Injury Bug

[clawman1]

I don't know that I buy into the train of thought that we have more injuries because we've played two tough games or that playing in a dome makes for more injuries. I don't believe that more players are injuries in an away game vs home game.
What does a blown Achilles have to do with any of these?
Cooper was injured by a defended getting a free shot on him because of a missed tackle.
Two linebackers were injured in the first game.
Was Schlichting's shoulder injury due to being in a dome, away game, or two tough games in a row?
What caused Shaq's hamstring injury?
It is a physical game and every team has some injuries to a certain extent, but it comes down to next man up.

Close, competitive games get you beat up. And it isn't just physical, it also exacts an emotional strain. You are forced to keep your rotations very tight, so it's primarily your starters every play.

We have routinely played schedules with an extraordinary degree of difficulty. And every year, we seem unusually beat up a couple of weeks into the season. The issue is that it has become an every-year occurance, so it is no longer unusual. A lot of teams can go an entire year without seven starters being down simultaneously. We managed to do it before the end of the second game.

What we don't know is how many of these kids just have a little knock versus kids with more serious injuries that miss games. Hopefully, we'll find out that most of these kids are good to go this weekend. However, one thing that seems to have happened a lot in the recent past is "questionable" injuries that seem to last multiple games. With UNI and NAU around the corner, we can't afford to be down several players.

We're good, but we're not good enough to beat quality teams without our best players on the field.

Based on your train of thought NDSU is really screwed. They have played two O/T games and this week go the #11 ranked FBS team in the counrty.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I don't know that I buy into the train of thought that we have more injuries because we've played two tough games or that playing in a dome makes for more injuries. I don't believe that more players are injuries in an away game vs home game.
What does a blown Achilles have to do with any of these?
Cooper was injured by a defended getting a free shot on him because of a missed tackle.
Two linebackers were injured in the first game.
Was Schlichting's shoulder injury due to being in a dome, away game, or two tough games in a row?
What caused Shaq's hamstring injury?
It is a physical game and every team has some injuries to a certain extent, but it comes down to next man up.

Close, competitive games get you beat up. And it isn't just physical, it also exacts an emotional strain. You are forced to keep your rotations very tight, so it's primarily your starters every play.

We have routinely played schedules with an extraordinary degree of difficulty. And every year, we seem unusually beat up a couple of weeks into the season. The issue is that it has become an every-year occurance, so it is no longer unusual. A lot of teams can go an entire year without seven starters being down simultaneously. We managed to do it before the end of the second game.

What we don't know is how many of these kids just have a little knock versus kids with more serious injuries that miss games. Hopefully, we'll find out that most of these kids are good to go this weekend. However, one thing that seems to have happened a lot in the recent past is "questionable" injuries that seem to last multiple games. With UNI and NAU around the corner, we can't afford to be down several players.

We're good, but we're not good enough to beat quality teams without our best players on the field.

Based on your train of thought NDSU is really screwed. They have played two O/T games and this week go the #11 ranked FBS team in the counrty.

Yes, I think they will struggle coming out of this week. I believe they have a little bit better talent than we do across the board, so they might not come out of it too badly because of their depth. If you look at all of their national championship runs, their schedule always featured a couple of out-of-conference creampuffs.

I have no problem playing tough games, but it's very difficult to do it 1. back to back weeks 2. on the road 3 without a patsy in there to soften things up from time to time.

 

[dudeitsaid]

Has anyone heard any updates?

Everyone is questionable going into Saturday and I think it will remain that way. My guess is we get both LB's back, and possibly Sommer.

I would guess Kupp sits more as precautionary than anything this week. We should be able to torch UNI's secondary either way as they are their weakest link...

I'm stunned how it seems like we are always so beat up so early in the year. We've still got four weeks before an off week, so we need the trainers to work some magic.

I'm with you. It's very strange how we always seem to get beat up so badly early on. I know other teams deal with injuries and it's part of the game, but at the end of the NDSU game we were down SEVEN starters. And by starters, I mean guys who started in the WSU game. SEVEN.

A lot of this goes to why I am so opposed to the way we schedule. I feel like we just beat the hell out of our guys. We've played two games that have gone down to the final seconds. Those close, competitive ball games require a LOT from your top guys, and aside from putting them in the firing line, you don't get your reserves any time to get up to speed.

Take a look at how these top FBS teams schedule... they'll play maybe 4 or 5 competitive games all year. The other 2/3 of the season are spent pummeling teams. The only soft games we get in a season are against the bottom tier of our own conference. And unlike the FBS teams, we've got 22 less scholarship players.

I think there are very good points to be made on all sides of the argument. We can't live without the paycheck game every year. We just aren't a self-sustaining athletic dept, and most FCS teams have to have that FBS paycheck game to make the finances work.

So that leaves us with two OOC games that we need to schedule. I personally would ask that we never schedule another D2 or NAIA game. I get that it's an opportunity to hone some skills at home, but I don't want any non-counters.

Two cupcakes could be worth considering, but I remember in Erik Meyer's last season, losing to Nichol's State. In 2011, after losing a close game to UW, we lost to a perennial bottom feeder of the MVFC in USD, a game we had no business losing. It seems to me, our team is more focused and driven when they know they can never take a week off.

Then there is the question of what teams are going to travel here? How much money can we give them to make the trip, with our limited seating? It seems over the last 15 years at minimum, we have had very little FCS OOC home games, and I'm sure there are multiple reasons why. But now, maybe our success level has put us in a position in which we are finally able to get some home and homes with FCS teams. Since 2002, we have had very few OOC FCS teams come to Cheney. UC Davis of the then Great West Conference came out in 2007. SUU in 2010, also of the GWC before that conference essentially merged with the Big Sky. Cal Poly of the GWC in 2012. SHSU in 2014.

I don't know if I count MSU in 2015, though it was an OOC game. Now we have UNI here this year, and NDSU next year. So, we have been dismal in hosting FCS teams of any caliber for a long time, but we get three top flight teams in four years on the inferno. If the GWC was still an entity, I am sure that is where we would see most of our OOC games currently being arranged, but now that most of those teams are part of the BSC, that limits the amount of proximal teams to schedule with.

We finally have a decent amount of OOC games we play THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WANTS TO SEE! What is better for our profile? We are not outclassed in these games. And I know it's coachspeak, and the players follow suit in these interviews, but I believe there is something genuine when they say it, "We belong here!" Our players are playing in the games they feel they belong in. They belong on the field with the top 10, and the Pac 12. That mentality is crucial in regards to the type of players that we recruit. That is the mindset I want. Because if players want the easy games, and they easy opponents, IMO, they will lack the grit to win the big games. The best players want to test themselves against the best.

There is a risk of injuries in these games, maybe more-so than others. But I think they quality of player that we are able to recruit was clearly evident in our first two games. We had a playmaker that would BE THE TEAM on a lot of teams, but we didn't miss a beat. We have one of the youngest O-lines I've ever seen, and was my greatest source of concern this season. Yet, they went against a Pac 12 D with multiple returning starters, and allowed us to put the highest number of points scored on the Cougs in almost two years. They went against what is arguably the best front 7 in the FCS, once again, well stocked on veterans. And though they have some room to grow, they still were able to allow us to execute our gameplan, and put us in a position to win. Our defense, down several starters produced several critical stops. We belong in these games.

I am not going to research all of the injury results of each game we, or other teams have played, but I know there are injuries frequently. Heck, we have players out due to injuries sustained in practice! The real key of our ability to make a deep run, is to not only have talented starters, but the depth to step in and not miss a beat. What I saw at NDSU from our back-ups was one of the most impressive things I've seen. We take risks no matter what decision we make. And I hate the injuries. But I think we are better off playing NDSU and UNI than Valparaiso, and Western Oregon-forgettable games. Like Beau Baldwin says, "If we don't play these games, we sacrifice the opportunity to do something special." Even though we lost, that NDSU game was one I will never forget. And the Oregon State and Wazzu games are two victories I've absolutely loved. I remember almost nothing from the win against Western Oregon the week after beating the Beavers.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I hope our team keeps scheduling games that matter, and testing ourselves against the best, and resists the reasons that maybe we'll miss the playoffs, or face more injuries. Because clearly, this is where we belong. UNI, SHSU, and NDSU aint running from us. UNI and NDSU did not run from tough schedules either. I sure as heck don't want a team that runs from them.

Sorry for the outrageously long post!

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Has anyone heard any updates?

Everyone is questionable going into Saturday and I think it will remain that way. My guess is we get both LB's back, and possibly Sommer.

I would guess Kupp sits more as precautionary than anything this week. We should be able to torch UNI's secondary either way as they are their weakest link...

I'm stunned how it seems like we are always so beat up so early in the year. We've still got four weeks before an off week, so we need the trainers to work some magic.

I'm with you. It's very strange how we always seem to get beat up so badly early on. I know other teams deal with injuries and it's part of the game, but at the end of the NDSU game we were down SEVEN starters. And by starters, I mean guys who started in the WSU game. SEVEN.

A lot of this goes to why I am so opposed to the way we schedule. I feel like we just beat the hell out of our guys. We've played two games that have gone down to the final seconds. Those close, competitive ball games require a LOT from your top guys, and aside from putting them in the firing line, you don't get your reserves any time to get up to speed.

Take a look at how these top FBS teams schedule... they'll play maybe 4 or 5 competitive games all year. The other 2/3 of the season are spent pummeling teams. The only soft games we get in a season are against the bottom tier of our own conference. And unlike the FBS teams, we've got 22 less scholarship players.

I think our depth has improved the past several years. Losing a couple key players doesn't seem nearly as catastrophic as it did previously.

 

[clawman1]

I understand Cooper has not been practicing but that is understandable, he does not need as much practice as the younger guys and the healing process is probably more valuable.
I do hope he dresses and warms up as per normal game day. I would even put him in as a decoy to draw double coverage and free up another receiver.
Once we get a 3 score lead, sit him down!

 

[marceagfan5]

Has anyone heard any updates?

Everyone is questionable going into Saturday and I think it will remain that way. My guess is we get both LB's back, and possibly Sommer.

I would guess Kupp sits more as precautionary than anything this week. We should be able to torch UNI's secondary either way as they are their weakest link...

I'm stunned how it seems like we are always so beat up so early in the year. We've still got four weeks before an off week, so we need the trainers to work some magic.

I'm with you. It's very strange how we always seem to get beat up so badly early on. I know other teams deal with injuries and it's part of the game, but at the end of the NDSU game we were down SEVEN starters. And by starters, I mean guys who started in the WSU game. SEVEN.

A lot of this goes to why I am so opposed to the way we schedule. I feel like we just beat the hell out of our guys. We've played two games that have gone down to the final seconds. Those close, competitive ball games require a LOT from your top guys, and aside from putting them in the firing line, you don't get your reserves any time to get up to speed.

Take a look at how these top FBS teams schedule... they'll play maybe 4 or 5 competitive games all year. The other 2/3 of the season are spent pummeling teams. The only soft games we get in a season are against the bottom tier of our own conference. And unlike the FBS teams, we've got 22 less scholarship players.

I think there are very good points to be made on all sides of the argument. We can't live without the paycheck game every year. We just aren't a self-sustaining athletic dept, and most FCS teams have to have that FBS paycheck game to make the finances work.

So that leaves us with two OOC games that we need to schedule. I personally would ask that we never schedule another D2 or NAIA game. I get that it's an opportunity to hone some skills at home, but I don't want any non-counters.

Two cupcakes could be worth considering, but I remember in Erik Meyer's last season, losing to Nichol's State. In 2011, after losing a close game to UW, we lost to a perennial bottom feeder of the MVFC in USD, a game we had no business losing. It seems to me, our team is more focused and driven when they know they can never take a week off.

Then there is the question of what teams are going to travel here? How much money can we give them to make the trip, with our limited seating? It seems over the last 15 years at minimum, we have had very little FCS OOC home games, and I'm sure there are multiple reasons why. But now, maybe our success level has put us in a position in which we are finally able to get some home and homes with FCS teams. Since 2002, we have had very few OOC FCS teams come to Cheney. UC Davis of the then Great West Conference came out in 2007. SUU in 2010, also of the GWC before that conference essentially merged with the Big Sky. Cal Poly of the GWC in 2012. SHSU in 2014.

I don't know if I count MSU in 2015, though it was an OOC game. Now we have UNI here this year, and NDSU next year. So, we have been dismal in hosting FCS teams of any caliber for a long time, but we get three top flight teams in four years on the inferno. If the GWC was still an entity, I am sure that is where we would see most of our OOC games currently being arranged, but now that most of those teams are part of the BSC, that limits the amount of proximal teams to schedule with.

We finally have a decent amount of OOC games we play THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WANTS TO SEE! What is better for our profile? We are not outclassed in these games. And I know it's coachspeak, and the players follow suit in these interviews, but I believe there is something genuine when they say it, "We belong here!" Our players are playing in the games they feel they belong in. They belong on the field with the top 10, and the Pac 12. That mentality is crucial in regards to the type of players that we recruit. That is the mindset I want. Because if players want the easy games, and they easy opponents, IMO, they will lack the grit to win the big games. The best players want to test themselves against the best.

There is a risk of injuries in these games, maybe more-so than others. But I think they quality of player that we are able to recruit was clearly evident in our first two games. We had a playmaker that would BE THE TEAM on a lot of teams, but we didn't miss a beat. We have one of the youngest O-lines I've ever seen, and was my greatest source of concern this season. Yet, they went against a Pac 12 D with multiple returning starters, and allowed us to put the highest number of points scored on the Cougs in almost two years. They went against what is arguably the best front 7 in the FCS, once again, well stocked on veterans. And though they have some room to grow, they still were able to allow us to execute our gameplan, and put us in a position to win. Our defense, down several starters produced several critical stops. We belong in these games.

I am not going to research all of the injury results of each game we, or other teams have played, but I know there are injuries frequently. Heck, we have players out due to injuries sustained in practice! The real key of our ability to make a deep run, is to not only have talented starters, but the depth to step in and not miss a beat. What I saw at NDSU from our back-ups was one of the most impressive things I've seen. We take risks no matter what decision we make. And I hate the injuries. But I think we are better off playing NDSU and UNI than Valparaiso, and Western Oregon-forgettable games. Like Beau Baldwin says, "If we don't play these games, we sacrifice the opportunity to do something special." Even though we lost, that NDSU game was one I will never forget. And the Oregon State and Wazzu games are two victories I've absolutely loved. I remember almost nothing from the win against Western Oregon the week after beating the Beavers.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I hope our team keeps scheduling games that matter, and testing ourselves against the best, and resists the reasons that maybe we'll miss the playoffs, or face more injuries. Because clearly, this is where we belong. UNI, SHSU, and NDSU aint running from us. UNI and NDSU did not run from tough schedules either. I sure as heck don't want a team that runs from them.

Sorry for the outrageously long post!

I think you have a well thought out post, nicely done.

My argument would be we want to see home playoff games in December. Hard schedules are nice and they will get you into the playoffs at 7-4 and possibly 6-5, but we don't want to just get into the playoffs, we want to make a deep run. If you go 9-2 in the Big Sky, regardless of your OOC schedule, your going to get a seed and I strongly believe thats way more important. You should go look at NDSU's previous 5 years of scheduling...they scheduled a cupcake every single year, their out of conference schedules are extremely easy, this is the first year they have scheduled two tough FCS games with a FBS game, and both their FCS games were at home. They even paid CSU to come there so they don't have to return the favor and go to their place the following year. Montana has done the same thing for years as well. Its worked out great for both of those programs. I get not scheduling a D2, but if we go this route, at least start scheduling one easier FCS team to come to our place every year. Other big sky teams are doing it and we need to as well. I'm fine with two tough OOC opponents, but three just seems to be too much, year in, year out.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Yeah, I'd prefer not scheduling a D2 as well, although given our strength of schedule, it certainly wouldn't hurt us that bad. We seem to be able to secure home/home arrangements with the top FCS teams. Why can we not make the same home/home offer to one of the crappy FCS teams?

How else could someone like Butler or Morehead State get a top FCS team to come to their place? Why is it that we can land North Dakota State, UNI, and Sam Houston State, but never seem to line up Morgan State and Presbyterian? Those teams should be far more desperate to bring an FCS power into their house, as most wouldn't consider going home/home with them. Do you think Montana or NDSU would travel to those universities? They'd buy them as a one-off.

The BCS game is essential to our bottom line... that game needs to stay on the schedule. Having a home/home against a top-tier FCS team ought to put our strength of schedule near the top of the stack every season. That third out of conference game needs to be a sure-win.

 

[MLEagle]

Has anyone heard any updates?

Everyone is questionable going into Saturday and I think it will remain that way. My guess is we get both LB's back, and possibly Sommer.

I would guess Kupp sits more as precautionary than anything this week. We should be able to torch UNI's secondary either way as they are their weakest link...

I'm stunned how it seems like we are always so beat up so early in the year. We've still got four weeks before an off week, so we need the trainers to work some magic.

I'm with you. It's very strange how we always seem to get beat up so badly early on. I know other teams deal with injuries and it's part of the game, but at the end of the NDSU game we were down SEVEN starters. And by starters, I mean guys who started in the WSU game. SEVEN.

A lot of this goes to why I am so opposed to the way we schedule. I feel like we just beat the hell out of our guys. We've played two games that have gone down to the final seconds. Those close, competitive ball games require a LOT from your top guys, and aside from putting them in the firing line, you don't get your reserves any time to get up to speed.

Take a look at how these top FBS teams schedule... they'll play maybe 4 or 5 competitive games all year. The other 2/3 of the season are spent pummeling teams. The only soft games we get in a season are against the bottom tier of our own conference. And unlike the FBS teams, we've got 22 less scholarship players.

I think there are very good points to be made on all sides of the argument. We can't live without the paycheck game every year. We just aren't a self-sustaining athletic dept, and most FCS teams have to have that FBS paycheck game to make the finances work.

So that leaves us with two OOC games that we need to schedule. I personally would ask that we never schedule another D2 or NAIA game. I get that it's an opportunity to hone some skills at home, but I don't want any non-counters.

Two cupcakes could be worth considering, but I remember in Erik Meyer's last season, losing to Nichol's State. In 2011, after losing a close game to UW, we lost to a perennial bottom feeder of the MVFC in USD, a game we had no business losing. It seems to me, our team is more focused and driven when they know they can never take a week off.

Then there is the question of what teams are going to travel here? How much money can we give them to make the trip, with our limited seating? It seems over the last 15 years at minimum, we have had very little FCS OOC home games, and I'm sure there are multiple reasons why. But now, maybe our success level has put us in a position in which we are finally able to get some home and homes with FCS teams. Since 2002, we have had very few OOC FCS teams come to Cheney. UC Davis of the then Great West Conference came out in 2007. SUU in 2010, also of the GWC before that conference essentially merged with the Big Sky. Cal Poly of the GWC in 2012. SHSU in 2014.

I don't know if I count MSU in 2015, though it was an OOC game. Now we have UNI here this year, and NDSU next year. So, we have been dismal in hosting FCS teams of any caliber for a long time, but we get three top flight teams in four years on the inferno. If the GWC was still an entity, I am sure that is where we would see most of our OOC games currently being arranged, but now that most of those teams are part of the BSC, that limits the amount of proximal teams to schedule with.

We finally have a decent amount of OOC games we play THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WANTS TO SEE! What is better for our profile? We are not outclassed in these games. And I know it's coachspeak, and the players follow suit in these interviews, but I believe there is something genuine when they say it, "We belong here!" Our players are playing in the games they feel they belong in. They belong on the field with the top 10, and the Pac 12. That mentality is crucial in regards to the type of players that we recruit. That is the mindset I want. Because if players want the easy games, and they easy opponents, IMO, they will lack the grit to win the big games. The best players want to test themselves against the best.

There is a risk of injuries in these games, maybe more-so than others. But I think they quality of player that we are able to recruit was clearly evident in our first two games. We had a playmaker that would BE THE TEAM on a lot of teams, but we didn't miss a beat. We have one of the youngest O-lines I've ever seen, and was my greatest source of concern this season. Yet, they went against a Pac 12 D with multiple returning starters, and allowed us to put the highest number of points scored on the Cougs in almost two years. They went against what is arguably the best front 7 in the FCS, once again, well stocked on veterans. And though they have some room to grow, they still were able to allow us to execute our gameplan, and put us in a position to win. Our defense, down several starters produced several critical stops. We belong in these games.

I am not going to research all of the injury results of each game we, or other teams have played, but I know there are injuries frequently. Heck, we have players out due to injuries sustained in practice! The real key of our ability to make a deep run, is to not only have talented starters, but the depth to step in and not miss a beat. What I saw at NDSU from our back-ups was one of the most impressive things I've seen. We take risks no matter what decision we make. And I hate the injuries. But I think we are better off playing NDSU and UNI than Valparaiso, and Western Oregon-forgettable games. Like Beau Baldwin says, "If we don't play these games, we sacrifice the opportunity to do something special." Even though we lost, that NDSU game was one I will never forget. And the Oregon State and Wazzu games are two victories I've absolutely loved. I remember almost nothing from the win against Western Oregon the week after beating the Beavers.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I hope our team keeps scheduling games that matter, and testing ourselves against the best, and resists the reasons that maybe we'll miss the playoffs, or face more injuries. Because clearly, this is where we belong. UNI, SHSU, and NDSU aint running from us. UNI and NDSU did not run from tough schedules either. I sure as heck don't want a team that runs from them.

Sorry for the outrageously long post!

+1 :thumb:

 

[clawman1]

Has anyone heard any updates?

Everyone is questionable going into Saturday and I think it will remain that way. My guess is we get both LB's back, and possibly Sommer.

I would guess Kupp sits more as precautionary than anything this week. We should be able to torch UNI's secondary either way as they are their weakest link...

I'm stunned how it seems like we are always so beat up so early in the year. We've still got four weeks before an off week, so we need the trainers to work some magic.

I'm with you. It's very strange how we always seem to get beat up so badly early on. I know other teams deal with injuries and it's part of the game, but at the end of the NDSU game we were down SEVEN starters. And by starters, I mean guys who started in the WSU game. SEVEN.

A lot of this goes to why I am so opposed to the way we schedule. I feel like we just beat the hell out of our guys. We've played two games that have gone down to the final seconds. Those close, competitive ball games require a LOT from your top guys, and aside from putting them in the firing line, you don't get your reserves any time to get up to speed.

Take a look at how these top FBS teams schedule... they'll play maybe 4 or 5 competitive games all year. The other 2/3 of the season are spent pummeling teams. The only soft games we get in a season are against the bottom tier of our own conference. And unlike the FBS teams, we've got 22 less scholarship players.

I think there are very good points to be made on all sides of the argument. We can't live without the paycheck game every year. We just aren't a self-sustaining athletic dept, and most FCS teams have to have that FBS paycheck game to make the finances work.

So that leaves us with two OOC games that we need to schedule. I personally would ask that we never schedule another D2 or NAIA game. I get that it's an opportunity to hone some skills at home, but I don't want any non-counters.

Two cupcakes could be worth considering, but I remember in Erik Meyer's last season, losing to Nichol's State. In 2011, after losing a close game to UW, we lost to a perennial bottom feeder of the MVFC in USD, a game we had no business losing. It seems to me, our team is more focused and driven when they know they can never take a week off.

Then there is the question of what teams are going to travel here? How much money can we give them to make the trip, with our limited seating? It seems over the last 15 years at minimum, we have had very little FCS OOC home games, and I'm sure there are multiple reasons why. But now, maybe our success level has put us in a position in which we are finally able to get some home and homes with FCS teams. Since 2002, we have had very few OOC FCS teams come to Cheney. UC Davis of the then Great West Conference came out in 2007. SUU in 2010, also of the GWC before that conference essentially merged with the Big Sky. Cal Poly of the GWC in 2012. SHSU in 2014.

I don't know if I count MSU in 2015, though it was an OOC game. Now we have UNI here this year, and NDSU next year. So, we have been dismal in hosting FCS teams of any caliber for a long time, but we get three top flight teams in four years on the inferno. If the GWC was still an entity, I am sure that is where we would see most of our OOC games currently being arranged, but now that most of those teams are part of the BSC, that limits the amount of proximal teams to schedule with.

We finally have a decent amount of OOC games we play THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WANTS TO SEE! What is better for our profile? We are not outclassed in these games. And I know it's coachspeak, and the players follow suit in these interviews, but I believe there is something genuine when they say it, "We belong here!" Our players are playing in the games they feel they belong in. They belong on the field with the top 10, and the Pac 12. That mentality is crucial in regards to the type of players that we recruit. That is the mindset I want. Because if players want the easy games, and they easy opponents, IMO, they will lack the grit to win the big games. The best players want to test themselves against the best.

There is a risk of injuries in these games, maybe more-so than others. But I think they quality of player that we are able to recruit was clearly evident in our first two games. We had a playmaker that would BE THE TEAM on a lot of teams, but we didn't miss a beat. We have one of the youngest O-lines I've ever seen, and was my greatest source of concern this season. Yet, they went against a Pac 12 D with multiple returning starters, and allowed us to put the highest number of points scored on the Cougs in almost two years. They went against what is arguably the best front 7 in the FCS, once again, well stocked on veterans. And though they have some room to grow, they still were able to allow us to execute our gameplan, and put us in a position to win. Our defense, down several starters produced several critical stops. We belong in these games.

I am not going to research all of the injury results of each game we, or other teams have played, but I know there are injuries frequently. Heck, we have players out due to injuries sustained in practice! The real key of our ability to make a deep run, is to not only have talented starters, but the depth to step in and not miss a beat. What I saw at NDSU from our back-ups was one of the most impressive things I've seen. We take risks no matter what decision we make. And I hate the injuries. But I think we are better off playing NDSU and UNI than Valparaiso, and Western Oregon-forgettable games. Like Beau Baldwin says, "If we don't play these games, we sacrifice the opportunity to do something special." Even though we lost, that NDSU game was one I will never forget. And the Oregon State and Wazzu games are two victories I've absolutely loved. I remember almost nothing from the win against Western Oregon the week after beating the Beavers.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I hope our team keeps scheduling games that matter, and testing ourselves against the best, and resists the reasons that maybe we'll miss the playoffs, or face more injuries. Because clearly, this is where we belong. UNI, SHSU, and NDSU aint running from us. UNI and NDSU did not run from tough schedules either. I sure as heck don't want a team that runs from them.

Sorry for the outrageously long post!

I think you have a well thought out post, nicely done.

My argument would be we want to see home playoff games in December. Hard schedules are nice and they will get you into the playoffs at 7-4 and possibly 6-5, but we don't want to just get into the playoffs, we want to make a deep run. If you go 9-2 in the Big Sky, regardless of your OOC schedule, your going to get a seed and I strongly believe thats way more important. You should go look at NDSU's previous 5 years of scheduling...they scheduled a cupcake every single year, their out of conference schedules are extremely easy, this is the first year they have scheduled two tough FCS games with a FBS game, and both their FCS games were at home. They even paid CSU to come there so they don't have to return the favor and go to their place the following year. Montana has done the same thing for years as well. Its worked out great for both of those programs. I get not scheduling a D2, but if we go this route, at least start scheduling one easier FCS team to come to our place every year. Other big sky teams are doing it and we need to as well. I'm fine with two tough OOC opponents, but three just seems to be too much, year in, year out.

Comparing us with NDSU is like the Huskies vs the Seahawks. The Seahawks are able to create a lot more revenue with each home game than the Huskies could hope for by virtue of a much larger stadium if nothing else as can NDSU, Montana and a handful of others with large stadiums and a large fan base. Eastern can only fit 9-10k in the high school field and in fact are not even sold out this weekend with a top 10 team coming in. Another way your comparison does not work is ticket pricing. The Eagles are doing pretty good to get 20. while NDSU tickets are 40 for the #hitt# seats and up to 75 for others not sold out to season ticket holders. And with all of those extra people there the concessions it much more lucrative. I can not imagine how many yellow shirts they sell. As I drove around Fargo last weekend at least 1/2 of everyone everywhere is wearing yellow or green.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Without rehashing the whole thread with quotations, Clawman bring up an interesting point about our "vicious circle." We can't sell 20k tickets because we have a small stadium. We can't sell tickets for a lot of money, because there are only about 5,000 good seats at Roos Field. People are passively discouraged from becoming regulars because our facilities aren't adequate for a top-tier FCS team.

Yet, despite this, we haven't made any major improvements or expansions to Roos Field. Until Roos becomes a level-adequate facility, it going to be hard to significantly increase revenue. I wish the university saw expansion of Roos Field as an investment that will generate a return. The lack of a quality facility holds us back in so many ways. :twocents:

 

[LDopaPDX]

That said, it shouldn't be a huge hurdle for us to get some of these lesser FCS teams to come to Cheney by offering a home-home arrangement. It doesn't seem feasible to get someone out West for a one-off. However, South Dakota brought us to Vermillion for only $50k, so it's not like we're talking a huge sum of money.

 

[kalm]

I just don't think there is a very big pool of weak FCS teams to choose from. It's not like you see the SWAC playing out here. The MEAC, NEC, Pioneer, etc seem to fill their schedules and don't have a need. ACU would have been nice but they can fly into Denver and have more of a shot to pick up wins against UNC

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

clawman,
Zamora and Sommer will be back. Alek Kacmarcik, I don't think has been released to play. Looks like we may be w/o Keenan Williams, he was on Crutchers. Team had great practices this week. Cooper Kupp was at the Practices, couldn't say if he will play or not, didn't inquire. If he does hope like you say, attract the defenders, and #11- Kendrick Bourne, #7-Nic Sblendorio, #81-Stu Stiles, #1-Shaq Hill, #80-Zac Eagle, #14-Jason Williams will be open all day long. Hope the rain holds off. Prediction of 80% rain this afternoon. See all you "BAD ASS EAFLE FANS" later today, good luck, and "GO EAGLES!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[EWURanger]

I just don't think there is a very big pool of weak FCS teams to choose from. It's not like you see the SWAC playing out here. The MEAC, NEC, Pioneer, etc seem to fill their schedules and don't have a need. ACU would have been nice but they can fly into Denver and have more of a shot to pick up wins against UNC

This. Travel $ is a big factor when considering these things.

Honestly, if it comes down to playing a D2 rather than a lower FCS because the cost is too much...I'd rather play a SECOND money game against a mid level FBS team. You don't want to play Oregon and Florida in the same year...but why not a team like Air Force, etc?

I'd REALLY love for us to play Boise State.

 

[Eagle Talon]

I just don't think there is a very big pool of weak FCS teams to choose from. It's not like you see the SWAC playing out here. The MEAC, NEC, Pioneer, etc seem to fill their schedules and don't have a need. ACU would have been nice but they can fly into Denver and have more of a shot to pick up wins against UNC

This. Travel $ is a big factor when considering these things.

Honestly, if it comes down to playing a D2 rather than a lower FCS because the cost is too much...I'd rather play a SECOND money game against a mid level FBS team. You don't want to play Oregon and Florida in the same year...but why not a team like Air Force, etc?

I'd REALLY love for us to play Boise State.

Now that's a game I'd love to see. Red turf versus blue turf. I think we could take them.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

I'd REALLY love for us to play Boise State.

Yes! This!

 

[clawman1]

I just don't think there is a very big pool of weak FCS teams to choose from. It's not like you see the SWAC playing out here. The MEAC, NEC, Pioneer, etc seem to fill their schedules and don't have a need. ACU would have been nice but they can fly into Denver and have more of a shot to pick up wins against UNC

This. Travel $ is a big factor when considering these things.

Honestly, if it comes down to playing a D2 rather than a lower FCS because the cost is too much...I'd rather play a SECOND money game against a mid level FBS team. You don't want to play Oregon and Florida in the same year...but why not a team like Air Force, etc?

I'd REALLY love for us to play Boise State.

Now that's a game I'd love to see. Red turf versus blue turf. I think we could take them.

hno: too well coached

 

[ewueagfan]

I just don't think there is a very big pool of weak FCS teams to choose from. It's not like you see the SWAC playing out here. The MEAC, NEC, Pioneer, etc seem to fill their schedules and don't have a need. ACU would have been nice but they can fly into Denver and have more of a shot to pick up wins against UNC

This. Travel $ is a big factor when considering these things.

Honestly, if it comes down to playing a D2 rather than a lower FCS because the cost is too much...I'd rather play a SECOND money game against a mid level FBS team. You don't want to play Oregon and Florida in the same year...but why not a team like Air Force, etc?

I'd REALLY love for us to play Boise State.

Now that's a game I'd love to see. Red turf versus blue turf. I think we could take them.

hno: too well coached

Only because they robbed our OC and WRs coach.

 

[DefendtheRed]

Did anyone catch what the Jones injury was?

 

[Jibjab68]

I believe it was a dislocated kneecap.