FCS Kickoff?

[GreatDayToBeAnEagle]

I was hearing rumors that ESPN would likely pick up the EWU at NDSU game for the FCS kickoff but then just now EWU Athletics posted this pic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EWUAthletics/photos/a.10150294547567306.404459.336637497305/10154571393967306/?type=3&theater

I see the "Dates subject to change" disclaimer, but it does seem weird that they would post that pic now if there was any inclination that it might change.

Any idea when ESPN will make their decision?

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

It would be great to have a bye week before our first home contest, and a game before we play WSU. I for one want to beat WSU more than NDSU. Both would be sweet

 

[LDopaPDX]

I would be hard pressed to name a bigger non-con game they could choose for the first weekend. Although NDSU played in the opener last year, they were in Missoula, so they have yet to come to Fargo for an opener.

I laughed at Eastern's press release regarding the new schedule when Baldwin said something to the effect of it appears their goal is to constantly have a tougher schedule than the year before. While that is probably his PR line to sell to the media, you know he has to be shaking his head at the degree of difficulty Chaves lines up for him each and every year. We could conceivably be a very good team and out of the playoff mix before conference games begin. This is just plain stupid scheduling.

 

[ewueagle2010]

It seems odd that ESPN hasn't announced which game they'll be choosing for the kickoff event. Last year, it was announced very early, and the year before that it was announced in early to mid February. It kind of makes me wonder if they don't plan to have the event this season.

I personally really hope the NDSU v EWU game is chosen simply for the opportunity to have a bye week after playing NDSU and WSU and leading into the UNI game. This schedule looks absolutely brutal.... :?

 

[BadlandsGrizFan]

Ive heard rumors of a NDSU vs EWU & UNI vs Montana double header......now that would be awesome for the FCS!

 

[LDopaPDX]

Ive heard rumors of a NDSU vs EWU & UNI vs Montana double header......now that would be awesome for the FCS!

Totally agree. The original plan for opening weekend was to have an FCS East Coast / West Coast double-header. So this is certainly within reason. Besides, you get to that time of year and everyone is Jones'ing for football. Even if I had no interest in the teams playing, I'd be watching.

 

[EWU98]

Remember that they can pick any game from any schedule. So there are a whole lot of possibilities out there. I am sure whomever get's asked will jump at the opportunity. I for one hopes it is us as I would love to go to the game as I have room and board and a ticket waiting for me if it is moved.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

This seems like a no brainer to me. ESPN should do an opener from Fargo, and EWU is the best non-conference matchup for something like this.

 

[MLEagle]

NDSU is the top brand in FCS for obvious reasons and I would be surprised if ESPN overlooked them for this game. I think we will hear when the FCS kickoff is announced it will be NDSU vs EWU.

 

[clawman1]

And their former QB Carson Wentz will likely be one of the top three QB's drafted. Further recognition of FBS for the high level of competition.

 

[marceagfan5]

NDSU is the top brand in FCS for obvious reasons and I would be surprised if ESPN overlooked them for this game. I think we will hear when the FCS kickoff is announced it will be NDSU vs EWU.

I think NDSU turned it down the first year, so EWU/SHSU was asked...not sure if thats true, but I believe they wanted the NDSU/UM game in Fargo for the first year. Heard it didn't fit the way NDSU wanted their schedule to go so it was moved to our game...

If the EWU/NDSU game is the FCS kickoff game, it will help us out in a ton of ways. We would get NDSU right away, not coming off a PAC 12 game, and it would give us a bye before the UNI game, and essentially 2 byes during the season. As it sits now, we would be coming off WAZZU and headed to Fargo and we would be NDSU's first game...

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All
NDSU is waiting for us, we defeated them in 2009 in OT at EWU, and we went to Frisco, in 2010, and defeated Delaware 20-19, after falling behind 19-0 at the half. The final score could be wrong. Does anyone know about Handy Cap Seating at WSU? Would like to go to that game if EWU has a Chartered Bus. Don't want to take any chances driving there, it will be hell trying to get in and out of there with those two lane roads. Vic Wallace

 

[EWU98]

I got to hang out with my Uncle last week who lives in Fargo and he tells me there is absolutely no love loss when it comes to us. The HATE IS REAL! They feel cheated out of that championship!

 

[LDopaPDX]

We had to essentially keep pissing down our leg to keep them in that game. Brandon Kaufman dropped a wide open TD that stopped what would have been a 21-0 score. Bo Levi threw either 4 or 5 INTs. And on top of that, we gave up a kick return for TD. If you can't beat us when we play that badly, you have no room to complain about a single play.

 

[ewueagle2010]

Only NDSU fans would continue to complain about a game that happened 6 years ago in which they had no business winning, even after winning the last 5 National Titles. Not to mention, that game wasn't even to go to Frisco...it was the quarterfinals. Would they have beaten Villanova and/or Delaware?

 

[LDopaPDX]

That said, we've destroyed what could have been a very successful inter-regional rivalry by losing twice right before a rematch with these guys. That has to sting.

The same worked the other way with Appalachian State. They narrowly beat us, then lose twice before potential playoff rematches in 2010 and 2012. I'd have loved to get the win we deserved against them.

 

[360Eag]

Looks like we're not getting the FCS kickoff against NDSU.

FCS Insider is saying that it'll be NDSU vs. Charleston Southern.

http://www.fcsinsider.com/news/articles/2015/429/charleston-southern-vs-north-dakota-state-in-2016-fcs-kickoff/

 

[marceagfan5]

Looks like we're not getting the FCS kickoff against NDSU.

FCS Insider is saying that it'll be NDSU vs. Charleston Southern.

http://www.fcsinsider.com/news/articles/2015/429/charleston-southern-vs-north-dakota-state-in-2016-fcs-kickoff/

Dumb...the NCAA wants to show the world FCS football but putting this game on? It will be over at half. Considering you have early matchups of NDSU/EWU and UNI/UM, how did they choose this one?

 

[MTGrizFan]

Looks like we're not getting the FCS kickoff against NDSU.

FCS Insider is saying that it'll be NDSU vs. Charleston Southern.

http://www.fcsinsider.com/news/articles/2015/429/charleston-southern-vs-north-dakota-state-in-2016-fcs-kickoff/

Dumb...the NCAA wants to show the world FCS football but putting this game on? It will be over at half. Considering you have early matchups of NDSU/EWU and UNI/UM, how did they choose this one?

They probably chose that matchup because ESPNDSU loves the Bison so much and wanted to make sure that they could actually win the FCS Kickoff game, something NDSU didn't do in 2015.

This matchup is a joke.

 

[Obzerver]

Looks like we're not getting the FCS kickoff against NDSU.

FCS Insider is saying that it'll be NDSU vs. Charleston Southern.

http://www.fcsinsider.com/news/articles/2015/429/charleston-southern-vs-north-dakota-state-in-2016-fcs-kickoff/

Dumb...the NCAA wants to show the world FCS football but putting this game on? It will be over at half. Considering you have early matchups of NDSU/EWU and UNI/UM, how did they choose this one?

They probably chose that matchup because ESPNDSU loves the Bison so much and wanted to make sure that they could actually win the FCS Kickoff game, something NDSU didn't do in 2015.

This matchup is a joke.

* I concur with MTGrizFan...ESPN loves those stinkin Bison turds...if EWU was to play them and beat them,like UM did, they may not showcase them again! The Ch. Southern game will be a terrible FCS kickoff event. ESPN's love for NDSU reminds me of...