A Sea Of Red

Thanks for Chris for the heads up, but it looks like we now have our schedule locked in for this fall. Before I go a step further I am going to agree with everyone that the first three weeks are complete cream puffs that we should pound. But frankly after last season, I'm cool with that. Our guys need a boost in confidence and a pair of DIIs and the worst I-AA program in the nation are probably just what the doctor ordered.

We have gotten out of the date with Rutgers, but we still have the date at Wake. One I-A is probably plenty for us this fall even though we could use the guarantee money.

08/31 - TBA ......... St. Paul's
09/09 - TBA ......... Glenville State
09/16 - TBA ......... @ Savannah State
09/23 - TBA ......... @ Towson
09/30 - TBA ......... @ Wake Forest
10/07 - Open
10/14 - TBA ......... William & Mary (Homecoming)
10/21 - TBA ......... Gardner-Webb*
10/28 - 12:30pm . @ Coastal Carolina*
11/04 - TBA ......... Western Carolina
11/11 - TBA ......... Charleston Southern*
11/18 - TBA ......... @ VMI*

FlameFans Schedule Page

HOLY CRAP! That schedule sucks big time. Hopefully it won't shatter my interest in this program.

Lord have mercy. This schedule %$&@ing sucks

What the heck are we trying to do. Pattern our schedule after Chuck South. I am PO'ed right now. I think I will go take out my frustration somewhere but I will not kick my dogs.

Sly, you are not joking are you? I am off.

Easy now, steve. Take deep breaths.

Sure the first three games are not exactly awe-inspiring but they are followed up by three tough contests in a row before we get into Big South play. And then when you factor in a quality SoCon opponent squarely in the middle of league play, its not that bad.

Well, right now this schedule seems ok...I mean it is weak, but last year we played UConn, Ytwon State and W&M and get outscored 156-0...is that what we want to happen again? While I sorta kinda wish we had left Rutgers on (to get the $$$) instead of going down to Savannah State, a few wins is whats needed in order for this team to gain some confidence. Last year proved winning teams fill seats and losing teams don't.

However, I'm still upset at the schedule...Savannah St. plus 2 DIIs? Couldn't we have done the return game to Lehigh instead of one of those? eesh...

I honestly don't think we wanted to deal with Lehigh early in the first season under a new coach. This lineup gives us three games to get our house in order before the level play rises dramatically.

As for the trip to Savannah State, I'm guessing that was done in order to assure enough home games for 2007. I can't think of any other reason to drive that far to play in front of close friends & family of the worst team in America.

And BTW, I have built links to the football pages of these schools into the main schedule page on the forum. That way you can learn all you want about St. Paul's, Glenville State and our new friends down in Savannah.

I know its purely conjecture and it could change dramatically with hopefully a I-A or two coming onboard, but here's what we can expect for 2007 :

Home:
Savannah State
Coastal Carolina*
VMI*

Away:
William & Mary
Western Carolina
Gardner-Webb*
Charleston Southern*

Possibilties:
@ Lehigh
@ I-A (possibly two dates for paydays)
Prebyterian College (home or away if they get accepted into Big South as expected)

Does this sound right?

Since we are going to have some weak opponents we will get to see what Rocco has up his sleeve. I mean you can pretty much pound these guys but also try some people out in different situations where they could be used later in the season. I mean the first season for a coach shouldn't have an awe-inspiring schedule. Bottomline you need to win and win big, very few of the thousands of freshman/sophs on campus are going to care who you beat, they just want to see you win( at first). I just hope Rocco doesn't waste a snap and pounds these guys big with no mercy. If they want a 1-AA game, they better be prepared for a 40+ point loss and a few kids getting helped off the field by the trainer. I also find the open date interesting....after your big 1-A game you get two weeks to prepare for homecoming and W&M, i like it. Something tells me if you give Rocco and his staff that much time, we won't be dissappointed when all of the alum come to town. Just look at the positives here, lots of big plays and building lots of confidence going into the Big South Conference games, some of these guys need that after the beat down they have gotten with brutal opponents for years.

SLy...I've heard rumors that the Savannah St. game is not even a home and home. I think we were extremely desperate to fill the date, we had to take whatever we get.

SSU is equally desperate so I would be very surprised if it weren't reciprocated.

OK. After as hard as I have ripped the baseball team for its scheduling, I have to actually applaud this potential schedule. WE, along with Savannah State, are/were one of the worst I-AA programs; so, why the heck not ease up on our schedule. Karcher did improve the schedule--by leaps and bounds--but what did it get him and the program? The team needs the confidence, and what better to build fan and student interest than a winning team. Let us build interest and confidence, then up the schedule.

Alright, I am back from taking out my frustrations and to think logically. My opinion has not changed though. These first 3 games will not prepare us for the Towson, W & M, and W Carolina game at all. We could actually be 3-0 and be considered one of the worst teams in the country. Whatever happened to Georgtown, Norfolk State, Howard, or Delaware State, the possibilities to fill the last spots on the schedule. Any of those teams would be acceptable although I woun't be overjoyed to have any of them on the schedule. I was hoping for some lower tier Southern or Colonial teams like Elon, UT Chatt, or Rhode Island. Teams that would have given us a little respect and teams we should be able to compete with next year.

I remember Sam R's last year when we played 3 div 2 teams but at that time we didn't have the Big South weaklings taking up space on our schedule. We went 4-7 that year with 3 of the wins vs div 2 teams.

Of course it could be part of Rocco's plan but right now I don't see the logic in it all. I hope to God that he knows what he is doing.

Again, I point to Karcher's scheduling fiascos which got many players hurt and killed any chance the team could have at building confidence.

it is what it is guys. i too would have liked to see georgetown or howard or any other MEAC school, but we had to scramble. so we have two DII teams on the slate. at least savannah state is I-AA. im almost ready to bet money we will be 4-0 going to wake forest. coach rocco has a plan, and im sure to schedule will improve in 07. this team needs confidence, and the opportunity to start fast is a plus in my mind.

The scheduling has got to get better but results are important too.

The season was OVER last year after the UConn/YSU/W&M stretch. The team quit, had no confidence and mailed it in most of the rest of the way.

That's what he's trying to avoid. Towson, Rutgers and Wake, all in a row on the road, would have been another brutal stretch that could kill the season before it started.

Remember, along with Lehigh, there's a return trip to YSU in the future, too.

When you were clearly the WORST scholarship I-AA program in the country, you have to take baby steps to get back to respectability. Rocco's very smart in this respect.

Like I said, I hope he knows what he is doing. Nice way to put it Chris.

The season was OVER last year after the UConn/YSU/W&M stretch. The team quit, had no confidence and mailed it in most of the rest of the way.

aint that the truth. glad that miserable season is over.

SSU travels pretty good and they do return games. Be warned, if you go to the game in Savannah, take bug spray. The gnats are terrible at their place.

other than the gnats, savannah is a nice town. they throw a killer st. patrick's day party!

Too bad students "can't go" to that St. Patty's day party.

Why not. It's SPRING BREAK. What happens in Savannah, stays in Savannah!

Did I see that someone said Presbyterian is expected to be in the Big South?? Is that just in football or all sports? All I can say is I CAN'T wait for the chant "Go Hoes Go Hoes" (Trivia - what is Pres. nickname)

Also, I can't say I am disappointed with this schedule, I think it makes absolute sense, for two reasons.
1. If KK taught us one thing, it is that we are not ready, and may never be ready, for "Prime Time/DIA status. If we were we would have been competitive against those schools, even JMU (see another board)
2. Rocco is starting w/ a clean slate but his players aren't. There is an old saying that if you whip a dog long enough..... The teams morale was horrible last year. Rocco has shown me that he has a clue when it comes to coaching and team building. Sure these games aren't against power teams (Can you be a power team and be located in Lawrenceville VA?) but these should be wins. Remember, we almost LOST our non DI game last season. I do look for the schedule to improve a notch next year etc. Think of it as the "Frog in boiling water" parable. (I know one of our coaches is a big fan of analogies and stories)
Good for Rocco and BULLY for 06 football