[jcmanson]

I'm calling a W against State.

[NG33]

I definitely know that I'll be making the trip to Carter-Finley Stadium come 9/03

[jbock13]

I don't think it's so much of a stretch to say the NC State game will be a good game. While I'm sure NC State will win, we should be proud of how we have played in the Rocco era against FBS teams. I was there in 2009 in West Virginia (which I could not miss because I was born there and that is the team I always love), and I came away impressed with the way we played in that game. Of course, it's too early to tell exactly what our chances are in that game, but I will definately be at NC State for that game. In the same way, it would really do some good if we can have a bye week before the game at Stony Brook to help the team focus.

I'm a little worried at our non-conference schedule being so tough. Not saying we can't beat JMU, Lehigh, etc., but with the Big South auto-bid there's really no reward for playing a hard schedule, as SCSU being picked has shown us.

[LUnpretty11]

I actually love this schedule. I think the Rocco should get 5 stars on this one. Especially if we can get a home game for the last open spot, then that would be perfect. Love the Lehigh series Rocco has got us punched in for.

[SumItUp]

[quote="LUnpretty11"]I actually love this schedule. I think Rocco & Paul Rutigliano should get 5 stars on this one. Especially if we can get a home game for the last open spot, then that would be perfect. Love the Lehigh series Rocco & Paul Rutigliano have got us punched in for.[/quote

FIFY

[SuperJon]

I really hope we fill that November date with a pretty decent FCS team. Even if we were to lose that game, I want us to have to play at a high level the week before Stony Brook.

[jcmanson]

I really hope we fill that November date with a pretty decent FCS team. Even if we were to lose that game, I want us to have to play at a high level the week before Stony Brook.

Yeah, but the problem is we want a home game to get to 6, and who else has openings either of our 2 open weeks? I'm sure our pickings are slim.

[BJWilliams]

As I said before, if I could get a hold of the guy on AGS who had a site that posted all the different schedules in FCS for the ipcoming season that certainly would help the situation out

[SuperJon]

As I said before, if I could get a hold of the guy on AGS who had a site that posted all the different schedules in FCS for the ipcoming season that certainly would help the situation out

It's Travis and he hasn't done them yet. He said he's doing them this weekend.

[BJWilliams]

Ok. I had PMd him about it yesterday and hadnt heard back but sounds like you have...thanks for the update Jon

[SuperJon]

He posted that in a thread over there. I hadn't been there in a week and looked at two threads yesterday and saw that. It's not some hidden information.

[BigAl57]

I think the only "guaranteed" loss on the schedule at this point is the opener against the Wolfpack.

Let's cancel the trip.

not so fast on the guaranteed loss. their quarterback is not coming back next year. he signed a pro baseball contract and played baseball all spring and summer. They will have a new "inexperienced" quarterback next year.

[Purple Haize]

Norfolk State. Tell them to bring their band. Heck any HBCU with a good marching band! They are worth the price of admission right there! (No offense to the LU band)

[Rooster Cogburn]

I just hope we can pull off another 1-AA there and not a 2. this schedule os the best we've had in recent year. great oportunities.

[bigsmooth]

i would rather go on the road and play a good I-AA...which is what i will always call it, with no return game than play a DII, but that big shiny football tower will require more home games.

[TDDance234]

Am I the only one thinking that opening w/ NC State, RMU and JMU is bad news? We could be staring at 0-3 right out of the gate.

[El Scorcho]

Am I the only one thinking that opening w/ NC State, RMU and JMU is bad news? We could be staring at 0-3 right out of the gate.

Welcome to a quality schedule. It's new to us, but that's how it should go. I sure hope the Flames are ready to play when the season starts.

[flameshaw]

If we lose to RMU again, we are in bigger trouble than being 0-3.

[jcmanson]

We have a better chance of starting 3-0 than 0-3

[TDDance234]

We have a better chance of starting 3-0 than 0-3

I don't see how you can say that. JMU is 2-0 against us the past two years and RMU isn't going to be a pushover. NCSU should be competitive (see WVU).

We certainly don't have a better shot. If anything, 2-1 would be ideal but we're probably looking at 1-2 or even 0-3 if we play like we have against better competition. We shouldn't lose to RMU but we shouldn't have lost to them this year.

[jcmanson]

We won't lose to RMU in 2011. You can book that. We will at least split NCSU and JMU. You heard it here first.

[olldflame]

While I am not sure I agree with Manson's statement, there is one huge difference between this year and next. We play RMU and JMU at home. I think we will win both of those, and give NCSU a game of it.

As far as strength of schedule is concerned, I have never been a big fan of playing D2 teams, but after looking at what the selection comittee did this year, I don't see a lot of value in having a tough non-conference schedule. It's not like basketball, where "playing up" can toughen you up for the conference schedule either. If anything it works the other way.

[BJWilliams]

and remember also that a couple plays go our way against JMU (from what Ive gathered since I wasnt at the game), we win that game. Also, last time JMU came to town, Chris Summers was a non-factor and then there was the fact that it was a rain of almost biblical proportions. since 2007 we've only lost twice at home (Lafayette and JMU) so I do not think we are going to end up 0-3 to start the year

[TDDance234]

and remember also that a couple plays go our way against JMU (from what Ive gathered since I wasnt at the game), we win that game. Also, last time JMU came to town, Chris Summers was a non-factor and then there was the fact that it was a rain of almost biblical proportions. since 2007 we've only lost twice at home (Lafayette and JMU) so I do not think we are going to end up 0-3 to start the year

...and if you're aunt had different body parts, she'd be your uncle.

We can play the "what-if" game forever. We've lost two straight games to JMU, with both of them being "one or two plays away" from being wins. The reality is we haven't beat a quality opponent when it mattered since Elon (and possibly Stony Brook).

It's not a stretch to say we can win any of those games. However, to say we've got a better chance at 3-0 is ridiculous.

[BJWilliams]

I didnt say that we would go 3-0...If we did start the year 3-0 that should rocket us up in the polls...but as I said, I do not think we wil start 0-3 (something we havent done since I think 2003 if memory serves me correctly)