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MVFC Non-Conference Schedule Comparison
pioneer9:
It's always fun to see those first few weeks of the season and put our guys out there on a more national stage. The last several years have demonstrated the MVFC's dominance in the FCS world... but that's a badge that must be earned every season and I know there are some teams on the conference's OOC schedule that would love to see that happen. Here's a comparison of each teams' non conference schedule...
North Dakota State:
8/29 - @Montana (Big Sky)
9/12 - Weber State (Big Sky)
9/19 - North Dakota (Big Sky)
*three Big Sky match ups?! I wonder if they could just decide to give NDSU two conference championships :P
South Dakota State:
9/5 - @Kansas (Big 12)
9/12 - Southern Utah (Big Sky)
9/26 - Robert Morris (NEC)
Youngstown State:
9/5 - @ Pittsburgh (AAC)
9/12 - Robert Morris (NEC)
9/19 - Saint Francis (NEC)
Northern Iowa
9/5 - @Iowa State (Big 12)
9/12 - E. Washington (Big Sky)
9/19 - Cal Poly (Big Sky)
Illinois State:
9/5 - @ Iowa (Big Ten)
9/12 - Morgan State (MEAC)
9/19 - @ E Illinois (OVC)
Indiana State:
9/5 - Butler (Pioneer)
9/12 - @Purdue (Big Ten)
9/19 - SE Missouri State (OVC)
Southern Illinois:
9/5 - @Indiana (Big Ten)
9/12 - @SE Missouri State (OVC)
9/26 - Liberty (Big South)
Western Illinois:
9/3 - E Illinois (OVC)
9/12 - @Illinois (Big Ten)
9/19 - @Coastal Carolina (Big South)
Missouri State:
9/5 - @Memphis (AAC)
9/12 - Chadron State (Div 2 - RMAC)
9/19 - @Arkansas State (Sun Belt)
South Dakota:
9/5 - @Kansas State (Big 12)
9/12 - @UC Davis (Big Sky)
9/19 - Drake (Pioneer)
Now that looks like 7 Big Sky, 4 Ohio Valley, 4 Big Ten, 3 Big 12, 3 NEC, 2 AAC, 2 Pioneer, 2 Big South, 1 Sun Belt, 1 MEAC, 1 RMAC (Div 2). So...
(1) What's everyone's thoughts on the overall strength of the MVFC non-conference schedule and implications on playoff picture...
(2) Thoughts on any specific team's OOC schedule?
(3) Also, what OOC matchups is everyone looking forward to? My personal list goes like this:
I. 9/12 - Northern Iowa vs. Eastern Washington
EWU had a great season last year and should prove to be a tough task for the Panthers. Will be an earlier season feeler of whether UNI will be the team that "just makes the playoffs" or is poised to make an actual deep run in the post season.
II. 9/19 - Western Illinois @ Coastal Carolina
I like this matchup because WIU seems to be a team on the rise in the conference and I've heard a number of people call them the Dark Horse of the MVFC. CCU on the other hand has been a Big South power and considered to be a team on the rise nationally, playing a competitive 32-39 game against NDSU in the playoffs last season. If WIU somehow managed to go down to Conway, SC and compete (dare say it win), what a boost for that program... and the conference.
III. 9/26 - Southern Illinois vs. Liberty
I put this one down mostly because I can't stand the Big South (long story...) nor Liberty for that matter (longer story.....). But last season's playoff berth (and first round victory) has given the Flames fans a ton to brag about this offseason. It would be nice to see a mid-level MVFC team (one that lost 5 conference games last season) beat em up to prove a point.
Runner-up: YSU @ Pitt... 2012 worked out well... don't think this second go around will be as easy but still excited to see the matchup again... and contrary to 2012, I have had a lot of Pitt fans telling me that they are actually keeping a close eye on this game.
Penguin Nation:
--- Quote from: pioneer9 on July 25, 2015, 01:46:45 PM ---
(1) What's everyone's thoughts on the overall strength of the MVFC non-conference schedule and implications on playoff picture...
(2) Thoughts on any specific team's OOC schedule?
--- End quote ---
YSU's OOC schedule is unique in that it is the sole MVFC program with two partial scholly (1AAA) programs.
The Playoff Selection Committee is not fooled. Can we trade one for a $$ game or at least a nearby MAC or OVC game?
Wick250:
Eastern Washington's stud quarterback transferred, and that team plays no defense whatsoever. It becomes a perfect game for UNI. High profile and very easy.
I agree that the SIU-Liberty and WIU-Coastal matchups are interesting.
In the past, I would have preferred that we buy a home game from the full-scholarship MEAC rather than the NEC. But the MEAC has now removed themselves from the playoffs and the NEC, finally granting some scholarships, is probably now the stronger league.
For the younger fans, about twenty years ago the MAC created the informal "Youngstown rule," forbidding their programs from playing a IAA team on the road. That came after Tressel-led YSU teams embarrassed Akron, Kent, and Ohio in Stambaugh stadium. Today the MVFC ranks higher than the MAC in most if not all statistical models. As far as I am concerned, as long as MAC teams refuse to play home-and-home, they can shove it.
Penguin Nation:
A home and home with an OVC team would be better then this. At least it's not another Valpo.
Giving up a home game is worth beating Can't or Akron in their house, and prove to future recruits who the best team in NEO is. Can't is paying Howard $300K to play in Can't. It would be a bonanza for YSU to prove its domination and also collect a pile of cash.
FWIW, IMO the G5 is going to be demoted to FCS status in the August NCAA meetings. Hopefully this will re-open the door to these regional rivals.
Wick250:
Nation,
You are leaving out of your calculations one very important equation. Years ago YSU INDY discovered the fact that the university makes as much money renting out the stadium loges as it collects from common gate receipts. It fact loge rentals are more important since the money comes in advance and the revenue is not impacted by late season performance meltdowns or the weather. Those loge patrons demand six home games, and they want seven in those years that allow for twelve games (the primary reason for the abundance of junk games last season.) So a home-and-home with an OVC opponent is not really possible, to say nothing about a road game at Akron or Kent. As long as we play the money game against a big time opponent, two home games against weak foes is almost inevitable.
I agree that if the G5 finds itself merged with FCS, new opportunities automatically develop.
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