[Sly Fox]

Norfolk State released their 2013 schedule today and we are not on it.

I was wondering how we were going to have enough home dates with multiple road trips to Hampton Roads. Either we bought our way out or the return date was pushed back. I have no inside information on either possibility.

That follows JMU releasing their schedule a week ago without the Flames on it.

[givemethemic]

My sources from 35,000 ft say Monmouth and a D2 school.... Surely we can make the playoffs this year!!!!! With a brand new locker room that should get us over the hump!

[phoenix]

My sources from 35,000 ft say Monmouth and a D2 school....

ugh. How can any FBS conference take us seriously when we're still playing D2 schools??!

[BJWilliams]

At this juncture Im not surprised. with the 12 game season, everyone is trying to maximize their opportunities for home gate. that said, and I think its been noted quite a few times on here, a lot of the major teams at our level dont want to do a home and home or anything that would mean playing Liberty on our turf (no pun intended). A win over Liberty doesnt get the needle moving as far as the postseason is concerned, but a loss can do serious damage so they tend to go with teams that are easy marks, for lack of a better way of putting it.

[forbidden]

So they can lose to us and it damages them, but a win does nothing, but in the same breath how does it not help us out more by having the victory over so called team. I think that makes us that much more viable to someone becuz we can do damage possibly.

[BJWilliams]

Its difficult filling out that dance card that is for sure

[g-webb1994]

Difficult to fill, apparently we gave up, scheduled two NAIA schools, Point, in their second year of play, and Warner, a first year program, and one will be homecoming.

[01LUGrad]

Meh, I used to think that scheduling a ton of tough teams was the way to go. Then I started paying attention to what the SEC top flights do each year. They have 3 super-tough games, a couple of "it will probably be close for a couple of quarters" games, about 4 "we should win this with the freshman playing" games, and then 2 or 3 complete cupcakes (usually FCS teams). By the way, I'm not knocking this. 7 straight national championships from one conference says it's working really well.

Stony Brook is gone. Let's throw Joe Schmoe U on the schedule, worry about getting the Big South title, and head to the playoffs healthy.

[forbidden]

seems whatever way we go we better take advantage of it now, cuz IF we get the FBS there won't be nomore lets wait till conference play to turn it on. I think we were barely "bowl" eligible this year. I say go the way 3 toughies, 6 conf, 3 cakes (1st or 2nd) home game with 1 being the frosh playing game (probably 1st) homer. Sort of like what @01 was saying

[jbock13]

I agree with 01. The Big South is not a two bid conference, especially now with Stony Brook gone, who was the only exception to the rule.

[SumItUp]

I agree with 01. The Big South is not a two bid conference, especially now with Stony Brook gone, who was the only exception to the rule.

I disagree. With 24 teams in the playoffs next year, if Liberty wins the conference and Coastal has 8 D1 wins, they will get selected.

[forbidden]

how would they get selected, I thought the conf winner get the AQ bid

[SumItUp]

In that scenario, Liberty would be selected as the automatic qualifier and I believe that Coastal Carolina would be selected to receive an at-large birth.

[Sly Fox]

SumItUp is correct in that the old paradigm has shifted with playoff expansion. I see this year being an indicator of what is to come for lower level leagues like the Big South finally getting some regular at-large bids.

[olldflame]

how would they get selected, I thought the conf winner get the AQ bid

He is referring to a second bid.

[01LUGrad]

Think of how last year could have been pretty different if we hadn't had so many injuries during the first crazy stretch of our schedule. I'm not saying we shouldn't attempt to get good teams on the schedule, but if we can't, let's not get too upset. I'm realize that more teams are going to be in the playoffs, but I still have this feeling that the selection committee would go out of their way to keep us out if it was close. Why not be happy beating up on the cupcakes and then go into conference season healthy?

[Sly Fox]

I agree to an extent but the selection committee gives much greater consideration to non-scholarship Pioneer League & low-scholie NEC wins over strong D2 victories. So I think the angst over D2s is more aimed at that frustration than the competition level or marketing value.

[Sly Fox]

I wonder if the Sun Belt losing two teams out of their 2013 conference schedule has opened up some possible dates for us to slide into the gaps?

[jbock13]

My sources from 35,000 ft say Monmouth and a D2 school....

ugh. How can any FBS conference take us seriously when we're still playing D2 schools??!

Delaware plays a D2 almost ever year. Montana has in the past as well.

[BiggAl57]

My sources from 35,000 ft say Monmouth and a D2 school....

ugh. How can any FBS conference take us seriously when we're still playing D2 schools??!

Delaware plays a D2 almost ever year. Montana has in the past as well.

Yeah but they win all their other games so they still qualify for an at large with 7 D1 wins

[comet]

UVA has backed out of their commitment to play at Penn State on September 14.

PSU AD Dave Joyner: "The University of Virginia notified Penn State that it would not be playing the Sept. 14, 2013 game scheduled for Beaver Stadium in order to play a home game on that date. We are working with Virginia to re-schedule the game for Beaver Stadium in a future season. We have begun discussions to find an opponent for the Sept. 14 date and expect to make that announcement very soon."

Flames Nation should pursue this game.

[BJWilliams]

Flames Nation isnt the one to talk to comet...Id email the AD because theyre the ones who make games happen

[SuperJon]

We're gonna play two DIIs this year. I'd rather just play 11 games than play 12 games with two DIIs. And our home schedule is going to be terrible.

[comet]

BJ, I already sent a note to Joyner at Penn State. But, if "Flames Nation" as it is on this board are going to be discussing/venting/complaining about the need to play quality opponents ahead of our desired move to FBS, then I would hope I'm not the only one that would be a fan of a Liberty @ Penn State game on September 14.

[bigsmooth]

Jon is right..... And UVA is playing Oregon since penn state backed out.