games. We all know Coach Snyder's preferred approach. "Stair-step" into the conference schedule. Play teams with similar schemes to better conference opponents. Sacrifice quality competition in September for the ability to play 2nd and 3rd string guys to assist in their development. It all makes sense.
However there is also something to be said for the motivation and excitement of playing a quality team. The series with Stanford is great. Vanderbilt, not so much.
What is ironic is some of the "cupcakes" Coach has scheduled over the years are "cupcakes" in name only. North Dakota State was a quality team, but the main-stream media only sees "FCS". Even teams like UTSA and Louisiana Tech are much better teams than the main-stream media gives them credit. Unfortunately, for the media coverage and the new committee, I think the name on the jerseys (and the conference affiliation) is more important than the quality of the team.
Problem is, teams like Kansas, Boston College, Indiana, Oregon State, etc...are and will be pursued by good teams to schedule, to maximize FCS teams on their schedules.
However there is also something to be said for the motivation and excitement of playing a quality team. The series with Stanford is great. Vanderbilt, not so much.
What is ironic is some of the "cupcakes" Coach has scheduled over the years are "cupcakes" in name only. North Dakota State was a quality team, but the main-stream media only sees "FCS". Even teams like UTSA and Louisiana Tech are much better teams than the main-stream media gives them credit. Unfortunately, for the media coverage and the new committee, I think the name on the jerseys (and the conference affiliation) is more important than the quality of the team.
Problem is, teams like Kansas, Boston College, Indiana, Oregon State, etc...are and will be pursued by good teams to schedule, to maximize FCS teams on their schedules.
