We're 2-2

[clawman1]

I can't believe I am bringing this up but here goes.
Our guys got to go to Texas and New York while Griz players have traveled to Seattle. We had to play what may be the eventual national champion they played two cupcakes. Same record at this point of the season but I wonder which is the more rewarding season for our players thus far. If you are a high school recruit what sounds more inviting?

 

[ewueagle2010]

I don't think there is any question which is the better program right now.

What really matters is that "we're 2-2" which is exactly where most of us thought they'd be right now. They first two games went uglier than expected, but the last two we're probably a little better than expected. The trajectory is headed in the right direction and I think despite ALL the changes and ALL the panic, EWU is still the team to beat in the Big Sky.

 

[WILDCAT]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

 

[ewueagle2010]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Not everyone on here felt that way. Clawman, specifically, has never been one to complain about scheduling to my knowledge.

 

[marceagfan5]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Our schedule still sucked, but we needed to come out 2-2 and did. We also won the most important game of our first 4 by beating UM. Wouldn’t want to play that schedule again tho...

 

[clawman1]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Not everyone on here felt that way. Clawman, specifically, has never been one to complain about scheduling to my knowledge.

No I have not. I've always believed our AD is doing the best he can under the constraints of Eastern administration. My only disappointment is that we have not yet played a military academy!
You GO Bill!!

 

[LDopaPDX]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Our schedule still sucked, but we needed to come out 2-2 and did. We also won the most important game of our first 4 by beating UM. Wouldn’t want to play that schedule again tho...

Yeah, this whole thread is based on a false premise of us and Montana having equal results. We'd be 3-1 with their schedule and they'd be 1-3 or 0-4 with our schedule.

Ultimately, and as per usual, we play our way through our scheduling snafus. And, as per usual, Montana can play a candy-ass schedule and still struggle.

 

[Obzerver]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Not everyone on here felt that way. Clawman, specifically, has never been one to complain about scheduling to my knowledge.

No I have not. I've always believed our AD is doing the best he can under the constraints of Eastern administration. My only disappointment is that we have not yet played a military academy!
You GO Bill!!

That would be a great game vs any military academy again. Went to the 2004 Air Force game and that was a treat. After the 1st qtr. EWU held their own. It was a scenic venue, the band was great and the flyover was really something! It was on 9/11...everyone stood up for National Anthem.

 

[clawman1]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Our schedule still sucked, but we needed to come out 2-2 and did. We also won the most important game of our first 4 by beating UM. Wouldn’t want to play that schedule again tho...

Yeah, this whole thread is based on a false premise of us and Montana having equal results. We'd be 3-1 with their schedule and they'd be 1-3 or 0-4 with our schedule.

Ultimately, and as per usual, we play our way through our scheduling snafus. And, as per usual, Montana can play a candy-ass schedule and still struggle.

Please re read the first post of this thread. The premise is what is more rewarding, playing Savannah State or going to New York City and Ground Zero? Playing Valparaiso or a trip to Texas Tech? My question was what would seem the most appealing to a recruit? I do not believe the schedule can be described as a snafu.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Our schedule still sucked, but we needed to come out 2-2 and did. We also won the most important game of our first 4 by beating UM. Wouldn’t want to play that schedule again tho...

Yeah, this whole thread is based on a false premise of us and Montana having equal results. We'd be 3-1 with their schedule and they'd be 1-3 or 0-4 with our schedule.

Ultimately, and as per usual, we play our way through our scheduling snafus. And, as per usual, Montana can play a candy-ass schedule and still struggle.

Please re read the first post of this thread. The premise is what is more rewarding, playing Savannah State or going to New York City and Ground Zero? Playing Valparaiso or a trip to Texas Tech? My question was what would seem the most appealing to a recruit? I do not believe the schedule can be described as a snafu.

Well, if you can come out of each with the same record, then you could argue being a road warrior is more rewarding. But if it means the difference between 1-3 or 3-1, then you'd have no argument that playing on the road against tougher teams is more rewarding. I'm sure Montana wouldn't see our schedule as "rewarding" or something they'd be jealous of if it meant they were 1-3 or 0-4 right now.

 

[marceagfan5]

Very different attitude compared to the "our schedule is awful, why cant we get home games, what is our A.D. doing" talk I was reading on here just last week.

Our schedule still sucked, but we needed to come out 2-2 and did. We also won the most important game of our first 4 by beating UM. Wouldn’t want to play that schedule again tho...

Yeah, this whole thread is based on a false premise of us and Montana having equal results. We'd be 3-1 with their schedule and they'd be 1-3 or 0-4 with our schedule.

Ultimately, and as per usual, we play our way through our scheduling snafus. And, as per usual, Montana can play a candy-ass schedule and still struggle.

Please re read the first post of this thread. The premise is what is more rewarding, playing Savannah State or going to New York City and Ground Zero? Playing Valparaiso or a trip to Texas Tech? My question was what would seem the most appealing to a recruit? I do not believe the schedule can be described as a snafu.

You know what players and parents would prefer more than going to NY to play Fordham? And playing a bunch of difficult non conference games. Playing home games in December...

As dopa points out if we were Montana we’d be 3-1. If we were 3-1, even with Montana’s schedule we’d be ranked 3rd right now and a lock for a top 4 playoff seed, we could probably drop 1 game moving forward and still be a lock.

2-2 means we have to win out if we want multiple home playoff games. An 8-3 big sky champ probably gets the 7 or 8 seed and a non champ is playing thanksgiving, that’s what 2-2 gets you....

And to answer your original post, one of the most appealing things to a recruit is winning. They like the FBS games, but beating Fordham in NY is no different than beating Savanna state at home to a 17 year old, I can almost guarantee that

 

[93bird]

You don't have to go back too far to see what a cream puff schedule will get you. SHSU went undefeated playing the likes of OK Panhandle St. last year. They ended the regular season ranked #1. For their hard work, they were rewarded with a 5 seed, and got exactly one home game before being crushed like a bug. Does anyone really prefer this kind of ending? Anyone?

 

[kalm]

You don't have to go back too far to see what a cream puff schedule will get you. SHSU went undefeated playing the likes of OK Panhandle St. last year. They ended the regular season ranked #1. For their hard work, they were rewarded with a 5 seed, and got exactly one home game before being crushed like a bug. Does anyone really prefer this kind of ending? Anyone?

No, but if you look at NDSU's first 3 championship years, their OOC was equally as weak. Didn't seem to matter.

In Towson's run to the Championship Game, they played Holy Cross, DSU, and NC Central.

JMU's championship season in 2004, they played Lockhaven,VMI, and a FBS. Last year, it was Moorhead State, CCSU, and a FBS

There are examples the other way too of course but my point being, it doesn't have to be either or.

The Big Sky is strong enough that scheduling two weak OOC games shouldn't hurt you in preparedness. If you roll through the schedule with mostly large margins of victory and look impressive while doing it, our seeding shouldn't suffer too much either.

SHSU was penalized because the two game OOC was tremendously weak and the SLC that year was absolutely horrible.

 

[marceagfan5]

You don't have to go back too far to see what a cream puff schedule will get you. SHSU went undefeated playing the likes of OK Panhandle St. last year. They ended the regular season ranked #1. For their hard work, they were rewarded with a 5 seed, and got exactly one home game before being crushed like a bug. Does anyone really prefer this kind of ending? Anyone?

San Houston was punished because their conference is crap, it’s nothing compared to the CAA, MVFC or the Big sky. We don’t need the tough non conf games like SHSU because our conference is so strong

 

[Eags12]

I don't think it's one or the other.

 

[EWURanger]

I don't think it's one or the other.

This.

Playing two patsy's at home does not do a lot to challenge a top-tier FCS team, and when it comes time for playoff brackets that does get reflected in the seeding. This is part of why SHSU earned the #5 seed last year, but the other piece is that the Southland is a pretty weak conference overall.

I think when you look at scheduling you try to get the right balance. That is to say, maybe 1 x money game, 1 x game (home/home series) against an FCS team from a comparable conference (similar to what we have done with NDSU and UNI the past couple of years), and 1 x easy home game. In all honesty, that's basically what we played this year, except for the fact that we would have liked the Fordham game to be played in Cheney. I think the main challenge is finding the easy home games. There aren't a lot of teams out west, period, and the San Diego's of the world don't necessarily want to go on the road to get a beating for minimal payout. For this reason, I think we'll see more of in-conference scheduling of non-conference games...or possibly going towards playing 2 x MVFC teams as part of the OOC schedule.

You'll never get away from playing the money games, nor would I want us to. Those are exciting for both players and fans.