BG Fans - clinically depressed or just realists??

[NewZipsFan]

Wow -- I just read this thread on their "fan message board".. I hope the team feels the same way these fans do - if so, we "bowl" them over on Saturday.

Our fans talk about better conferences, better opportunities... these guys, well... read it for yourselves..

"Scared About Football"

[LZIp]

Yikes..talking D2.

Not to be the bearer of bad news, NZF, but a lot on here were talking D1-AA after last season. Hopefully a lot of those opinions have changed.

[zestycoyote]

Eh, their program is just down. BGSU is always like that. Five years down, then four years with a scrambling quarterback that dominates the MAC. They'll be fine.

[Zipsrifle]

I realize we need "Pay Day" games for the program, but part of me actually thinks we should avoid these types of games for two reasons.

1) I'm not convinced of the benefit of these games to the program outside of the cash. Do recruits come to Akron just because they will play a game or two at a Major BCS School? Do the players and coaches learn a lot during these games? Overall, does it put the program in a positive light? Do we have a higher chance of injury during these games?

2) These types of games continue to bias the "Winning Tradition" at "Major" programs. I never understood why it is "OK" for a "Major" program to have say 8 home games a year while a "Mid-Major" may have as low as 4. It is difficult to build a fan base or a program when you are on the road all the time. Everyone should have 6 home and 6 away games. A "Major" school scheduling a low MAC school is the same as Akron scheduling a low FCS School. The "Major" school is allowed to do this because we are FBS, and they basically get 3-4 practice sessions before starting their season. The MAC school is thrown to the wolves right away. It helps the "Major" program rankings and their fanbase, MAC Schools are not so lucky.

As much as I want to make it "Big Time", I also realize who we are. Right now, I would rather forego the "Pay Day" games and play against low level B10, CUSA, B-East schools where we have a reasonable shot at being competitive. I've felt for a year or two that the MAC should actively walk away from payday games (Though that looks dumb now) and force the "Major" schools to schedule comparable opponents early in the season. Many schools who think they are in the running for a National Championship every year at this time because they have played a bunch of cupcakes would have their seasons blown up in week 1 or week2. On one front it would help remove the bias that MAC schools are continually fighting in the Mid-West.

[Dr Z]

BG fans are just miffed because their favorite football team is ineligible for a bowl this year. They'll be in better spirits next football season.

[NewZipsFan]

I realize we need "Pay Day" games for the program, but part of me actually thinks we should avoid these types of games for two reasons.

1) I'm not convinced of the benefit of these games to the program outside of the cash. Do recruits come to Akron just because they will play a game or two at a Major BCS School? Do the players and coaches learn a lot during these games? Overall, does it put the program in a positive light? Do we have a higher chance of injury during these games?

2) These types of games continue to bias the "Winning Tradition" at "Major" programs. I never understood why it is "OK" for a "Major" program to have say 8 home games a year while a "Mid-Major" may have as low as 4. It is difficult to build a fan base or a program when you are on the road all the time. Everyone should have 6 home and 6 away games. A "Major" school scheduling a low MAC school is the same as Akron scheduling a low FCS School. The "Major" school is allowed to do this because we are FBS, and they basically get 3-4 practice sessions before starting their season. The MAC school is thrown to the wolves right away. It helps the "Major" program rankings and their fanbase, MAC Schools are not so lucky.

As much as I want to make it "Big Time", I also realize who we are. Right now, I would rather forego the "Pay Day" games and play against low level B10, CUSA, B-East schools where we have a reasonable shot at being competitive. I've felt for a year or two that the MAC should actively walk away from payday games (Though that looks dumb now) and force the "Major" schools to schedule comparable opponents early in the season. Many schools who think they are in the running for a National Championship every year at this time because they have played a bunch of cupcakes would have their seasons blown up in week 1 or week2. On one front it would help remove the bias that MAC schools are continually fighting in the Mid-West.

I'm not sure where I ultimately will stand on this issue.. but all I can say is "TENNESSEE". We got paid a LOT of money (I've seen it reported anywhere between $600,000-$750,000+) to go to Knoxville and actually almost beat them. We could have (coulda woulda shoulda). That game gave our players - not only the opportunity to play in one of college football's greatest venues (which YES - is a recruiting tool) - but also incredible confidence that they could line up with a big-time SEC team and keep them on the ropes for 3+ quarters. It may not have turned into a "W" for the Miami game - but I believe the benefits will continue to be seen the rest of the season. When its coming down to the wire - Stein can look back and say to himself, "I hit a 45 harder in front of 85,000 at Neyland - and then hit 3 more".. Quentin Hines can say "I broke a 70 yard TD run and left those SEC players in my wake"... The O-Line can say "We protected our QB against the Tenn DL who outweighed us by 70+ lbs per man".. The defense can say "We stopped Tenn on 4th down twice - and forced them into FGs several times"... Avis can say, "I picked off Tyler Bray for 6"... etc. etc. etc...

So - for the moment - I say, bring on the money games!

[Dr Z]

So - for the moment - I say, bring on the money games!

Putting the kids on the team aside for a moment, going to see the Zips play at Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, Penn State, Wisconsin, NC State, etc is FUN for the fans. It's not that fun going to see games at Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, OU. So as a fan, I want to go see the Zips play bigger teams so the fans experience a great football environment. As a fan of the progrUm, I want to beat the best. To beat the best you have to play the best. I almost didn't believe this anymore until seeing TB's offensive scheme. I am now turned around, and believe we can score on anybody. We obviously need to work on our defense, but I think in time that will come. IMO, Bring on the big boys!

Schedules are made years ahead of time, so it's hard to judge years from now who will be at what level in their respective conference.

[MDZip]

Playing the "big boys" is good for both the players and the fans, assuming you are not completely out of your league. A schedule of nothing but teams that we are competitive with (like an FIU and UCF) out of conference will not help to raise the national profile at all. In 2014, where I believe we could be getting good, we go to Penn State and Pitt. Knocking off the two of them in the same year (regardless of how good they end up being) gets you some national attention, beating the likes of ECU, UCF, Fresno St and Troy in the same year might be a more impressive accomplishment but not in "Joe Akron's" eyes. So I stand with I am OK with one "money" game, one "buy" game of an FCS school, and then 2 1-1's with schools of "equal" value (non-BCS or lower level BCS). I really like the fact that the two year series with Pitt is a 1-1 (of course history shows sometimes that the bigger schools will buy that second away game out, but at the moment, I think that's great). So non conference I'd love to see something like, "buy" a Youngstown State, get a "money" game at Georgia, get a 1-1 with say, Troy and Iowa State (whom we do have coming up in 2018).

[K92]

I like Ohio's scheduling philosophy. It certainly has worked in creating a lot of buzz for them. If they continue to schedule the way they have and keep winning, in time they will be able to schedule and compete with better progrums. Their fans certainly seem to be enjoying the ride.

[ZippyRulz]

Wow -- I just read this thread on their "fan message board".. I hope the team feels the same way these fans do - if so, we "bowl" them over on Saturday.

Our fans talk about better conferences, better opportunities... these guys, well... read it for yourselves..

"Scared About Football"

I didn't understand much of what was in the posts of that thread but I think the following:

1. The 'big' programs are not all going to stop scheduling the 'cupcakes' and have their huge stadiums sitting empty in the early season while they're on the road playing at their 'big' brethren for half the $$. Even if Tosu tries to do this, which of the bigs are going to forgo a home sellout to go share the pot w/Tosu? Is Tosu really going to give up revenue that supports their massive athletic program and provide fewer games in Cols. for their passionate 'fans'? I'll believe it when I see it.

2. I don't see us playing in Div. 2 at Infocision and I don't see any other MAC teams doing it either, so why would BG? At worst, BCS seems to be sustainable by a lot of largish mid-major schools, even without a 'big' money game (YSU only went to Pitt this year). I honestly think that poster is confusing Div. 2 with '1-AA' (which also has a non-scholarship option).

3. If BCS would choose to separate itself completely, Div. 1 non-BCS would become a new NCAA division and there would be no need for anyone to go anywhere else.

[GJGood]

Playing the "big boys" is good for both the players and the fans, assuming you are not completely out of your league. A schedule of nothing but teams that we are competitive with (like an FIU and UCF) out of conference will not help to raise the national profile at all. In 2014, where I believe we could be getting good, we go to Penn State and Pitt. Knocking off the two of them in the same year (regardless of how good they end up being) gets you some national attention, beating the likes of ECU, UCF, Fresno St and Troy in the same year might be a more impressive accomplishment but not in "Joe Akron's" eyes. So I stand with I am OK with one "money" game, one "buy" game of an FCS school, and then 2 1-1's with schools of "equal" value (non-BCS or lower level BCS). I really like the fact that the two year series with Pitt is a 1-1 (of course history shows sometimes that the bigger schools will buy that second away game out, but at the moment, I think that's great). So non conference I'd love to see something like, "buy" a Youngstown State, get a "money" game at Georgia, get a 1-1 with say, Troy and Iowa State (whom we do have coming up in 2018).

I really like all of this except instead of "buying" an FCS game I'd rather play a team at or near the bottom of the FBS like a South Alabama, Memphis, Tulane, or Colorado State. I honestly believe the trend of bigger BCS type schools playing FCS schools is a win-win for both sides but that it hurts the "lesser" non-BCS FBS schools because of the fewer opportunities to play the big boys and garner national attention and also makes it even more difficult to recruit. Most recruits want noteriety and/or a chance at a national title. The BCS schools can give you one or both and the FCS schools have their own championship to play for, but what does a MAC or Sun Belt school have as an edge in recruiting? I'd just like to see FCS vs. FBS go away completely.

[MDZip]

I really like all of this except instead of "buying" an FCS game I'd rather play a team at or near the bottom of the FBS like a South Alabama, Memphis, Tulane, or Colorado State. I honestly believe the trend of bigger BCS type schools playing FCS schools is a win-win for both sides but that it hurts the "lesser" non-BCS FBS schools because of the fewer opportunities to play the big boys and garner national attention and also makes it even more difficult to recruit. Most recruits want noteriety and/or a chance at a national title. The BCS schools can give you one or both and the FCS schools have their own championship to play for, but what does a MAC or Sun Belt school have as an edge in recruiting? I'd just like to see FCS vs. FBS go away completely.

I'd agree with that but that caveat is that those schools would all probably want a 1-1 and if you have one money game where there is no home return visit, then you need to counterbalance that with a game where there is no away game (and FBS schools have been willing to do that) otherwise eventually you'd run into a situation where you could only have 5 home games and 7 on the road. Otherwise I'd agree there wouldn't be a need to have any crossover.