2017 Schedule Speculation

[kiddbrewer]

Best conference record.

[ashugh]

I don't like the mid week games myself from a self serving point of view. But, one thing that should not be over looked is the fact that it gets App into the homes of recruits on national TV. If we sucked, it wouldn't be us. It has to help with recruiting.
Wednesday night, I, like I'm sure many of you, had all kinds of texts coming in from friends and family that had no idea App was playing that night but went to the game on TV. It's not that bad of a deal for us in the big picture. Recruiting schools to come play in Boone has it's similarities to player recruits, so I have to believe it will help with OOC scheduling because it also keeps App fresh in the minds of schools nationally. It certainly can't hurt (as long as we put a good product on the field).
I don't necessarily think we should be scheduling FCS teams because our conference schedule isn't like playing the SEC weekly. IMO, this year's schedule should be a model to shoot for annually. I don't mean a team of Miami's caliber (although, we should always be on the hunt now that the precedent has been set), but I do think FBS conference current or very recent contenders should always be one of the home games. The other should also be FBS, even if it's a bottom dweller. Just my two cents.

[bcoach]

Interesting, yes. Also, an absolutely horrible idea.

Agreed with EastHallApp here. Why play any FCS team you could lose to? That's how Jim Grobe did it at Wake.

We're no Wake, we would win.

Iowa and Kansas State aren't Wake, either.

We might win that game, we might not. The point is, it's a (figurative) no-win situation. If we win, it does virtually nothing for us; if we lose, we make headlines for losing to an FCS.

That is the dilemma of playing GOOD FCS teams. They ARE dangerous and the risk/reward equation doesn't balance. That's precisely why Wake stopped playing us. It sucked when we were on the other side, but I think we actually respected that they at least admitted that was the deal. NDSU is absolutely no joke. I absolutely believe we are a better team but if we played them 10 times, I doubt we win all 10. We would win the majority but they would give us a run. I'm not saying that to diminish App in any way. I'm just acknowledging that they are a unique animal in FCS these days and deserve respect.

If we played them 10 times you should be VERY happy for a split.

[App91]

Does the Sun Belt Championship game start next year? Any ideas on how that game will be scheduled? Possibly the best record hosting?

I don't like how home game goes to best record. Aren't there gonna be sun belt divisions now? Championship game should flip flop between divisions on a yearly basis. Giving home game to team with the best record could encourage teams to keep from challenging themselves on their out of conference schedules

WOW!

[diehardapp18]

Best conference record.

Okay I'm glad to hear this, it makes much more sense than doing overall record.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

We all knew weekday games would happen a few years ago when the serious move up talks began. When it became more evident we'd be joining the Sun Belt it became more clear that we'd have some weekday games. Not sure why this comes across as a sock to some.

[bcoach]

We all knew weekday games would happen a few years ago when the serious move up talks began. When it became more evident we'd be joining the Sun Belt it became more clear that we'd have some weekday games. Not sure why this comes across as a sock to some.

It is no shock but it still sucks. Two weekday games and Savannah State makes for a pretty crappy home schedule. That is the fact. Exposure and all that stuff is fine but there is just no way to put lipstick on that that schedule.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

We all knew weekday games would happen a few years ago when the serious move up talks began. When it became more evident we'd be joining the Sun Belt it became more clear that we'd have some weekday games. Not sure why this comes across as a sock to some.

It is no shock but it still sucks. Two weekday games and Savannah State makes for a pretty crappy home schedule. That is the fact. Exposure and all that stuff is fine but there is just no way to put lipstick on that that schedule.

Oh I totally agree. I live 6 hours away and have two kids. Weekday games suck for me.

[appgrad95&97]

[/quote]
It is no shock but it still sucks. Two weekday games and Savannah State makes for a pretty crappy home schedule. That is the fact. Exposure and all that stuff is fine but there is just no way to put lipstick on that that schedule.[/quote]

Which is why I'm such an advocate of playing a winnable P5 road games whenever we have a chance. We are surrounded by those programs. There is absolutely no way playing Savanah St. does anything to help us build a bigger fan base. Playing at Kentucky or Vanda or NC State or Mississippi St. or UVA... would.

[HighlandsApp]

It is no shock but it still sucks. Two weekday games and Savannah State makes for a pretty crappy home schedule. That is the fact. Exposure and all that stuff is fine but there is just no way to put lipstick on that that schedule.[/quote]

Which is why I'm such an advocate of playing a winnable P5 road games whenever we have a chance. We are surrounded by those programs. There is absolutely no way playing Savanah St. does anything to help us build a bigger fan base. Playing at Kentucky or Vanda or NC State or Mississippi St. or UVA... would.[/quote]



Unfortunately, it is not possible to play one away money game, play the rest as home and home arrangements and have 6 home games each year. There will have to be fill in FCS games at least every other year to have 6 games at home each year no other way around it.

[appgrad95&97]

I perfer Southern's 2016 schedule to what our 2017 looks like.

[EastHallApp]

I perfer Southern's 2016 schedule to what our 2017 looks like.

You realize they played the exact same Savannah State team some are griping about here AND had only five home games? You find that preferable to six home games including a visit from an in-state P5 that's probably going bowling this year?

[appfanz]

Who says we'll have 2 weekday games? Did I miss something?

We're 6 games into this year and we're complaining about next years schedule which isn't even out yet?? I don't get it.

[appgrad95&97]

I perfer Southern's 2016 schedule to what our 2017 looks like.

You realize they played the exact same Savannah State team some are griping about here AND had only five home games? You find that preferable to six home games including a visit from an in-state P5 that's probably going bowling this year?

Only five home games if we can play a winable P5 team on the road and get a nice payday from another. We're not good enough to get a home and home from a legit P5 (Miami was a fluke). Build a program and stop acting like we're there already.

[TheMoody1]

Who says we'll have 2 weekday games? Did I miss something?

We're 6 games into this year and we're complaining about next years schedule which isn't even out yet?? I don't get it.

Some people can't be happy unless they have something to complain about.

[EastHallApp]

I perfer Southern's 2016 schedule to what our 2017 looks like.

You realize they played the exact same Savannah State team some are griping about here AND had only five home games? You find that preferable to six home games including a visit from an in-state P5 that's probably going bowling this year?

Only five home games if we can play a winable P5 team on the road and get a nice payday from another. We're not good enough to get a home and home from a legit P5 (Miami was a fluke). Build a program and stop acting like we're there already.

So you're saying you like playing a winnable P5 on the road, but not at home? Sorry, not sure I follow.

[appgrad95&97]

I perfer Southern's 2016 schedule to what our 2017 looks like.

You realize they played the exact same Savannah State team some are griping about here AND had only five home games? You find that preferable to six home games including a visit from an in-state P5 that's probably going bowling this year?

Only five home games if we can play a winable P5 team on the road and get a nice payday from another. We're not good enough to get a home and home from a legit P5 (Miami was a fluke). Build a program and stop acting like we're there already.

So you're saying you like playing a winnable P5 on the road, but not at home? Sorry, not sure I follow.

I would rather us play a winable P5 game on the road than an FCS team at home. I want the exposure. And I have read a lot on this board our home attendance. I just think our program would benefit from playing at Kentucky on the SEC Network more than playing Savannah St. at noon, in front of 18,000 on ESPN3 and seeing noting but aluminum in the second half.

[EastHallApp]

I perfer Southern's 2016 schedule to what our 2017 looks like.

You realize they played the exact same Savannah State team some are griping about here AND had only five home games? You find that preferable to six home games including a visit from an in-state P5 that's probably going bowling this year?

Only five home games if we can play a winable P5 team on the road and get a nice payday from another. We're not good enough to get a home and home from a legit P5 (Miami was a fluke). Build a program and stop acting like we're there already.

So you're saying you like playing a winnable P5 on the road, but not at home? Sorry, not sure I follow.

I would rather us play a winable P5 game on the road than an FCS team at home. I want the exposure. And I have read a lot on this board our home attendance. I just think our program would benefit from playing at Kentucky on the SEC Network more than playing Savannah St. at noon, in front of 18,000 on ESPN3 and seeing noting but aluminum in the second half.

OK, I think I get your point (though I disagree with it). It's just that the Southern/App comparison you made doesn't really make sense because both of them play an FCS at home, a $ game on the road, a G5 on the road and a "winnable" P5. The only difference is that their (arguably) winnable P5 is also on the road, while ours will be at home.

[WataugaMan]

A game against North Dakota State would be interesting, if a FCS game is being considered.

Interesting, yes. Also, an absolutely horrible idea.

Agreed with EastHallApp here. Why play any FCS team you could lose to? That's how Jim Grobe did it at Wake.

We're no Wake, we would win.

Iowa and Kansas State aren't Wake, either.

We might win that game, we might not. The point is, it's a (figurative) no-win situation. If we win, it does virtually nothing for us; if we lose, we make headlines for losing to an FCS.

Just got back from camping trip, thus, I'm just getting around to responding. I see your point, at the same time, playing a Savannah State (simply because we should win easily) type team does nothing for us either. Personally I'd like to see a competitive game vice a blow out. I'd be willing to meet in the middle and play a James Madison or El Cid type game, if a FCS had to be considered.

[Rick83]

Interesting, yes. Also, an absolutely horrible idea.

Agreed with EastHallApp here. Why play any FCS team you could lose to? That's how Jim Grobe did it at Wake.

We're no Wake, we would win.

Iowa and Kansas State aren't Wake, either.

We might win that game, we might not. The point is, it's a (figurative) no-win situation. If we win, it does virtually nothing for us; if we lose, we make headlines for losing to an FCS.

Just got back from camping trip, thus, I'm just getting around to responding. I see your point, at the same time, playing a Savannah State (simply because we should win easily) type team does nothing for us either. Personally I'd like to see a competitive game vice a blow out. I'd be willing to meet in the middle and play a James Madison or El Cid type game, if a FCS had to be considered.

I'm not opposed to playing an FCS team at home, like every other year, especially one close enough to bring some fans, but it needs to be one that we'll win. One advantage to playing FCS, assuming we have a huge lead, is that it gives some inexperienced players some real game playing experience. This is beneficial of course to the players and gives the coaches game film to teach the younger players.