it was crazy to schedule Penn State and Okie State on back to back weeks as we have the past two years. There is an old adage for athletic directors to follow when it comes to scheduling and that is to give your head coach a chance to hit the ground running before you start conference play. I realize some of these agreements were made years in advance but the power schools are likely to be good more often than not and won't sneak up on you on a schedule. It is no longer mandatory to follow the 2 power five name schools out of your four ooc games because we are no longer in the Big East and the ACC is loaded with solid programs with great coaches and outstanding athletes.And certainly not tp put them on back to back weeks prior to the conference opening week slot.
At least next year the Penn State and ND games are separated by a month. wouldn't be nice if we took on Georgia State this week instead of Okie State. We would at least regained some confidence from the Penn State game and headed into Georgia Tech with a 2-1 record instead of 1-2 and plenty of doubt from among everyone about the direction this team is headed this year.
In 2019 we play a FCS team (Delaware) a Mac Team (Ohio) a non power five but competitive program in UCF and Penn State. We cant continue to go 2-2 in ooc games . Look at our history the past 15 years or so scheduling solid programs. Michigan State 0-2, Nebraska 0-2, Iowa 1-3, Okie State (0-2), Utah (0-2). Notre Dame 2-4 - even struggled with Navy (2-2).
Even if we go FCS -MAC and or Sunbelt, one brand name and another series with a Power five mid or bottom feeder like an Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Iowa State , Kansas, Oregon State, etc, etc.that would be a respectable schedule and should produce a better record and wins equal more prestige and consequently better recruiting. Take Syracuse , who has to face Florida State, Clemson and Louisville yearly in the Atlantic Division - they have normally taken on a tough ooc as well but this year will play Central Ct, Middle Tennesee (which beat them),and Central Michigan before taking on LSU. In the future they will follow the 3-1 model with next year for instance Liberty, Western Michigan, Holy Crss and Maryland. In 2020 they face Wisconsin and lower perceived schools.
We have some solid matchups in the next decade with the likes of Cinncinati, Tennesee and West Virginia so lets balance the schedule out in those years and beyond.
Give your coaches a chance before conference play - even Alabama does!
At least next year the Penn State and ND games are separated by a month. wouldn't be nice if we took on Georgia State this week instead of Okie State. We would at least regained some confidence from the Penn State game and headed into Georgia Tech with a 2-1 record instead of 1-2 and plenty of doubt from among everyone about the direction this team is headed this year.
In 2019 we play a FCS team (Delaware) a Mac Team (Ohio) a non power five but competitive program in UCF and Penn State. We cant continue to go 2-2 in ooc games . Look at our history the past 15 years or so scheduling solid programs. Michigan State 0-2, Nebraska 0-2, Iowa 1-3, Okie State (0-2), Utah (0-2). Notre Dame 2-4 - even struggled with Navy (2-2).
Even if we go FCS -MAC and or Sunbelt, one brand name and another series with a Power five mid or bottom feeder like an Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Iowa State , Kansas, Oregon State, etc, etc.that would be a respectable schedule and should produce a better record and wins equal more prestige and consequently better recruiting. Take Syracuse , who has to face Florida State, Clemson and Louisville yearly in the Atlantic Division - they have normally taken on a tough ooc as well but this year will play Central Ct, Middle Tennesee (which beat them),and Central Michigan before taking on LSU. In the future they will follow the 3-1 model with next year for instance Liberty, Western Michigan, Holy Crss and Maryland. In 2020 they face Wisconsin and lower perceived schools.
We have some solid matchups in the next decade with the likes of Cinncinati, Tennesee and West Virginia so lets balance the schedule out in those years and beyond.
Give your coaches a chance before conference play - even Alabama does!
