As fans, we love to see our teams play a big-time program from another conference. Bragging rights are on the line. We have a great excuse for a new road (or plane) trip...

Why Athletic Directors Should Schedule All Cupcakes

by SEC Idiots .com (Scribe)

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Opinion

August 05, 2008

As fans, we love to see our teams play a big-time program from another conference.

Bragging rights are on the line. We have a great excuse for a new road (or plane) trip. The buildup to the games is much better than those against Western Illinois and The Citadel.

Still, athletic directors and coaches should rethink scheduling them.

After 10 years of existence, the BCS rankings have not given any meaningful advantage to a team because of its non-conference schedule.

The BCS has, however, rewarded teams with weak non-conference schedules and punished teams with tough non-conference schedules. Teams appear to be rewarded for any win and punished for any loss. Conference games have proven to be much more important in deciding bowl matchups.

If I were an athletic director of a team with any sort of hopes for BCS contention, I would schedule a steady diet of cupcakes.

It seems that almost every year, some team takes some media heat for blowing through a non-conference schedule completely comprised of patsies.

Last year, it was Kansas. In 2006, it was Rutgers. Wisconsin's toughest 2006 test outside of the Big Ten was Bowling Green. In 2005, Alabama climbed to No. 4 in the polls when their best nonconference opponent was Southern Miss. The list could go on and on.

But none of these teams were punished for their weak non-conference schedules. In fact, either they were rewarded for them, or were in perfect position to be rewarded for them.

What kept these teams out of the BCS title game, or any BCS bowl game, were losses within their conference.

Let's look at two teams from last year as an example.

Kansas was No. 2 in the BCS when it finally lost on Thanksgiving weekend and would have played Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game had it won out. The validity of that matchup isn't up for debate here.

The point is that Kansas would have been rewarded for playing Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo, and Florida International outside of their Big 12 North schedule. Their schedule didn't keep them out of the BCS title game—Missouri did.

Virginia Tech, on the other hand, traveled to Baton Rouge for an early September matchup. They were destroyed by LSU and written off by most of the pollsters as national championship contenders.

They ended up only losing one more regular season game, a 14-10 loss at Boston College. Virginia Tech got revenge a few weeks later when they beat BC 30-16 in the ACC Championship Game.

Now hypothetically, if Virginia Tech had played Southeastern Louisiana instead of LSU and been 12-1 at the end of the year when top-ranked teams kept losing, would they have been left out? Odds are that Virginia Tech would have been in New Orleans for the BCS title game rather than LSU, if not for aggressive scheduling.

I don't see how the pollsters would have voted a two-loss LSU team over a one-loss ACC Champion, regardless of LSU's conference schedule. One four-point loss to BC would have been more impressive than LSU's two triple-OT losses.

At the same time, if Kansas had played at Baton Rouge in September, they would not have gotten the BCS Orange Bowl they ended up with. (I'll just assume

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Edmon 11 months ago

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If LSU hadn't beat VT soundly, they wouldn't have been in the championship game. It works both ways.

If LSU hadn't beat VT soundly, they wouldn't have been in the championship game. It works both ways. Edit Comment Cancel

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Rob Sansing 11 months ago

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well done, idiots. good article.
it's a shame part of the scheduling has to be based on qualifying for a BCS game. I would much sooner my team (auburn) schedule texas than la-monroe. ten years from now I probably wouldn't even remember la-monroe was on the schedule, but win or lose you would remember playing texas!!
(yeah, auburn beat la-monroe, and lost to texas in real life!!!)

well done, idiots. good article. it's a shame part of the scheduling has to be based on qualifying for a BCS game. I would much sooner my team (auburn) schedule texas than la-monroe. ten years from now I probably wouldn't even remember la-monroe was on the schedule, but win or lose you would remember playing texas!! (yeah, auburn beat la-monroe, and lost to texas in real life!!!) Edit Comment Cancel

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- SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago
  
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  Those games are fun. My Hogs are getting to go to Austin this year, and I can't wait. I'm afraid we're a year or two late to come home happy though.
  
  Those games are fun. My Hogs are getting to go to Austin this year, and I can't wait. I'm afraid we're a year or two late to come home happy though. Edit Comment Cancel
  
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Brian 11 months ago

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Interesting article, even though I disagree with your point of view. It makes a mockery of the system when a team like Hawaii, who played no one remotely "good" on their schedule last year, make it to a BCS game. Washington and Boise State were the only potentially credible opponents on their schedule.

It's a shame that people think that it is an acceptable practice to beat up on weaker opponents. Why not actually challenge your players, so that when it comes time for them to play a real team (like Hawaii discovered when they played Georgia) they will be prepared to do so (or at least more prepared than if they hadn't played against similar opponents during the regular season).

One of the most disturbing thoughts associated with this topic is that the NCAA permits each 1-A team to have one game per year against a 1-AA count against their win total. I understand why teams do it, because it takes them one step closer to bowl eligibility which equates to a bigger payday for the school, but it's pathetic.

Interesting article, even though I disagree with your point of view. It makes a mockery of the system when a team like Hawaii, who played no one remotely "good" on their schedule last year, make it to a BCS game. Washington and Boise State were the only potentially credible opponents on their schedule. It's a shame that people think that it is an acceptable practice to beat up on weaker opponents. Why not actually challenge your players, so that when it comes time for them to play a real team (like Hawaii discovered when they played Georgia) they will be prepared to do so (or at least more prepared than if they hadn't played against similar opponents during the regular season). One of the most disturbing thoughts associated with this topic is that the NCAA permits each 1-A team to have one game per year against a 1-AA count against their win total. I understand why teams do it, because it takes them one step closer to bowl eligibility which equates to a bigger payday for the school, but it's pathetic. Edit Comment Cancel

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Donald Fincher 11 months ago

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Great article. It's well thought out, thorough, and completely exposes the current system for what it is. There isn't one point I disagree with. I'm making your article my pick of the day. Thanks for putting it out there.

One thing I might add. The winner of the Big East essentially has the easiest path, especially if that is West Virginia (by virtue of the fact that West Virginia has the easiest of all the Big East conference slates in that they don't have to play themselves). Auburn is the only thing that will stand in their way this year. If they choose to not schedule teams like Auburn in the future, they may be equally rewarded as in your other scenarios. Had they not blown it against Pittsburgh last year, it would have happened then.

Great article. It's well thought out, thorough, and completely exposes the current system for what it is. There isn't one point I disagree with. I'm making your article my pick of the day. Thanks for putting it out there. One thing I might add. The winner of the Big East essentially has the easiest path, especially if that is West Virginia (by virtue of the fact that West Virginia has the easiest of all the Big East conference slates in that they don't have to play themselves). Auburn is the only thing that will stand in their way this year. If they choose to not schedule teams like Auburn in the future, they may be equally rewarded as in your other scenarios. Had they not blown it against Pittsburgh last year, it would have happened then. Edit Comment Cancel

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- SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago
  
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  Yeah, WV is going to be kicking themselves if Auburn keeps them out of the BCS title game. I'm sure there will be some other team in that spot at the end of November.
  
  Also, thanks for pick of the day! You're my boy blue!
  
  Yeah, WV is going to be kicking themselves if Auburn keeps them out of the BCS title game. I'm sure there will be some other team in that spot at the end of November. Also, thanks for pick of the day! You're my boy blue! Edit Comment Cancel
  
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Gustavo Destro 11 months ago

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Great insight on this article.
I think (know) why athletic directors schedule this tough matchups. It is for exposure and money. Ohio St. and USC will get more exposure on week 3 this year than last (OSU @ Wash.; USC @ Nebraska). The game will be on national TV and that means that they can reach more recruits nation-wide and bring in more money for the program.

Great insight on this article. I think (know) why athletic directors schedule this tough matchups. It is for exposure and money. Ohio St. and USC will get more exposure on week 3 this year than last (OSU @ Wash.; USC @ Nebraska). The game will be on national TV and that means that they can reach more recruits nation-wide and bring in more money for the program. Edit Comment Cancel

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Psycho Tea 11 months ago

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Great article. Very deep look at the facts.
However, consider this:
For teams who are inside the top 10, it is smart to play cupcakes for the reasons stated above.
But for sleeper teams from 10-20, it is smarter to play average teams. This is because one or two more quality wins could make the difference. Consider Auburn a handful of years ago. They went undefeated in the SEC and didn't get a shot at the title because they were ranked too low coming into the season and played two I-AA teams. If they had played 2 decent teams they could have easily crushed, they would have been more likely to get the nod.

Great article. Very deep look at the facts. However, consider this: For teams who are inside the top 10, it is smart to play cupcakes for the reasons stated above. But for sleeper teams from 10-20, it is smarter to play average teams. This is because one or two more quality wins could make the difference. Consider Auburn a handful of years ago. They went undefeated in the SEC and didn't get a shot at the title because they were ranked too low coming into the season and played two I-AA teams. If they had played 2 decent teams they could have easily crushed, they would have been more likely to get the nod. Edit Comment Cancel

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- SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago
  
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  Fair enough.
  An example going the other way is Ole Miss 2003., Eli's senior year. They were just expected to get back to Shreveport for a bowl game, and lost to Memphis and Texas Tech early in the year. Those are debatable good nonconference games at best, especially Memphis. When Ole Miss started winning SEC games, they still didn't get any love from the polls. They ended up going 7-1 in the SEC with their only loss a close one to eventual BCS champ LSU. If they had scheduled The Citadel and Mt. St. Marys instead of Memphis and Texas Tech, they would have been 11-1 and in prime position for a BCS bid. They would have essentially been just like last year's Kansas team.
  Not disagreeing with your point, just saying it can go both ways.
  
  Fair enough. An example going the other way is Ole Miss 2003., Eli's senior year. They were just expected to get back to Shreveport for a bowl game, and lost to Memphis and Texas Tech early in the year. Those are debatable good nonconference games at best, especially Memphis. When Ole Miss started winning SEC games, they still didn't get any love from the polls. They ended up going 7-1 in the SEC with their only loss a close one to eventual BCS champ LSU. If they had scheduled The Citadel and Mt. St. Marys instead of Memphis and Texas Tech, they would have been 11-1 and in prime position for a BCS bid. They would have essentially been just like last year's Kansas team. Not disagreeing with your point, just saying it can go both ways. Edit Comment Cancel
  
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- Psycho Tea 11 months ago
  
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  Definitely. You certainly know your SEC. Ole Miss' D wasn't strong enough to win any sort of title that year anyway though.
  
  Off topic.... what's the score of that Clemson vs Bama match-up on the 30th buddy?
  
  Definitely. You certainly know your SEC. Ole Miss' D wasn't strong enough to win any sort of title that year anyway though. Off topic.... what's the score of that Clemson vs Bama match-up on the 30th buddy? Edit Comment Cancel
  
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- Rob Sansing 11 months ago
  
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  wrong, psycho. auburn's schedule did NOT keep them out of the title game in '04. SC & OU started the season 1-2, won all their games and finished the season 1-2. the only way auburn could have gotten to the title game was if those 2 "decent" teams you wanted them to add were SC & OU!!!!
  
  wrong, psycho. auburn's schedule did NOT keep them out of the title game in '04. SC & OU started the season 1-2, won all their games and finished the season 1-2. the only way auburn could have gotten to the title game was if those 2 "decent" teams you wanted them to add were SC & OU!!!! Edit Comment Cancel
  
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- SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago
  
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  Saban's gonna turn the corner this year. I'm a lot higher on JPW than most Bama fans I hear. I think it'll be all Tide early and Clemson will do too little too late in 2nd half. Bama by 10+! Go SEC!
  
  Saban's gonna turn the corner this year. I'm a lot higher on JPW than most Bama fans I hear. I think it'll be all Tide early and Clemson will do too little too late in 2nd half. Bama by 10+! Go SEC! Edit Comment Cancel
  
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Lisa Horne 11 months ago

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Interesting article. I disagree with it, but like the way you made your points. However, that 12-1 Wisconsin team didn't go to a BCS Bowl because of their weak schedule.

The real advantage of scheduling BCS teams as non-conference games is during the beginning of the season when polls come out. Voters give more credit to teams that beat biggies (ie- LSU jumped USC when they beat Va Tech and SC beat lowly Idaho). In reality, the cupcakes hurt teams early on.

Clemson will be an interesting challenge for the BCS. Their schedule is pathetic. Yet if they beat Alabama in their opener, will that keep them in the top ten? They play two FCS teams in September....The Citadel and South Carolina State. I am betting they drop in the rankings when other teams are playing conference games that are more challenging.

Then there's LSU...does this get any worse? They are in a lose-lose situation. If the beat App St., it will have been expected. No bump for them. But if they lose, they drop out of the top 20. Sometimes, cupcakes are poison!

Nice article, it really made me think!

Interesting article. I disagree with it, but like the way you made your points. However, that 12-1 Wisconsin team didn't go to a BCS Bowl because of their weak schedule. The real advantage of scheduling BCS teams as non-conference games is during the beginning of the season when polls come out. Voters give more credit to teams that beat biggies (ie- LSU jumped USC when they beat Va Tech and SC beat lowly Idaho). In reality, the cupcakes hurt teams early on. Clemson will be an interesting challenge for the BCS. Their schedule is pathetic. Yet if they beat Alabama in their opener, will that keep them in the top ten? They play two FCS teams in September....The Citadel and South Carolina State. I am betting they drop in the rankings when other teams are playing conference games that are more challenging. Then there's LSU...does this get any worse? They are in a lose-lose situation. If the beat App St., it will have been expected. No bump for them. But if they lose, they drop out of the top 20. Sometimes, cupcakes are poison! Nice article, it really made me think! Edit Comment Cancel

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- SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago
  
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  Thanks for the comments. I was just pointing out wisconsin's schedule didn't hurt them in the polls. I thought the only thing that kept them a BCS bowl was the two team/same conference limit. Trust me, I remember the Capital One bowl, and haven't slept since the Badgers beat the Hogs despite negative rushing yards!
  
  Can't argue that big OOC games are great for the polls early. It still seems to always be "what have you done for me lately" in November for voters, though. SC had plenty of time to overcome the one slot drop after the Idaho game, and LSU had plenty of time to lose their top spot after the Va Tech game.
  
  Agree on LSU. You have to use strategery in scheduling your cupcakes!
  
  Thanks for the comments. I was just pointing out wisconsin's schedule didn't hurt them in the polls. I thought the only thing that kept them a BCS bowl was the two team/same conference limit. Trust me, I remember the Capital One bowl, and haven't slept since the Badgers beat the Hogs despite negative rushing yards! Can't argue that big OOC games are great for the polls early. It still seems to always be "what have you done for me lately" in November for voters, though. SC had plenty of time to overcome the one slot drop after the Idaho game, and LSU had plenty of time to lose their top spot after the Va Tech game. Agree on LSU. You have to use strategery in scheduling your cupcakes! Edit Comment Cancel
  
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Mitchell Branly 11 months ago

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Another important aspect to scheduling the tougher teams is for the money. Revenue from the exciting out of conference games can be a very important source of income.

Another important aspect to scheduling the tougher teams is for the money. Revenue from the exciting out of conference games can be a very important source of income. Edit Comment Cancel

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- SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago
  
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  Great point. I didn't address this because I don't know much about it. Do you (or anyone) know how much more money teams stand to gain from a big nonconference matchup? I question how much it would be over a two year period. On one hand, they could probably fill a stadium 80% for two consecutive years for cupcake teams, and pay the cupcakes a few hundred thousand each year.
  
  If they had a home-and-home series with a big-time opponent, then do visiting teams get zero for the year they have to travel to the other site? Not sure how all that works. It must work out somehow, because more and more good OOC games seem to be getting scheduled.
  
  Great point. I didn't address this because I don't know much about it. Do you (or anyone) know how much more money teams stand to gain from a big nonconference matchup? I question how much it would be over a two year period. On one hand, they could probably fill a stadium 80% for two consecutive years for cupcake teams, and pay the cupcakes a few hundred thousand each year. If they had a home-and-home series with a big-time opponent, then do visiting teams get zero for the year they have to travel to the other site? Not sure how all that works. It must work out somehow, because more and more good OOC games seem to be getting scheduled. Edit Comment Cancel
  
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Reggie Garcia 11 months ago

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I love scheduling either way

easy teams, hard teams

a football team is a football team

look at App State, this time last year that would have seemed like a give for Michigan

god, I love college football

great article btw

I love scheduling either way easy teams, hard teams a football team is a football team look at App State, this time last year that would have seemed like a give for Michigan god, I love college football great article btw Edit Comment Cancel

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Lisa Horne 11 months ago

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Just keep on writing...I really love your stuff!

Just keep on writing...I really love your stuff! Edit Comment Cancel

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Gil HHH 11 months ago

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The only problem with playing cupcakes is that it will hurt you in the end ala Kansas State when they lost to Texas A&M in the Big 12 Title game and ended up in the Sun Bowl instead of a BCS bowl. I think Kansas was unfairly rewarded last year because their were a lot of 2 loss teams and the Orange liked the Cinderella appeal to the game. To top it all up they also played the ACC champ Va Tech who had one of the weakest offenses among BCS teams.
I concur with Lisa about Clemson going undefeated will be interesting because of the weak schedule and their history of choking. I think it would be unfair to put them in the championship game ahead of a one lost USC, SEC team (e.g UG/UF), OSU, OU or WVU. In order for Clemson and more importantly the ACC to get some creditability is to win some non-conference games especially against the top SEC opponents (UG/UF). Remember that prior to WVU's win against Georgia they were considered an above average BCS team and after the win they were a viewed as a top team and more importantly gave the Big East a lot of creditability. Weird that the ACC is the weakest link instead of the Big East.

The only problem with playing cupcakes is that it will hurt you in the end ala Kansas State when they lost to Texas A&M in the Big 12 Title game and ended up in the Sun Bowl instead of a BCS bowl. I think Kansas was unfairly rewarded last year because their were a lot of 2 loss teams and the Orange liked the Cinderella appeal to the game. To top it all up they also played the ACC champ Va Tech who had one of the weakest offenses among BCS teams. I concur with Lisa about Clemson going undefeated will be interesting because of the weak schedule and their history of choking. I think it would be unfair to put them in the championship game ahead of a one lost USC, SEC team (e.g UG/UF), OSU, OU or WVU. In order for Clemson and more importantly the ACC to get some creditability is to win some non-conference games especially against the top SEC opponents (UG/UF). Remember that prior to WVU's win against Georgia they were considered an above average BCS team and after the win they were a viewed as a top team and more importantly gave the Big East a lot of creditability. Weird that the ACC is the weakest link instead of the Big East. Edit Comment Cancel

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- SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago
  
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  Kansas St was still in position for BCS title game - all because of scheduling.
  
  Yeah I don't buy WVU is weak. Big East champ has won its last 3 BCS games. WVU would have taken care of Ohio St last year if they didn't choke.
  
  I think Big 12 is weakest BCS conference by default after OU lost to Boise St. They should have been fined by league office for that.
  
  Kansas St was still in position for BCS title game - all because of scheduling. Yeah I don't buy WVU is weak. Big East champ has won its last 3 BCS games. WVU would have taken care of Ohio St last year if they didn't choke. I think Big 12 is weakest BCS conference by default after OU lost to Boise St. They should have been fined by league office for that. Edit Comment Cancel
  
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Kevin Moore 11 months ago

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Good piece of work. If I was an athletic director I would only play teams with at least two directions in their name. Teams like northeast louisiana university or south east university would be mandatory opponents. Maybe in a few years the University of Phoenix will have a football program and if so, put them on the schedule.(I'm a Cane's Fan)

Good piece of work. If I was an athletic director I would only play teams with at least two directions in their name. Teams like northeast louisiana university or south east university would be mandatory opponents. Maybe in a few years the University of Phoenix will have a football program and if so, put them on the schedule.(I'm a Cane's Fan) Edit Comment Cancel

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Kevin Moore 11 months ago

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Good piece of work. If I was an athletic director I would only play teams with at least two directions in their name. Teams like northeast louisiana university or south east university would be mandatory opponents. Maybe in a few years the University of Phoenix will have a football program and if so, put them on the schedule.(I'm a Cane's Fan)

Good piece of work. If I was an athletic director I would only play teams with at least two directions in their name. Teams like northeast louisiana university or south east university would be mandatory opponents. Maybe in a few years the University of Phoenix will have a football program and if so, put them on the schedule.(I'm a Cane's Fan) Edit Comment Cancel

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Ralph Richoux 11 months ago

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I really enjoy your articles. Keep up the good work. I agree with your points, but beating the winner of the ACC 48-7 is just so satisfying.

I really enjoy your articles. Keep up the good work. I agree with your points, but beating the winner of the ACC 48-7 is just so satisfying. Edit Comment Cancel

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SEC Idiots .com 11 months ago

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Indeed. They seemed a little embarassed taking the field at the Orange Bowl because of it.

Indeed. They seemed a little embarassed taking the field at the Orange Bowl because of it. Edit Comment Cancel

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