I promise this post is not designed to get Localschill and the Joker and all other Rutgers football schills out there wound up. I promise.
About a week ago, I was talking to a relative who lives in Arizona and I made tentative plans to visit her around New Year's Eve. The main reason for the trip would to see my beloved St. Louis Rams play at the Cardinals on Dec. 30, which happens to be my 42nd birthday. Also, the Coyotes are hosting the Lanche that the night before, and of course, New Year's Eve in 85 degree weather would also be nice.
And I also plan on staying out there for the Jan. 3 Fiesta Bowl.
So I started thinking about the possibility of my beloved Fighting Irish making that game, but after looking at their schedule, I realize there's little shot of them getting a BCS bid this year. You judge for yourself.
NOTRE DAME SCHEDULE
09/01/07 vs. Georgia Tech
09/08/07 at Penn State
09/15/07 at Michigan
09/22/07 vs. Michigan State
09/29/07 at Purdue
10/06/07 at UCLA
10/13/07 vs. Boston College
10/20/07 vs. USC
11/03/07 vs. Navy
11/10/07 vs. Air Force
11/17/07 vs. Duke
11/24/07 at Stanford
Pretty brutal. They play the first 8 weeks in a row, two games against legit National Champion teams (Michigan, USC). Back-to-back road games at Penn State and Michigan. 4 straight games against Big 10 schools (3 on the road). Two games against better ACC teams, and they close out the stretch with USC (perhaps the best team in the country) at home. Sure, after that, they get Navy, Air Force and Duke at home, but by they, they are sure to have at least two losses, pretty much taking them out of BCS contention.
Then I started wondering what the mighty Scarlet Knights schedule looked like, and I couldn't believe what I found:
Thursday, August 30 vs. BUFFALO
Friday, September 7 vs. NAVY
Saturday, September 15 vs. NORFOLK STATE Homecoming
Saturday, September 29 vs. MARYLAND
Saturday, October 6 vs. CINCINNATI
Saturday, October 13 at Syracuse
Thursday, October 18 vs. SOUTH FLORIDA
Saturday, October 27 vs. WEST VIRGINIA
Saturday, November 3 at Connecticut
Friday, November 9 at Army
Saturday, November 17 vs. PITTSBURGH
Thursday, November 29 at Louisville
Let's review:
-- Their first five games, and seven of their first 8, are at home.
-- They play 8 home games out of 12 total games.
-- They have a week off to recover from their big homecoming game with Div. I-AA Norfolk State.
-- Until they play at Louisville the last week of the season, the farthest trip they make is to Syracuse, with the other two road games at Army and UConn.
-- They won't play a ranked team until Oct. 27
-- They get 11 days off before their toughest game of the year in Louisville.
I know the schedule is made years ahead of time, but let's be honest, this is a joke. 75% of their games at home. Buffalo, Norfolk State.
All I'm saying is there is no excuse for this team not to get a BCS bowl this year. None. If they somehow finish less than second in the Big East this year, they should be ripped. But of course, they will be celebrated as another feel-good story. But honestly, even the Joker and Localschill must agree, nothing but a BCS berth is acceptable this year.
All they have to do is go 2-1 against Pitt, Louisville and Wva to do it and not lose to any of these other patsies on the schedule.
While I'll expect them to be 7-0 heading into the WVA. game, it will be funny to see how quickly the bandwagon empties if they lose 1 or 2 of those first seven games.
Also, if the season falls apart, what will happen first:
A. Plans to expand stadium to 53,000 seats will be shelved.
B. Greg Schiano will be in the middle of Pennsylvania wearing blue and white
C. Reps for the Charlotte Bowl will cancel their trip to Piscataway
D. All of the above.
List of bars coming soon.
By the way, don't forget the first annual FNC Fanclub trip is less than a month away. It's Aug. 2 at the Beachcomber in Seaside Heights to see Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns.
Beer count already in triple digits.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Not taking the bait and going point-by point to poke all the holes in your misguided point-of-view. It's an arrogance fueled by ignorance, let's leave it at that.
I trust the post on the bars will be a lot better than this drivel.
For the record, both of Northern Indiana Catholic's games against the ACC (BC, Ga. Tech) are at home, by the way.
Cat,
You're surprised that an aspect of Rutgers athletics is a joke?
They don't deserve a BCS berth, unless they go undefeated. Any serious person will take a look at that schedule and deem it unworthy of a BCS-caliber team.
LS: Just out of curiosity, if RU played ND's sked this year, how do you think they would do? Honestly. I'm curious. I have a number, but I want to see what you say first.
And how am I misguided. YOu have to admit, if RU doesn't win at least 10-11 games, it's a travesty.
As for Pete, it's nice to see not all RU grads are totally in love with Schiano.
1) 8-4 or 9-3 barring any serious injuries or other disasters.
2) Non-conference schedule has absolutely no bearing on earning a conference's automatic BCS bid. A team could lose all of its non-conference games - so long as it's the league champion it earns an automatic BCS bid.
3) South Bend's schedule is clearly tougher on the whole, I never disputed that.
4) You might not like it, you might not want to believe it, but Pitt, USF and Cincinnati are as good as, if not better than Michigan State, Purdue, and Boston College as those teams are presently constituted.
5) There are a long list of teams in BCS conferences that have summarily rejected home-and-home series with Big East teams such as UL and RU. Jurich and Mulcahy can't force teams to sign contracts, unfortunately.
6) One ranked team before Oct. 27? You know for certain that Maryland and USF won't be ranked before facing RU? USF will have Top 25 votes in the pre-season AP and coaches polls, you can be certain of that.
7) Shall we examine the non-conference schedule of teams like Penn State, for example? Other than facing a perenially overrated South Bend squad, Joke Pa faces juggernauts like Buffalo, Temple and Florida International. Sounds remarkably similar to a team in New Jersey that finished last season ranked highter than one from Crappy Valley, no?
8) I can not, can not, can not wait till the seven-game series with South Bend starts in three years.
Omar: I'll take you point by point on this one:
1) 8-4 or 9-3 barring any serious injuries or other disasters.
So what you're saying is (assuming you're counting losses to USC and Michigan) Rutgers - a team that couldn't beat Cincy when it counted, and a West Virginia team without it's starting quarterback is going 9-1 or even 8-2 against Georgia Tech, Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA and Stanford. And remember, they have to play the first eight in eight straight weeks. Interesting.
2) Non-conference schedule has absolutely no bearing on earning a conference's automatic BCS bid. A team could lose all of its non-conference games - so long as it's the league champion it earns an automatic BCS bid.
I know this. This goes more to having the balls and guts to schedule some tough non-conference foes. Norfolk State does not qualify as tough.
3) South Bend's schedule is clearly tougher on the whole, I never disputed that.
We agree.
4) You might not like it, you might not want to believe it, but Pitt, USF and Cincinnati are as good as, if not better than Michigan State, Purdue, and Boston College as those teams are presently constituted.
I don't disagree with this, but my point is, playing those three (MSU, Purdue and Boston College week after week, is a lot different than playing Buffalo, Norfolk State and other chumps like that week after week. Also, it's funny how you dismiss Michigan State now, but two years ago when Rutgers beat them at home, you would've thought they had won the BCS title right there.
5) There are a long list of teams in BCS conferences that have summarily rejected home-and-home series with Big East teams such as UL and RU. Jurich and Mulcahy can't force teams to sign contracts, unfortunately.
Of course they can't. RU has been a joke for so long, no quality team gains anything by playing them. Maybe that will change.
6) One ranked team before Oct. 27? You know for certain that Maryland and USF won't be ranked before facing RU? USF will have Top 25 votes in the pre-season AP and coaches polls, you can be certain of that.
Yes, all the schills in Tampa will vote for them. Preseason Top 25 is the biggest joke in the world. You know that. What I should;ve said is one legit team until Oct. 27
7) Shall we examine the non-conference schedule of teams like Penn State, for example? Other than facing a perenially overrated South Bend squad, Joke Pa faces juggernauts like Buffalo, Temple and Florida International. Sounds remarkably similar to a team in New Jersey that finished last season ranked highter than one from Crappy Valley, no?
How exactly did Penn State come into the conversation? Did I mention their schedule anywhere in my post. And I'm sure if PSU played RU's sked last year and vice versa, the Nittany Lions would've been ranked higher. And since you brought it up, are there any teams even close to the likes of Ohio State or Michigan in the Big East?
8) I can not, can not, can not wait till the seven-game series with South Bend starts in three years.
Cat, by the time that series begins, Schiano will be in Happy Valley and Chuck Weis will be trying to clean up the mess left behind by the Man-genius.
Cheer up cat, the weather in Charlotte is nice in January.
So let's get your argument straight-- Rutgers isn't that good, they play a pathetic schedule, yet storied Penn State is going to want to hire its coach.
What part of the fact that Schiano is here for the long haul don't you get? He doesn't have any more interest in living in Central Pa. than you or I do. He's built Rutgers from nothing to a program that's going to be consistently good. I know that's hard for you to admit and stomach, but it's true. He likes it here, is paid very well and has absolutely no reason to leave for another college job. If you're so sure he's bolting put your money where your mouth is. Name your price.
Whe the hell are you a South Bend fan anyway? You like the Mets (good) and although I don't like the Rangers I can certainly undertand how you became a fan. Rooting for South Bend is a far bigger sin that being a Yankee fan in my eyes. Put it this way, I'd rather get a Yankees and Rangers tatoo on my mug than ever, ever root for those smug, pricks in Indiana. I have no problem admitting I hate South Bend even more than you hate RU.
After sitting through stench campaigns during my 4 year tenure at RU, I'm still thrilled when that squad has a winning season.
As for not making the BCS as a disappointment, I'd still accept a 2nd place finish.
Where's the blog analyzing Trenton State's 4-6 2006 showing?
"You can't lose to Buffalo State at home, Mikey!"
Jay:
Now cousin: As for ND, my dad was an ND fan, and he passed it on to me. And never - NEVER - compare an ND fan to a Yankee fan.
Sure, ND program is arrogant - and considering their history up to about 1989 - rightfully so. And as much as you like to admit it not, they are the most storied program in college football history.
That being said, how many ND fans have you met who wear shirts that boast about how many national titles they've won, or can't tell you what number Joe Montana wore or act as if every other team in the nation is a pee-on?
As for the rest of your post. Where do I say RU is pathetic or no good? I simply pointed out their schedule is weak, and therefore, anything other than a BCS bid is unaccepatable.
I think what bothers me is how much praise the entire program got for last year. Yes, it was a nice year. They beat a supposed national champ contender Louisville team that couldn't hold an 18-point lead on the road. And yes, they nearly beat West Virginia with the Orange Bowl on the line. Hey, for RU that's pretty good. I mean, the coach got to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. The Voice of New Jersey put out a book about their great season. Imagine if they had actually won something.
As for Schiano. I think he's a good young coach. Very energetic. Sells the kids on the progam. He'd be a perfect fit for a big-time program at a crossroads.
Back to th Irish: It's funny. You rip them, yet you hold them to a higher standard. I mean, you blast them for losing in the Sugar Bowl last year, yet if RU even sniffed the Sugar Bowl, there would be a national holiday in New Brunswick.
Cheer up, the Thomas Jones era offically begins in a few days.
As for you joker: It's the College of New Jersey, and it's won more national titles - albiet in dame sports - since 2000 than RU has even won.
Have another drink, Joe-- RU's schedule is comparable to the Ohio States and Michigans that you put on a pedastel.
With all due respect to Jersey Girl, the Ohio State University plays: Youngstown State (I-AA) Akron, Washington (one of the two worst teams in the Pac-10) and Kent.
And you've already coneded that middle of the pack BE teams like USF, Pitt, and Cincy, etc. are on par with middle of the pack B10 outfits like Minnesota, Purdue, Michigan, State, etc...
so really, where's this great disparity that you speak of?
I could give tons of other examples in all the conferences that you seem to think are so superior to the Big East, but I won't.
Bottom line, most BCS schools play one "good" non-league game and then load up on cupcakes.
So if RU's schedule is "weak" as you say, so are the schedules of about 90 percent of college football.
I'm done with this-- maybe I'll see you 8/2 for some tastes and rock n' roll in Seaside. Peace.
Oh, and before you jump on me, in no way am I saying that RU is on par with TOSU as a football program. Just saying the schedules are not all that dissimilar....
You just don't get it, do you. I know all teams play cupcake non-conference teams, but playing (this is Michigan's sked)
Penn State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Purdue every week is much harder than playing
South Florida, UConn, Cincy, Syracuse every week. You will try, but you can't argue that.
See you on the 2nd.
Post a Comment