First games of the season, powderpuff or tough?

[AZGrizFan]

This depends on the season...

Next year, with a new inexperienced QB... the Griz need a cupcake.

This year with JJ...Wyoming was a great choice.

I believe our cupcake schedule next year includes NDSU at home for the new QB. :lol: :lol:

 

[PlayerRep]

If UM goes 7-5 or 8-4 (and doesn't make the playoffs), UM will have scheduled itself out of the playoffs. Even a 6-6 team may have gotten scheduled out of the playoffs. Be careful what you wish for.

Too late. Wish has been submitted.

Ideally PR, what is your ideal non conference schedule?

I don't care much about what the non-conference schedule is. Generally, whatever is put together is fine with me. I love home games. I don't get excited about FBS games. Playing 1 FBS game every 4 years or so is fine, so that players have a chance to play in a big stadium atmosphere. I wouldn't want more than 1 D-II per year, but I like D-II games early in the year so that everyone gets to play and depth can be developed. Ideally, better D-II games is better than playing the really weak ones. While playing top-level FCS teams is fine, I subscribe to the view that it's better to be playing them later in the season when the team has improved and filled holes that existed early in the season, and is geared up to play well and make the playoffs. Playing either NDS or Wyo. this year was fine, but, ideally, we wouldn't have played both of them. I love the playoffs and the march to the playoffs. Getting to the playoffs and getting home playoff games are important to me, altho home playoff games are harder to come by with the new playoff format. The playoffs are very exciting. Again, I love the home games. Griz stadium and the Missoula game day atmosphere is very special.

 

[Lakerhater]

CV, the Griz are the only team in the Big Sky that plays EWU every season. And the Griz are the only team in the Big Sky that plays EWU and MSU every season. Griz have by far the toughest Big Sky schedule this season and next.

Portland State plays us every year.

Also, we play Montana and MSU every year as well, even if the game against the Bobcats isn't a "counter" like this year. The two schools have made an informal agreement to schedule one another OOC when they don't play each other in conference.

Ranger,

Are you sure they will follow through on that agreement? Their follow through has been a bit dodgy as of late...

Bisonville

Hope so. It would be weird not playing MSU next year for the first time since who know's when. Still, there is always the possibility of getting bought out for an FBS game.

I know the NDSU buy-out rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, but sometimes the financial aspects of these things take over. I guess it's hard to imagine that SMU would have paid a ton, but it must have been enough to cover the buy-out *and* provide some overage to MSU.

Yes, it rubbed people the wrong way and the kitties lost respect in the eyes of the FCS world. Business decision and all, I wonder how much buying out contracts effects the voter 's view of said schools. I mean, what were your first thoughts when MSU bought out the NDSU contract? "Bunch of pussies" , right !!?? You weren't alone. The Bison don't buy out contracts....the Griz haven't recently. Once an AD's signature is on the dotted line, a school's reputation is on the line, also. A football pundit has the Stoney Brook/MSU winner at NDSU for a 2nd round playoff matchup. Now, it's show up or forfeit....... Hmmmmm

 

[get'em_griz]

This depends on the season...

Next year, with a new inexperienced QB... the Griz need a cupcake.

This year with JJ...Wyoming was a great choice.

I believe our cupcake schedule next year includes NDSU at home for the new QB. :lol: :lol:

And NDSU could possibly be the first game to start the 2015 season. What a way to break in the new QB! :shock:

 

[KoolMoeDee]

Yes, it rubbed people the wrong way and the kitties lost respect in the eyes of the FCS world. Business decision and all, I wonder how much buying out contracts effects the voter 's view of said schools. I mean, what were your first thoughts when MSU bought out the NDSU contract? "Bunch of pussies" , right !!?? You weren't alone. The Bison don't buy out contracts....the Griz haven't recently. Once an AD's signature is on the dotted line, a school's reputation is on the line, also. A football pundit has the Stoney Brook/MSU winner at NDSU for a 2nd round playoff matchup. Now, it's show up or forfeit....... Hmmmmm

There are exactly two groups in the FCS world that still care about the buyout. NDSU and UM fans. Other than that nobody cares at all.

 

[GottaluvGriz]

This depends on the season...

Next year, with a new inexperienced QB... the Griz need a cupcake.

This year with JJ...Wyoming was a great choice.

I believe our cupcake schedule next year includes NDSU at home for the new QB. :lol: :lol:

And NDSU could possibly be the first game to start the 2015 season. What a way to break in the new QB! :shock:

I sure hope that Kent Haslam undertstands that the NDSU game should probably not be the opener to our season and he schedules a bit of a warm up game or two before NDSU to allow our new QB to get his legs under himeself.
As much as a night game on Labor Day week-end under the lights against NDSU could be epic, I would rather have it be in game 3 or 4 like it was this year.
Go Griz!

 

[ordigger]

CV, the Griz are the only team in the Big Sky that plays EWU every season. And the Griz are the only team in the Big Sky that plays EWU and MSU every season. Griz have by far the toughest Big Sky schedule this season and next.

I'm not trying to criticize UM's schedule. My point is that any BSC team that plays 3 or 4 weak sisters like UNC, ISU, WSU every year will not necessarily be battle tested come playoff time. That is an unfortunate fact when you play in the BSC. More than half the teams are just not very good.

We don't play ISU or WSU this year, and in fact I believe ISU is going to be a better team this year that many expect. Our last 5 BSC conferences actually are going to do exactly what you want, and that is battle test this team especially with our two toughest games in the last 3 weeks.

 

[ordigger]

This depends on the season...

Next year, with a new inexperienced QB... the Griz need a cupcake.

This year with JJ...Wyoming was a great choice.

I believe our cupcake schedule next year includes NDSU at home for the new QB. :lol: :lol:

And NDSU could possibly be the first game to start the 2015 season. What a way to break in the new QB! :shock:

I sure hope that Kent Haslam undertstands that the NDSU game should probably not be the opener to our season and he schedules a bit of a warm up game or two before NDSU to allow our new QB to get his legs under himeself.
As much as a night game on Labor Day week-end under the lights against NDSU could be epic, I would rather have it be in game 3 or 4 like it was this year.
Go Griz!

If ESPN comes calling I'm guessing we'll sign up to be that first game of the year.

 

[griz4life]

CV, the Griz are the only team in the Big Sky that plays EWU every season. And the Griz are the only team in the Big Sky that plays EWU and MSU every season. Griz have by far the toughest Big Sky schedule this season and next.

Portland State also plays EWU every year.

 

[Pin2Win]

It also allowed for another home game. So it was a major financial gain. As much as the competitor in me wished MSU would have played the game, it was an absolute no-brainier financially. That being said, I would HATE to ever see MSU stop playing EWU.

Playing SMU did cost MSU your All-american QB and MSU missed the playoffs. Would have had at least one home playoff game. So really was it worth it financially

In hindsight, no. But when the decision was made, yes. The same injuries could've happened playing NDSU so you can't factor that into the decision.

 

[EWURanger29]

Portland State plays us every year.

Also, we play Montana and MSU every year as well, even if the game against the Bobcats isn't a "counter" like this year. The two schools have made an informal agreement to schedule one another OOC when they don't play each other in conference.

Ranger,

Are you sure they will follow through on that agreement? Their follow through has been a bit dodgy as of late...

Bisonville

Hope so. It would be weird not playing MSU next year for the first time since who know's when. Still, there is always the possibility of getting bought out for an FBS game.

I know the NDSU buy-out rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, but sometimes the financial aspects of these things take over. I guess it's hard to imagine that SMU would have paid a ton, but it must have been enough to cover the buy-out *and* provide some overage to MSU.

Yes, it rubbed people the wrong way and the kitties lost respect in the eyes of the FCS world. Business decision and all, I wonder how much buying out contracts effects the voter 's view of said schools. I mean, what were your first thoughts when MSU bought out the NDSU contract? "Bunch of pussies" , right !!?? You weren't alone. The Bison don't buy out contracts....the Griz haven't recently. Once an AD's signature is on the dotted line, a school's reputation is on the line, also. A football pundit has the Stoney Brook/MSU winner at NDSU for a 2nd round playoff matchup. Now, it's show up or forfeit....... Hmmmmm

I think the only time where a buy-out is a really big deal is when it comes really late in the game, and an AD has to scramble to find another game. In 2010, we were scheduled to play Oregon State, but they ended up buying us out to play TCU on ESPN...I think ESPN actually covered all or most of the buy-out cost. Anyway, we played Nevada instead, and it ended up being a win-win for EWU financially. We ended up playing the OSU game a few years later anyway in 2013 (which we won).

Point is, there's lots of reasons for why these things happen and I don't think it's always as easy as looking at it from the perspective of just a sign on the dotted line sort of deal. I'm not sure if EWU would honor a commitment with a DII scheduled to come play us if ESPN or a major program came calling wanting us to play and offering a butt-load of cash to do it.

 

[Robsnotes4u]

Ranger,

Are you sure they will follow through on that agreement? Their follow through has been a bit dodgy as of late...

Bisonville

Hope so. It would be weird not playing MSU next year for the first time since who know's when. Still, there is always the possibility of getting bought out for an FBS game.

I know the NDSU buy-out rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, but sometimes the financial aspects of these things take over. I guess it's hard to imagine that SMU would have paid a ton, but it must have been enough to cover the buy-out *and* provide some overage to MSU.

Yes, it rubbed people the wrong way and the kitties lost respect in the eyes of the FCS world. Business decision and all, I wonder how much buying out contracts effects the voter 's view of said schools. I mean, what were your first thoughts when MSU bought out the NDSU contract? "Bunch of pussies" , right !!?? You weren't alone. The Bison don't buy out contracts....the Griz haven't recently. Once an AD's signature is on the dotted line, a school's reputation is on the line, also. A football pundit has the Stoney Brook/MSU winner at NDSU for a 2nd round playoff matchup. Now, it's show up or forfeit....... Hmmmmm

I think the only time where a buy-out is a really big deal is when it comes really late in the game, and an AD has to scramble to find another game. In 2010, we were scheduled to play Oregon State, but they ended up buying us out to play TCU on ESPN...I think ESPN actually covered all or most of the buy-out cost. Anyway, we played Nevada instead, and it ended up being a win-win for EWU financially. We ended up playing the OSU game a few years later anyway in 2013 (which we won).

Point is, there's lots of reasons for why these things happen and I don't think it's always as easy as looking at it from the perspective of just a sign on the dotted line sort of deal. I'm not sure if EWU would honor a commitment with a DII scheduled to come play us if ESPN or a major program came calling wanting us to play and offering a butt-load of cash to do it.

Didn't the Griz buyout a game vs SDSU in 2008 (give or take a year)?

 

[Lakerhater]

This depends on the season...

Next year, with a new inexperienced QB... the Griz need a cupcake.

This year with JJ...Wyoming was a great choice.

I believe our cupcake schedule next year includes NDSU at home for the new QB. :lol: :lol:

And NDSU could possibly be the first game to start the 2015 season. What a way to break in the new QB! :shock:

I sure hope that Kent Haslam undertstands that the NDSU game should probably not be the opener to our season and he schedules a bit of a warm up game or two before NDSU to allow our new QB to get his legs under himeself.
As much as a night game on Labor Day week-end under the lights against NDSU could be epic, I would rather have it be in game 3 or 4 like it was this year.
Go Griz!

Would you view it differently if Chris Fowler tweeted something to the effect...."we're thinking of showcasing two of the best FCS programs in the land Labor Day weekend.....let's see...NDSU at UM..... Missoula, here we come."

 

[AZGrizFan]

Hope so. It would be weird not playing MSU next year for the first time since who know's when. Still, there is always the possibility of getting bought out for an FBS game.

I know the NDSU buy-out rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, but sometimes the financial aspects of these things take over. I guess it's hard to imagine that SMU would have paid a ton, but it must have been enough to cover the buy-out *and* provide some overage to MSU.

Yes, it rubbed people the wrong way and the kitties lost respect in the eyes of the FCS world. Business decision and all, I wonder how much buying out contracts effects the voter 's view of said schools. I mean, what were your first thoughts when MSU bought out the NDSU contract? "Bunch of pussies" , right !!?? You weren't alone. The Bison don't buy out contracts....the Griz haven't recently. Once an AD's signature is on the dotted line, a school's reputation is on the line, also. A football pundit has the Stoney Brook/MSU winner at NDSU for a 2nd round playoff matchup. Now, it's show up or forfeit....... Hmmmmm

I think the only time where a buy-out is a really big deal is when it comes really late in the game, and an AD has to scramble to find another game. In 2010, we were scheduled to play Oregon State, but they ended up buying us out to play TCU on ESPN...I think ESPN actually covered all or most of the buy-out cost. Anyway, we played Nevada instead, and it ended up being a win-win for EWU financially. We ended up playing the OSU game a few years later anyway in 2013 (which we won).

Point is, there's lots of reasons for why these things happen and I don't think it's always as easy as looking at it from the perspective of just a sign on the dotted line sort of deal. I'm not sure if EWU would honor a commitment with a DII scheduled to come play us if ESPN or a major program came calling wanting us to play and offering a butt-load of cash to do it.

Didn't the Griz buyout a game vs SDSU in 2008 (give or take a year)?

Trolling on both boards, I see?