Not cupcake... Just cake
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2025 Schedule - 8 home games?
- Thread starter HookedonGriz
- Start date
Part of it is just the current state of the Big Sky. Can't do anything about that. However, the OOC scheduling is pretty lame, especially the D2.
I just did a quick comparison of our schedule in 2025 vs the Cats schedule this fall, and they're somewhat comparable.
Overall, the Cats opponents average regular season rating (as of today) is 51. I used today's ratings to see what Montana's opponents average rating is for next year (yes, lots will change over the off-season from a ratings perspective with team turnover).
Cats: 2024 Average Opponent Rating 51
Griz: 2025 Average Opponent Rating 57
The Central Washington (169) hurts Montana's average. If CWU wasn't on the schedule, our opponent average rating jumps up to 47. So our schedule next year will be somewhat comparable to the Cats schedule this year. I would hope that we'd be able to run the table with this schedule, especially with 8 home games and Cat/Griz being in Missoula... but I'm not that confident that we'll make it through without potentially 2 or 3 losses, if not more haha.
Ut-Grizfan
Well-known member
We should NEVER schedule a D2, there is zero upside to it with only potentially negatives if we get upset. I'd drop CWU and replace them with Sacred Heart so we'd have an actual bye week
HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
So you would play 11 games when everyone can play 12?
Ut-Grizfan
Well-known member
I'd still want to play 12, but we shouldn't be scheduling D2 schools. Hell I'd rather play a FBS team from the MWC, bare minimum if we win it looks great and there is not real penalty if we don't. Nothing against D2 programs there is just 0 upside to play them.
I love pointing this out, and it only got funnier after last year, but since 2001, every year we've gone to the national championship (2001, 2008, 2009, 2023) but one (2004, but we played UNCO during their transition phase to D1), we played a D2 school.
Maybe we should play one every year!
Maybe we should play one every year!
mthoopsfan
Well-known member
D2's have some positives. Home game with good ticket revenue and small game fee for opponent. Chance to play more depth and give younger players a chance. Some D2's are good and better than bad FCS teams. It's wrong to say D2's have zero upside.
Ut-Grizfan
Well-known member
It's nothing against the D2 schools, I was looking at trying to walk on to then Dixie State out of high school but joined the military instead.
The "no upside" comment refers to it does nothing to help with the Playoffs and there is really only potential negative outcomes such as getting beat. I personally would rather play a MWC, NewPAC or even a current Western CUSA team then a D2.
HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
If they could get another FCS home game, they would.
With next year's schedule, if we can't get to 8 div 1 wins (7/8 games are D1 at home) in 11 games with that cake schedule, we've got bigger issues than worrying about if a D2 is on the schedule.
None of those come to Missoula.
Ya week 0 is not happening. Looks like it’s 12 straight games.
mthoopsfan
Well-known member
A D2 win helps with the number of wins for playoff selection, so what you said is not true.
Ut-Grizfan
Well-known member
Since when? You need 7-8 D1 wins usually to garuntee a spot usually, think you're mistaken
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We did this all last year in regards to Ferris State. There is no wins requirement for making the playoffs. D2 games can be considered just like any other game. Having less than 7 D1 wins put you at risk when compared to other FCS schools on the bubble that do have 7 or more, but you can still get it without 7 D1 wins.
DoubleNicks
Well-known member
Week 0 for 2025 is Aug. 23 according to: https://fbschedules.com/2025-fcs-schedule/ and https://fbschedules.com/2025-college-football-schedule/ (so, 1 FCS matchup and 3 FBS matchups that week).
Griz first game is Sep. 6 or Week 2.
So, it looks like the BYE week is Week 1. (Double checked some conference teams and it indeed looks like teams are playing earlier than Sep. 6, like Idaho at Wazzu on Aug. 30 or Week 1.)
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DoubleNicks
Well-known member
I wonder if moving a game up to Week 1 would be possible? Otherwise it will suck to have 2 weeks of college football before being able to see a Griz game...
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mthoopsfan
Well-known member
A D2 win is a win, not a D1 win. Are you worried about not having 7 D1 wins? Under your worry, why play any good FCS team, because you might not get a D1 win. And you might get a loss.
Were you asleep during the discussion a year ago? When I contacted the then current chair of the selection committee, the immediate last chair, and a prior chair, and proved Herder of Hero Sports wrong.
And 7 D1 wins doesn’t guarantee selection. Not having 7 D1 wins “may” prevent selection.
Week 1 is not a possibility otherwise they would've scheduled it during week 1 in the first place and not during our scheduled bye week. Scheduling is tough, sometimes you just gotta take what you can get.
