Mercer may have the toughest FCS Schedule this year

[youcanbankit]

Mercer plays a tough schedule this year.

3 top teams from the State of Alabama - University of Alabama, Auburn, and Samford. 4 top 20 FCS SoCon teams along with the rest of the tough SoCon conference. Hats off Mercer!

Mercer Football 2017 Schedule


Date
Opponent
Location
Stadium


Aug. 31 (Thu.)
Jacksonville
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Sept. 9
Wofford*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Sept. 16
at Auburn
Auburn, Ala.
Jordan-Hare Stadium


Sept. 23
at ETSU*
Johnson City, Tenn.
ETSU Stadium


Sept. 30
VMI*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Oct. 7
at The Citadel*
Charleston, S.C.
Johnson Hagood Stadium


Oct. 14
Chattanooga*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Oct. 21
at Furman*
Greenville, S.C.
Paladin Stadium


Oct. 28
BYE




Nov. 4
Samford*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Nov. 11
at Western Carolina*
Cullowhee, N.C.
E.J. Whitemire Stadium


Nov. 18
at Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Bryant-Denny Stadium

[Mayville Bison]

Mercer plays a tough schedule this year.

3 top teams from the State of Alabama - University of Alabama, Auburn, and Samford. 4 top 20 FCS SoCon teams along with the rest of the tough SoCon conference. Hats off Mercer!

Mercer Football 2017 Schedule


Date
Opponent
Location
Stadium


Aug. 31 (Thu.)
Jacksonville
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Sept. 9
Wofford*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Sept. 16
at Auburn
Auburn, Ala.
Jordan-Hare Stadium


Sept. 23
at ETSU*
Johnson City, Tenn.
ETSU Stadium


Sept. 30
VMI*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Oct. 7
at The Citadel*
Charleston, S.C.
Johnson Hagood Stadium


Oct. 14
Chattanooga*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Oct. 21
at Furman*
Greenville, S.C.
Paladin Stadium


Oct. 28
BYE




Nov. 4
Samford*
Macon, Ga.
Five Star Stadium


Nov. 11
at Western Carolina*
Cullowhee, N.C.
E.J. Whitemire Stadium


Nov. 18
at Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Bryant-Denny Stadium




We won't know anything about this team based on their OOC schedule. I really wish body-bag games would be taken out of SOS. I'd much rather see Mercer play Liberty, Presby, or anyone else FCS rather than get demolished 52-10 twice.

[vestaviadude]

I agree. One strong game lets you know how you can compete. Too many can be a problem. I like the fight and attitude to take it on. Ouch!! I hope they can stay healthy.

[Anthony215]

I'm sure the 2 games against the SEC teams payouts (probably 500k each game) will support a good amount of the athletic costs. And a positive from it all is the Alabama game is at the end of the season unlike many FCS teams who have to play 2 P5 games in back to back weeks.

[KPSUL]

We won't know anything about this team based on their OOC schedule. I really wish body-bag games would be taken out of SOS. I'd much rather see Mercer play Liberty, Presby, or anyone else FCS rather than get demolished 52-10 twice.

What he said! I like that phrase, "body-bag games".

[clenz]

That schedule also includes non-scholly Jacksonville, start up program ESU, VMI and WCU.........


So.....

[POD Knows]

That schedule also includes non-scholly Jacksonville, start up program ESU, VMI and WCU.........


So.....

They will be 4-7.

[PaladinFan]

I agree. One strong game lets you know how you can compete. Too many can be a problem. I like the fight and attitude to take it on. Ouch!! I hope they can stay healthy.

Those games are fine. It is something to sell to recruits (not everyone can say they play in Jordan Hare and Bryant Denny). It is some much needed money for the coffers.

I don't like scheduling two such games. For one, it basically schedules you out of post-season contention--to reach 7 D1 wins Mercer would have to win 7 of 9 in a tough conference. Also suggests "we are here for the money."

[paward]

Ouch!

[youcanbankit]

Those games are fine. It is something to sell to recruits (not everyone can say they play in Jordan Hare and Bryant Denny). It is some much needed money for the coffers.

I don't like scheduling two such games. For one, it basically schedules you out of post-season contention--to reach 7 D1 wins Mercer would have to win 7 of 9 in a tough conference. Also suggests "we are here for the money."


Well said...

[FUBeAR]

"we are here for the money."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbmQVDRKTmM

[Catamount87]

That schedule also includes non-scholly Jacksonville, start up program ESU, VMI and WCU.........


So.....

Don't be so quick to toss WCU under the bus. Yes, last year's defensive fiasco/disaster/dumpster fire ultimately cost us a good bit. But that situation has been addressed. We won't be back to 2014-15 strength but we will definitely be much improved. We did start to see some light once our DC was fired, especially in the season ending game against South Carolina. We're 2-1 against Mercer and IMHO the two teams have been well matched in all three seasons. So, I expect it to be a well matched game again this season.

[dmksioux]

After I read the thread title, I thought maybe Mercer was joining the MVFC...xlolxxpeacex

[FUBeAR]

After I read the thread title, I thought maybe Mercer was joining the MVFC...xlolxxpeacex

Nope...The Bears are playing a transitional year into the SEC West instead.

[catamount man]

Don't be so quick to toss WCU under the bus. Yes, last year's defensive fiasco/disaster/dumpster fire ultimately cost us a good bit. But that situation has been addressed. We won't be back to 2014-15 strength but we will definitely be much improved. We did start to see some light once our DC was fired, especially in the season ending game against South Carolina. We're 2-1 against Mercer and IMHO the two teams have been well matched in all three seasons. So, I expect it to be a well matched game again this season.

I was gonna say. WCU has beaten Mercer twice out of 3 seasons in the SoCon. GO CATS!!!

[Go...gate]

That is a great but very ambitious schedule.

[SeattleBobcat]

Yeah... not even close to the toughest FCS schedule. You should look at the gaunlet EWU has.

[youcanbankit]

Yeah... not even close to the toughest FCS schedule. You should look at the gaunlet EWU has.


LOL.....Good one!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EoAHdwGBvU

[PaladinFan]

Yeah... not even close to the toughest FCS schedule. You should look at the gaunlet EWU has.

Mercer plays in the second toughest FCS league and then also plays Alabama and Auburn.

If that doesn't qualify as pretty close to the toughest schedule, it'll do till a tougher one comes

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Mercer plays in the second toughest FCS league and then also plays Alabama and Auburn.

If that doesn't qualify as pretty close to the toughest schedule, it'll do till a tougher one comes

It's manufactured difficulty though. They have no chance to beat Alabama and Auburn. Those are nothing more than paycheck games. I have much more respect for teams that go out and play other quality FCS programs in the non-conference. EWU and UNI seem to do that better than anyone.

[SeattleBobcat]

LOL.....Good one!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EoAHdwGBvU

You have 4-5 Quality opponents... It's not the toughest schedule in the FCS, its not close.

[PaladinFan]

It's manufactured difficulty though. They have no chance to beat Alabama and Auburn. Those are nothing more than paycheck games. I have much more respect for teams that go out and play other quality FCS programs in the non-conference. EWU and UNI seem to do that better than anyone.

I'm not sure the difference between "manufactured difficulty" and "difficulty."

Your respect is irrelevant to the question.

No, I don't like what they are doing. I think it is bad for the team, the fans, and the conference to play two such games in one season. That does not, however, make their schedule less difficult. If they got a million dollars per game to play in the AFC East, they'd still have a difficult schedule.

[KPSUL]

Mercer plays in the second toughest FCS league

You had it right in your 1st post, "in a tough conference"

[PaladinFan]

You had it right in your 1st post, "in a tough conference"

For whatever it is worth. http://realtimerpi.com/college_football/ncaaf_conf_Men.html

SoCon finished 2016 with four top 25 teams. More than the MVFC, and same as the CAA and Big Sky. Three of those SoCon teams finished in the top 15, which is the same number as the CAA and more than the Big Sky.

There's room for disagreement of course, but RPI had the SoCon as the #2 conference, and no one had more top 25 teams.

[walliver]

I don't really understand why Mercer scheduled this way. They have money issues, as far as I know, and it would seem to me that making the playoffs for the first time would be a higher priority.

[Thumper 76]

For whatever it is worth. http://realtimerpi.com/college_football/ncaaf_conf_Men.html

SoCon finished 2016 with four top 25 teams. More than the MVFC, and same as the CAA and Big Sky. Three of those SoCon teams finished in the top 15, which is the same number as the CAA and more than the Big Sky.

There's room for disagreement of course, but RPI had the SoCon as the #2 conference, and no one had more top 25 teams.

Isn't RPI a basketball measurement? Also looking at it it's hard to justify the SoCon being the 2nd toughest FCS conference when they have a below .500 OOC yet are somehow ranked right behind the MVFC who went .630 OOC against what that site has as the 5th toughest SOS for a conference in a list that includes the P5 conferences. Which leads me to my next point. How can you honestly try to use a website that ranks the MVFC as having the 5th toughest SOS in the country, for both divisions, which it ranked above than a P5 conference? That's absolutely bat**** crazy. I get over the Belch, CUSA, and mayyyybe the MAC. But over a P5 conference? Jesus. And people bitch on here about how high the computers had UNI. That website is garbage for football, sorry.


On the main topic of this thread, if you take out Auburn and Bama that schedule is meh for SOS. Get a bunch of the top SoCon teams at home and a slack team for the remaining OOC game. Just because you scheduled two stupidly difficult games doesn't make the entire schedule the toughest. Now if it was coupled with having to play at El CID, at Chatty, and at Wofford, then sure I'm all in.

To me as a FCS team there is a ceiling to to credit I give one game. You don't get bonus points from me for scheduling someone like Auburn or Bama or USC or Michigan over a Nebraska or any other good but not great P5 program. After a point you're probably going to get dump trucked, and after you reach that point it's just a contest to see how many points the second string puts on you. Merced isn't a team I'm going to put any faith in being competitive in these games, they aren't a FCS powerhouse who lives in the top 25, or annually in the playoffs. Would you be lauding the difficulty of those games if it was Missouri State, USeD, SUU, or another other lower tier major conference team? You don't get schedule difficulty bonus points for taking a paycheck to let a bunch of toothless Bama and Auburn fans watch your boys get their dicks kicked in in a glorified scrimmage to those schools. Now if Merced was a well established team that had proven itself to be a FCS power, maybe it would be different. But none of those teams are whoring out their team to multiple P5 FBS games in a season.

But, if someone wants to toot their horn that they have the toughest schedule because they want to be whores, hey, knock yourself out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[clenz]

Don't be so quick to toss WCU under the bus. Yes, last year's defensive fiasco/disaster/dumpster fire ultimately cost us a good bit. But that situation has been addressed. We won't be back to 2014-15 strength but we will definitely be much improved. We did start to see some light once our DC was fired, especially in the season ending game against South Carolina. We're 2-1 against Mercer and IMHO the two teams have been well matched in all three seasons. So, I expect it to be a well matched game again this season.

I don't care what the head to head is, the fact is that WCU isn't a power by any stretch. They'd be one of the weakest MVFC teams and I'd only bet on them a head of MSU and even with ISUb.

I'd put them bottom half of the Big Sky and CAA. They might be 4th or 5th in the SLC (which isn't saying much)

Take out the body bag games and it's an average FCS schedule.

[ngineer]

Ridiculous, imo. For a million dollars we're going to have our guys used as cannon fodder. What's their mascot, a call girl or a john?

[PaladinFan]

Ridiculous, imo. For a million dollars we're going to have our guys used as cannon fodder. What's their mascot, a call girl or a john?

Again, there are fair criticisms of the need to schedule two such games. Such criticisms do not affect the difficulty of the schedule.

[FUBeAR]

To paraphrase the good book, I try not to rely on my own understanding in these matters. So, Saint Jeff of Sagarin says this...



Mercer Schedule

Eastern Washington Schedule

South Dakota State Schedule


Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating


1
2
Alabama
105.35

1
44
North Dakota State
74.29

1
44
North Dakota State
74.29


2
17
Auburn
83.40

2
68
Texas Tech
69.14

2
67
Youngstown State
69.48


3
85
Wofford
65.56

3
115
North Dakota
57.86

3
95
Northern Iowa
62.48


4
94
Chattanooga
63.02

4
127
Southern Utah
54.76

4
110
Illinois State
59.39


5
98
The Citadel
61.60

5
134
Montana
53.28

5
135
Western Illinois
53.26


6
116
Samford
57.65

6
161
Fordham
48.90

6
136
South Dakota
52.77


7
143
Furman
51.43

7
164
Weber State
48.52

7
148
Southern Illinois
51.02


8
191
Western Carolina
41.71

8
180
Montana State
45.35

8
163
Duquesne
48.75


9
193
VMI
41.01

9
189
Portland State
42.18

9
180
Montana State
45.35


10
204
East Tennessee State
36.28

10
197
UC Davis
39.76

10
185
Missouri State
44.30


11
232
Jacksonville
26.77

11
218
Sacramento State
32.23

11
212
Drake
36.66


















Sum
1375

633.78


1597

566.27


1475

597.75


Mean
125.00

57.62


145.18

51.48


134.09

54.34


Median
116

57.65


161

48.90


136

52.77



Looking at the entirety of the schedules of the 'topic' of this thread and the Favorite Teams of 2 other posters on this thread, one can see the Opponents' 'Degree of Difficulty,' the overall Sums of their Rankings (lower is harder), the overall Sums of their Ratings (higher is harder), and the Means & Medians of their Opponents' Ratings and Rankings. One can also cross-compare each of the 3 Teams hardest games down to their easiest.

You can draw your own conclusions from this data, provide other data, or, of course, rely on your own understanding.

[clenz]

To paraphrase the good book, I try not to rely on my own understanding in these matters. So, Saint Jeff of Sagarin says this...


Looking at the entirety of the schedules of the 'topic' of this thread and the Favorite Teams of 2 other posters on this thread, one can see the Opponents' 'Degree of Difficulty,' the overall Sums of their Rankings (lower is harder), the overall Sums of their Ratings (higher is harder), and the Means & Medians of their Opponents' Ratings and Rankings. One can also cross-compare each of the 3 Teams hardest games down to their easiest.

You can draw your own conclusions from this data, provide other data, or, of course, rely on your own understanding.
Go with FCS only.

Including FBS programs greatly skews that ****.



Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating


3
85
Wofford
65.56

1
44
NDSU
74.29

1
44
NDSU
74.29


4
94
CHAT
63.02

3
115
UND
57.86

2
67
YSU
69.48


5
98
CIT
61.6

4
127
SUU
54.76

3
95
UNI
62.48


6
116
Samford
57.65

5
134
MON
53.28

4
110
ISUR
59.39


7
143
Furman
51.43

6
161
Fordham
48.9

5
135
WIU
53.26


8
191
WCU
41.71

7
164
WEBER
48.52

6
136
USD
52.77


9
193
VMI
41.01

8
180
MON ST
45.35

7
148
SIU
51.02


10
204
ETSU
36.28

9
189
PSU
42.18

8
163
DUQ
48.75


11
232
Jacksonville
26.77

10
197
UC Davis
39.76

9
180
MON ST
45.35







11
218
SAC ST
32.23

10
185
Mo ST
44.3












11
212
Drake
36.66


















Sum
1356

415.03


1529

497.13


1475

597.75


Mean
150.6

46.11


152.9

49.71


134.09

54.34


Median
143

41.71


162.2

48.71


136

52.77





That dropped Mercer like a rock.

Also, the Big Sky is pretty bad, especially on the bottom half. Because of that the Big Sky was smart and found a way to make sure Montana and EWU play considerably more bottom teams than top teams, to assist in their win totals.

Comparing the SoCon to the MVFC is just laughable. I do mean laughable. Especially when you are picked SDSU, the conference champ, to pull out of the sagarin numbers.

[clenz]

Mercer finished 2-5 in conference play last year and 6th of 8. That makes them...Indiana State or USD of the MVFC (as I predicted)
Here's what that schedule would look like for USD



Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating


1
44
NDSU
74.29


2
67
YSU
69.48


3
82
SDSU
65.96


4
95
UNI
62.48


5
110
ISUR
59.39


6
115
UND
57.86


7
135
WIU
53.26


8
148
SIU
51.02


9
174
ISUB
46.78


10
212
Drake
36.66














Sum
1182

577.18


Mean
118.2

57.71


Median
112.5

58.62




Think about that. The worst rated MVFC team is, basically, middle of the pack in the SoCon.



Turns out, it's pretty easy to manipulate numbers to make your SOS seem better than it is.

[IBleedYellow]

Normally Strength of Schedule is talked about for a team that actually has a shot of winning all of those games.

You won't be beating Bama.

[FUBeAR]

Go with FCS only.

Including FBS programs greatly skews that ****.



Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating


3
85
Wofford
65.56

1
44
NDSU
74.29

1
44
NDSU
74.29


4
94
CHAT
63.02

3
115
UND
57.86

2
67
YSU
69.48


5
98
CIT
61.6

4
127
SUU
54.76

3
95
UNI
62.48


6
116
Samford
57.65

5
134
MON
53.28

4
110
ISUR
59.39


7
143
Furman
51.43

6
161
Fordham
48.9

5
135
WIU
53.26


8
191
WCU
41.71

7
164
WEBER
48.52

6
136
USD
52.77


9
193
VMI
41.01

8
180
MON ST
45.35

7
148
SIU
51.02


10
204
ETSU
36.28

9
189
PSU
42.18

8
163
DUQ
48.75


11
232
Jacksonville
26.77

10
197
UC Davis
39.76

9
180
MON ST
45.35







11
218
SAC ST
32.23

10
185
Mo ST
44.3












11
212
Drake
36.66


















Sum
1356

415.03


1529

497.13


1475

597.75


Mean
150.6

46.11


152.9

49.71


134.09

54.34


Median
143

41.71


162.2

48.71


136

52.77





That dropped Mercer like a rock.

Also, the Big Sky is pretty bad, especially on the bottom half. Because of that the Big Sky was smart and found a way to make sure Montana and EWU play considerably more bottom teams than top teams, to assist in their win totals.

Comparing the SoCon to the MVFC is just laughable. I do mean laughable. Especially when you are picked SDSU, the conference champ, to pull out of the sagarin numbers.

OK - Good - Alternate Data - I like that...and, to be honest, that data reflects the title of this thread more accurately, the toughest FCS schedule. I think the thread 'founder' intended the title to mean the 'toughest schedule of any FCS Team this year,' but maybe not.

And...hey...if we're wanting to 'parse' the schedule and we're going to remove FBS as a skewing factor, then I think we should consider removing Non-Schollies as another skewing factor. I'm not sure why we would remove ANY Teams to consider the overall schedule strength, but if we're going to excise one end, I think it only makes sense to excise the other...and have a look...



Mercer Schedule

Eastern Washington Schedule

South Dakota State Schedule


Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating


1
85
Wofford
65.56

1
44
North Dakota State
74.29

1
44
North Dakota State
74.29


2
94
Chattanooga
63.02

2
115
North Dakota
57.86

2
67
Youngstown State
69.48


3
98
The Citadel
61.60

3
127
Southern Utah
54.76

3
95
Northern Iowa
62.48


4
116
Samford
57.65

4
134
Montana
53.28

4
110
Illinois State
59.39


5
143
Furman
51.43

5
161
Fordham
48.90

5
135
Western Illinois
53.26


6
191
Western Carolina
41.71

6
164
Weber State
48.52

6
136
South Dakota
52.77


7
193
VMI
41.01

7
180
Montana State
45.35

7
148
Southern Illinois
51.02


8
204
East Tennessee State
36.28

8
189
Portland State
42.18

8
163
Duquesne
48.75







9
197
UC Davis
39.76

9
180
Montana State
45.35







10
218
Sacramento State
32.23

10
185
Missouri State
44.30


































Sum
1124

418.26


1529

497.13


1263

561.09


Mean
140.50

52.28


152.90

49.71


126.30

56.11


Median
129.5

54.54


162.5

48.71


135.5

53.015



...conclusions to draw are your own...

[clenz]

OK - Good - Alternate Data - I like that...and, to be honest, that data reflects the title of this thread more accurately, the toughest FCS schedule. I think the thread 'founder' intended the title to mean the 'toughest schedule of any FCS Team this year,' but maybe not.

And...hey...if we're wanting to 'parse' the schedule and we're going to remove FBS as a skewing factor, then I think we should consider removing Non-Schollies as another skewing factor. I'm not sure why we would remove ANY Teams to consider the overall schedule strength, but if we're going to excise one end, I think it only makes sense to excise the other...and have a look...



Mercer Schedule

Eastern Washington Schedule

South Dakota State Schedule


Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating

Difficulty Rank
Sagarin Rank
Opponent
Sagarin Rating


1
85
Wofford
65.56

1
44
North Dakota State
74.29

1
44
North Dakota State
74.29


2
94
Chattanooga
63.02

2
115
North Dakota
57.86

2
67
Youngstown State
69.48


3
98
The Citadel
61.60

3
127
Southern Utah
54.76

3
95
Northern Iowa
62.48


4
116
Samford
57.65

4
134
Montana
53.28

4
110
Illinois State
59.39


5
143
Furman
51.43

5
161
Fordham
48.90

5
135
Western Illinois
53.26


6
191
Western Carolina
41.71

6
164
Weber State
48.52

6
136
South Dakota
52.77


7
193
VMI
41.01

7
180
Montana State
45.35

7
148
Southern Illinois
51.02


8
204
East Tennessee State
36.28

8
189
Portland State
42.18

8
163
Duquesne
48.75







9
197
UC Davis
39.76

9
180
Montana State
45.35







10
218
Sacramento State
32.23

10
185
Missouri State
44.30


































Sum
1124

418.26


1529

497.13


1263

561.09


Mean
140.50

52.28


152.90

49.71


126.30

56.11


Median
129.5

54.54


162.5

48.71


135.5

53.015



...conclusions to draw are your own...
I'm okay with removing all forms of body bag games, that includes PFL.

There is such a array of FBS games that using that as a SOS determinant at the FCS level is dumb. You don't get extra points for scheduling stupid and whoring yourself out.

[FUBeAR]

Mercer finished 2-5 in conference play last year and 6th of 8.

Check your data...



Football


Season 2016-17



SoCon Football
SoCon
Overall


Team
Record
Pct
Home
Away
Streak
Record
Pct
Home
Away
Neutral
Streak


The Citadel (http://www.citadelsports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
8-0
1.000
4-0
4-0
W8
10-2
.833
4-1
6-1
0-0
L2


Wofford (http://athletics.wofford.edu/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
6-2
.750
3-1
3-1
W4
10-4
.714
5-1
5-3
0-0
L1


Chattanooga (http://www.gomocs.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
6-2
.750
3-1
3-1
L1
9-4
.692
6-1
3-3
0-0
L1


Samford (http://www.samfordsports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
5-3
.625
4-0
1-3
L1
7-5
.583
5-0
2-5
0-0
L2


Mercer (http://www.mercerbears.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
4-4
.500
3-1
1-3
W1
6-5
.545
4-1
2-4
0-0
W1


Furman (http://furmanpaladins.collegesports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
3-5
.375
1-3
2-2
L1
3-8
.273
1-4
2-4
0-0
L1


ETSU (http://www.etsubucs.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
2-6
.250
1-2
0-4
W1
5-6
.455
3-2
1-4
1-0
W2


VMI (http://www.vmikeydets.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
1-7
.125
1-3
0-4
L6
3-8
.273
1-3
2-5
0-0
L6


Western Carolina (http://catamountsports.collegesports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
1-7
.125
1-3
0-3
L1
2-9
.182
2-3
0-5
0-1
L2

[FUBeAR]

Normally Strength of Schedule is talked about for a team that actually has a shot of winning all of those games.

Source?

Also...Can you quantify "a shot" in order to make an SoS calculation?

[FUBeAR]

Latest Reputation Received (2025 point(s) total)


February 21st, 2017 09:39 AM
IBleedYellow (http://www.anygivensaturday.com/member.php?7324-IBleedYellow)

Thread: Mercer may have the toughest FCS Schedule this year (http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?191321-Mercer-may-have-the-toughest-FCS-Schedule-this-year&p=2459117#post2459117)
You'r an idiot. Holy crap.



Dang...now you've ruined my whole day...

[clenz]

Check your data...



Football


Season 2016-17



SoCon Football
SoCon
Overall


Team
Record
Pct
Home
Away
Streak
Record
Pct
Home
Away
Neutral
Streak


The Citadel (http://www.citadelsports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
8-0
1.000
4-0
4-0
W8
10-2
.833
4-1
6-1
0-0
L2


Wofford (http://athletics.wofford.edu/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
6-2
.750
3-1
3-1
W4
10-4
.714
5-1
5-3
0-0
L1


Chattanooga (http://www.gomocs.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
6-2
.750
3-1
3-1
L1
9-4
.692
6-1
3-3
0-0
L1


Samford (http://www.samfordsports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
5-3
.625
4-0
1-3
L1
7-5
.583
5-0
2-5
0-0
L2


Mercer (http://www.mercerbears.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
4-4
.500
3-1
1-3
W1
6-5
.545
4-1
2-4
0-0
W1


Furman (http://furmanpaladins.collegesports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
3-5
.375
1-3
2-2
L1
3-8
.273
1-4
2-4
0-0
L1


ETSU (http://www.etsubucs.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
2-6
.250
1-2
0-4
W1
5-6
.455
3-2
1-4
1-0
W2


VMI (http://www.vmikeydets.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
1-7
.125
1-3
0-4
L6
3-8
.273
1-3
2-5
0-0
L6


Western Carolina (http://catamountsports.collegesports.com/?SPSID=34747&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4000)
1-7
.125
1-3
0-3
L1
2-9
.182
2-3
0-5
0-1
L2



Okay...so...you're USD or WIU.

Still, you're USD and my point is correct.

[Thumper 76]

Source?

Also...Can you quantify "a shot" in order to make an SoS calculation?

What, you aren't capable of using your own brain and eyes to make a judgement of your own without a stat line to hold your hand?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FUBeAR]

What, you aren't capable of using your own brain and eyes to make a judgement of your own

Proverbs 3:5...2nd phrase

[Thumper 76]

Proverbs 3:5...2nd phrase

You could just say no....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[walliver]

Mercer doesn't have to play Mercer, so their schedule can't be that hard. It's just like that cushy schedule NDSU plays every year where they never play the top team in their conference.xnonox

Look at poor ol's ETSU's schedule, they have to play the top 8 teams in the SoCon.

And what happened to Reinhardt? Why replace a good team like that with an Alabama Cow College?

[PaladinFan]

Normally Strength of Schedule is talked about for a team that actually has a shot of winning all of those games.

You won't be beating Bama.

My personal opinion.

The only college football team in the country with a strong chance of beating Alabama is Clemson.

[FUBeAR]

You could just say no....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You'll have to send me my script in advance if you want to direct my responses. I'm coachable, but I can't read your mind.

[FUBeAR]

And what happened to Reinhardt? Why replace a good team like that with an Alabama Cow College?

https://tgc-cache.s3.amazonaws.com/images/uploads/articles/preach1.jpg

[Thumper 76]

You'll have to send me my script in advance if you want to direct my responses. I'm coachable, but I can't read your mind.

I didn't give you a response, I simplified your response for those who didn't want to look up your scripture you posted. But you go ahead and pretend to be a victim. Seems to be the way of it these days, when losing pretend to be under vicious attack. You poor thing, you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FUBeAR]

Seems to be the way of it these days, when losing pretend to be under vicious attack. You poor thing, you.

As always, I appreciate your sincere concern for my well-being. I think some visual clarifications may be helpful for you though...

This is a representation of a vicious attack:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhDinIBETiI

This is a representation of a keyboard-generated attack
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2229517974/toughguy.jpg

One is potentially dangerous and one is just goofy. I think it's just goofy to even think in those terms, but...you keep doing you, Thumper. I don't love you like I love Chatttttttttown, but I hope you never change either.

[Thumper 76]

As always, I appreciate your sincere concern for my well-being. I think some visual clarifications may be helpful for you though...

This is a representation of a vicious attack:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhDinIBETiI

This is a representation of a keyboard-generated attack
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2229517974/toughguy.jpg

One is potentially dangerous and one is just goofy. I think it's just goofy to even think in those terms, but...you keep doing you, Thumper. I don't love you like I love Chatttttttttown, but I hope you never change either.

Man you hate it when I render down your bull**** to it's reality that you try to hide in your babbling and numbers. You're the one who cries when it happens, not me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KPSUL]

I still haven't seen a reasonable explanation for why Mercer would scheduled two solid SEC opponents in the same season. Hard to believe money is part of the issue - didn't they waste a ton of it last year renting a billboard in Times Square, NYC to announce their 2016 signees?

[clenz]

I still haven't seen a reasonable explanation for why Mercer would scheduled two solid SEC opponents in the same season. Hard to believe money is part of the issue - didn't they waste a ton of it last year renting a billboard in Times Square, NYC to announce their 2016 signees?
Well....

Security footage of negotiating those contracts. Mercer on the right and Bama/Auburn on the left...

https://img.memecdn.com/you-filthy-whore_o_843139.jpg

[PaladinFan]

I still haven't seen a reasonable explanation for why Mercer would scheduled two solid SEC opponents in the same season. Hard to believe money is part of the issue - didn't they waste a ton of it last year renting a billboard in Times Square, NYC to announce their 2016 signees?

The same reason all such games are scheduled. Money and exposure.

[KPSUL]

The same reason all such games are scheduled. Money and exposure.

Playing Alabama will give'em this kind of exposure:http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24666&stc=1

[clenz]

Playing Alabama will give'em this kind of exposure:http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24666&stc=1

Yeah. But it's probably going to be more along these lines

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/4b1acb7acce9e2dee9457e158e50441c.jpg

If you don't get that them I'm sorry that you don't get dank memes

[Bogus Megapardus]

Wait . . . no Ivy? No Patriot? No NEC? xrolleyesx

[Go...gate]

Wait . . . no Ivy? No Patriot? No NEC? xrolleyesx

Indeed! None of our august institutions of higher learning?

[youcanbankit]

Wait . . . no Ivy? No Patriot? No NEC? xrolleyesx

They are too intimidated by you guys. So they scheduled a lowly SEC foe or two.....Pretty nasty schedule either way.

[FUBeAR]

They are too intimidated by you guys. So they scheduled a lowly SEC foe or two.....Pretty nasty schedule either way.

Yep - Mercer Bears will be moving up from those lowly SEC Teams though in 2018 when they play Yale on 10/13/18 in the historic Yale Bowl in New Haven, CT.
Get your tickets TODAY! Only 60,000 or so remaining!

[longtimemocfan]

Those games are fine. It is something to sell to recruits (not everyone can say they play in Jordan Hare and Bryant Denny). It is some much needed money for the coffers.

I don't like scheduling two such games. For one, it basically schedules you out of post-season contention--to reach 7 D1 wins Mercer would have to win 7 of 9 in a tough conference. Also suggests "we are here for the money."

In all honesty I think Mercer is looking to have a little bit of a down year from normal anyway losing so many seniors off last year's team. Might as well schedule some money games while the youngsters are getting some experience.

[Bogus Megapardus]

Yep - Mercer Bears will be moving up from those lowly SEC Teams though in 2018 when they play Yale on 10/13/18 in the historic Yale Bowl in New Haven, CT.
Get your tickets TODAY! Only 60,000 or so remaining!

It's awesome when you get there. I hope Mercer fans can make the trip. Yes, it's an enormous stadium and most of the seats will be vacant. But just consider the era in which The Bowl was constructed. Imagine the circumstances in play in 1913 to build such a thing. Then take a half hour or so to look around and contemplate why it still stands to this day. Get your cameras ready because you'll be living for a moment inside football history.

[KPSUL]

Yep - Mercer Bears will be moving up from those lowly SEC Teams though in 2018 when they play Yale on 10/13/18 in the historic Yale Bowl in New Haven, CT.
Get your tickets TODAY! Only 60,000 or so remaining!

Good FCS match-up, I'd like to see more games like that.