Interesting football scheduling

[HoustonCajun]

_ The team that plays better will likely be the one that has the most talent and we all know which team that is. Talent differential is largely because of the difference in resources between the two programs. Resource difference is largely a case of conferenc affiliation and historical events. Getting several million dollars for having your conference champion in a BCS bowl every year is something mid majors can't take advantage of. Nothing will change that anytime soon and we need to work to increase our resources. Fortunately we have started to do that. It does amaze me how few of the fans of BCS schools realize how significant this issue is in how teams perform on the field. That is one advantage the NFL has over college. Resources are even in the pros and teams can't do things like playing 2/3 of their games at home. _

I agree that there is a wide disparity and that is only getting wider as the BCS conferences make more and more money. Nonetheless, schools with budgets not much greater than ours remain much more competitive against BCS programs, such as Troy.

2006
Florida State 24 - Troy 17
Georgia Tech 35 - Troy 20

2007

Troy 41 - Oklahoma State 23
Georgia - 44 - Troy 34
Arkansas 46 - Troy 25

2008

Ohio State 28 - Troy 10
LSU 40 - Troy 31

Troy also had other lopsided losses in those years as well, but were very competitive against the top teams in the country, including LSU. LA Tech beat Alabama, Michigan State and California; ULM beat Alabama and nearly beating Arkansas last year; Middle Tennessee beat Vandy and Maryland. My point is, if these schools can do it with similar resources as us, why can't we too be more competitive against BCS schools? Troy should have beaten LSU last year, with that win over a Sun Belt school being LSU's biggest comeback win ever. We've lived in the fear and shadow of mighty LSU for so long, we are intimidated before we even step into the stadium. Heck, UL has played and been competitive with programs as strong as LSU in the past with near upsets of Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas. We beat Texas A&M. We've played in stadiums like LSU's at Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Texas. I, for one, hope we can step out from that shadow and make a competitive statement and play with confidence, especially after we beat both Southern and Kansas State. A win would be a freak occurrence, but a competitive game that brings some respect to UL should be expected.

[MetryCajun]

_ I agree that there is a wide disparity and that is only getting wider as the BCS conferences make more and more money. Nonetheless, schools with budgets not much greater than ours remain much more competitive against BCS programs, such as Troy.

2006
Florida State 24 - Troy 17
Georgia Tech 35 - Troy 20

2007

Troy 41 - Oklahoma State 23
Georgia - 44 - Troy 34
Arkansas 46 - Troy 25

2008

Ohio State 28 - Troy 10
LSU 40 - Troy 31

Troy also had other lopsided losses in those years as well, but were very competitive against the top teams in the country, including LSU. LA Tech beat Alabama, Michigan State and California; ULM beat Alabama and nearly beating Arkansas last year; Middle Tennessee beat Vandy and Maryland. My point is, if these schools can do it with similar resources as us, why can't we too be more competitive against BCS schools? Troy should have beaten LSU last year, with that win over a Sun Belt school being LSU's biggest comeback win ever. We've lived in the fear and shadow of mighty LSU for so long, we are intimidated before we even step into the stadium. Heck, UL has played and been competitive with programs as strong as LSU in the past with near upsets of Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas. We beat Texas A&M. We've played in stadiums like LSU's at Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Texas. I, for one, hope we can step out from that shadow and make a competitive statement and play with confidence, especially after we beat both Southern and Kansas State. A win would be a freak occurrence, but a competitive game that brings some respect to UL should be expected. _

Sounds like a good pre-game speech!!

[4LSU]

_ The team that plays better will likely be the one that has the most talent and we all know which team that is. Talent differential is largely because of the difference in resources between the two programs. Resource difference is largely a case of conferenc affiliation and historical events. Getting several million dollars for having your conference champion in a BCS bowl every year is something mid majors can't take advantage of. Nothing will change that anytime soon and we need to work to increase our resources. Fortunately we have started to do that. It does amaze me how few of the fans of BCS schools realize how significant this issue is in how teams perform on the field. That is one advantage the NFL has over college. Resources are even in the pros and teams can't do things like playing 2/3 of their games at home. _

I think most of us know that resources play a role in the success of a school. Just as it plays a role in own individual personal success, but it's not the begin all or end all. If it was, Utah wouldn't have ended the year at #2 or Hawaii wouldn't have made it to the Sugar Bowl or Boise St doesn't beat Okla or UL@M beat Bama or ASU doesn't beat Michigan or ND wins the title just bout each year, and on and on. I hope Coach Miles and the team understands that we don't get any points added to the scoreboard cause we have a larger budget or because our players might have had more stars coming out of HS.

No doubt talent is important, but so are heart, brains, and coaching.

[Cajunsmike]

_ For us, it's more like a weekend affair. The family comes in on Friday and we go have a nice dinner. Saturday is obviously consumed by tailgating and the game. We do either brunch or lunch on Sunday to talk about what took place on Saturday and watch the Saints play. But you guys are right, things are much more complex these days. I forgot which game (maybe Saban's return) but they estimated something like 130,000 people on campus that day. We usually just hang out and watch TV at the tailgate spot after the game for an hour or two. I'd rather be stuck there than in the parking lot sitting in my car. I know some people that simply show up to tailgate without attending the game but I can fathom doing that. _

You go through the hassle because it is your school. It should be easy to understand why fans of other schools may resist going through it however.

[CajunSaint]

_ I think most of us know that resources play a role in the success of a school. Just as it plays a role in own individual personal success, but it's not the begin all or end all. If it was, Utah wouldn't have ended the year at #2 or Hawaii wouldn't have made it to the Sugar Bowl or Boise St doesn't beat Okla or UL@M beat Bama or ASU doesn't beat Michigan or ND wins the title just bout each year, and on and on. I hope Coach Miles and the team understands that we don't get any points added to the scoreboard cause we have a larger budget or because our players might have had more stars coming out of HS.

No doubt talent is important, but so are heart, brains, and coaching. _

i understand your point. but, i also notice that you are limited in your exceptions to the rule. very limited. the fact is, money talks. ulm may have beaten alabama that year, and app. st. did win in the big house. those victories were akin to seeing bears dancing. just a novelty act. the fact is, year after year, the only teams with a legit shot at the big game are the big spenders. the financial pie is getting larger, and the bigger schools are getting the lion's share of it. they don't want to pass even a sliver of it around, much less a whole slice. in the future, the ncaa may decide to take a look at the revenue-sharing model of the nfl. now that would narrow the competitive gulf quite a bit.

[Cajunsmike]

_ I think most of us know that resources play a role in the success of a school. Just as it plays a role in own individual personal success, but it's not the begin all or end all. If it was, Utah wouldn't have ended the year at #2 or Hawaii wouldn't have made it to the Sugar Bowl or Boise St doesn't beat Okla or UL@M beat Bama or ASU doesn't beat Michigan or ND wins the title just bout each year, and on and on. I hope Coach Miles and the team understands that we don't get any points added to the scoreboard cause we have a larger budget or because our players might have had more stars coming out of HS.

No doubt talent is important, but so are heart, brains, and coaching. _

I believe you understand the resource issue in college football and I also believe many of the LSU fans who visit here understand it too. You guys seem to appreciate the advantages you have going all the way back to Huey Long. You guys don't represent the entire fan base however and many are still clueless about this situation. You are also correct in that the other factors you mention can overcome budget differentials. The accomplishments of our diamond teams and earlier basketball squads are testament to that.

[Cajunsmike]

_ I agree that there is a wide disparity and that is only getting wider as the BCS conferences make more and more money. Nonetheless, schools with budgets not much greater than ours remain much more competitive against BCS programs, such as Troy.

2006
Florida State 24 - Troy 17
Georgia Tech 35 - Troy 20

2007

Troy 41 - Oklahoma State 23
Georgia - 44 - Troy 34
Arkansas 46 - Troy 25

2008

Ohio State 28 - Troy 10
LSU 40 - Troy 31

Troy also had other lopsided losses in those years as well, but were very competitive against the top teams in the country, including LSU. LA Tech beat Alabama, Michigan State and California; ULM beat Alabama and nearly beating Arkansas last year; Middle Tennessee beat Vandy and Maryland. My point is, if these schools can do it with similar resources as us, why can't we too be more competitive against BCS schools? Troy should have beaten LSU last year, with that win over a Sun Belt school being LSU's biggest comeback win ever. We've lived in the fear and shadow of mighty LSU for so long, we are intimidated before we even step into the stadium. Heck, UL has played and been competitive with programs as strong as LSU in the past with near upsets of Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas. We beat Texas A&M. We've played in stadiums like LSU's at Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Texas. I, for one, hope we can step out from that shadow and make a competitive statement and play with confidence, especially after we beat both Southern and Kansas State. A win would be a freak occurrence, but a competitive game that brings some respect to UL should be expected. _

Good post Houton Cajun, Troy has shown a degree of success can be achieved as a mid-major. In the big picture, they have less potential than we do as they are in a town the size of Abbeville. They obviously have been managed well. Why it has taken us so long to be more competitive is a question I can't answer. I will say starting the RCAF 25 years later than it should have been is a factor.

[4LSU]

_ I believe you understand the resource issue in college football and I also believe many of the LSU fans who visit here understand it too. You guys seem to appreciate the advantages you have going all the way back to Huey Long. You guys don't represent the entire fan base however and many are still clueless about this situation. You are also correct in that the other factors you mention can overcome budget differentials. The accomplishments of our diamond teams and earlier basketball squads are testament to that. _

I always appreciate an advantage as I'm sure you appreciate the advantages your Cajuns have over many schools in this state. Advantages are a part of life in the sports world as well as in all other areas of life. A guy who grows to be 6-4 is gonna have an advantage on the court over another guy who is 5-10. It doesn't mean the 6-4 guy will win the battle, just means he has an advantage.

The same with you and me. You are probably a smart, good looking guy and I'm not...so, the advantage goes to you. Tis the way of the world.........

Speaking of advantages, you guys take it easy on Southern...ok?

[HoustonCajun]

_ I always appreciate an advantage as I'm sure you appreciate the advantages your Cajuns have over many schools in this state. Advantages are a part of life in the sports world as well as in all other areas of life. A guy who grows to be 6-4 is gonna have an advantage on the court over another guy who is 5-10. It doesn't mean the 6-4 guy will win the battle, just means he has an advantage.

The same with you and me. You are probably a smart, good looking guy and I'm not...so, the advantage goes to you. Tis the way of the world.........

Speaking of advantages, you guys take it easy on Southern...ok? _

I might add that success breeds success. UL has been its own worse enemy when it comes to athletic success under Dr. Authement's reign. He did good things for academics, but athletics is 25 years behind where we should be, and that is our fault. We are under a massive "catch up" phase and have made giant leaps but still have a ways to go. The RCAF and all of the facility improvements are critical elements that have been missing. We can't continue to complain that LSU got all the breaks and all the money decades ago and continue with self-pity for our not being a BCS program. Southern Miss faced the same scenario a few years ago vs. Ole Miss & Miss State and decided to take matters into their own hands. They are now arguably one of the top non-BCS programs in the country. Well, UL is finally taking matters into its own hands under new leadership with Dr. Savoie. With the resources available in Lafayette, there is no reason that in the next 5-10 years UL cannot also reach top non-BCS program status as well. And, should another conference realligment occur in that timeframe, who knows where we might end up. Would I like to have all of the resources LSU has? Of course. But, as you pointed out, it is an advantage we do not have. That is simply the reality of the situation. We are not alone as many schools around the country face similar comparative situations. All of the complaints about LSU's long standing advantages will not change that. It is up to us to create our own advantages and it appears we are finally doing so.

[zephyr]

_ I might add that success breeds success. UL has been its own worse enemy when it comes to athletic success under Dr. Authement's reign. He did good things for academics, but athletics is 25 years behind where we should be, and that is our fault. We are under a massive "catch up" phase and have made giant leaps but still have a ways to go. The RCAF and all of the facility improvements are critical elements that have been missing. We can't continue to complain that LSU got all the breaks and all the money decades ago and continue with self-pity for our not being a BCS program. Southern Miss faced the same scenario a few years ago vs. Ole Miss & Miss State and decided to take matters into their own hands. They are now arguably one of the top non-BCS programs in the country. Well, UL is finally taking matters into its own hands under new leadership with Dr. Savoie. With the resources available in Lafayette, there is no reason that in the next 5-10 years UL cannot also reach top non-BCS program status as well. And, should another conference realligment occur in that timeframe, who knows where we might end up. Would I like to have all of the resources LSU has? Of course. But, as you pointed out, it is an advantage we do not have. That is simply the reality of the situation. We are not alone as many schools around the country face similar comparative situations. All of the complaints about LSU's long standing advantages will not change that. It is up to us to create our own advantages and it appears we are finally doing so. _

You are absolutely correct. A lot of LSU fans who often argue with the typical Cajun fans perspective of the situation usually views our stance as one of jealousy. That is not the case, at least for me, at all. I understand fully that our program will NEVER have the resources and overall financial backing that LSU has and I'm completely fine with it. I know we will never compete, almost certainly, for national titles and be apart of any BCS conference. Again, I am fine with that. I love the university and just don't buy into the support of the flagship university just because they have had or will have some onfield success. My roots run much deeper than that and I just want this program to earn a higher level of distinction, win conference titles and compete on a national level in all sports. I think most of us true Cajun fans would at least agree to most of that since we love the university for what it is and hopefully where it is going rather than loving it for superficial reason like a lot of Tiger fans.

[4LSU]

_ i understand your point. but, i also notice that you are limited in your exceptions to the rule. very limited. the fact is, money talks. ulm may have beaten alabama that year, and app. st. did win in the big house. those victories were akin to seeing bears dancing. just a novelty act. the fact is, year after year, the only teams with a legit shot at the big game are the big spenders. the financial pie is getting larger, and the bigger schools are getting the lion's share of it. they don't want to pass even a sliver of it around, much less a whole slice. in the future, the ncaa may decide to take a look at the revenue-sharing model of the nfl. now that would narrow the competitive gulf quite a bit. _

This is just me, but I would look to your RCAF to " narrow the competitive gulf" more than I would look to the NCAA. It may happen, revenue-sharing, but it hasn't happened in a 100+ years, so I wouldn't pin much hope on it.

My daughter was in Houston this past weekend and picked me up a pie from the House of Pies. Now, I would give you a slice if you were here, but then I'm a sharing kinda guy. If you asked me to reach in my wallet for money to give to you so you could buy your own slice...well, I might have to think bout that a tad. Getting others, any others, to share a "financial pie" with you so you can come back and beat them with it is gonna be a tough sell....but stranger things have happened.

Good luck

[4LSU]

_ I might add that success breeds success. UL has been its own worse enemy when it comes to athletic success under Dr. Authement's reign. He did good things for academics, but athletics is 25 years behind where we should be, and that is our fault. We are under a massive "catch up" phase and have made giant leaps but still have a ways to go. The RCAF and all of the facility improvements are critical elements that have been missing. We can't continue to complain that LSU got all the breaks and all the money decades ago and continue with self-pity for our not being a BCS program. Southern Miss faced the same scenario a few years ago vs. Ole Miss & Miss State and decided to take matters into their own hands. They are now arguably one of the top non-BCS programs in the country. Well, UL is finally taking matters into its own hands under new leadership with Dr. Savoie. With the resources available in Lafayette, there is no reason that in the next 5-10 years UL cannot also reach top non-BCS program status as well. And, should another conference realligment occur in that timeframe, who knows where we might end up. Would I like to have all of the resources LSU has? Of course. But, as you pointed out, it is an advantage we do not have. That is simply the reality of the situation. We are not alone as many schools around the country face similar comparative situations. All of the complaints about LSU's long standing advantages will not change that. It is up to us to create our own advantages and it appears we are finally doing so. _

Game, set, and match!

Good luck