The Big 10 has changed football scheduling requirements and I couldn't be happier

[82hoosier]

The conference has now changed the ground rules so teams like Indiana have to step-up their game. No more weak non-conference schedules. Many will argue that this will decrease the likelihood of Indiana going to a bowl game. How could it set less likely? I think the opposite. Many people on this board bemoaned the scheduling of Missouri last year. And that game turned out to be the only bright spot of the year.

I have watched 35 years of IU football where I have had zero interest in most of the non-conference schedule. I think more people will buy season tickets if they are going to see USC rather the North Texas State. And I think football recruits would want to go to a school that plays tougher opponents

I wondering if the powers inside the athletic department are secretly cheering the required changes that they did not have the courage to initiate on their own.

The end of this loser Hoosier scheduling strategy is finally just around the corner

 

[BillyMak]

I too hate the idea of playing such weak opponents in the preseason. Even if doing so adds to the W-L records no player, commentator, high school coach, or even casual fan is fooled into thinking the program is improving. 6-6 and getting into some charade if a bowl game is not my idea of success. Beating four weenie teams and landing in a Dec. 10 bowl game . . .hard to sell that as success to anyone!

The critical thing in my view is getting coaches who can develop players to be NFL ready. Unlike the NBA draft where almost all the best high school players become the best on their college team (as freshman) and then leave for the pros, the NFL draft regularly takes small college and mid major players that become household names in "the league".

The right coaches can make 8-4 or 9-3 a reality even at IU, and that is the level if success I believe is sustainable even in a tough bg ten east.

 

[Rangeline Fan]

...The right coaches can make 8-4 or 9-3 a reality even at IU, and that is the level if success I believe is sustainable even in a tough bg ten east.

So....how many coaches do we have to go through to find one that can go 8-4 or 9-3 regularly with an more difficult schedule?

Better question...in over 125 years of football at Indiana, how many times have we finished with a winning percentage of .67 or better? From what I can find and presuming my math is correct, IU has only had 21 seasons with a winning percentage at or above .667.

1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1905, 1906, 1910, 1917, 1920, 1921, 1936, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1967, 1979, 1987, 1988 & 1993

31 Coaches...Only 8 have had a season above .667

Gontermon - 2 (96 & 97)
Home - 4 (98, 99, 00 & 01)
Sheldon - 3 (05, 06 & 10)
Stiehm - 3 (17, 20 & 21)
McMillan - 4 (36, 44, 45 & 46)
Pont - 1 (67)
Corso - 1 (79)
Mallory - 3 (87, 88 & 93)

link

The right coaches may be able to do that at IU...but finding them and them wanting to coach at IU is something that hasn't happened much in our long history...and that is WITH the benefit of being able to schedule weak schools.

 

[peytonrules]

Yeah a better schedule will bring in fans. Cause that Mizzou game here was so heavily attended, oh yeah and down at half, people left at halftime.

 

[Orbit7958]

We need 6 wins.

If we have to schedule 3 1AA teams, so be it

We're going to need to be really smart about scheduling going forward. I won't hold my breath.

 

[82hoosier]

History has shown the strategy of scheduling MAC teams with hopes of getting to bowl games was very unsuccessful. End of story. It did not work. Historically, most years IU has been near the bottom of the conference in recruiting and near the bottom in wins. Over a number of decades this strategy has proven to be unsuccessful. And every pre-season we talk about everybody looks bigger and stronger and faster. And every year the freshman are getting playing time by the middle of the season and it is wait until next year and we still to have to play Purdue.

Ground Hog Day!

Like every year I hope this the year that the cycle is broken. It is going to happen. I has to happen...... I hope.

 

[Orbit7958]

we need to lock Kansas in to a 20 year contract

 

[kmathum]

The conference has now changed the ground rules so teams like Indiana have to step-up their game. No more weak non-conference schedules. Many will argue that this will decrease the likelihood of Indiana going to a bowl game. How could it set less likely? I think the opposite. Many people on this board bemoaned the scheduling of Missouri last year. And that game turned out to be the only bright spot of the year.

I have watched 35 years of IU football where I have had zero interest in most of the non-conference schedule. I think more people will buy season tickets if they are going to see USC rather the North Texas State. And I think football recruits would want to go to a school that plays tougher opponents

I wondering if the powers inside the athletic department are secretly cheering the required changes that they did not have the courage to initiate on their own.

The end of this loser Hoosier scheduling strategy is finally just around the corner

so you think lu fans are going to line up to see us get blasted by usc,alabama,and maybe florida st.? uh, ok. .i think we're all looking forward to the day when we can lineup with these teams and be competitive.but that day isn't here yet. you gotta walk before you can run.

 

[82hoosier]

When I was a student we played a home game against USC with Marcus Allen. The game was close at half-time. It was great. I can't remember anything about the MAC games - not even who we played.

I have been hearing about walking before running for 25+ years

 

[RBB89]

When I was a student we played a home game against USC with Marcus Allen. The game was close at half-time. It was great. I can't remember anything about the MAC games - not even who we played.

I have been hearing about walking before running for 25+ years

That's great. But teams on that level will simply not play in Bloomington now, so hold on to that memory.

 

[kmathum]

When I was a student we played a home game against USC with Marcus Allen. The game was close at half-time. It was great. I can't remember anything about the MAC games - not even who we played.

I have been hearing about walking before running for 25+ years

i've been an iu fan since 69. you may have to hear it a few more years.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

It works both ways 82.
You perhaps remembered Nebraska with I.M. Hipp who ran for a gazillion yards and whipped our our ass on national television when it was the game of the week?

I would much rather have a winning record every year and if we have to play 4 puds in non conference to get there, so be it. You know why?
It's entirely about perception and at the end of the day, recruits and the rest of the nation pays attention to your wins and losses and bowl appearances, not who you you played necessarily along the way. The perception is that the school wins and goes to bowls.

Boise State gets attention and they don't play a gautlet. But, they go to bowls and that's what people know about the program.

Hell, the Big Ten is going to give IU 8 other recognized opponents every season. Why add on to it?

 

[82IUGraduate]

We already have a tough enough schedule the way it is now. If you look back at the lack of success we have had against the likes of Ohio St (12-71-5)., Michigan (9-54), Michigan State (15-44) and Penn St (1-17) it would kill any coach's momentum to try and make the schedule tougher. If you throw in Nebraska and Wisconsin from the West you would already have a 5 or 6 loss schedule staring you down with no room for error. I agree with RBB89, no big name team from out of the conference will come to Btown and why would anyone want to see another 69-17 game like the 1978 Nebraska game. Sure the games sound exciting for fans until the reality hits and our team loses by 30+. While I don't really want to see Towson State again, IU has to be smart in scheduling to try get the program out of the hole. If we get up the level of the late 80's and early 90's teams, then we can shop around to get a few more sexy opponents in Memorial Stadium or maybe play in Lucas Oil. The decision to cut out the weak sisters on the schedule will only help the ratings for those on top. The bottom feeders like IU will find it even harder to get to a bowl game now. The facts are facts. Unless they move us out of the BIG East to the BIG West we will have a tough row to hoe each and every year. We could get considerably better and still wind up 4-8 or 5-7 every year with no bowl game and we will still be changing coaches every 4-5 years. Besides, if you look at who comes to Bloomington this year (Ohio St, Michigan, Iowa and Rutgers) you should get to see some excellent talent.

82

 

[82hoosier]

It works both ways 82.
You perhaps remembered Nebraska with I.M. Hoop who ran for a gazillion yards and whipped our our ass on national television when it was the game of the week?

I would much rather have a winning record every year and if we have to play 4 puds in non conference to get there, so be it. You know why?
It's entirely about perception and at the end of the day, recruits and the rest of the nation pays attention to your wins and losses and bowl appearances, not who you you played necessarily along the way. The perception is that the school wins and goes to bowls.

Boise State gets attention and they don't play a gautlet. But, they go to bowls and that's what people know about the program.

Hell, the Big Ten is going to give IU 8 other recognized opponents every season. Why add on to it?

You want to have a winning record every year. We never have a winning record! A legendary season would be going 6-6 and playing at the Boardwalk Bowl in New Jersey in front of 16,000 ravenous fans.

And Boise State gets attention because they beat Oklahoma in a big bowl game.

 

[82hoosier]

We already have a tough enough schedule the way it is now. If you look back at the lack of success we have had against the likes of Ohio St (12-71-5)., Michigan (9-54), Michigan State (15-44) and Penn St (1-17) it would kill any coach's momentum to try and make the schedule tougher. If you throw in Nebraska and Wisconsin from the West you would already have a 5 or 6 loss schedule staring you down with no room for error. I agree with RBB89, no big name team from out of the conference will come to Btown and why would anyone want to see another 69-17 game like the 1978 Nebraska game. Sure the games sound exciting for fans until the reality hits and our team loses by 30+. While I don't really want to see Towson State again, IU has to be smart in scheduling to try get the program out of the hole. If we get up the level of the late 80's and early 90's teams, then we can shop around to get a few more sexy opponents in Memorial Stadium or maybe play in Lucas Oil. The decision to cut out the weak sisters on the schedule will only help the ratings for those on top. The bottom feeders like IU will find it even harder to get to a bowl game now. The facts are facts. Unless they move us out of the BIG East to the BIG West we will have a tough row to hoe each and every year. We could get considerably better and still wind up 4-8 or 5-7 every year with no bowl game and we will still be changing coaches every 4-5 years. Besides, if you look at who comes to Bloomington this year (Ohio St, Michigan, Iowa and Rutgers) you should get to see some excellent talent.

82

IU, over the last century, was the worst team in the history of big-time college football. That is not an opinion. That is a fact. And, yes, many fans on this board embraced this terrible, failed strategy of scheduling with a short-term goal of getting into a totally meaningless bowl game. I am emboldened by the Big 10 finally saying enough is enough - you can't do this any more. I may have been in the minority but now the conference decided to end the charade. I am optimistic that this will help the Hoosiers.

And, yes, the conference divisions are a joke. But the names Legends and Leaders was a joke too. These things will change. The conference divisions will change.

The days of drawing 32,000 fans against a no-name teams in hopes of playing in a meaningless bowl game are almost behind us. Not to mention that we almost never got into that meaningless bowl game.

IU can now compete with facilities. It is part of the TV contract. All is left is competing on the field.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

82,

Why is it that nobody has had a problem with the IU basketball program scheduling Podunk State for the better part of the entire non-conference schedule? And, they have done this for decades!

The answer is that IU basketball has enjoyed success in the past and fans will show up to watch these cream puff teams because they eat, sleep and breath IU basketball.
It is no different than a Clemson or Alabama regularly scheduling teams like The Citadel or some other small, regional school: fans there will show up because it's football, it's the South and it's a way of life.

Fans are not going to show up necessarily because of the opponent. OSU proves that when 1/2 our fans sell their tickets to the fine people from Columbus.

You've got this a bit backwards. You've got to be successful FIRST and then upgrade the schedule. Cam Cameron played the North Carolinas, NC States and Utahs of the world. What the hell did that get him?

 

[Orbit7958]

82,

Why is it that nobody has had a problem with the IU basketball program scheduling Podunk State for the better part of the entire non-conference schedule? And, they have done this for decades!

The answer is that IU basketball has enjoyed success in the past and fans will show up to watch these cream puff teams because they eat, sleep and breath IU basketball.
It is no different than a Clemson or Alabama regularly scheduling teams like The Citadel or some other small, regional school: fans there will show up because it's football, it's the South and it's a way of life.

Fans are not going to show up necessarily because of the opponent. OSU proves that when 1/2 our fans sell their tickets to the fine people from Columbus.

You've got this a bit backwards. You've got to be successful FIRST and then upgrade the schedule. Cam Cameron played the North Carolinas, NC States and Utahs of the world. What the hell did that get him?

I cannot agree more.

nice post

 

[Rangeline Fan]

Ive spoken out several times about how weak the bball schedule is...

 

[82hoosier]

82,

Why is it that nobody has had a problem with the IU basketball program scheduling Podunk State for the better part of the entire non-conference schedule? And, they have done this for decades!

The answer is that IU basketball has enjoyed success in the past and fans will show up to watch these cream puff teams because they eat, sleep and breath IU basketball.
It is no different than a Clemson or Alabama regularly scheduling teams like The Citadel or some other small, regional school: fans there will show up because it's football, it's the South and it's a way of life.

Fans are not going to show up necessarily because of the opponent. OSU proves that when 1/2 our fans sell their tickets to the fine people from Columbus.

You've got this a bit backwards. You've got to be successful FIRST and then upgrade the schedule. Cam Cameron played the North Carolinas, NC States and Utahs of the world. What the hell did that get him?

 

[82hoosier]

Two years ago IU's basketball schedule was so pathetic that it did not eve qualify for the NIT.

 

[TheSpa]

That's great. But teams on that level will simply not play in Bloomington now, so hold on to that memory.

Can you tell us about IU's last unsuccessful attempt to schedule a home and home with a program "on that level"?

 

[toastedbread]

The conference has now changed the ground rules so teams like Indiana have to step-up their game. No more weak non-conference schedules. Many will argue that this will decrease the likelihood of Indiana going to a bowl game. How could it set less likely? I think the opposite. Many people on this board bemoaned the scheduling of Missouri last year. And that game turned out to be the only bright spot of the year.

I have watched 35 years of IU football where I have had zero interest in most of the non-conference schedule. I think more people will buy season tickets if they are going to see USC rather the North Texas State. And I think football recruits would want to go to a school that plays tougher opponents

I wondering if the powers inside the athletic department are secretly cheering the required changes that they did not have the courage to initiate on their own.

The end of this loser Hoosier scheduling strategy is finally just around the corner

The problem is that Kevin Wilson can't even beat Ball State. Don't think this will turn out well for IU.

 

[RBB89]

The problem is that Kevin Wilson can't even beat Ball State. Don't think this will turn out well for IU.

Kevin Wilson can beat the SEC East champions! This is going to turn out well for IU!

See I can post stupid crap too.

 

[RBB89]

Can you tell us about IU's last unsuccessful attempt to schedule a home and home with a program "on that level"?

I am not in the AD. But I think it's a safe bet that Bama, USC, ND, FSU, etc would not come up here to play. I mean the ND thing is well known. Why would they?

 

[toastedbread]

Kevin Wilson can beat the SEC East champions! This is going to turn out well for IU!

See I can post stupid crap too.

Remind me of his overall record again? We need to pray to god that IU gets lucky and hires the right guys for both major coaching positions. It will take pure lighting strike luck for Glass to do it right.

 

[TheSpa]

I am not in the AD. But I think it's a safe bet that Bama, USC, ND, FSU, etc would not come up here to play. I mean the ND thing is well known. Why would they?

So you don't even know whether they've tried to schedule anyone of that caliber or not, yet you claim they can't?

 

[Rangeline Fan]

Remind me of his overall record again? We need to pray to god that IU gets lucky and hires the right guys for both major coaching positions. It will take pure lighting strike luck for Glass to do it right.

Do we need to remind you the overall record for IU's football program? Who is the right hire for football? Who will be the person to turn it around? Remember, it has to be someone that actually wants to come to IU as well...and that isn't the easiest thing in the coaching world to find.

You might be better served to stay on the basketball boards.

 

[Rangeline Fan]

So you don't even know whether they've tried to schedule anyone of that caliber or not, yet you claim they can't?

Those teams aren't going to come to Indiana...Those teams can pick and choose who and where they play. IU could call and say "Hey Nick, how you doing? How about driving north and rekindling those memories of playing in Memorial Stadium?". Once he's done laughing, he may offer IU the opportunity to come play at Alabama...but no way are the big dogs coming here to play football without something major in return....and I guarantee that as part of the deal (which is occasionally) the basketball team won't go to Alabama, or LA or Tallahassee to play a road game just to bring their football teams here.

 

[toastedbread]

Do we need to remind you the overall record for IU's football program? Who is the right hire for football? Who will be the person to turn it around? Remember, it has to be someone that actually wants to come to IU as well...and that isn't the easiest thing in the coaching world to find.

You might be better served to stay on the basketball boards.

Find a young and upcoming guy who is ingenuitive and has won at lower levels. The Big Ten TV money is there. Iu sucks at hiring football coaches. Look at their results post IU.

 

[TheSpa]

Those teams aren't going to come to Indiana...Those teams can pick and choose who and where they play. IU could call and say "Hey Nick, how you doing? How about driving north and rekindling those memories of playing in Memorial Stadium?". Once he's done laughing, he may offer IU the opportunity to come play at Alabama...but no way are the big dogs coming here to play football without something major in return....and I guarantee that as part of the deal (which is occasionally) the basketball team won't go to Alabama, or LA or Tallahassee to play a road game just to bring their football teams here.

Which instance of IU's failed efforts to schedule a high caliber are you most familiar with? Saying that no one will schedule IU without any proof whatsoever means you don't have any knowledge of the subject, especially since Washington, Nebraska, USC and LSU have all made the trip.

 

[RBB89]

Remind me of his overall record again? We need to pray to god that IU gets lucky and hires the right guys for both major coaching positions. It will take pure lighting strike luck for Glass to do it right.

We have one coach since the 40s with a winning record. Bill Mallory is revered and he had a poor record. Hep, God love him, had some bad losses and a losing record. He had people here calling him Coach Hype. This board isn't exactly a beacon of knowledge of who to hire to lead the program.

 

[RBB89]

Which instance of IU's failed efforts to schedule a high caliber are you most familiar with? Saying that no one will schedule IU without any proof whatsoever means you don't have any knowledge of the subject, especially since Washington, Nebraska, USC and LSU have all made the trip.

Yes, in the 1970s.

 

[RBB89]

Find a young and upcoming guy who is ingenuitive and has won at lower levels. The Big Ten TV money is there. Iu sucks at hiring football coaches. Look at their results post IU.

Yeah, and as soon as that guy has a baffling loss (and it will happen), it will be time to find another new coach.

 

[toastedbread]

We have one coach since the 40s with a winning record. Bill Mallory is revered and he had a poor record. Hep, God love him, had some bad losses and a losing record. He had people here calling him Coach Hype. This board isn't exactly a beacon of knowledge of who to hire to lead the program.

Well I hope IU doesn't read a message board to hire a coach. Having said that, anyone who has won or competed at any endeavor has some understanding of what it takes to win. As a successful coach myself in another field, you can tell very quickly who is talented, and which coaches are capable. I imagine the same applies to football.

 

[toastedbread]

Yeah, and as soon as that guy has a baffling loss (and it will happen), it will be time to find another new coach.

Wilson is in year 5 and has had a myriad of poor showings.

 

[Rangeline Fan]

Which instance of IU's failed efforts to schedule a high caliber are you most familiar with? Saying that no one will schedule IU without any proof whatsoever means you don't have any knowledge of the subject, especially since Washington, Nebraska, USC and LSU have all made the trip.

Two things...I said those teams aren't coming to Indiana to play. I didn't say that no one will schedule IU. What proof do you have that IU has tried to schedule any of the schools mentioned (Alabama, FSU and USC?)

Well aware that IU has tried to schedule Notre Dame...they have tried that for years...but just like anyone else, we do nothing for them. They won't play in Bloomington because they don't receive any gate money. They won't play us in South Bend because they don't need to beat us for any recruits.

It's no different than why IU won't call Butler to play in Hinkle, IPFW to play in Fort Wayne, Indiana State to play in the Holman Center, etc...etc...etc...

 

[TheSpa]

Two things...I said those teams aren't coming to Indiana to play. I didn't say that no one will schedule IU. What proof do you have that IU has tried to schedule any of the schools mentioned (Alabama, FSU and USC?)

Well aware that IU has tried to schedule Notre Dame...they have tried that for years...but just like anyone else, we do nothing for them. They won't play in Bloomington because they don't receive any gate money. They won't play us in South Bend because they don't need to beat us for any recruits.

It's no different than why IU won't call Butler to play in Hinkle, IPFW to play in Fort Wayne, Indiana State to play in the Holman Center, etc...etc...etc...

So, you say none of those schools will come to IU but you have no idea whether any effort has been made to bring them to Bloomington? So you really don't know what you're talking about, right?

 

[TheSpa]

Yes, in the 1970s.

Who have they spoken with recently? You don't seem to know, do you?

 

[Rangeline Fan]

So, you say none of those schools will come to IU but you have no idea whether any effort has been made to bring them to Bloomington? So you really don't know what you're talking about, right?

What effort has been made? You seem sure of it...what is your source and who have they contacted?

My proof is in the schedule we play....what is yours?

 

[TheSpa]

What effort has been made? You seem sure of it...what is your source and who have they contacted?

My proof is in the schedule we play....what is yours?

You made the claim that no high level teams would come to IU and now that you can't back it up, you're trying to wiggle off the line. Go away if you can't do any better than that.