BCS, ESPN and ND

[NDMontana]

I was by no means complaining about the schedule or playing the acadamies. I was just saying we do have a tough schedule most of the time Just wanted to be clear.

You should change your wording to read used to have tough schedules. This year ended up being more difficult than Kevin White thought it would be when he made it out. The thought was to have a few ultra tough opponents in Michigan and USC, have a few teams that would be Top 25 fringe teams in Michigan State, Pitt and Boston College. The remainder of the schedule was supposed to be made up of teams from good conferences--sans Navy--who we would be beat. The thought was that we would schedule "bad" teams like Washington, North Carolina, San Diego State, Purdue and Syracuse.

Unfortunately NC, Pitt, Boston College and MSU all proved too much. Those were the swing games on this schedule; the thought was that ND would win at least 3 out of those 4. They made the difference between 10-2 and 6-6.

 

[NDFan537]

Nd you are right. The only thing is what I was saying was our schedule did prove to be tougher than we antisipated. Also we try to schedule tough opponates ie. OU in a couple of years, but remember not being in a conference helps us some years and can bite us others.

 

[NDMontana]

Nd you are right. The only thing is what I was saying was our schedule did prove to be tougher than we antisipated. Also we try to schedule tough opponates ie. OU in a couple of years, but remember not being in a conference helps us some years and can bite us others.

I was just kidding about changing your wording. The schedule did end being a little harder than they thought it would be. North Carolina ended up being a fringe team instead of a bad team; Michigan went from being one of the toughest opponents to being miserable. The schedule ended up being the 41st toughest in the country.

Yeah, the conference debate is a tough one. It helps and it hurts. If ND were in a conference than we would lose some of the rivalry games and definitely that national appeal factor because:

1. ND would be part of any t.v. agreement to which the conference (probably the Big 10, if any) was signed.

2. We play games on the east coast, west coast and every where in between. We would lose that in a conference.

There are also good points to be made for joining a conference but I don't think they outweigh independence for ND. In fact I've heard rumblings--completely unsubstantiated--that USC would like to become independent. I guess they're not happy with the Pac 10 right now because they feel the conference has fallen off.

 

[Aerosmith777]

In fact I've heard rumblings--completely unsubstantiated--that USC would like to become independent. I guess they're not happy with the Pac 10 right now because they feel the conference has fallen off.

I think that would be pretty cool if it happened, but I'd be pretty shocked if it did. I just can't see USC giving up its ties to play in the Rose Bowl, if nothing else.

 

[scoutgod]

I was just kidding about changing your wording. The schedule did end being a little harder than they thought it would be. North Carolina ended up being a fringe team instead of a bad team; Michigan went from being one of the toughest opponents to being miserable. The schedule ended up being the 41st toughest in the country.

Yeah, the conference debate is a tough one. It helps and it hurts. If ND were in a conference than we would lose some of the rivalry games and definitely that national appeal factor because:

1. ND would be part of any t.v. agreement to which the conference (probably the Big 10, if any) was signed.

2. We play games on the east coast, west coast and every where in between. We would lose that in a conference.

There are also good points to be made for joining a conference but I don't think they outweigh independence for ND. In fact I've heard rumblings--completely unsubstantiated--that USC would like to become independent. I guess they're not happy with the Pac 10 right now because they feel the conference has fallen off.

What rivalry games would be lost if joining a conference? Navy isn't a rivalry. Join a conference and keep USC. It doesn't mean losing USC and/or BC.

As far as playing on the west coast, you mean every other year at USC right? ND is committed to having a schedule with 7 home games, one neutral site and 4 away games. That isn't really geographically diverse.

... and there is no way in hell that USC would go independent.

 

[chyrspchuck]

next year schedule including those home games and neutral sites are a layup if you ask me.....

 

[NDMontana]

What rivalry games would be lost if joining a conference? Navy isn't a rivalry. Join a conference and keep USC. It doesn't mean losing USC and/or BC.

As far as playing on the west coast, you mean every other year at USC right? ND is committed to having a schedule with 7 home games, one neutral site and 4 away games. That isn't really geographically diverse.

... and there is no way in hell that USC would go independent.

Seattle isn't on the west coast? Where's Palo Alto? Is it in Pennsylivania?

I do think that Navy is rivalry game. Stanford is too. So, too, are BYU and Air Force. This year we played in Indiana, Michigan, Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Washington and Maryland. Most people would call that geographically diverse.

Next, please.

 

[scoutgod]

Seattle isn't on the west coast? Where's Palo Alto? Is it in Pennsylivania?

I do think that Navy is rivalry game. Stanford is too. So, too, are BYU and Air Force. This year we played in Indiana, Michigan, Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Washington and Maryland. Most people would call that geographically diverse.

Next, please.

umm before you move onto the "next"..

you say being independent keeps the rivalries you mentioned and allows them to play all over the west coast?


2009 - one game on the west coast (Stan)
2010- one game on the west coast (USC)
2011- one game on the west coast (Stan)
2012- one game on the west coast (USC)
2013 - zero games on the west coast
2014- one game on the west coast (USC)
2015- zero games on the west coast

but honestly it doesn't matter where you lose. BYU and AFA are rivals? They are not on the schedule through 2016.... so being independent didn't save those "rivalries". ... and Stanford is only confirmed through 2011. SO what rivalries are preserved through being independent again?

really there are only 5 year to year rivals. Navy, USC, Mich St, Mich and Purdue. The rest had short lived contracts.

 

[Flyin_Irish]

2009 - one game on the west coast (Stan)
2010- one game on the west coast (USC)
2011- one game on the west coast (Stan)
2012- one game on the west coast (USC)
2013 - zero games on the west coast
2014- one game on the west coast (USC)
2015- zero games on the west coast

We don't play Stanford in '13 or '15? Is that when we play Oklahoma or maybe those games just aren't 100% confirmed?

 

[scoutgod]

We don't play Stanford in '13 or '15? Is that when we play Oklahoma or maybe those games just aren't 100% confirmed?

stanford is only confirmed through 2011
Notre Dame Football Schedules
Future Notre Dame Football Schedules
Future Notre Dame Schedules - UHND.com

 

[coachjohnson]

I just can't get over OU ranked above the team that beat them- Texas. That bothers me- that's like FSU finishing 1 and ND 2 even though we beat them back in 93'.

 

[NDFan537]

I just can't get over OU ranked above the team that beat them- Texas. That bothers me- that's like FSU finishing 1 and ND 2 even though we beat them back in 93'.

That is the biggest thing wrong with the bcs right there. Playoff will always be the only solution in my mind...........Chrispy I really hope you thought the whole lay up thing through before you decided to jinx us. It should be an easy schedule, however, that is what we thought about this year..............

 

[NDMontana]

umm before you move onto the "next"..

you say being independent keeps the rivalries you mentioned and allows them to play all over the west coast?


2009 - one game on the west coast (Stan)
2010- one game on the west coast (USC)
2011- one game on the west coast (Stan)
2012- one game on the west coast (USC)
2013 - zero games on the west coast
2014- one game on the west coast (USC)
2015- zero games on the west coast

but honestly it doesn't matter where you lose. BYU and AFA are rivals? They are not on the schedule through 2016.... so being independent didn't save those "rivalries". ... and Stanford is only confirmed through 2011. SO what rivalries are preserved through being independent again?

really there are only 5 year to year rivals. Navy, USC, Mich St, Mich and Purdue. The rest had short lived contracts.

And once the schedule is set Stanford will be on there. We've played Air Force 27 times and don't worry ND will have games scheduled on the west coast.

USC, Stanford, Air Force, Navy, Boston College. Plus we can add on other games to generate excitement like the possible Oklahoma series, BYU, etc.

Next.

 

[scoutgod]

And once the schedule is set Stanford will be on there. We've played Air Force 27 times and don't worry ND will have games scheduled on the west coast.

USC, Stanford, Air Force, Navy, Boston College. Plus we can add on other games to generate excitement like the possible Oklahoma series, BYU, etc.

Next.

again... it doesn't really matter where you lose. It seems arguable that joining a conference offers a more legitimate schedule. Playing the 4 of the worst schools in D-I year after year, (UW and Wassou) produce more no win situations. 8 wins against those clowns will appear as poaching weak opponents.

The route to the BCS for SEC teams and the Big 12 would be quite the opposite and therefore they deserve the respect they get. Scheduling service academies does not. Fresno State elevated its program by offering to playing anyone anywhere.... resulting in winning conference championships and 4 of its last 5 bowl games... against ranked opponents. This would be the opposite.

 

[NDinL.A.]

again... it doesn't really matter where you lose. It seems arguable that joining a conference offers a more legitimate schedule. Playing the 4 of the worst schools in D-I year after year, (UW and Wassou) produce more no win situations. 8 wins against those clowns will appear as poaching weak opponents.

The route to the BCS for SEC teams and the Big 12 would be quite the opposite and therefore they deserve the respect they get. Scheduling service academies does not. Fresno State elevated its program by offering to playing anyone anywhere.... resulting in winning conference championships and 4 of its last 5 bowl games... against ranked opponents. This would be the opposite.

When has Fresno State won conference shampionships??? They're always burnt out from their preseason schedule that they tank a few close games in conference every year.

2008: 4-4
2007: 6-2
2006: 4-4
2005: 5-3

Pat Hill has done a fantastic job there; I'm not arguing that. But he has NOT brought conference championships there in recent years. Scheduling that tough has its consequences...

 

[scoutgod]

When has Fresno State won conference shampionships??? They're always burnt out from their preseason schedule that they tank a few close games in conference every year.

2008: 4-4
2007: 6-2
2006: 4-4
2005: 5-3

Pat Hill has done a fantastic job there; I'm not arguing that. But he has NOT brought conference championships there in recent years. Scheduling that tough has its consequences...

true. I think they garner respect for the audacity to schedule tough. True about the conference results. You, I imagine, like I have been to Fresno..... there is no intrinsic reason for anyone to know Fresno except that most of COPS is filmed there. Now people know Bulldog football.

 

[NDinL.A.]

true. I think they garner respect for the audacity to schedule tough. True about the conference results. You, I imagine, like I have been to Fresno..... there is no intrinsic reason for anyone to know Fresno except that most of COPS is filmed there. Now people know Bulldog football.

Besides "Shut up and hit someone", I believe their montra is "Anyone, anytime, anywhere", or something to that effect. And they stay true to that, as they've played some monster games on the road (USC and Wisconsin come to mind). And I really do think it burns them out, all those tough games consecutively, not to mention their conference has improved greatly to the point that those games aren't walkovers anymore.

As for Fresno, is that still considered a 'city'? More like a pit-stop, I'd say. just kidding Fresno! But you're right, Fresno does not have much to do nor boast about, but is mighty proud of their Bulldogs. I'd hate to see what would happen to them if they lost Pat Hill. (Why doesn't anyone else hire him? He's interviewed at plenty of places. But I digress)...

 

[NDMontana]

again... it doesn't really matter where you lose. It seems arguable that joining a conference offers a more legitimate schedule. Playing the 4 of the worst schools in D-I year after year, (UW and Wassou) produce more no win situations. 8 wins against those clowns will appear as poaching weak opponents.

The route to the BCS for SEC teams and the Big 12 would be quite the opposite and therefore they deserve the respect they get. Scheduling service academies does not. Fresno State elevated its program by offering to playing anyone anywhere.... resulting in winning conference championships and 4 of its last 5 bowl games... against ranked opponents. This would be the opposite.

We played two of the worst teams in Syracuse and San Diego State. Florida played The Citadel. Alabama played Tulane, Western Kentucky and Arkansas State. USC played UW, WSU, Virginia, Stanford. Ohio State played Ohio, Youngstown and Troy. The list could go on.

Everybody plays some cupcake games every year--even the cupcakes schedule some FCS teams to get some W's. That's the way it is.

 

[scoutgod]

We played two of the worst teams in Syracuse and San Diego State. Florida played The Citadel. Alabama played Tulane, Western Kentucky and Arkansas State. USC played UW, WSU, Virginia, Stanford. Ohio State played Ohio, Youngstown and Troy. The list could go on.

Everybody plays some cupcake games every year--even the cupcakes schedule some FCS teams to get some W's. That's the way it is.

true, everyone schedules preseason wins, but what are the tough games? maybe 4? Mich is certainly no pansy on the schedule but Michigan State isn't akin to playing Georgia, LSU, Alabama, Auburn and then playing a championship game in the conference again.

08- USC, Mich, Pitt and BC?
09- same?
10- same?
11- same? all the rest are average competition, arguably.

 

[NDMontana]

true, everyone schedules preseason wins, but what are the tough games? maybe 4? Mich is certainly no pansy on the schedule but Michigan State isn't akin to playing Georgia, LSU, Alabama, Auburn and then playing a championship game in the conference again.

08- USC, Mich, Pitt and BC?
09- same?
10- same?
11- same? all the rest are average competition, arguably.

White & Co. devised the ND schedule forumla by examining what the stregth of schedule was for teams that were getting into the BCS. The plan was to schedule as if Notre Dame was the best team in say the PAC 10 or Big 10. Essentially, ND's plan is to play a few middle of the road teams from BCS conferences, schedule a few cupcakes likes San Diego St. and schedule a few good teams like USC and Michigan. The formula seems to work as ND finished with the 41st toughest schedule in the country and would've cracked the BCS with nine wins, I have no doubt.

 

[scoutgod]

The formula seems to work as ND finished with the 41st toughest schedule in the country and would've cracked the BCS with nine wins, I have no doubt.

exactly my point. It is an average schedule, manipulated to reach the BCS. While any bowl wins allude ND, they have special provisions to gain access to the BCS. Not too many outside the Irish Nation respect that.

 

[NDMontana]

exactly my point. It is an average schedule, manipulated to reach the BCS. While any bowl wins allude ND, they have special provisions to gain access to the BCS. Not too many outside the Irish Nation respect that.

Perhaps not, but one must admit that it's a clever scheme. Personally, I don't care for the plan either. Moreover, ND is gaming the system.

 

[NDFan537]

exactly my point. It is an average schedule, manipulated to reach the BCS. While any bowl wins allude ND, they have special provisions to gain access to the BCS. Not too many outside the Irish Nation respect that.

In the end we never play an FCS opponate, so in my mind, we have a tougher schedule than alot of teams in conferences. They may not respect that the BCS has a provision for us but they can go to hell for all I care. We are ND, and we can do whatever we want. Lol. JK, however, the computer still does the ranking and if we finish without a loss there is a good chance we are the best team in the nation. Look back through the history to our undefeated teams................