Is anybody else giddy...

[st.cronin]

For the start of college football season? It's less than 48 hours away.

[Logan]

My tailgate begins at noon on Thursday .

[dawgfan]

I can't wait - very anxious to see how my Huskies fare in the Carrier Dome Friday night. Very highly touted RS-Fr QB Jake Locker makes his debut for the UW, and Ty's seat is starting to get a little warm as he begins his 3rd season with the Huskies.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm very excited. Memphis and Tulane don't give me a lot of hope this year, but I'm hoping to find a radio broadcast of Seton Hill's visit to Slippery Rock on Thursday night, and I'll be at SHU's home opener on September 8 vs. Walsh.

Yay Division II!

[sterlingice]

Kansas - Central Michigan! It's like Div II

SI

[st.cronin]

Washington State @ Wisconsin is the game I'm looking forward to watching this weekend. I don't know much about the Cougars, but they play in the Pac 10 and they're not Stanford so they're probably pretty good.

[k0ruptr]

Hawaii is gonna score 100!

[TroyF]

2 biggies for me. CSU vs. CU (I honestly don't care who wins. A fan of CU, but they suck so if CSU pulls it off, good for them)

OkState at GA. Gotta cheer for the Cowboys, but I don't think they'll have the defense to pull it off.

I'm just happy football is back. woo hoo.

[Toddzilla]

Virginia Tech opens on the 1st at home v. ECU, and there won't be a dry eye in the house prior to kickoff. You think Lane Stadium is loud? That's nothing compared to what it will be when Enter Sandman starts playing and the Hokies run out in (rumored) black uni's . VPI may hang a hundred on 'em.

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

That's nothing compared to what it will be when Enter Sandman starts playing and the Hokies run out in (rumored) black uni's.

Wow. That may be too much for anyone to stay composed.

[path12]

The best part is that I'm going to be in Vegas. Sports book, here I come!

[Butter]

I love this time of year. You never know what the new season will bring. Last year, it's Rutgers. This year, who knows? Lot of good early season September matchups this year, it seems.

[George]

Another one here who can't wait for the season to get started.

[wade moore]

Delaware at W&M Thursday night baby to open the inaugural season of the CAA conference - w00t!

What? No one else cares about I-AA? Damn.

[Lathum]

I can't wait for RU to destroy Buffalo.

[Dr. Sak]

I cant wait. I have my season tickets to Penn State plus I plan on going on the road to see them play Michigan and Michigan State.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Mizzou starts off the season against Illinois in St. Louis. MU has a tough non-conference schedule. Would love to hang a ton of points on that defense and get the season started the right way. Pretty sure the crowd will be a pro-MU crowd as there are division championship expectations for Mizzou.

[Passacaglia]

Michigan takes on Appalachian State. I'll be out of town, so probably not missing much.

[Logan]

My office picked a fantastic day to have an optional company picnic. Don't even have to burn a vacation day to get to my tailgate early tomorrow.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Michigan takes on Appalachian State. I'll be out of town, so probably not missing much.

They are the defending Division 1-aa champions!!!

[cartman]

This is the most wonderful time of the year.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by bsak16

They are the defending Division 1-aa champions!!!

Yes, they are. That still doesn't worry me.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Michigan takes on Appalachian State. I'll be out of town, so probably not missing much.

Ditto. I will be out of town (heading "Up North") and I also do not have access to the Big Ten Network. I will probably only catch the Flordia State-Clemson game. I am a bit disappointed that it's not Florida State-Miami. I've enjoyed watching what has been pretty much the worst college football game -- between two premiere programs -- in each of the last two years. Gawd. Awful.

I hate the Big Ten Network, by the way. Their spat with Comcast is ridiculous. They have a wildly over-inflated sense of their network's appeal. It does not belong on expanded-basic cable; it belongs as part of the sports package. End of argument.

[st.cronin]

I honestly don't understand why teams like Michigan schedule teams like App. State.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I honestly don't understand why teams like Michigan schedule teams like App. State.

I am not sure how this one came about either. It could be that App. State wanted the match-up to get their name out there. If that's the case, then it's working, as I had never heard of App. State before they showed up on Michigan's schedule.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I am not sure how this one came about either. It could be that App. State wanted the match-up to get their name out there. If that's the case, then it's working, as I had never heard of App. State before they showed up on Michigan's schedule.

Yes, its very easy to figure out why App. State would want this game. What's more puzzling is why Michigan would want this game.

[Fighter of Foo]

I hate college football. So to answer the original question, no.

[Logan]

Damn near every team plays one AA matchup. You have to fill out your schedule in some way.

I bet they put out the offer to let almost anyone come in and play. But no one will take a sure loss without getting Michigan into their stadium as their one huge high-profile opponent to allow a sellout of season tickets. And Michigan has the ability to pick and choose who they will travel to. That's how we end up with teams like Buffalo who will play anyone anywhere for a payday.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Yes, its very easy to figure out why App. State would want this game. What's more puzzling is why Michigan would want this game.

Because we're a kind, benevolent people always willing to help out the "little guy".

Michigan probably doesn't want this game, but sometimes you have think of someone other than yourself. That's The Michigan Way.

[Phototropic]

I can't wait. I'm leaving Friday for the Marshall/Miami game.

[wade moore]

There is a reason for the I-A teams to play I-AA teams. First of all, I think that I-AA teams now count towards bowl eligibility (I think 1 game a year?) - I'd have to look that up though. In addition, they consider it a "tune-up" game - as in they get essentially a pre-season game. Usually you see these games as one of the first couple of games for the I-A team of the season.

I find it weird that W&M is going down to Blacksburg to play VA Tech all of the way out on September 22nd though.

[vex]

Originally Posted by Logan

Damn near every team plays one AA matchup. You have to fill out your schedule in some way.

Not really.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Logan

Damn near every team plays one AA matchup.

Actually, only a few teams have scheduled aa teams this year. Looking very quickly at the schedules for these schools shows no aa teams:

Notre Dame
USC
UCLA
California
Nebraska
Georgia
Tennessee
Penn State
Miami FL

Don't you think one of the Big East teams might be interested in playing Michigan? Connecticut, or Cincinatti., or even South Florida?

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by wade moore

There is a reason for the I-A teams to play I-AA teams. First of all, I think that I-AA teams now count towards bowl eligibility (I think 1 game a year?) - I'd have to look that up though.

I think you can count 1 I-AA win every 5 years towards bowl eligibility.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

I think you can count 1 I-AA win every 5 years towards bowl eligibility.

So the argument is that Michigan is worried about being bowl-eligible?

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Yes, its very easy to figure out why App. State would want this game. What's more puzzling is why Michigan would want this game.

I can think of 111,000 x ($cost of ticket) reasons why. Subtract out the $425,000 pay out (give or take) and thats why Michigan wants this. Most bigger schools have their entire athletic budget funded by their football program.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

So the argument is that Michigan is worried about being bowl-eligible?

No. Again, that's just a piece of it.

1) Warm-up game
2) A "guranteed" win
3) Money
4) Extra Home Game
5) Sort of like 1, but gives some game experience specifically to new starters before facing a "real" team

[M GO BLUE!!!]

My mom decided to come to town this weekend. She is not a football fan. Should be a fun visit for her!

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I find it weird that W&M is going down to Blacksburg to play VA Tech all of the way out on September 22nd though.

VT makes a point to play an in-state I-AA team every five years so that the appearance money can go to a Virginia school that can use it.

As for the Mich vs Appy State game, it's all about money. In a good way, IMO. Michigan (and other 'big schools') can make 3-4 million from a single home game, so having a minimum of seven home games on the schedule is always a priority. As for the Appy State point of view, I would guarentee that the appearance money they receive from Michigan is far more than what they would make from a home game of their own. Heck, for some schools, one game like that can fund their entire athletic department. It's a win-win scenario for both schools...

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by VPI97

VT makes a point to play an in-state I-AA team every five years so that the appearance money can go to a Virginia school that can use it.

I wasn't questioning them playing W&M, just the timing of it.. I was surprised it wasn't this week (although i think W&M would have rejected this week) or next...


And certainly W&M is one of those that basically funds at least the football program almost entirely off of the I-A game it plays each year (and private donations).

I-AA football outside of I think it's 3 or 4 teams is a money losing venture, I don't think most people know that.

[Passacaglia]

It does seem strange. While we usually make our living off MAC schools, I can't ever remember Michigan playing a I-AA school. Maybe after the Ball State game, we were afraid of playing two MAC schools in a season again?

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I wasn't questioning them playing W&M, just the timing of it.. I was surprised it wasn't this week (although i think W&M would have rejected this week) or next...

Strictly a timing issue. Given that this season was marked as a 'play a small Virginia school year', we would rather play JMU or W&M or VMI at an unusual place on the schedule than play anyone else.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by VPI97

Strictly a timing issue. Given that this season was marked as a 'play a small Virginia school year', we would rather play JMU or W&M or VMI at an unusual place on the schedule than play anyone else.

Good god, WE beat VMI by 3 or 4 TD's a year at minimum ..

[st.cronin]

So, to sum up, the upside for Michigan, one of the wealthiest schools in the country, is $. The downside is that people tease you about your ludicrous schedule, and if you are one of multiple 11-1 schools, you (probably) don't get to play in the national championship.

[Pumpy Tudors]

You I-A and I-AA guys can suck it! Seton Hill for life!

Thursday 8/30 (7:00pm ET): at Slippery Rock
Saturday 9/8 (2:00pm ET): Walsh
Saturday 9/22 (2:00pm ET): Glenville State
Saturday 9/29 (1:00pm ET): at Shepherd

Saturday 10/6 (6:00pm ET) (HOMECOMING - first home night game in SHU history): West Virginia Wesleyan
Saturday 10/13 (1:30pm ET): at West Virginia State
Saturday 10/20 (1:00pm ET): Charleston
Saturday 10/27 (1:00pm ET): at Concord
Saturday 11/3 (1:00pm ET): Fairmont State
Saturday 11/10: (1:00pm): at West Liberty

GO GRIFFINS!

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

So, to sum up, the upside for Michigan, one of the wealthiest schools in the country, is $. The downside is that people tease you about your ludicrous schedule, and if you are one of multiple 11-1 schools, you (probably) don't get to play in the national championship.

Is that the case? I'm not sure how the BCS factors in 1-AA schools anymore. Last I knew, you got their losses factored into your SOS, but not their wins, or something like that.

Anyway, we were one of multiple 11-1 schools last year, and didn't get to play for the national championship, so what the hey.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Actually, only a few teams have scheduled aa teams this year. Looking very quickly at the schedules for these schools shows no aa teams:

Notre Dame
USC
UCLA
California
Nebraska
Georgia
Tennessee
Penn State
Miami FL

Don't you think one of the Big East teams might be interested in playing Michigan? Connecticut, or Cincinatti., or even South Florida?

A Big East team could certainly benefit from play at Michigan, but a BCS conference (insert obligatory BE joke, if needed) school goes down a slippery slope when they start accepting one-and-done or 2-for-1 offers, even against major programs like Michigan or USC or ND. Setting the precendence that you will play an away game without a home game in return or give a 2-for-1 affects negotiations when you are trying to get other BCS programs to agree to 1-for-1s.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Is that the case? I'm not sure how the BCS factors in 1-AA schools anymore. Last I knew, you got their losses factored into your SOS, but not their wins, or something like that.

Anyway, we were one of multiple 11-1 schools last year, and didn't get to play for the national championship, so what the hey.

I'm pretty sure the BCS doesn't factor in 1-AA schools in its computer rankings and I'm guessing a team that is capable of losing to a 1-AA school, even though there are a handful of those types of upsets each year, would have a tough enough time overcoming a loss to one in the human polls, that it really isn't a factor.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Actually, only a few teams have scheduled aa teams this year. Looking very quickly at the schedules for these schools shows no aa teams:

Notre Dame
USC
UCLA
California
Nebraska
Georgia
Tennessee
Penn State
Miami FL

My exaggeration of "damn near every team" is almost as bad as your "only a few teams." Here's my quick find:

- Obviously, #5 Michigan vs. App St.
- #6 Florida is playing Western Kentucky, a I-AA team last year that is now a provisional I-A.
- #7 Wisconsin vs. The Citadel
- #9 VT vs. W&M
- #10 Louisville plays Murray St
- #11 Ohio State plays Youngstown St
- #13 Georgia vs. Western Carolina (you missed this one)
- #16 Rutgers takes on Norfolk St as our Homecoming
- #18 Auburn plays Tennessee Tech
- #21 Arkansas plays Tenn-Chat
- #23 Hawaii plays two I-AA teams in Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern
- #24 Boise State vs. Weber St.
- #25 Texas A&M plays Montana St.

That's 13 teams, or 52% of the preseason top 25. Overall, the BCS schools will play 40 games against I-AA teams this year, while the non-BCS conferences will play an additional 37 games. That's up a game from last year's 76 total.

Info here.

Don't you think one of the Big East teams might be interested in playing Michigan? Connecticut, or Cincinatti., or even South Florida?

Sure they would. If they wanted to return the favor by playing a game in Cincinnatti or Storrs. Tampa is a possibility because they could have potential recruits in the area.

[Schmidty]

In response to the original post in this thread: I am a Michigan State Spartan fan. What do you think?