opposed to the DII which counts for overall record only.

The best scenario is getting a huge payday, AND getting the win like JMU did to Va Tech in 2010.



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[Screamin_Eagle174]

Instead of scheduling a non counting Div II, should just schedule a no or limited scholly cupcake I-AA that isn't any better than your avg Div II, but at least will count as a win as far as playoff eligibility.

I agree....problem is, there's exactly one of those that fit that description out west, and most Big Sky teams aren't going to dish out 200k to bring in some East Coast team. So sometimes the only option for teams looking for an additional home game is the DII. In that case I'd rather just play an additional FBS. It's at least a potential counter for the playoffs as opposed to the DII which counts for overall record only.

The best scenario is getting a huge payday, AND getting the win like JMU did to Va Tech in 2010.



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I doubt it would cost 200k, would it? I figured it was in the 50-100k range.

[BDKJMU]

I agree....problem is, there's exactly one of those that fit that description out west, and most Big Sky teams aren't going to dish out 200k to bring in some East Coast team. So sometimes the only option for teams looking for an additional home game is the DII. In that case I'd rather just play an additional FBS. It's at least a potential counter for the playoffs as opposed to the DII which counts for overall record only.

The best scenario is getting a huge payday, AND getting the win like JMU did to Va Tech in 2010.



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I doubt it would cost 200k, would it? I figured it was in the 50-100k range.

Charter airfare from the east coast (or just east of the Mississippi), several nights hotel & several days' meals for 70+ players, coaches, trainers, equipment staff, a couple of charter buses for a couple of days, etc is going to be 100k+. And a team isn't going to come out just to break even. So no, EWURanger is right- more like 200k.

[kemajic]

Worst schedule you've ever seen? It qualifies as VERY dumb, to be certain. But try THIS one on for size. [Keep in mind that the school was I-A (now I-AAA), but the league SHOULD have been classified as I-AA as the Big Sky was rated higher.]

1995 Season

9/2 @ Arizona (L 9-41)
9/9 OREGON STATE (W 23-10)
9/16 @ Fresno State (L 24-56)
9/23 @ Nebraska (L 7-49)
9/30 BYE
10/7 @ Oregon (L 7-45)
10/14 LA Tech* (W 47-41)
10/21 @ SW LA* (L 3-45)
10/28 @ San Jose State* (W 32-30)
11/4 NEW MEXICO STATE* (L 37-39)
11/11 NEVADA* (L 29-45)
11/18 @ Utah State* (L 22-38)

Now, THAT's a jacked up schedule! It was painful, too.

"Jacked up" may be extreme. The UOP opponents in '95 were barely over .500 that year in spite of the records of Nebraska, Oregon and Nevada. The Big West conference slate was not what you would call daunting.

9/2 @ Arizona (L 9-41) (6-5)
9/9 OREGON STATE (W 23-10) (1-10)
9/16 @ Fresno State (L 24-56) (5-7)
9/23 @ Nebraska (L 7-49) (12-0)
9/30 BYE
10/7 @ Oregon (L 7-45) (9-3)
10/14 LA Tech* (W 47-41) (5-6)
10/21 @ SW LA* (L 3-45) (6-5)
10/28 @ San Jose State* (W 32-30) (3-8)
11/4 NEW MEXICO STATE* (L 37-39) (4-7)
11/11 NEVADA* (L 29-45) (9-3)
11/18 @ Utah State* (L 22-38) (4-7)

But UOP was 5-2 against Montana and we will never have a chance to retaliate.

[SuperHornet]

There is something to what you say, kem. But keep in mind that when one schedules FOUR schools that much higher than your league and only has four home games, one is asking for problems. Sam's problem is exacerbated by having only two or three true home games (yes, there is the relatively close neutral site game). But it is also aided by the fact that they don't play "up" as much as UOP did that year.

Nothing will happen in the near future, kem, but if I ever have anything to say about it, you will have your chance to get a bit of revenge on UOP. The president who fired us had the gall to say that I-AA was "beneath us," so the best option was to dump it altogether. Not everyone agrees with him, so hopefully in the future we can get a president in place who is more amenable to the idea. For years, I've advocated a UOP football presence in the Big Sky. Rekindling the rivalry with Sac would be huge, second only to Sac-Davis in valley importance.