The Bobcat Nation

Went to listen to Coach K today. I'll try to re-capture as much as I can:

1) Kramer is upset that we didn't make the playoffs. Well, not so much that we didn't make it as to the answer he was given as to why the Griz made it over us. He was told that they had one less D-I loss then us. And, that doesn't sit well with him.

2) Because of this, he is making a change to the way that we schedule games. He said that the athletic department feels an obligation to schedule 6 home games every year for the fans. So, with Northern Colorado coming into conference play next year (four home games and four away games), that leaves us with three games (weekends) to work with. Coach said that the NCAA will let us start playing 12 games/year by 2007. But, before that we will have the I-A money game that takes away one more weekend. So, in order to get to the six home games, we are not going to be able to set up home and home games with prominant I-AA teams. Also, because he recognizes that the committee looks at W/L records, he said to be ready for a D-II team to be scheduled every year along with a mid to upper level I-AA team. He stressed that it is very important that we continue, as fans, to support these games at home as the attendance revenue is extremely important. He pointed to the Sac State game, and the fact that we didn't get a sell out there possibly due to a lower quality team, as a concern for this new direction. But, he is dead set on making sure that we schedule appropriately to take the selection committee out of the equation as to whether we make the playoffs or not.

3) He talked about how excited for next year he is. He said that the reason they were not able to run the ball as much as he wanted to this year was because the tight end position was young and mistake prone. But that as the season wore on, they gelled and that's why we saw more two tight end sets and more running plays being called in the last 2 or 3 games. He said that next year we will go to what he called the "hallmark" of his coaching style and that's to throw the ball early and then run later in the game.

4) He spoke briefly on recruiting. They are allowed to start making visits starting on Sunday. So, he said some coaches are heading for CA and other areas. Kramer, Bailey and I think he said McEndoo are doing the Montana tour starting Sunday. He made mention that there are three talented QB's in the state and they plan on seeing all of them. He said there are no RB's that they are looking at; at least on a scholarship basis. They are looking at a possible transferr QB, 2-3 transfer WR's (he said two have starting I-A experience and sound really promising about making the switch over), possibly a transfer RB, transfer LB, high school D-line, I forget the rest. He seemed very upbeat and excited when he touched on this subject. I think we're going to see some great signees.
Coach also talked about how hard it's been to reruit in state. Amazingly, the biggest obstacle to landing quality recruits here has been peer pressure/teasing. The story went something like this: kids that were being recruited by them would go back and tell their friends and classmates that they were thinking about going to play for the 'Cats. Their friends would turn around with a "Why would you ever want to do a thing like that?" Because so many of these kids had never seen the Bobcats win a game against the Griz (he thinks the streak was a huge factor in how tough it's been), there was a real bias toward the Griz by these kids. Coach said that because they have been able to beat the Griz 3 out of the 4 last years, this has really started to open up some doors for them in being able to attract in state talent (I told him about what the West teacher has said on here about their being more Cat fans in his classroom this year for the first time then Griz fans and he just laughed and smiled).

5) One interesting thing that Coach mentioned was how very important Travis Lulay has been to the program. He said he has served as a bridge from the 'Cat program that struggled year after year due to only a few standout athletes on the team, to a team now that is loaded with great players. Because of the success that Travis brought to the program, it has allowed the coaches to go out and bring those players in. At the same time, Coach feels it is the right time for Travis' tenure to be done here. He said it is time for this team to become more then one man team. And, he says we've got the players to do it.

I've gotta tell you, I sooooooo love Kramer as our coach. I'm very excited to see how the recruiting goes this year.

It sounds very promising. I hope we can get those 2-3 Transfer WR's in the mix and we will be set! We already have Desin on board so depending on where he plays we have a SUPER athlete there to plug into the mix. This program just keeps getting better and better and Kramer is the architect!

I totally agree with what he says on the lesser teams coming to play etc. We need to get up there and support this team EVERY week as to make the playoffs you have to win EVERY HOME GAME! Get up there and have fun with the family/friends/tailgate and watch some great football next year!

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:It sounds very promising. I hope we can get those 2-3 Transfer WR's in the mix and we will be set! We already have Desin on board so depending on where he plays we have a SUPER athlete there to plug into the mix. This program just keeps getting better and better and Kramer is the architect!

I totally agree with what he says on the lesser teams coming to play etc. We need to get up there and support this team EVERY week as to make the playoffs you have to win EVERY HOME GAME! Get up there and have fun with the family/friends/tailgate and watch some great football next year!

Cardiac,
You just about mirrored what he said about the games being about the atmosphere as much as the game itself.

I think it's short-sighted to automatically say that we need to schedule a DII team. First, our recent track record suggests that those games won't be gimme's. Second, there are many I-AA teams that would probably love to come up to Bozo and play w/o committing to a home and home.

I like the I-A game - I wish it would always be a Pac-10 team, though. Most of us (fans) have many friends living in Pac-10 towns, and there are literally thousands of alums in those same places. Traveling to the Oregons and Washingtons of the Pac-10 would be great for the fans - and bring in the money.

Lastly, it wasn't the Selection Committee that kept the Cats of the bracket. It was the Cats. Heck, the Cats weren't even the next choice - that was probably going to be Youngstown. The only mistake the Committee made was to put Laffer in - that was a 'job.' In fact, it was Kramer who said that the Cats weren't playoff caliber. I don't think the griz are a playoff caliber team either, but they certainly have the $$$$ necessary to buy the Committee's nod.

Great post barechest! Thank you! I understand Kramer's position on scheduling teams. IMO, we should be able to beat ANY 1-AA team in Bozeman if we are as good as we think. Therefore don't schedule a D-II team or even a lower level 1-AA. Schedule Georgia Southern or Furman. We have to beat them anyway to win the NC!

gtapp wrote:Great post barechest! Thank you! I understand Kramer's position on scheduling teams. IMO, we should be able to beat ANY 1-AA team in Bozeman if we are as good as we think. Therefore don't schedule a D-II team or even a lower level 1-AA. Schedule Georgia Southern or Furman. We have to beat them anyway to win the NC!

Anybody but Cal Poly!

In regards to D2 teams and lower level D1 teams all you have to do is look at the Grizzly program. They have scheduled these weak teams for years and for years they have been going to the playoffs. What does that tell ya? Are we to proud to stoop to lower caliber teams just to say we have the toughest schedule? Hell with having a tough schedule, lets get in the playoffs. If you can't beat em, join em!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robcat wrote:In regards to D2 teams and lower level D1 teams all you have to do is look at the Grizzly program. They have scheduled these weak teams for years and for years they have been going to the playoffs. What does that tell ya? Are we to proud to stoop to lower caliber teams just to say we have the toughest schedule? Hell with having a tough schedule, lets get in the playoffs. If you can't beat em, join em!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree.
I am tired of everyone complaining the Griz got in with a weak schedule. I think we all knew deep down inside that we would not get into the playoffs with a 7-4 record. If we have to play an easier non-conference schedule, so be it. Trying to get through the BSC with only one lose is very hard, so you have to only take 1 non-conference lose a year (that of course will be the 1-A game). The selection committee made it very apparent that you must have an 8-3 record or better, so you have to schedule an 8-3 or better season- you have to have easy games on the schedule.

I hope we do not schedule a D2...not now not ever....

Why not just win 8 games instead of scheduling teams that are not competitive? The goal should be to play a TOUGH schedule and win at least 8. Look at Notre Dame, USC, Miami, Penn State, Florida State, Virginia Tech. They play a mean conference schedule and a very tough non-conference schedule. And they cannot afford to lose one game or risk being left out of the BCS bowls.

gtapp wrote:Why not just win 8 games instead of scheduling teams that are not competitive? The goal should be to play a TOUGH schedule and win at least 8. Look at Notre Dame, USC, Miami, Penn State, Florida State, Virginia Tech. They play a mean conference schedule and a very tough non-conference schedule. And they cannot afford to lose one game or risk being left out of the BCS bowls.

That's actually one of the positives of the BCS system -- a team MUST have a tough schedule of they will get passed on for consideration in the bowls. The difference between teams and the end of the season is often the SOS, and playing a tough schedule is richly rewarded.

In I-AA, though, with the vast differences in the quality of conferences (see Patriot v. BSC), but selection committees that stick close to W/L records as though all games are equal, it's hard to justify lining up a tough schedule. If the system doesn't reward that behavior, it won't like happen very often.

Maybe the selection committee should be involved with scheduling to some extent. They should set up games similar to the basketball bracket busters. Teams from the Patriot would play teams from the BSC, etc. and that way the committee can see how the conferences stack up.

Hold on a second; I didn' t think the committee gives ANY team credit for beating a DII school?

If that's the case, we should NEVER consider scheduling one.

El_Gato wrote:Hold on a second; I didn' t think the committee gives ANY team credit for beating a DII school?

If that's the case, we should NEVER consider scheduling one.

I think every team in the playoffs has a W over a DII, with the exception of maybe a couple.

CelticCat wrote:

El_Gato wrote:Hold on a second; I didn' t think the committee gives ANY team credit for beating a DII school?

If that's the case, we should NEVER consider scheduling one.

I think every team in the playoffs has a W over a DII, with the exception of maybe a couple.

El Gato is right. The committee didn't let the griz in because they were 8-3, they threw out the Ft. Lewis game, but the griz were still 7-3 and the committee didn' take any 7-4 teams unless it was an auto.

I hope we never stoop to the DII level, but we need to schedule a couple I-AA teams that we can beat since we already have a I-A school (money game) scheduled.

El_Gato wrote:Hold on a second; I didn' t think the committee gives ANY team credit for beating a DII school?

If that's the case, we should NEVER consider scheduling one.

Gato I know where you're coming from on this. When the schedule came out this year, I was ecstatic to see us playing some top caliber teams to toughen us up for the playoffs. I even admit to flipping the Griz fans some crap about their weak schedule. But, the problem is that it's being done nationwide. Texas State played two D-II teams this year and got in as an at large.
Kramer talked more at depth regarding this topic. Here are a few more of the things that he said:
1) Because so many of the teams are focused further east, it is tough financially to get them to commit to come here and play; especially when we don't have the ability to commit to a home and home contract with them. To get them to come play us and not expect a home game for them would cost quite a bit of money (taking away from the money we make in the I-A game), we can bring in a D-II team for a lot less and not have to worry about home and home situations with them.
2) Kramer also talked about how there are many teams out east (such as Marist who Kramer said Lafayette beat something like 44-0) which are not full scholarship I-AA programs. He said a lot of teams in the MEAC and the Patriot are this way. Due to the high concentration of programs out there, it is much easier to schedule low level I-AA teams and the committee actually views them as better opponents then say a transitional team such as NDSU. He doesn't pretend to say the system is even close to perfect. But, he also recognizes after this year that there is not enough consideration on playing one of the toughest schedules by committee members vs. playing D-II teams and/or low level I-AA easy win games. Simply put, playing a tough schedule out of pride has way more downside possibilities then any that may be an upside.

gtapp wrote:Why not just win 8 games instead of scheduling teams that are not competitive? The goal should be to play a TOUGH schedule and win at least 8. Look at Notre Dame, USC, Miami, Penn State, Florida State, Virginia Tech. They play a mean conference schedule and a very tough non-conference schedule. And they cannot afford to lose one game or risk being left out of the BCS bowls.

Gary,
The only flaw I see in your thoughts are that you don't see Notre Dame, Miami, Penn State, etc in the hunt for the national championship because of even a single loss. Other then Notre Dame, the OOC schedules these schools play are not all that impressive because they are trying to avoid that one loss that can take them out of the hunt.

OK, let's continue with the DII thoughts then; what if we had played Ft. Lewis instead of Cal Poly? If we exchange Ft. Lewis for either SFA or NDSU, wouldn't it have actually HURT our post-season chances, trading a I-AA win for a DII win?

So, if we had played and beaten Ft. Lewis instead of losing to Cal Poly, then our overall record would have been 8-3, same as the Griz, and still would've been the Big Sky Co-Champ with NO autobid.

If we had done that, does anyone still think the committee would've given us an at-large bid? Personally, I don't.

Can you imagine the uproar/outrage if that had happened?

El_Gato wrote:OK, let's continue with the DII thoughts then; what if we had played Ft. Lewis instead of Cal Poly? If we exchange Ft. Lewis for either SFA or NDSU, wouldn't it have actually HURT our post-season chances, trading a I-AA win for a DII win?

So, if we had played and beaten Ft. Lewis instead of losing to Cal Poly, then our overall record would have been 8-3, same as the Griz, and still would've been the Big Sky Co-Champ with NO autobid.

If we had done that, does anyone still think the committee would've given us an at-large bid? Personally, I don't.

Can you imagine the uproar/outrage if that had happened?

1) you are correct. It would have hurt our chances

2) We would have had the same record and would have beaten the Griz head to head. It's really impossible to say either way at this point. But, at least we would have been right in the middle of it with that 8-3 (7-3) record as the Griz had.

3) In the BSC it's unrealistic to say just go out and win the autobid every year; there's just too much disparity. But, all I am saying is that if we use logic when making up our schedule, we will not put ourselves into the position every year of HAVING to win the autobid.

Look at SIU. They played a team named UNION (Kentucky) and beat them like one million to zero. It certainly didn't hinder their entry into the playoffs. Admittedly, I haven't looked to see if Union is D-IAA or D-II.

Best case in my opinion is to play two lower level D-IAA teams in our OOC. But, if that can't happen. Does it really make sense to schedule an away game against a top notch team if it's going to result in a potential second loss before conference play begins?

Regardless, I think it's good for us to be debating the issue now.

Yeah, it pretty much comes down to the autobid to ENSURE that you get into the playoffs. We all know about all that politics that go into the at large selections so I say lets just win the darn conference OUTRIGHT if we can. We were 1 series away from doing that this year (Portland State game). We blew it and that is the way it goes I guess. It sucks, but we need to bypass the committee and just get in by ourselves from now on.