Why would Nebraska (or anyone in the Big10, SEC, etc) feel the need to schedule anyone with a pulse in the non-conference?
You go 3-0 to start and slide into the Top 25 (or get votes). Then you try to go 6-2 in conf games and get your 9 wins. 3-5 in conf games and you go bowling. Every single year.
I don’t get the benefit of the preseason Florida State game that LSU just lost. They win their division of the SEC and no one is saying “well they didn’t play anyone in the preseason”. And teams with a few conference losses will always get ranked based on record.
Nebraska with a 8-3 record at the end of the season with a preseason loss to Colorado might not be ranked. Replace that Colorado team with University of the Blind and we are 9-2 and ranked higher. Everyone forgets about strength of schedule unless you’re an elite team trying to get into the playoff.
The secret to building a program involves strategic scheduling as a factor.
Play cupcakes in the preseason. KSU with Snyder was a master at the 4-0 start to the season. Wisconsin built their program on the backs of North Dakota and San Jose State in the preseason. It gets them the wins they needed to be ranked and relevant.
Oh yeah one more thing……
Don’t schedule critical conference games to start your season. Warm up with some cupcakes. Nebraska and Clemson……I am looking at you right now.
And if you really want to get good at it, schedule
The Citadel and teams like them in early November so you essentially have a BYE week during your conference run to rest your starters early and start game planning for the big game the following week. Your boys will be healthy and ready to finish strong. Alabama has been doing this for decades.
This stuff isn’t that hard. The recipe is there for everyone to see.
You go 3-0 to start and slide into the Top 25 (or get votes). Then you try to go 6-2 in conf games and get your 9 wins. 3-5 in conf games and you go bowling. Every single year.
I don’t get the benefit of the preseason Florida State game that LSU just lost. They win their division of the SEC and no one is saying “well they didn’t play anyone in the preseason”. And teams with a few conference losses will always get ranked based on record.
Nebraska with a 8-3 record at the end of the season with a preseason loss to Colorado might not be ranked. Replace that Colorado team with University of the Blind and we are 9-2 and ranked higher. Everyone forgets about strength of schedule unless you’re an elite team trying to get into the playoff.
The secret to building a program involves strategic scheduling as a factor.
Play cupcakes in the preseason. KSU with Snyder was a master at the 4-0 start to the season. Wisconsin built their program on the backs of North Dakota and San Jose State in the preseason. It gets them the wins they needed to be ranked and relevant.
Oh yeah one more thing……
Don’t schedule critical conference games to start your season. Warm up with some cupcakes. Nebraska and Clemson……I am looking at you right now.
And if you really want to get good at it, schedule
The Citadel and teams like them in early November so you essentially have a BYE week during your conference run to rest your starters early and start game planning for the big game the following week. Your boys will be healthy and ready to finish strong. Alabama has been doing this for decades.
This stuff isn’t that hard. The recipe is there for everyone to see.