Redbirds at Illini 9/5/2020

[fourthandshort]

I would normally never cheer for Western, but next week I will be rooting them on!

We welcome your support!

The Western vs UIUC game will be on The Big Ten Network at 6:30 PM on Saturday.

WIU712 or Lawson ... how is your OL coming along. We lost most of our OL a year ago, and really struggled at times to overcome that ... made worse because 3 replacements were injured much of the year. So we were well into our 3 deep from 2016 at times last year.

Do you like who you got and just need time ?

Good luck at U of I !!!

P.s. since you guys "chickened out" of your ST Xavier game a year ago, glad we could show you how to step up and beat an NAIA team !!!! :mrgreen:

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

- we play a grueling enough schedule as is .. MVFC guantlet and usually an FBS, plus EIU usually competes with us.

:text-+1: Look how Alabama handles OOC scheduling. Usually 1 challenging game, 2 easy FBS mid-majors and then a FCS patsy. It's a long season.

how can one seriously utilize Alabama's scheduling as a model for iSU scheduling strategy? Those two programs have absolutely nothing in common.

On the flip side to most I hope the Illini pound Western. The state of Illinois college athletics needs the Illini to get their program back on track so that there are some big time FBS games to be seen in this state besides an occasional Northwestern game.

 

[Total Red]

:text-+1: Look how Alabama handles OOC scheduling. Usually 1 challenging game, 2 easy FBS mid-majors and then a FCS patsy. It's a long season.

how can one seriously utilize Alabama's scheduling as a model for iSU scheduling strategy? Those two programs have absolutely nothing in common.

They both want to be successful.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

:text-+1: Look how Alabama handles OOC scheduling. Usually 1 challenging game, 2 easy FBS mid-majors and then a FCS patsy. It's a long season.

how can one seriously utilize Alabama's scheduling as a model for iSU scheduling strategy? Those two programs have absolutely nothing in common.

They both want to be successful.

Different there too as one“wants” to be successful and the other already is successful.

 

[Total Red]

So if you play in a difficult conference and you are a successful team like Alabama or Georgia it's ok to play an easy OOC schedule but it doesn't make sense for less successful programs? Can you explain why? You left that part out.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

So if you play in a difficult conference and you are a successful team like Alabama or Georgia it's ok to play an easy OOC schedule but it doesn't make sense for less successful programs? Can you explain why? You left that part out.

If the powers at ISU do their analysis and determines the optimal type of schedule for ISU football, in the end it may ironically be similar in concept to an Alabama or Georgia type schedule. But the reasons for ISU scheduling likely have nothing in common with Alabama or Georgia's reasons for scheduling.....such as ability to schedule games at home, size of athletic budget/ability to buy games, attendance considerations, alumni/donor support, ability to make the national playoffs....etc etc

 

[fourthandshort]

So if you play in a difficult conference and you are a successful team like Alabama or Georgia it's ok to play an easy OOC schedule but it doesn't make sense for less successful programs? Can you explain why? You left that part out.

If the powers at ISU do their analysis and determines the optimal type of schedule for ISU football, in the end it may ironically be similar in concept to an Alabama or Georgia type schedule. But the reasons for ISU scheduling likely have nothing in common with Alabama or Georgia's reasons for scheduling.....such as ability to schedule games at home, size of athletic budget/ability to buy games, attendance considerations, alumni/donor support, ability to make the national playoffs....etc etc

Wouldn't know for certain .. but I dont imagine the possible reasons can be that different given we both play in the toughest conference top to bottom of any. And especially given we further try to schedule an FBS game as much as possible .. partly for payday and partly for the playing experience.

Again, given how we got stuck playing an NAIA game for budgetary reasons, it is ironic timing to be arguing we should further risk another scheduling challenge by dumping the 100+ year EIU rivalry game 100 miles away. The game checks off so many boxes as my earlier post (and others here), given current circumstances.

Keep getting us FBS game and patsy game, and I am perfectly happy with h&h EIU game ... way more positives than negatives.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

So if you play in a difficult conference and you are a successful team like Alabama or Georgia it's ok to play an easy OOC schedule but it doesn't make sense for less successful programs? Can you explain why? You left that part out.

If the powers at ISU do their analysis and determines the optimal type of schedule for ISU football, in the end it may ironically be similar in concept to an Alabama or Georgia type schedule. But the reasons for ISU scheduling likely have nothing in common with Alabama or Georgia's reasons for scheduling.....such as ability to schedule games at home, size of athletic budget/ability to buy games, attendance considerations, alumni/donor support, ability to make the national playoffs....etc etc

Wouldn't know for certain .. but I dont imagine the possible reasons can be that different given we both play in the toughest conference top to bottom of any. And especially given we further try to schedule an FBS game as much as possible .. partly for payday and partly for the playing experience.

Again, given how we got stuck playing an NAIA game for budgetary reasons, it is ironic timing to be arguing we should further risk another scheduling challenge by dumping the 100+ year EIU rivalry game 100 miles away. The game checks off so many boxes as my earlier post (and others here), given current circumstances.

Keep getting us FBS game and patsy game, and I am perfectly happy with h&h EIU game ... way more positives than negatives.

You talk about ISU getting stuck playing NAIA St Xavier....Alabama will never get stuck playing any team they do not intend to play during the regular season. Alabama usually strategically schedules some FCS patsy, (this year the Citadel) between two big SEC conference opponents, towards the middle/end of the season so that 'Bama players can basically get a week off to recover between big games. Alabama can do that and get away with it as they have the luxury of being able to sell out every home game. So yea the fact that ISU and Alabama have similar weak teams on their schedule is for completely different reasons and meaningless as respects to comparing ISU/Alabame strategy about scheduling.

As for getting stuck playing an NAIA game.....that just shouldn't happen to ISU. Someone was asleep at the wheel if the best ISU could schedule was St Xavier and ISU was forced to play them. There is too much at stake as respects to playoffs implications to schedule and play an NAIA game. There is probably about a 50% chance that not playing another FCS game (or even an FBS team) on opening weekend this year could come back to haunt ISU at the end of the season. Alternatively I believe ISU intended to play St Xavier for $$$$$ reasons.

Last weekend (opening weekend) is one of the best showcase weekends for ISU football as respects to calendar timing, similar to this weekend vs Eastern...generally speaking you have decent/warm weather, early in semester with students schedules free to attend, parents/relatives and friends of new students visiting..etc. ISU should take advantage of all of those intangibles to build their fan base. If ISU had played anyone worth watching last weekend or this weekend I would make the drive from Chicago and I am sure other fans/alumni would be more likely to attend too. ISU can keep playing Eastern for the sake of ease of schedule but good luck trying to build attendance/fan following via playing uninteresting teams like EIU.

 

[Total Red]

Alabama usually strategically schedules some FCS patsy, (this year the Citadel) between two big SEC conference opponents, towards the middle/end of the season so that 'Bama players can basically get a week off to recover between big games. Alabama can do that and get away with it as they have the luxury of being able to sell out every home game. So yea the fact that ISU and Alabama have similar weak teams on their schedule is for completely different reasons and meaningless as respects to comparing ISU/Alabame strategy about scheduling.

Both schools play in elite conferences that routinely produce National Champions so both schools have an interest in reducing the strain with non-conference opponents and both do.
It wasn't planned ahead of time but Illinois State had the additional benefit of being able to ease a new coaching staff and new QB into the season without worrying about losing a game. Both schools have similar attendance for their patsy game. Alabama routinely sells out FCS included, and 9000 is similar to the attendance Illinois State gets for a home game that is not one of the Big 3 promotions (Homecoming, Family Weekend, Comm University). The opponent is only a minor factor in influencing attendance at our home games.

There is too much at stake as respects to playoffs implications to schedule and play an NAIA game. There is probably about a 50% chance that not playing another FCS game (or even an FBS team) on opening weekend this year could come back to haunt ISU at the end of the season. Alternatively I believe ISU intended to play St Xavier for $$$$$ reasons.

Alabama is also trying to make the playoffs. In fact it's much harder for them because only 4 FBS teams make the playoffs. Strength of schedule helps but they know it is even more important to not have losses. Coaches go to great lengths to get their teams up for every game because it's nearly impossible to do. Teams have ups and downs. Nick Saban obviously doesn't mind having a game where he knows his team will win even if it doesn't play well.
Both teams know their post season will be determined by the remaining competitive games on their schedules.

 

[fourthandshort]

If the powers at ISU do their analysis and determines the optimal type of schedule for ISU football, in the end it may ironically be similar in concept to an Alabama or Georgia type schedule. But the reasons for ISU scheduling likely have nothing in common with Alabama or Georgia's reasons for scheduling.....such as ability to schedule games at home, size of athletic budget/ability to buy games, attendance considerations, alumni/donor support, ability to make the national playoffs....etc etc

Wouldn't know for certain .. but I dont imagine the possible reasons can be that different given we both play in the toughest conference top to bottom of any. And especially given we further try to schedule an FBS game as much as possible .. partly for payday and partly for the playing experience.

Again, given how we got stuck playing an NAIA game for budgetary reasons, it is ironic timing to be arguing we should further risk another scheduling challenge by dumping the 100+ year EIU rivalry game 100 miles away. The game checks off so many boxes as my earlier post (and others here), given current circumstances.

Keep getting us FBS game and patsy game, and I am perfectly happy with h&h EIU game ... way more positives than negatives.

You talk about ISU getting stuck playing NAIA St Xavier....Alabama will never get stuck playing any team they do not intend to play during the regular season. Alabama usually strategically schedules some FCS patsy, (this year the Citadel) between two big SEC conference opponents, towards the middle/end of the season so that 'Bama players can basically get a week off to recover between big games. Alabama can do that and get away with it as they have the luxury of being able to sell out every home game. So yea the fact that ISU and Alabama have similar weak teams on their schedule is for completely different reasons and meaningless as respects to comparing ISU/Alabame strategy about scheduling.

As for getting stuck playing an NAIA game.....that just shouldn't happen to ISU. Someone was asleep at the wheel if the best ISU could schedule was St Xavier and ISU was forced to play them. There is too much at stake as respects to playoffs implications to schedule and play an NAIA game. There is probably about a 50% chance that not playing another FCS game (or even an FBS team) on opening weekend this year could come back to haunt ISU at the end of the season. Alternatively I believe ISU intended to play St Xavier for $$$$$ reasons.

Last weekend (opening weekend) is one of the best showcase weekends for ISU football as respects to calendar timing, similar to this weekend vs Eastern...generally speaking you have decent/warm weather, early in semester with students schedules free to attend, parents/relatives and friends of new students visiting..etc. ISU should take advantage of all of those intangibles to build their fan base. If ISU had played anyone worth watching last weekend or this weekend I would make the drive from Chicago and I am sure other fans/alumni would be more likely to attend too. ISU can keep playing Eastern for the sake of ease of schedule but good luck trying to build attendance/fan following via playing uninteresting teams like EIU.

agree Alabama will usually get what they want because they have nearly infinite more resources than an ISU. And maybe comparing the scheduling challenges, a much better comparison would have been NDSU to Alabama.

But one of the "boxes" that EIU h&h checks is much different than Alabama ... budgetary. But since budgetary constraints are a given for ISU, I would argue our SOS challenge is nearly identical to Alabama's other than this .. and they still structure their schedule identically in terms of SOS for all the other same reasons we do.

:think: hmmm ... so the more a I type, the more I think we're having a violent agreement. :doh:

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Wouldn't know for certain .. but I dont imagine the possible reasons can be that different given we both play in the toughest conference top to bottom of any. And especially given we further try to schedule an FBS game as much as possible .. partly for payday and partly for the playing experience.

Again, given how we got stuck playing an NAIA game for budgetary reasons, it is ironic timing to be arguing we should further risk another scheduling challenge by dumping the 100+ year EIU rivalry game 100 miles away. The game checks off so many boxes as my earlier post (and others here), given current circumstances.

Keep getting us FBS game and patsy game, and I am perfectly happy with h&h EIU game ... way more positives than negatives.

You talk about ISU getting stuck playing NAIA St Xavier....Alabama will never get stuck playing any team they do not intend to play during the regular season. Alabama usually strategically schedules some FCS patsy, (this year the Citadel) between two big SEC conference opponents, towards the middle/end of the season so that 'Bama players can basically get a week off to recover between big games. Alabama can do that and get away with it as they have the luxury of being able to sell out every home game. So yea the fact that ISU and Alabama have similar weak teams on their schedule is for completely different reasons and meaningless as respects to comparing ISU/Alabame strategy about scheduling.

As for getting stuck playing an NAIA game.....that just shouldn't happen to ISU. Someone was asleep at the wheel if the best ISU could schedule was St Xavier and ISU was forced to play them. There is too much at stake as respects to playoffs implications to schedule and play an NAIA game. There is probably about a 50% chance that not playing another FCS game (or even an FBS team) on opening weekend this year could come back to haunt ISU at the end of the season. Alternatively I believe ISU intended to play St Xavier for $$$$$ reasons.

Last weekend (opening weekend) is one of the best showcase weekends for ISU football as respects to calendar timing, similar to this weekend vs Eastern...generally speaking you have decent/warm weather, early in semester with students schedules free to attend, parents/relatives and friends of new students visiting..etc. ISU should take advantage of all of those intangibles to build their fan base. If ISU had played anyone worth watching last weekend or this weekend I would make the drive from Chicago and I am sure other fans/alumni would be more likely to attend too. ISU can keep playing Eastern for the sake of ease of schedule but good luck trying to build attendance/fan following via playing uninteresting teams like EIU.

agree Alabama will usually get what they want because they have nearly infinite more resources than an ISU. And maybe comparing the scheduling challenges, a much better comparison would have been NDSU to Alabama.

But one of the "boxes" that EIU h&h checks is much different than Alabama ... budgetary. But since budgetary constraints are a given for ISU, I would argue our SOS challenge is nearly identical to Alabama's other than this .. and they still structure their schedule identically in terms of SOS for all the other same reasons we do.

:think: hmmm ... so the more a I type, the more I think we're having a violent agreement. :doh:

Agree with what you are saying. Budgetary/Finances is likely the biggest driver of scheduling for ISU and where ISU/Alabama could not be more different. We may end up in a similar style schedule with Alabama but when you drill down to the details/reasons/limitations/options (excluding the obvious stuff that applies to every football program such "hey we both want to win or we both want to be in the playoffs") on how each team got there it will be for different reasons.

Agree with your comment that NDSU and Alabama are much closer than ISU/Alabama due to NDSU football generating significantly more football revenue than ISU.

 

[cpacmel]

This game is being moved to Friday Sept 4, 2020

https://fightingillini.com/news/2019/11/25/2020-football-season-opener-vs-isu-moved-to-friday.aspx?path=football

 

[isuquinndog]

Booooo

 

[Chi-bird]

I actually like this insofar as it guarantees a night game and plenty of time to tailgate. I'm not a huge fan of those 11 a.m. start times for tailgating. Of course, the challenge is now needing to take off that day...or at least a half day. It also allows for being able to tune in on Saturday to watch NDSU at Oregon, UNI at Iowa, South Dakota at Iowa State, and others.

 

[fourthandshort]

put me in the, this really sucks column. I hate friday night college games. Changes the whole game day dynamic ... its college football ... thats saturday damn it !!!!

 

[Virginia Redbird]

This game is being moved to Friday Sept 4, 2020

https://fightingillini.com/news/2019/11/25/2020-football-season-opener-vs-isu-moved-to-friday.aspx?path=football

Damn! That makes it a bit tougher for me. I was looking to fly in on Friday for a Saturday game. Well if this game does not work out maybe a road trip to Hancock. It would be nice to meet a few of your folks and put a face to a username! I guess I and Mrs. VA would add another couple numbers to the Hancock attendance figures too. Every little bit helps! On the other hand, I still need to have my photo taken with the Red Grange and Dick Butkus statues. I am with fourth on this...Saturdays are for college football.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I like the Friday night games....many more people likely to watch the game on TV as there is significantly fewer college football alternatives. Good exposure for ISU football

 

[Birdswin]

This is terrible - most people work on Friday or have High School football obligations. I certainly hope the Redbirds demanded more money for this change - because if it was for "TV" - that means dollars are involved. Some of those need to make it to Normal, since fewer people will be able to attend. This is Bad, Bad, Bad.

 

[DannyCooksey]

This is terrible - most people work on Friday or have High School football obligations. I certainly hope the Redbirds demanded more money for this change - because if it was for "TV" - that means dollars are involved. Some of those need to make it to Normal, since fewer people will be able to attend. This is Bad, Bad, Bad.

:text-+1:

 

[MadBird]

put me in the, this really sucks column. I hate friday night college games. Changes the whole game day dynamic ... its college football ... thats saturday damn it !!!!

Totally agree - 1pm Saturday is the only time college football should be allowed to start. Altho I learned to love a night football game at ISU. But not Friday.

Minnesota has in recent years taken to start their season on the Thursday before Labor Day and that seems even dumber, but at least didn't conflict with HS games.