86-3 is $1,400,000

[Just1More]

_ The bottom line is a program like UL needs two money games a season. Fill the other spots with other mid-major leagues (MAC, C-USA, etc.) and a I-AA every few years. You have to play the big boys for the money, plus as a selling point in recruiting. Yes, that matters to some recruits.


igeaux.mobi _

You are telling the simple truth of it.

If "lesser" BCS programs will schedule us and pay us equal to the perennial top 20s, that would be preferable. But, kind of like you mentioned in another post, how do you know when you start working out scheduling whether that team is going to be in the up or down mode?

There are a group of "lower tier" BCS schools we should target, but I believe they either don't pony up the money, or have enough similar requests. I think people on here that criticize our schedule makers don't have any clue that it isn't a "you pick em" at your discretion.

[CajunRed]

_ Sar-casm

Took me two reads to catch it myself. _

OOPS!

Great way to make the point. Sorry I misread it.

[Parrott]

_ You are telling the simple truth of it.

If "lesser" BCS programs will schedule us and pay us equal to the perennial top 20s, that would be preferable. But, kind of like you mentioned in another post, how do you know when you start working out scheduling whether that team is going to be in the up or down mode?

There are a group of "lower tier" BCS schools we should target, but I believe they either don't pony up the money, or have enough similar requests. I think people on here that criticize our schedule makers don't have any clue that it isn't a "you pick em" at your discretion. _

Honestly, you don't know. You have to trust that the AD and associate AD know what they're doing. I would say they do, given that UL nearly won at Illinois and Kansas State last year and this year beat Southern and K-State and put together an inspired effort in a loss at LSU.

It's part of the gamble of being a D-I school, kind of like life. You expect the big money games (Florida, Georgia, etc.) to be against top-level teams. But every so often, a team like Illinois and Kansas State take a step back at the right time. Look at Oklahoma State, which lost to Troy a few years ago before getting much better under coach Gundy, although the Cowboys lost to Houston a few weeks ago. The other side of the coin is that sometimes bad programs get better.

[ram1fan]

_ Well, I am no marketing genious, but if i were, i wouldn't try to sell the fact that losing 86-3 in the last two weeks is necessary. Thanks UL Athletic Gods for totally killing our momentum and pride with these killer Money games.
When will we ever learn? _

Well gentlemen, lets look at it this way. You played 3 "Major D1 schools", beat 1 of them, Stayed in the game with the #4 team in the nation (LSU) and got beat pretty soundly by the #24 team, (Nebraska) whose probally better than most of the top Ten teams, and your program made ~1.4 million, Thats not bad and I'm sure the kids spirits have not been shattered. They're excited to be on the feild with those guys and to prove that they can play with the big boys, and I feel they accomplished a lot. Believe me when I say that NU is on its way back to dominance and they'll beat some so called Major D1 programs by the same score.

I agree with scheduling those type of games. It should get them ready for the conference. Thankfully there were no major injuries and the bye week in between gives the kids a chance to recover. Now its time for the games that count and they (the kids) know that they've seen the best that they will face. All in all I think they'll do ok. Big game experience brings on a big game mind set.

[Just1More]

_ Honestly, you don't know. You have to trust that the AD and associate AD know what they're doing. I would say they do, given that UL nearly won at Illinois and Kansas State last year and this year beat Southern and K-State and put together an inspired effort in a loss at LSU.

It's part of the gamble of being a D-I school, kind of like life. You expect the big money games (Florida, Georgia, etc.) to be against top-level teams. But every so often, a team like Illinois and Kansas State take a step back at the right time. Look at Oklahoma State, which lost to Troy a few years ago before getting much better under coach Gundy, although the Cowboys lost to Houston a few weeks ago. The other side of the coin is that sometimes bad programs get better. _

I agree. I believe the least of our issues is our scheduling. You cannot predict the matchup when you're scheduling most schools. You don't know what you will have in peaks and valley years and you don't know what mode your opponent will be in. In basketball and baseball, most of us scan our schedule when it comes out to see just how big of a giant we have scheduled... with a mindset on the benefits of the possible upset. Back in the 80s, we were in no way shape or form "unwilling" to play the biggest programs out there in football. We "knew" we could compete. Now... our average fan has a wimp complex. They take a slamming... and instead of talking about what it will take to build up and compete, they either want to fire the coach or modify the schedule and play some lesser opponents. It disgusts me to no end.

We should not be concerning ourselves with who we play. I think it is beyond acceptable that we get such a huge check to play heralded tradition rich college football giants. I've said it before... I'd schedule them without the check. So, when the issue of whether we should play "money games" comes up... it baffles me beyond belief.

I'm getting pretty sick of hearing how some people think we ought to "own Lafayette" over LSU people... run off all of the merchandize but our own... but we are afraid as fans to take on the teams that are in the upper level of the exact same football division that we are in? No more bragging about anything UL. The number one sport in college is football... in fans... in money... in identity. You either step up and throw punches with all of them... or don't bother to call yourselves an FBS football program. That's my opinion... and I feel it's becoming unpopular at UL.

[LFTCajun]

And even if the AD can somehow predict where the future competition will reside on the overall ranking roller coaster, the teams also have to be available with open dates.

The AD probably tries to analyze the big picture, but takes what's available.

[Boomer]

_ Some of you might forget that many of these "guaranteed" games are scheduled years in advance. Illinois was horrible when added to the schedule but came off a Rose Bowl appearance when the Cajuns came to town.

Last fall, the school turned down playing Arkansas in 2009 for $1.1 million in Little Rock because it wanted a more winnable game. Then a home-and-home with Kansas State opens up. The Cajuns win that game, a huge victory regardless of how bad the Wildcats might be considering they're from the Big 12, yet I've heard few people give credit to the school for scheduling that game.

igeaux.mobi _

What has been crazy has been whom we play and when----Wash St when they were great---same with many others---we need to get the games with the downers when they are down-----hello Kansas state!!!!

[cajun67]

I'm still working on a system to hit a big powerball. The odds of that (the system or the hit) are about the same as UL being 4-0 to start this year. We need the cash. We will need the cash each year and we'll keep playing two big uns each year. But seriously, if I do hit the powerball, I'll give football 1.4 in cash.

[LSUTiger4RaginCajuns]

Anyone have an idea how many $$$$$ LaTech is taking to the bank for the ESPN telecast?

[Jo Cajun Momma]

Well, I am no marketing genious, but if i were, i wouldn't try to sell the fact that losing 86-3 in the last two weeks is necessary. Thanks UL Athletic Gods for totally killing our momentum and pride with these killer Money games.
When will we ever learn?

~*~*~ ~*~*~

I just love the UL RaginCajuns. I don't care where they get their money. They can have all my extra money...uuh...maybe they better play those tough games because I'm not rolling in the dough. Playing football for cash is probably better than what Demi Moore did in "Indecent Proposal!"
I'm just glad it isn't up to me. It's great that all of you guys have the brilliant minds to think about all the different ideas for bringing in the cash to improve the football program. But as for me...I will just enjoy the final product. Any way...too many cooks spoil the broth...