Lehigh Football Nation
July 3rd, 2014, 10:41 AM
Anyone who purports to be an expert as to how FBS scheduling works/will work ought to read this:
http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070214aae.html
A VICTORY OVER MISSISSIPPI STATE HELPED CATAPULT OSU TO A 10-WIN SEASON. A VICTORY OVER FLORIDA STATE WOULD BE AN EPIC SPRINGBOARD. And on the balance sheet, OSU figures to clear more in the neutral site games than a typical home game, especially when subtracting the bills that come with hosting events.
But the early-season matchups certainly don't come without risks as the 2011 OREGON DUCKS can attest. Oregon, ranked fourth in the Associated Press poll, opened that season in Dallas against No. 3 LSU. After suffering a 40-27 loss to the Tigers, it took an eight-game winning streak for the Ducks to get back to their preseason ranking. They eventually finished the year as Rose Bowl champions.
And there you have the dichotomy of scheduling.
For conference officials, fans and TV execs, what's not to love? Great non-conference matchups within driving distance for OSU fans to open a new season in the national spotlight against marquee opponents with a healthy payday.
But for coaches, Labor Day Weekend takes on an entirely different feel with a high-quality opponent on the agenda after just four weeks of practice.
The whole article details OSU's priorities:
* At least 7 home games (requires different # home OOC each year because of Big XII unbalanced conf schedule)
* Fewer, or no, 2-for-1 deals (in order to get more home games)
* Balance of "number of wins" vs. "springboard games"
The encouraging thing for FCS (and what should make G5 schools nervous) is:
OSU's stadium capacity has now climbed to more than 60,000 and 2-for-1 deals are very nearly a thing of the past. The only one currently remaining in Martin's messy schedule file is with CENTRAL MICHIGAN.
That means G5 guarantees are going to resemble slightly-more-expensive FCS guarantee one-and-dones. At least that appears to be OSU's plan.
http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070214aae.html
A VICTORY OVER MISSISSIPPI STATE HELPED CATAPULT OSU TO A 10-WIN SEASON. A VICTORY OVER FLORIDA STATE WOULD BE AN EPIC SPRINGBOARD. And on the balance sheet, OSU figures to clear more in the neutral site games than a typical home game, especially when subtracting the bills that come with hosting events.
But the early-season matchups certainly don't come without risks as the 2011 OREGON DUCKS can attest. Oregon, ranked fourth in the Associated Press poll, opened that season in Dallas against No. 3 LSU. After suffering a 40-27 loss to the Tigers, it took an eight-game winning streak for the Ducks to get back to their preseason ranking. They eventually finished the year as Rose Bowl champions.
And there you have the dichotomy of scheduling.
For conference officials, fans and TV execs, what's not to love? Great non-conference matchups within driving distance for OSU fans to open a new season in the national spotlight against marquee opponents with a healthy payday.
But for coaches, Labor Day Weekend takes on an entirely different feel with a high-quality opponent on the agenda after just four weeks of practice.
The whole article details OSU's priorities:
* At least 7 home games (requires different # home OOC each year because of Big XII unbalanced conf schedule)
* Fewer, or no, 2-for-1 deals (in order to get more home games)
* Balance of "number of wins" vs. "springboard games"
The encouraging thing for FCS (and what should make G5 schools nervous) is:
OSU's stadium capacity has now climbed to more than 60,000 and 2-for-1 deals are very nearly a thing of the past. The only one currently remaining in Martin's messy schedule file is with CENTRAL MICHIGAN.
That means G5 guarantees are going to resemble slightly-more-expensive FCS guarantee one-and-dones. At least that appears to be OSU's plan.