Deep Breaths

[JoeFalcon]

As to the other stuff mentioned later in the thread, I'd still like to see some tangible evidence of how playing a Top 10 team on the road "gets us ready" for the rest of the season. We played Ohio State in 2003 and still got smoked in the MAC Championship game. We've played highly ranked Wisconsin and Oklahoma teams and haven't even reached the MAC Championship game. There's always the possibility of victory and the glory that might follow, but the negatives still outweight the positives for me.

I'd rather have the team confident and clicking on all cylinders entering MAC play right now, not wondering what the hell just happened to them.

Joe:

Good points. In the end, the main reasons we play these sorts of games are for exposure and money. Plain and simple. You're right ... there's no proof these games "get us ready" for anything.

You're right, those six-figure paychecks definitely don't hurt.

[JoeFalcon]

"I look at it this way: If we ever have that magical year where we go undefeated I want people to be able to say, "Wow, and look they went on the road and played a Big 10 & ACC school, and beat them both!"

Amen!

As opposed to, well we beat a couple of 1-aa's at home.

Get ready? I don't know that there's evidence either way regarding a soft or easy OOC schedule. So go for the exposure, $$$, and chance at victory.

I'm not saying we should have a soft OOC schedule or beat up on patsies (wasn't he a character on The Sopranos?) I just don't think we should be playing teams ranked in the Top 5 on the road every single year.

The general rule of thumb for OCC scheduling is: a game you should win, a couple that are a toss up and one that's a reach. This year, we had a minimum of two reaches and possibly a third considering it was a Big 10 team coming off a bowl season on the road.

People say "Well, there's nothing to lose." Wrong--there's plenty to lose, momentum being the primary thing.

[Falconfreak90]

I agree with Joe. One big BCS payday game a year is enough. It simply takes too much out of the team playing multiple games like this. I like our OOC sked the next few years. They are winnable, yet challenging games against "name" teams. Next year we have Pitt, Minnesota, Boise State and Wyoming. BSU will be difficult as always...the rest are all winnable games.

GO FALCONS

[1987alum]

"I look at it this way: If we ever have that magical year where we go undefeated I want people to be able to say, "Wow, and look they went on the road and played a Big 10 & ACC school, and beat them both!"

Amen!

As opposed to, well we beat a couple of 1-aa's at home.

Get ready? I don't know that there's evidence either way regarding a soft or easy OOC schedule. So go for the exposure, $$$, and chance at victory.

I'm not saying we should have a soft OOC schedule or beat up on patsies (wasn't he a character on The Sopranos?) I just don't think we should be playing teams ranked in the Top 5 on the road every single year.

The general rule of thumb for OCC scheduling is: a game you should win, a couple that are a toss up and one that's a reach. This year, we had a minimum of two reaches and possibly a third considering it was a Big 10 team coming off a bowl season on the road.

People say "Well, there's nothing to lose." Wrong--there's plenty to lose, momentum being the primary thing.

I maintain that this should be our recipe for our OOC schedule:

A - payday game (a big BCS conference school - Ohio State, etc.)
H - vs. 1-AA; yes, I've said it. I'll take a SEMizzou State at home; probably win, good tune-up for conference play
H - as part of a 1-for-1 with either a "lower tier" BCS Conference school (N'western, Duke) or another mid-major (Wyoming, etc.)
A - as part of a 1-for-1 with either a "lower tier" BCS Conference school (N'western, Duke) or another mid-major (Wyoming, etc.)

[The Niz]

I can't wait to see Minnesota here in BG next year.

Will they be the first Big Ten team ever to play at the Doyt?

[Schadenfreude]

I can't wait to see Minnesota here in BG next year.

Will they be the first Big Ten team ever to play at the Doyt?

Yes.

Also, circling back, I'd be curious to know how much we were paid for the Boston College visit. That stadium only seats 44,000. The Michigan State game might have meant more for the team.

Also, next year, this Pittsburgh game probably isn't a huge money game. If you tuned in last night, you would have seen plenty of good seats available against Navy.

Incidentally, I'm almost positive the Pitt game is the final piece of a a two-for-one deal that had us playing at old Pitt Stadium in 1999 and Pitt playing at Bowling Green in 2000. This third game has been postponed several times.

[Falcon137]

Also, circling back, I'd be curious to know how much we were paid for the Boston College visit. That stadium only seats 44,000. The Michigan State game might have meant more for the team.

Also, next year, this Pittsburgh game probably isn't a huge money game. If you tuned in last night, you would have seen plenty of good seats available against Navy.

Incidentally, I'm almost positive the Pitt game is the final piece of a a two-for-one deal that had us playing at old Pitt Stadium in 1999 and Pitt playing at Bowling Green in 2000. This third game has been postponed several times.

The Pitt game next year will be great for several reasons. For thier home opener I would say 35,000+ so a pay day right around what BC was. On the flip side this is still a Big East high profile team that we have a great chance to go in and beat.

[Falconfreak90]

I can't wait to see Minnesota here in BG next year.

Will they be the first Big Ten team ever to play at the Doyt?

Yes.

Also, circling back, I'd be curious to know how much we were paid for the Boston College visit. That stadium only seats 44,000. The Michigan State game might have meant more for the team.

Also, next year, this Pittsburgh game probably isn't a huge money game. If you tuned in last night, you would have seen plenty of good seats available against Navy.

Incidentally, I'm almost positive the Pitt game is the final piece of a a two-for-one deal that had us playing at old Pitt Stadium in 1999 and Pitt playing at Bowling Green in 2000. This third game has been postponed several times.

You are correct, SF. We were at the Pitt game in 1999 (And 2000 obviously) and BG dominated in every aspect of the game. We lost due to 2 big punt returns and a turnover return. Pitt won 30-10 and yet we had almost double the yards and FD's.

I will be jacked to see BG roll Pitt next year at Heinz Field. It is actually closer for me to drive to Pittsburgh than Bowling Green. LOL,

[tiznow]

I can't wait to see Minnesota here in BG next year.

Will they be the first Big Ten team ever to play at the Doyt?

Yes.

Also, circling back, I'd be curious to know how much we were paid for the Boston College visit. That stadium only seats 44,000. The Michigan State game might have meant more for the team.

Also, next year, this Pittsburgh game probably isn't a huge money game. If you tuned in last night, you would have seen plenty of good seats available against Navy.

Incidentally, I'm almost positive the Pitt game is the final piece of a a two-for-one deal that had us playing at old Pitt Stadium in 1999 and Pitt playing at Bowling Green in 2000. This third game has been postponed several times.

You are correct, SF. We were at the Pitt game in 1999 (And 2000 obviously) and BG dominated in every aspect of the game. We lost due to 2 big punt returns and a turnover return. Pitt won 30-10 and yet we had almost double the yards and FD's.

I will be jacked to see BG roll Pitt next year at Heinz Field. It is actually closer for me to drive to Pittsburgh than Bowling Green. LOL,

Freak, I was at that game in 99 at Pitt Stadium as well. I thought BG was going to win that game. BG was leading at half time and did dominate. I don't miss that hole that was Pitt Stadium. You nearly die walking up the hill to get to the stadium.

I can't wait to see them at Heinz Field next year as well. It is a very nice venue.

[tiznow]

Also, circling back, I'd be curious to know how much we were paid for the Boston College visit. That stadium only seats 44,000. The Michigan State game might have meant more for the team.

Also, next year, this Pittsburgh game probably isn't a huge money game. If you tuned in last night, you would have seen plenty of good seats available against Navy.

Incidentally, I'm almost positive the Pitt game is the final piece of a a two-for-one deal that had us playing at old Pitt Stadium in 1999 and Pitt playing at Bowling Green in 2000. This third game has been postponed several times.

The Pitt game next year will be great for several reasons. For thier home opener I would say 35,000+ so a pay day right around what BC was. On the flip side this is still a Big East high profile team that we have a great chance to go in and beat.

Some more reasons.

I grew up in Pittsburgh. There are a lot of kids that go to college in Ohio from Western Pennsylvania. It is still the case today. When I was at BG, there were 8 other kids from my high school. From our rival high school there were easily double that amount. There is a good size alumni group in Pittsburgh as well.

My point is that I hope we can have good support for BG at that game. It would be awesome to see a lot of Brown and Orange in the Mustard colored stadium.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I know of two people that will be there bright and early.

Pitt is somewhat down this year due to youth and injuries. They should be much improved next year. Of course, so should we if we can get a new OL rolling.

[BGSUFootballFan]

"I look at it this way: If we ever have that magical year where we go undefeated I want people to be able to say, "Wow, and look they went on the road and played a Big 10 & ACC school, and beat them both!"

Amen!

As opposed to, well we beat a couple of 1-aa's at home.

Get ready? I don't know that there's evidence either way regarding a soft or easy OOC schedule. So go for the exposure, $$$, and chance at victory.

I'm not saying we should have a soft OOC schedule or beat up on patsies (wasn't he a character on The Sopranos?) I just don't think we should be playing teams ranked in the Top 5 on the road every single year.

The general rule of thumb for OCC scheduling is: a game you should win, a couple that are a toss up and one that's a reach. This year, we had a minimum of two reaches and possibly a third considering it was a Big 10 team coming off a bowl season on the road.

People say "Well, there's nothing to lose." Wrong--there's plenty to lose, momentum being the primary thing.

I maintain that this should be our recipe for our OOC schedule:

A - payday game (a big BCS conference school - Ohio State, etc.)
H - vs. 1-AA; yes, I've said it. I'll take a SEMizzou State at home; probably win, good tune-up for conference play
H - as part of a 1-for-1 with either a "lower tier" BCS Conference school (N'western, Duke) or another mid-major (Wyoming, etc.)
A - as part of a 1-for-1 with either a "lower tier" BCS Conference school (N'western, Duke) or another mid-major (Wyoming, etc.)

I agree with you 1987. We need to play a 1-AA team at home. Everyone else does it for an easy win, why aren't we? We've had like 14 games at the Doyt the last 2 seasons plus this one, while other teams are getting more than 14 home games in 2 years. It's time to take our share. Also I like the idea of playing a Minnesota home and away and another mid-major home and away. Gives us a shot to go 2-0 in those game against some decent opponents, but also a good chance NOT to go 0-2 since 1 is game at the Doyt.

[tiznow]

I think it is a good idea as well. How much would we have to pay a 1-AA to come to the Doyt?

[1987alum]

I think it is a good idea as well. How much would we have to pay a 1-AA to come to the Doyt?

My faulty memory says $60K. I have no idea why, but that number is stuck in my head ...

[Flipper]

I think the price has gone up some the last year or so...more 1A games= greater demand for the supposed cannon fodder found in 1AA