Our 2014 Home schedule = Ugh

[1ASU78]

I really appreciated the level headed responses to my posts. Makes me feel better about liking where we were and lookin at where we are going.

Heck I still wish you found room to play Western every year for the Jug, even with everyone on here hating them.

Yeah - I agree - and always play at KBS --- I believe that 2 of the top 5 attendance record games were against WCU and wasn't last years game the highest attendance for a home game? ---

rather play them than say Campbell ---

It was the second highest according to wiki, but giving how cold it was that was still high. Normally year in and year out it's one of the top attended. Plus "the jug" is our "original".

Just don't say it too loud on here, everyone thinks all our extra home games will be filled with ECU and Auburn.

wait...what?.................no............aw man!

Speaking of ECU we had some fine times with the Pirates for awhile. Of course that was before the SoCon was the SmallCon. I'll never forget that field goal.

[ASUMountaineer]

I really appreciated the level headed responses to my posts. Makes me feel better about liking where we were and lookin at where we are going.

Heck I still wish you found room to play Western every year for the Jug, even with everyone on here hating them.

Yeah - I agree - and always play at KBS --- I believe that 2 of the top 5 attendance record games were against WCU and wasn't last years game the highest attendance for a home game? ---

rather play them than say Campbell ---

Unlike maddog's generalization, I do not hate West Carolina. I also would prefer to play WCU over Campbell. I do disagree though with the idea of playing them every year. I don't know of another FBS school that has a standing game with an FCS school. If I'm an FCS school, I would not be interested in such an arrangement with a G5 school.

I imagine we will play WCU in the not-too-distant future, but it will not be an annual game, nor do I think it should be. I think it would be good to schedule our FCS opponents from in-state schools as much as possible--similar to the arrangement in South Carolina.

[EastHallApp]

Unlike maddog's generalization, I do not hate West Carolina. I also would prefer to play WCU over Campbell. I do disagree though with the idea of playing them every year. I don't know of another FBS school that has a standing game with an FCS school. If I'm an FCS school, I would not be interested in such an arrangement with a G5 school.

I imagine we will play WCU in the not-too-distant future, but it will not be an annual game, nor do I think it should be.

Agreed. Scheduling them every year in effect makes it a rivalry game. Actively promoting a rivalry with an FCS team is a non-starter.

[bcoach]

I'll just throw this out there. I am going to guess that it is not as much people missing the SOCON as it is the FCS format. I think that if we had a playoff system and a NC at our new G5 level that most who miss the SOCON would be happy. I really think that is more the problem than the SOCON. Then again I could be wrong. Right?

[Gonzo]

I think the WCU "rivalry" hurt us even when we were FCS. Rival teams are perceived as relatively equal by most. That means once a year the Can'ts would drag us down to their level.

FBS move or not, I think it is in our best interest to distance ourselves from that dumpster fire.

[Watauga72]

I'll just throw this out there. I am going to guess that it is not as much people missing the SOCON as it is the FCS format. I think that if we had a playoff system and a NC at our new G5 level that most who miss the SOCON would be happy. I really think that is more the problem than the SOCON. Then again I could be wrong. Right?

bcoach, I think you are absolutely correct, and hope that as the shakeup within the BCS level finalizes we end up in a division that actually has a playoff similar to what we've grown accustomed. The big conferences are going to control the 4 team playoff and make sure that everyone else is excluded. It would be to the benefit of the smaller conferences, many of which play excellent football, to have their own realistic goal to pursue. Truly believe that as we grow into our new conference and level, we will be competitive.

[Watauga72]

Speaking of ECU we had some fine times with the Pirates for awhile. Of course that was before the SoCon was the SmallCon. I'll never forget that field goal.

Seemed like that football stayed in the air forever before dropping between the goal posts. Wasn't that Gary Davis who kicked it? IIRC, there was one heck of a tail wind.

[Rekdiver]

Harmon...Boone boy kicked that field goal. Also remember the 50 yarder that Nitmo missed in on on the most exciting comebacks I'd ever seen....

[WataugaMan]

Jerry Harmon, 1971 Watauga grad, he grew up 4 houses down the street from where I did. He was closer to age of my older brother.

[Niner National]

Not that similar hasn't been said, but bad home schedule years are going to be a part of any G5 conference member. Sometimes the conference schedules just align against you and you end up playing several of the worst conference opponents at home in a year.

Then there will be years where the home schedule is equally as awesome. Sadly that is just the reality of playing in conferences that aren't filled with nationally recognizable teams.

This is why I really wish that Charlotte, ECU, and App were all in a conference together, although I'm sure few fans of any of the schools would agree. If we have virtually 0 chance at even being given a spot to contend for a national title, I'd at least like to play one of the other non-ACC teams in the state at home each year. I have a feeling ECU will think they're too good to play either of us now that they've "moved up" though.

[fjblair]

Not that similar hasn't been said, but bad home schedule years are going to be a part of any G5 conference member. Sometimes the conference schedules just align against you and you end up playing several of the worst conference opponents at home in a year.

Then there will be years where the home schedule is equally as awesome. Sadly that is just the reality of playing in conferences that aren't filled with nationally recognizable teams.

This is why I really wish that Charlotte, ECU, and App were all in a conference together, although I'm sure few fans of any of the schools would agree. If we have virtually 0 chance at even being given a spot to contend for a national title, I'd at least like to play one of the other non-ACC teams in the state at home each year. I have a feeling ECU will think they're too good to play either of us now that they've "moved up" though.

The fact is that ECU is in the exact same boat we are in, they have no chance of ever playing for a NC and a mid-tier bowl is the best they can hope for.

[Seattleapp]

I'll just throw this out there. I am going to guess that it is not as much people missing the SOCON as it is the FCS format. I think that if we had a playoff system and a NC at our new G5 level that most who miss the SOCON would be happy. I really think that is more the problem than the SOCON. Then again I could be wrong. Right?

bcoach, I think you are absolutely correct, and hope that as the shakeup within the BCS level finalizes we end up in a division that actually has a playoff similar to what we've grown accustomed. The big conferences are going to control the 4 team playoff and make sure that everyone else is excluded. It would be to the benefit of the smaller conferences, many of which play excellent football, to have their own realistic goal to pursue. Truly believe that as we grow into our new conference and level, we will be competitive.

You guys are both right. That is exactly my frustration to the whole move. I'm not opposed to the move. I'm opposed to never playing a meaningful championship game again.

[AtlAppMan]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

[Seattleapp]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

you know what i mean. Who cares what ESPN says. Those championships are real championships and the games played were fun, and intense and have provided a lifetime of memories for thousands of fans. The SunBelt champion will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER play for a FBS national championship! I understand why people want us to move up, but there was something special about what our brand was at the FCS level. And before people attack me....keep reading. I know why we moved up. But playing for National Titles consistently is something pretty special, even if it was in the lowly FCS.

[Seattleapp]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

And to add one more point, tell me who won 95% of the bowl games last year? The GMAC bowl victor is known even less than NDSU winning 3 straight national titles.

[AtlAppMan]

Seattle,
I am very proud of our NC teams. I personally enjoyed them in person and cherish every moment of them. It was fun and intense and all the things you said. However, like it or not, we were playing in the minor leagues and don't get any respect from the rest of the world for winning them. I also noticed you referenced our team as the DI Mountaineers in your initial post on this thread implying that we were NOT DI before. You know I am just picking on you b/c I know you were slow to come around.

BTW, I am sure you don't mind bragging about your Seahawks winning the Superbowl, the top level of professional football, while I have to admit my lowly Falcons bit the dust last year.

[WVAPPeer]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

I could give a &*%^ what the vast majority of fans think You play the game for yourself, your teammates, your coaches, your fans and your school --- The Championships belong to these groups not other college football fans ---

[Gonzo]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

And to add one more point, tell me who won 95% of the bowl games last year? The GMAC bowl victor is known even less than NDSU winning 3 straight national titles.

Got any stats to back that up? Because TV ratings beg to differ.

Bowl Pickems are almost as popular as NFL fantasy football.

[App91]

"...the fact that this years home schedule is nothing to get excited over at all.."

Oh is that a fact? I know that me and 29,998 of my closest friends will be there and we're pretty darn excited about App's first modern FBS season.

It is possible to respect our past without trashing our future.

Damn, Gonzo, just when I thought you were way out in LEFT Field and my nemesis poster, you had to go and post something that makes me jump up and down in celebration! Nice!

[Gonzo]

"...the fact that this years home schedule is nothing to get excited over at all.."

Oh is that a fact? I know that me and 29,998 of my closest friends will be there and we're pretty darn excited about App's first modern FBS season.

It is possible to respect our past without trashing our future.

Damn, Gonzo, just when I thought you were way out in LEFT Field and my nemesis poster, you had to go and post something that makes me jump up and down in celebration! Nice!

I aim to please.