Topic: Which schedule would be better for the Football Program?

[GreenKnight]

I am taking a page from the Boise State football program and how they schedule versus how Marshall historically schedules. And I am asking, which is really the best overall?

2006 Boise State Schedule
Oregon State   
Wyoming   
Hawaii   
Utah
Louisiana Tech
New Mexico State
Idaho   
Fresno State   
San Jose State   
Utah State
Reno

As well all know BSU finished with a victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and end up # 5 and #6 in the polls!

Where are the all the Big BCS teams at? BSU was able to get into the Top 25 and stay there with a relative weak SOS(108 to be exact)! And they only have 1 BCS team on the schedule for 2007, Washington(away) and a total of 7 home games.

So I guess my question is would it be better for Marshall to keep the WVU game, and not play any other BCS teams, but try to schedule games that are more of a "for sure" win? Some says that Marshall needs those big games to survive, but how much revenue is made from each home game? And then add on the possibility of the extra game at the end of the year with a Bowl game.

Which scheduling philosophy is better for the program?

[svherd]

I'd take that schedule in a heartbeat. Competitive and not as brutal, plus all games are winnable. Frankly, right now, we are overscheduling a bit. I could see one big time game and another two games such as Cincy for our OOC. We are re-building and to come out of the gate every year at possibly 1-3 going into conference play, puts our guys backs against the wall.

Yes, to be the best, you have to play the best, but in times such as these, we need some success, get back to winning seasons, go to a bowl or two, get the swagger back, and then start playing 2-3 big boys a year.

[banker]

What Marshall can't afford is to play 7 road games.

With the 12 game seasons, and assuming WVu becomes a permanent fixture, we need one game against a mid to low level BCS school (aka Cincinnati type) and two games against other non-BCS schools.

Unfortunately, our schedule is pretty set for the next several years.

[Huffnagel]

I feel that the Ohio and BUGS series are a step in that direction. Although I hope it is a temporary step until Marshall has rebuilt, it is a way to get wins, and get to the bowl.

I wonder how much it would cost for a Middle Tenn, FAU,FIU or Troy to come here for a one and done type of contract, $3-400,000? Would Marshall be able to come out ahead and pay a team that much?

[HerdnClt]

The Herd has come too far in scheduling to turn back...We begged for games with WV for years. (Took a while to beat them in basketball but it happened..Will happen in football...) Ohio and BG are good on the schedule. If you can't beat them you don't deserve a bowl most years. Beating K-State when they were ranked #6 was huge for exposure.  Unfortunately it was short lived...Play better, win more...problem solved..

[GreenKnight]

Where does it say to drop the WVU series? I said to keep the series with WVU, but not to kill the team beginning the season on murder's row! What does that get you? BSU was able to have a low SOS and made it to a BCS game and won! Oh Yal, it seems like they put about 15 million in their pockets for making it there too. Once again, the only BCS team they played was Oregon State.

Look I want to see Marshall play the big teams also, but you have to weigh out what is best for the program! And IMO right now, Marshall needs the Wins more than they need to play the cream of the crop year in and year out.

[svherd]

great points Greenknight.

[The Right Stuff]

I'm with you svherd.  At this point in the process we need some early success. If we come out of the gate 1-5 this season then for practical purposes the season is over at the half way point and we are talking herd hoops in October.

TRS
MU 71

[FLORIDA HERD FAN]

http://www.dailymail.com/story/Sports/MU+Sports/2007060522/Herd-schedule-not-getting-any-easier/

[firstate]

if MU would (and I don't think they can)...end the series with WVU...I will start supporting another team.

[MUAlum2004]

Im all for what BSU is doing.  I say we keep WVU, but try to rotate with schools such as Cincy, Ohio, Bowling Green, Toledo, MTSU, UK, Vanderbuilt, or some of the lower end Big 10 opponents.  I love playing the big boys, but we havent had the teams to compete the last several years.

[GreenKnight]

if MU would (and I don't think they can)...end the series with WVU...I will start supporting another team.

Did you even read the thread? It never say to drop WVU, it states that more than once!

[herdgameplan]

I say play lower tier ACC, Big Ten, Big Twelve, SEC, and Kick WesternVu ass every year!

Go out West once in a while too!

[Trojan2003]

I feel that the Ohio and BUGS series are a step in that direction. Although I hope it is a temporary step until Marshall has rebuilt, it is a way to get wins, and get to the bowl.

I wonder how much it would cost for a Middle Tenn, FAU,FIU or Troy to come here for a one and done type of contract, $3-400,000? Would Marshall be able to come out ahead and pay a team that much?

Troy usually receives around $500-700,000 per game when playing BCS teams. I heared the payout for the 2008 Ohio State/Troy game will be app. $800k. I don't know about the other teams.

[MU ATO]

Drop all 1-AA teams.

1-A teams should not be allowed to play 1-AA teams.

Dont bother replying weak & overused reasons why we need 1-AA teams on the schedule. The reasons are sad and pathetic like our A.D. who loves to schedule them.

There are 119 1-A teams. No 1-A team should EVER be playing 1-AA teams.

[McGuyver]

Drop all 1-AA teams.

1-A teams should not be allowed to play 1-AA teams.

Dont bother replying weak & overused reasons why we need 1-AA teams on the schedule. The reasons are sad and pathetic like our A.D. who loves to schedule them.

There are 119 1-A teams. No 1-A team should EVER be playing 1-AA teams.

I've always said that about Marshall.
But if Ball St or Temple wants to do it, I can turned a blind eye.

[marshallsoccer]

Drop all 1-AA teams.

1-A teams should not be allowed to play 1-AA teams.

Dont bother replying weak & overused reasons why we need 1-AA teams on the schedule. The reasons are sad and pathetic like our A.D. who loves to schedule them.

There are 119 1-A teams. No 1-A team should EVER be playing 1-AA teams.

You're just full of contradictions, aren't you?

[banker]

Drop all 1-AA teams.

1-A teams should not be allowed to play 1-AA teams.

Dont bother replying weak & overused reasons why we need 1-AA teams on the schedule. The reasons are sad and pathetic like our A.D. who loves to schedule them.

There are 119 1-A teams. No 1-A team should EVER be playing 1-AA teams.

That seems fine until you morph that comment to say "there are 65 BCS teams.  No BCS team should ever play a non-bcs team".

[Green Dog]

The biggest thing wrong with our schedule the last two years is the timing of our downfall.

Just a few short years ago we wouldn't even blink an eye at Cinci. Every person on this forum would have believed without a doubt, the game would be ours.

WVU is another timing thing. They just happen to have their best team in history right now. Bad timing for us. Thats the way I see it.

A few years ago we would all be thinking Miami would probably beat us. The WVU game is a toss up and Cinci has no chance.

Now we're concerned about New Hampshire!

Just simple bad timing.