SchedULing Paradox

[Balanced_view]

Reading what some are saying about the feelings within the fan base. brings up a perplexing question, if fans dont show up for weak brand opponents because no one knows them(stated in past threads about attendance), and wont show up for name opponents because we cant compete on field, where does that leave AD and coach for scheduling? what is that really saying about the fan base in large? hope i get several answers to this .....

as for my guess, everyone is taking a wait and see approach, Hud success as it relates to winning the fans over came fast and was not built on a good foundation or support system around the program at the time. so fans left as fast as they came when things went south on him. we now have a great support system and coach Napier is building a strong foundation, but the fans are in wait till i see it mode. i just wish who we play didnt matter, and as long as our team is playing, the fans want to be apart of it. thats the quick version, im sure there are several more factors to consider.

[CajunJeaux]

Reading what some are saying about the feelings within the fan base. brings up a perplexing question, if fans dont show up for weak brand opponents because no one knows them(stated in past threads about attendance), and wont show up for name opponents because we cant compete on field, where does that leave AD and coach for scheduling? what is that really saying about the fan base in large? hope i get several answers to this .....

as for my guess, everyone is taking a wait and see approach, Hud success as it relates to winning the fans over came fast and was not built on a good foundation or support system around the program at the time. so fans left as fast as they came when things went south on him. we now have a great support system and coach Napier is building a strong foundation, but the fans are in wait till i see it mode. i just wish who we play didnt matter, and as long as our team is playing, the fans want to be apart of it. thats the quick version, im sure there are several more factors to consider.

For me...beating Southern or McNeese or low ranked FBS schools doesn’t excite me...and getting the breaks beat off by the big boys is no fun either...so I think the predicament you say the AD is in is not his problem, it’s the head coaches problem...simple solution, improve the quality of play and fans will show up all season

[shof]

Reading what some are saying about the feelings within the fan base. brings up a perplexing question, if fans dont show up for weak brand opponents because no one knows them(stated in past threads about attendance), and wont show up for name opponents because we cant compete on field, where does that leave AD and coach for scheduling? what is that really saying about the fan base in large? hope i get several answers to this .....

as for my guess, everyone is taking a wait and see approach, Hud success as it relates to winning the fans over came fast and was not built on a good foundation or support system around the program at the time. so fans left as fast as they came when things went south on him. we now have a great support system and coach Napier is building a strong foundation, but the fans are in wait till i see it mode. i just wish who we play didnt matter, and as long as our team is playing, the fans want to be apart of it. thats the quick version, im sure there are several more factors to consider.

Moving forward this must be a difficult problem for the administration to solve as we modernize Cajun Field. Just what is the UL community willing to regularly support number wise —- regardless the opponent or conference affiliation.

[cajun4life]

A schedule that is filled with LaTurd, USM, Houston, Tulane, stAte, WKU, Memphis and MTSU would be the best we could hope for. Regional games against teams we can expect to beat. Getting our brains bashed in twice a year doesn’t help our fan base or brand. Add in the service academies and rotate the in state FCS programs and it would be good enough for the majority of Cajun fans.

[CajunEXPRESS]

A schedule that is filled with LaTurd, USM, Houston, Tulane, stAte, WKU, Memphis and MTSU would be the best we could hope for. Regional games against teams we can expect to beat. Getting our brains bashed in twice a year doesn’t help our fan base or brand. Add in the service academies and rotate the in state FCS programs and it would be good enough for the majority of Cajun fans.

Ditto. There’s a whole universe between the SBC newbies, FCS schools and top tier P5 schools. We should work to get those into Cajun Field. Still 3.5K for this game is abysmal.

[CajunT]

A schedule that is filled with LaTurd, USM, Houston, Tulane, stAte, WKU, Memphis and MTSU would be the best we could hope for. Regional games against teams we can expect to beat. Getting our brains bashed in twice a year doesn’t help our fan base or brand. Add in the service academies and rotate the in state FCS programs and it would be good enough for the majority of Cajun fans.

We missed that opportunity 10 years ago because our lack of vision from the administration. Then again in recent years when our current president stated we weren't ready to make a move. Our top RCAF givers weren't willing to challenge him. In college football, perception is all that matters to the national media and fans.

[Ragin9221]

I think we compete and draw big against regional teams. Every year we need to play either Grambling, Southern, or McNeese first game of the year. Then when it comes to non-conference we have to play teams like Memphis, USM, Tech, Houston, and Tulane at home.

In order to get the fan base to keep going to the game we need wins off the bat that are regional FCS opponents, and then second and third home games we need to play teams that mentioned in the first paragraph.

Liberty and Texas Southern are not those teams! Attendance will also suffer with a lost to Miss. St.. it is what it is

ULM was able to get a home against Memphis how are they but we are not able to do it?

If we have to give these teams 2-1 deals then it’s what we have to do.

[carnold983]

I think we compete and draw big against regional teams. Every year we need to play either Grambling, Southern, or McNeese first game of the year. Then when it comes to non-conference we have to play teams like Memphis, USM, Tech, Houston, and Tulane at home.

In order to get the fan base to keep going to the game we need wins off the bat that are regional FCS opponents, and then second and third home games we need to play teams that mentioned in the first paragraph.

Liberty and Texas Southern are not those teams! Attendance will also suffer with a lost to Miss. St.. it is what it is

ULM was able to get a home against Memphis how are they but we are not able to do it?

If we have to give these teams 2-1 deals then it’s what we have to do.

I agree!

[cajun4life]

We missed that opportunity 10 years ago because our lack of vision from the administration. Then again in recent years when our current president stated we weren't ready to make a move. Our top RCAF givers weren't willing to challenge him. In college football, perception is all that matters to the national media and fans.

We agree there T, I’m just saying that if we want more fans in the seats then it has to come from the visiting teams. We have shown that 20-25k is our norm if we are winning. Those programs can bring 1500-5000 depending on who it is.

But scheduling isn’t an easy fix. I actually don’t mind playing the right MAC schools. But our focus should be on CUSA/AAC/MAC home and Home’s.

[Cajunrunner]

Win football games.

We can call ourselves “Louisiana”. We can get all the media outlets to call us “Louisiana”. We can play all the Sunbelt or P5 opponents we want at Cajun Field. We can put on promotions all over the State 17 weeks before homecoming.

Win the dang football games (9+ wins in a season), and more people will start showing up. None of the other above stuff will make a dent.

[ManAboutTown]

Have a competitive program, schedule other competitive & recognizable programs, cultivate rivalries and punch up.

It has been successful everywhere it’s been tried.

[CajunNation]

We agree there T, I'm just saying that if we want more fans in the seats then it has to come from the visiting teams. We have shown that 20-25k is our norm if we are winning. Those programs can bring 1500-5000 depending on who it is.

But scheduling isn't an easy fix. I actually don't mind playing the right MAC schools. But our focus should be on CUSA/AAC/MAC home and Home's.

Only CUSA schools that would make a dent in our attendance are Rice, UNT, Tech and USM.

Scheduling any CUSA school outside of these or ANY MAC school is scheduling just to get a home game. That is the only benefit.

I'm not a fan of chasing 6 home games just to have 6 home games. I believe you are leaving too much on the table whether it is money or opportunities to grow your brand.

We should keep the in-state FCS. With the remaining 3 non-cons, at least 1 should be P5 every year. With the remaining 2, we should focus on the CUSA group from above, any AAC(this is where we want to be right?), and any front-range MWC school. After that, any open slots should go to more P5 games.

It's like I tell my kids all the time. You want to be treated like you're not babies? Act like it.