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Second game of the Season!!!

Well now I don't know what to think. TSN's release states we play PSU in Seattle at Qwest, but our release on goeags.com says we're playing it in Cheney. I hope the latter.

http://goeags.com/sports/m-footbl/2010-11/releases/11fbJan27Schedule
 
Screamin_Eagle174 said:
Well now I don't know what to think. TSN's release states we play PSU in Seattle at Qwest, but our release on goeags.com says we're playing it in Cheney. I hope the latter.

http://goeags.com/sports/m-footbl/2010-11/releases/11fbJan27Schedule
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There is no way we play that game in Seattle...it's been a nice game to play at Quest, but I don't see them playing just 3 games in Cheney. Plus we start the season in Seattle anyways...
 
The athletic dept sent an email on the new schedule today and it incorrectly listed the Portland State game at Qwest. They amended the first press release with a second noting the error. The game is definitely in Cheney.

And I'll go on record saying I hate this schedule. 4 home games is absurd. So is playing 3 consecutive week on the road to open the year. If we lose two of those 3, which is possible, say goodbye to our positive momentum before our first home game. That's a lot of risk for no apparent reward.
 
LDopaPDX said:
The athletic dept sent an email on the new schedule today and it incorrectly listed the Portland State game at Qwest. They amended the first press release with a second noting the error. The game is definitely in Cheney.

And I'll go on record saying I hate this schedule. 4 home games is absurd. So is playing 3 consecutive week on the road to open the year. If we lose two of those 3, which is possible, say goodbye to our positive momentum before our first home game. That's a lot of risk for no apparent reward.
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LDopa;
Agreed, this is a lousy schedule. Without knowing how much the program will net out of the SoDak game, can't judge if it is worth it or not but that game could set up a loss in Missoula. 3 weeks on the road to start off the season seems grueling. But Wolff always said he liked the away games because the team remained focused with less distractions. School will not have started yet then either so the kids can focus on the business of defending their national championship title. We can be certain of one thing next year, every team will be bringing their A game to pull off the upset. The bye week of Nov comes at a good time to rest/heal up before a tough road trip to Cal/Poly.
With only 4 home games a couple of road trips may be in order.
Seattle- of course,
Missoula- for sure,
Sac State- pretty cheap to fly
Cal/Poly- Kick some a@# and check out a few wineries. Thats 8 games to attend BEFORE we make another great playoff run. I can handle that.
Hey, I'm pumped!
Go Eags!!
 
south dakota fans are mixed on if they'll beat us or not. http://usdcoyotesports.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=111&page=5
 
I agree with LDopa PDx home game schedule is lousy but I'm willing to travel to watch at least see the UW an UM games.

It seems to me that other FCS teams would jump at the chance to play the defending National Champion, and would be willing to do so even if the game is to be played in Cheney. I don't understand why we must travel to USD and Cal Poly. I suppose there might be a financial angle but I don't see it.

If anyone knows what the benefit is to EWU please let us know.
 
The more I think about this, the less I like it. Is Cal Poly the back-end of a home-home series? I don't believe it is. If so, then I get it. But if not, then we are scheduling the as a one-off road game because they become a conference foe in 2012 and all our games with them will be dictated by the Big Sky.

If the previous comment about USD being a road game only, that makes two FCS games that we took as road only games. Why in the hell would anyone do that? And if we were going to do it, why not do it against some auto-victory type team from back East, like Drake or Prairie View A & M?

I'd like to see some kind of official comments as to the rationale behind this schedule, because I don't see any. And the truth is the "we don't want a game when students aren't in session" is false on it's premise. We draw well in early September regardless... at least much better than we do in November when students are in session... just look at our past history.
 
LDopaPDX said:
The more I think about this, the less I like it. Is Cal Poly the back-end of a home-home series? I don't believe it is. If so, then I get it. But if not, then we are scheduling the as a one-off road game because they become a conference foe in 2012 and all our games with them will be dictated by the Big Sky.

If the previous comment about USD being a road game only, that makes two FCS games that we took as road only games. Why in the hell would anyone do that? And if we were going to do it, why not do it against some auto-victory type team from back East, like Drake or Prairie View A & M?

I'd like to see some kind of official comments as to the rationale behind this schedule, because I don't see any. And the truth is the "we don't want a game when students aren't in session" is false on it's premise. We draw well in early September regardless... at least much better than we do in November when students are in session... just look at our past history.
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Cal Poly is a home and home deal; they come to Cheney in 2012. It was lined up before Fullerton added CP and the other Great West schools to the Big Sky, sans USD. Depending on who we play and how it's arranged, we could play CP in Cheney back to back years, but I doubt it.
 
Yep, Poly is a home and home deal. This schedule does blow, but at least two of the away games are workable for travel. I was honestly ok with the schedule up until the South Dakota game was scheduled.......not digging that one at all - not within driving distance and we won't make that much money off it. Thinking about sending an e-mail to the AD and see if this is really the best we could do. I'd almost play another FBS school....
 
I can't remember the last time we had a home and home deal with a team and they came to our house first (maybe UC Davis, or did we go down there first too?) Nicholls State never came to Cheney I might add.

I'm guessing we scheduled that game because we get paid, and we can likely win on the road.
 
EdubAlum said:
I can't remember the last time we had a home and home deal with a team and they came to our house first (maybe UC Davis, or did we go down there first too?) Nicholls State never came to Cheney I might add.

I'm guessing we scheduled that game because we get paid, and we can likely win on the road.
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I think it was Cal Poly back in 04/05. They came to Cheney in 04.
 
The games in Seattle and Missoula can be long day trips for most of us, and a terrific weekend trip for those willing to stay. To the core fan base, we lose one game in Cheney, but still should be able to watch 6 games in person. And USD is a very recent transitional. Yes, they beat a very crappy Minnesota last year, but they would have been in the bottom third of the Big Sky. So this game is not only winnable, I'd favor us by at least 2 scores.

The only downside to this schedule is the potential to lose some momentum in growing the fan base, but that can be mitigated because of this schedule and of course winning.

What matters to me is:

1) Making the playoffs. There are no guarantees and this is a challenging schedule, so given some bad luck with injuries and upsets we could find ourselves easily on the bubble. Hedging that with an all DI schedule helps. We get to 7-4 with that strong SOS and we will get an at-large. Being a perennial playoff participant is huge in that it keeps us in the local media spotlight, and once you're in the field, anything can happen. Look what a 7-4 Nova team did last season.

2) Home Playoff Games and seeding. With this SOS, three losses gives us a shot at hosting a first round game and 2 losses or less will almost guarantee that with a shot at getting a seed. It will be fun discussing this with the MVC, CAA, and SoCon fans with the Duquesne's, Drakes, and St. Francis of PA's occupying two thirds of their OOC schedule. :mrgreen:

Wildcard: The late season bye. We possibly could have found another opponent in week 11 but the coaching staff really liked this. It gave us time to get healthy and prepare for the playoffs. This supports the above two points, especially heading into a potential showdown of ranked teams at Poly with a bunch on the line.

Do I want more fans? Of course. But that pales in importance to our on-field success. And that is what will ultimately lead to growth.
 
kalm said:
The games in Seattle and Missoula can be long day trips for most of us, and a terrific weekend trip for those willing to stay. To the core fan base, we lose one game in Cheney, but still should be able to watch 6 games in person. And USD is a very recent transitional. Yes, they beat a very crappy Minnesota last year, but they would have been in the bottom third of the Big Sky. So this game is not only winnable, I'd favor us by at least 2 scores.

The only downside to this schedule is the potential to lose some momentum in growing the fan base, but that can be mitigated because of this schedule and of course winning.

What matters to me is:

1) Making the playoffs. There are no guarantees and this is a challenging schedule, so given some bad luck with injuries and upsets we could find ourselves easily on the bubble. Hedging that with an all DI schedule helps. We get to 7-4 with that strong SOS and we will get an at-large. Being a perennial playoff participant is huge in that it keeps us in the local media spotlight, and once you're in the field, anything can happen. Look what a 7-4 Nova team did last season.

2) Home Playoff Games and seeding. With this SOS, three losses gives us a shot at hosting a first round game and 2 losses or less will almost guarantee that with a shot at getting a seed. It will be fun discussing this with the MVC, CAA, and SoCon fans with the Duquesne's, Drakes, and St. Francis of PA's occupying two thirds of their OOC schedule. :mrgreen:

Wildcard: The late season bye. We possibly could have found another opponent in week 11 but the coaching staff really liked this. It gave us time to get healthy and prepare for the playoffs. This supports the above two points, especially heading into a potential showdown of ranked teams at Poly with a bunch on the line.

Do I want more fans? Of course. But that pales in importance to our on-field success. And that is what will ultimately lead to growth.
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Couldn't have said it any better.
 
After learning of the USD away game for EWU on 9/10/2011 and reading through all the posts, I reviewed the South Dakota football schedule. What I don't understand is if both schools AD's would have agreed to have this as a home game for Eastern, it would have given BOTH schools 5 games at home and 6 on the road, sounds fair!! Somehow, EWU agrees to ANOTHER away game giving them an absurd 4 at home and 7 on the road. Aren't WE the NATIONAL Champs. I say either have USD come to EWU to balance both teams schedules for the season, or go find another home game. THOUGHTS?
 
The Yotes have 6 home games, but only 4 against FCS teams. 1 of the home games is against a D2 team, Missouri S&T and 1 is against an NAIA team transitioning to D2, Lindenwood.

I am excited to see the Yotes host the defending national champions. I am sure USD will roll out the red carpet for the Eagles. The Yotes have been ramping up the tailgating and whole game day experience the last couple of years, so I encourage you to make the trip. Can fly in to either Sioux Falls, SD, Sioux City, IA or Omaha airport. Sioux Falls & Sioux City are both within an hour of Vermillion. Omaha is a 2 hour drive but has more connections and generally cheaper fares.
 
goyotes said:
The Yotes have 6 home games, but only 4 against FCS teams. 1 of the home games is against a D2 team, Missouri S&T and 1 is against an NAIA team transitioning to D2, Lindenwood.

I am excited to see the Yotes host the defending national champions. I am sure USD will roll out the red carpet for the Eagles. The Yotes have been ramping up the tailgating and whole game day experience the last couple of years, so I encourage you to make the trip. Can fly in to either Sioux Falls, SD, Sioux City, IA or Omaha airport. Sioux Falls & Sioux City are both within an hour of Vermillion. Omaha is a 2 hour drive but has more connections and generally cheaper fares.
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welcome to the forum! I'm actually somewhat tempted to go to this game, a part of the world I've never been to. I'm bummed USD won't be a part of the Big Sky. The USD fans are nicer than the NDSU fans right? :)
 
EdubAlum said:
I'm bummed USD won't be a part of the Big Sky. The USD fans are nicer than the NDSU fans right? :)
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Not to be snide but they would have to be, yes? I'd hate to see fans act any uglier! ;)
 
i thought i might jump in on this, Three travel games in a row, how did that work out for Villinova? The travel time to SD will probably take away a pratice day for UofM game, one of the biggest of the year plus we then have MSU the next week. The two hardest games on our schedule after two road trips. Please help me understand how this helps this team get a seeded invite to playoffs. This schedule is absolutly no help to our football team. The next problem is school starts the before the UofM game and that is always a very hard coaching week with all the distractions. AD had two years to get this schedule right after scheduling the UofW game. He says all the small school that are close enough to not fly were booked and with our budget we will not pay enough for someone to fly in so we fly away. I am assuming the UofM game was more important than 5 home games. For recruiting and PR maybe so? But this will be the hardest schedule EWU has had to get to the playoffs.
 
Rontheoldwiseeagle said:
i thought i might jump in on this, Three travel games in a row, how did that work out for Villinova? The travel time to SD will probably take away a pratice day for UofM game, one of the biggest of the year plus we then have MSU the next week. The two hardest games on our schedule after two road trips. Please help me understand how this helps this team get a seeded invite to playoffs. This schedule is absolutly no help to our football team. The next problem is school starts the before the UofM game and that is always a very hard coaching week with all the distractions. AD had two years to get this schedule right after scheduling the UofW game. He says all the small school that are close enough to not fly were booked and with our budget we will not pay enough for someone to fly in so we fly away. I am assuming the UofM game was more important than 5 home games. For recruiting and PR maybe so? But this will be the hardest schedule EWU has had to get to the playoffs.
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I disagree. Yes, playing on the road and in successive weeks is tough, but USD is a very winnable, if not likely win against D-I competition. We don't have $ to pay another FCS team to come here. I'd much rather play on the road against FCS than at home against D-II or less opponents who don't count toward the 7 D-I win guideline for making the playoffs. Mark down a play up game against FBS as a likely loss, and throw in a D-II, and you've got 9 shots to get 7 wins. Much easier to get 7 wins out of 10.
 
Rontheoldwiseeagle said:
i thought i might jump in on this, Three travel games in a row, how did that work out for Villinova? The travel time to SD will probably take away a pratice day for UofM game, one of the biggest of the year plus we then have MSU the next week. The two hardest games on our schedule after two road trips. Please help me understand how this helps this team get a seeded invite to playoffs. This schedule is absolutly no help to our football team. The next problem is school starts the before the UofM game and that is always a very hard coaching week with all the distractions.quote]

It actually worked out quite well for Nova as they were a 7-4 unseeded team that made it to the semi's going 2-1 against three teams ranked in the top 10. And this was mostly while school was in session including finals week. Unless EWU has changed it's historic first week of school, classes will not start until the week following the Griz game. If we play decent, I expect us to have exactly the same record as Nova over this stretch.

No one is saying the schedule is ideal. I'm sure Chaves and the coaching staff would have much preferred to host a DI opponent, so it's reasonable to assume they simply did not have that option. The only other choices are a DII or FBS that would, as has been mentioned, hurt our chances for playoff and seeding consideration.

The FBS would probably result in a 2nd loss, making the margin for error slim in making the playoffs and nil in getting a seed.

The DII would hurt our strength of schedule. The selection committee uses a ranking system similar to the RPI in hoops, that's a combination of computer rankings and human polls. The best predictor is the College Sporting News's Gridiron Power Index that includes the Sagarin Rankings (SOS weighed heavily) and the AnyGivenSaturday (East Coast Bias weighed heavily :mrgreen: ). If it's nip and tuck between us and the #2 team from one of the other power conferences (especially the CAA) for a seed, that extra bump from an all DI schedule might be enough to sway the voters and the computers our way. Another scenario would be us sharing a BSC title at 9-2 with an all DI schedule versus a 9-2 or even 10-1 Southland Champ that played a DII. In that scenario we'd be a lock with equal records and may still get the seed even with the additional loss.

It also might be the difference in getting one of the top two seeds - which is huge.

On the other hand, if we were to somehow slip to 7-4 with a DII on the schedule the committee would view us as 6-4 (they look at DI wins only) and we almost certainly would not get an at-large birth.

That's how this schedule gets us a seeded invite versus our other options.
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