How can we emulate Boise's success?

[falconfan1999]

Driving home from BG last night, my wife and I were discussing the differences between the teams on the field. Inevitably, the question came up "Why can't we do what they are doing in Boise?" What is the University doing that we aren't? What are the Boise fans doing that we aren't? What amount of money would it take for us to be similar? Other than money, how can we, the passionate fans and alumni of BG, do our part to help?

Lastly, where on earth did they find so many BIG, FAST players? I think their lineman were as fast as our LB's!

[Peregrinner]

One of the major differences is that BG is right between OSU and UofM, and is competing for talent with Miami, OU, Toledo, Kent, and Akron for MAC talent. It's tough to get the attention of local fans and in-state recruits when you have that many teams on equal or greater (money, media, etc.-wise) standing in such a close radius.

[dp_broncos]

Driving home from BG last night, my wife and I were discussing the differences between the teams on the field. Inevitably, the question came up "Why can't we do what they are doing in Boise?" What is the University doing that we aren't? What are the Boise fans doing that we aren't? What amount of money would it take for us to be similar? Other than money, how can we, the passionate fans and alumni of BG, do our part to help?

Lastly, where on earth did they find so many BIG, FAST players? I think their lineman were as fast as our LB's!

My honest opinion on BSU's success.

It all comes down to scheduling. I am not familiar with BGSU's budget, so you'll have to take that into account.

BSU has always been railed because of their weak schedule. However, look at it from a cause and effect perspective. Weak schedule = wins. Wins= exposure. Exposure = recruits and money. Recruits = bigger wins. Money = bigger facilities. Bigger wins = BCS bowl. BCS bowl = MUCH bigger recruits. Rinse and repeat.

The best part is, you can always ramp up your OOC once you've got the players you desire, which is the phase that I see BSU at right now. Still looking for national respect, but still working on building up the talent on the field.

I'm sure I've over simplified the process, however, it had to play a huge part in making what BSU is today. (On top of that, BSU has one of the longest tenured AD's in the nation. Genes played a big part, especially his uncanny ability to hire HC's)

Much love to BGSU fans, you guys are great. Good luck the rest of the year!

[Falconboy]

I'd love to believe that we can emulate the success of Boise but I'm not sure if its possible given our location situation. Like previous poster said, we're smack dab in the middle of UM and OSU and have to compete with a dozen other Div.1 teams in our state and immediate region. Boise completely owns the hearts and minds of football fans in Idaho has to compete with no one in their immediate region for the best recruits either in-state or out of state. It's part of the formula for their massive success. I don't know how it's possible to copy that. Some of the best mid-major teams in the country are out west, Boise, Utah, BYU, Houston. They hall have similar advantages. Utah is the only deal in Utah , owns the state , based in either a capitol or large city. These schools have things that we simply don't have and will never have.

[always a falcon]

Let's start with an ORANGE field
..if only!

[Bassdrummin]

Hahah. During the game I was thinking... "Man, if we only brought out our green jerseys."

[JoeFalcon]

It all comes down to scheduling.

BSU has always been railed because of their weak schedule. However, look at it from a cause and effect perspective. Weak schedule = wins. Wins= exposure. Exposure = recruits and money. Recruits = bigger wins. Money = bigger facilities. Bigger wins = BCS bowl. BCS bowl = MUCH bigger recruits. Rinse and repeat.

The best part is, you can always ramp up your OOC once you've got the players you desire, which is the phase that I see BSU at right now.

That sequence is precisely the route BG should take. Instead, we overschedule and wear ourselves out before conference play even begins.

While under vastly different circumstances, that methodology is also how Bill Snyder resurrected Kansas State. A light OOC schedule is what got Ball State the unbelievable exposure they got last year. Unfortunately, this has fallen on deaf ears in favor of six digit paydays and quixotic fantasies.

[BillyLP]

It all comes down to scheduling.

BSU has always been railed because of their weak schedule. However, look at it from a cause and effect perspective. Weak schedule = wins. Wins= exposure. Exposure = recruits and money. Recruits = bigger wins. Money = bigger facilities. Bigger wins = BCS bowl. BCS bowl = MUCH bigger recruits. Rinse and repeat.

The best part is, you can always ramp up your OOC once you've got the players you desire, which is the phase that I see BSU at right now.

That sequence is precisely the route BG should take. Instead, we overschedule and wear ourselves out before conference play even begins.

While under vastly different circumstances, that methodology is also how Bill Snyder resurrected Kansas State. A light OOC schedule is what got Ball State the unbelievable exposure they got last year. Unfortunately, this has fallen on deaf ears in favor of six digit paydays and quixotic fantasies.

I think that's the process that Clawson prefers to take from now on. i know he wasn't thrilled with having such a tough out of conference schedule this season. We will always have one big opponent per year if we can because of the money (i.e. getting $800,000 from UM next year). Hopefully we can start reeling off some 10 win seasons again though. I think it's possible

[bgsukid]

Given BG's location I'd say it's next to impossible to do what Boise has done the last decade. Bosie has major advantages based on their location that BG will never enjoy.

[daspollak]

Given BG's location I'd say it's next to impossible to do what Boise has done the last decade. Bosie has major advantages based on their location that BG will never enjoy.

Everyone will say BG is at a disadvantage because of its location, but if we can start to rise above the MAC and CUSA teams in the region we would have better access to recruits in the area. I like the idea of having one away money game and 3 cupcakes for our OOC schedule. Imagine get our team some momentum heading into the season, and if we can win some MAC titles we may be able to lure more 3 star recruits to our team.

On a random thought, imagine if we would have ponied up and payed Meyer the more money than what Utah was offering.

[TG1996]

On a random thought, imagine if we would have ponied up and payed Meyer the more money than what Utah was offering.

I forget how much went into Mrs. Meyer's shopping fund from the Utah deal, but I don't think it would have been worth it for BG to spend that much for one, two years tops of Urban on the sidelines.

[Falcon137]

Utah is the only deal in Utah , owns the state , based in either a capitol or large city. These schools have things that we simply don't have and will never have.

BYU is pretty good....

[Falconboy]

Utah is the only deal in Utah , owns the state , based in either a capitol or large city. These schools have things that we simply don't have and will never have.

BYU is pretty good....

Ah, didn't realize BYU was in Utah. Should've known but it didn't dawn on me.

[Falconfreak90]

It all comes down to scheduling.

BSU has always been railed because of their weak schedule. However, look at it from a cause and effect perspective. Weak schedule = wins. Wins= exposure. Exposure = recruits and money. Recruits = bigger wins. Money = bigger facilities. Bigger wins = BCS bowl. BCS bowl = MUCH bigger recruits. Rinse and repeat.

The best part is, you can always ramp up your OOC once you've got the players you desire, which is the phase that I see BSU at right now.

That sequence is precisely the route BG should take. Instead, we overschedule and wear ourselves out before conference play even begins.

While under vastly different circumstances, that methodology is also how Bill Snyder resurrected Kansas State. A light OOC schedule is what got Ball State the unbelievable exposure they got last year. Unfortunately, this has fallen on deaf ears in favor of six digit paydays and quixotic fantasies.

I think that's the process that Clawson prefers to take from now on. i know he wasn't thrilled with having such a tough out of conference schedule this season. We will always have one big opponent per year if we can because of the money (i.e. getting $800,000 from UM next year). Hopefully we can start reeling off some 10 win seasons again though. I think it's possible

Good points all around. Our OOC sked this year is pretty demanding. Boise State is a Top 5 team and Missouri is now 4-0 with a win at Nevada. Marshall won at Memphis and to improve 3-1 and Troy won at Arkansas State to even up at 2-2. OOC opponents combined record is 13-3.

We have a lot of work to do but we should be a BiG factor in the MAC East.

BEAT OHIO!!

[falconfan1999]

Guys, you make some good points, but I really disagree on one. That has to do with location. Yes, we are in the middle of U of M and THE OSU, however, we are also smack dab in the middle of the most football crazy part of the whole country! We should be able to pick out a few studs here and there to go along with some long shots and kids who need time in the weight room. Within 5 hours you have Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cinncinnati, Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, Louisville, Akron, Toledo, etc..... Can't we sneak a few kids out of those places?

I really admire what Boise's done. I want to see us with our own Renaissance! I don't mind the big payday games, as long as we can compete. I don't want to see us getting shellacked anymore! That does nothing for recruiting or the self image of a program. I'm going to the U of M game next year, expecting a win, just like I expect us to win every game this year. I expected us to beat Boise in a tight game, but it just wasn't to be!