For those who prefer not to read my thousand words, here's a picture...
And as stated previously, to be clear, the problem being addressed in this thread isn't with the AD's long-term OOC scheduling.
Rather, it's the other part...
The
long-term problem inherent with trading our CUSA 2.0 schedule that featured what are now largely AAC programs for a CUSA 3.0 schedule that consists of programs that might have a bright future, but because they all... ALL... have no history of playing at even a MAC level, "might" is, unfortunately for us, the accurate term.
Yes, there's the other side of the same coin... we perceive an opportunity to go undefeated like we haven't had since Chad was suiting up for us... but that short-term blessing belies the long-term curse.
The analogy is this... stand on top of a desk and try grabbing your friend's hand and pull them up to your level... not impossible... but substantially more likely is that, in the effort, they'll end up pulling you down to their level instead.God knows, too, few of us will be surprised to see a Marshall team somehow slip up in a trap game... of which there will be several this season. It's not nice to think about, but the bubble could so so easily burst with one untimely fumble or interception or missed CB assignment or offensive line assignment that ends with Cato taking a hit that puts him out for the season.... at which point, reality would snap fans' collective head back into place, fully absorbing suddenly the stark reality of the
long-term issues that we have to address if we're going to have a shot at preserving our shot at the CFP bowl and, with it, the prestige of our program.
...all we can do is win...
Of course, we all know that neither you, me, nor anyone else can
win. That's on the players and coaches exclusively.
But what
can we do? As stated in a previous post, there are at least three strategies that could be pursued to put us in a stronger position than we are now to compete for the CFP bowl.
That's our area. That...
idea generation and advocacy... is our part. That's where we can have an effect. But we won't unless we embrace it.
Look, thankfully, we're past the point that anyone is resisting acknowledging that we're in a disadvantaged position... the problem is there staring us in the face. Would I anticipate that there would be a solid number of cynics out there throwing up their hands and saying let the chips fall where they may? Would I anticipate many would excuse themselves from being an advocate for change? Of course. I didn't find this board yesterday. I know how most are. But to this degree? No. Not to this degree.
It's disappointing to see a community with such a can-do history seeming to fade into this MAC-fan-like malaise... "hey, we are what we are, and we're powerless to do anything, so I might as well love playing schools that used to be Sun Belt... love playing schools that used to be FCS... love playing schools that are just starting programs."
I realize those words are vinegar instead of honey, but it's honest and I'm just not into playing salesman and throwing sugar on top. It's all just frustrating to see. Baffling. Disturbing. Since entering the SoCon in the early 80s, I don't recall ever seeing this helpless, MAC-fan-like attitude arise.
I can't say it enough... "win Baby"... yes, absolutely.
"Just" Win Baby? *sigh*... no. That's a cop-out.
You're letting our players down by pretending it's only about what they do on the field.
True, none of us individually have decision-making power that we can snap our fingers and make things as we wish them to be.
But
as a group, we all have to be willing to accept that that doesn't relieve us of our responsibility to do what we can, which is to be off-the-field, loud-and-proud advocates of change, creating an environment where presidents and conference execs take notice and feel they have latitude to try things that may represent out-of-the-box thinking...
so that our players have the very best opportunity they can receive to perform on the biggest stage within their grasp to play on.
These are on the table:
(1) cooperation with MAC in the creation of a formal progression/relegation format yielding a high-end 8 team league that would place the two leagues' best on-par with AAC and MWC;
(2) cooperation with MAC in the creation of an arrangement that would establish a game between our two champions, serving as an end-of-year springboard such that one or the other would be a viable candidate beside the AAC and MWC champs for the CFP bowl;
(3) simply staying in-house and giving ADs maximum control over their own schedules, requiring only the mandated minimum number of in-conference games.
What else? Whose ego out there isn't so squishy and squeamish that you don't mind being a target of the cynics here who will shoot down your potentially-consequential ideas? C'mon. Care more about this program than your own ego. We can't eliminate the cynics, but they and their can't-do MAC-fan-like attitude aren't going to make the difference.
Step forward and add to the menu of possible solutions to this problem that confronts our program and its players... or alternatively, get behind one of the three above. I don't care either way. Just do something more than sitting back in your EZBoy like some others appear to be content to do, oblivious to what's on our horizon.
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