NowherePoke
Well-known member
SDPokeFan said:The problem with the D2 school is there is zero to be gained by playing them. Nothing. If you win, and win big, you were supposed to. If you win by a little, people wonder why you beat such an inferior team by such a small amount. And if you lose...the sky is falling. I know it was only an exhibition game, but I'm convinced the loss to New Mexico Highlands last year not only got the season off to a horrible start but it had a negative impact on attendance the remainder of the season. I don't care if you're playing with your last five guys on the bench, that's a game you have to win. Otherwise, it's "these guys can't even beat an RMAC school, why should I go see them?"
Agree on the basic premise, but I would add the following comments:
1. We didn't lose to New Mexico Highlands last year. You might be thinking of the exhibition loss to Fort Lewis, but I don't know what you do to solve that other than not play exhibitions since the NCAA did away with the traveling semi-pro type teams that use to fill the exhibition season (EA Sports All-Stars, etc.). There is an alternative and that is to hold a closed door scrimmage with another D-1 team. In recent years Shyatt has elected to do one of each (one D2 exhibition and one closed door scrimmage). Some programs have done two D-1 scrimmages and done away with the exhibition. I am fine either way. I kind of like the exhibition games in theory as I want to see as many games as possible and it is sometimes our only glimpse of young players that redshirt and non-contributing walkons. Having said that, I never want to experience Fort Lewis again, so maybe it is for the best to do away with those games.
2. I am not sure that in terms of overall perception of the program that there is much difference between say Stetson and Metro State, except that the first will crater your SOS for RPI purposes and costs you more money to bring them in.
The reality of the situation is that there is very little to gain by playing any D-1 team with a Sub 200 RPI or a D2 team.