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(08-16-2019 05:36 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(08-16-2019 04:20 AM)converrl Wrote:  

(08-15-2019 12:52 PM)cincy7718 Wrote:  

(08-15-2019 02:34 AM)converrl Wrote:  

(08-14-2019 09:20 PM)cincy7718 Wrote:  That is my thinking as well. We should schedule the best teams we have a reasonable shot at beating. Losing even to great teams doesn’t help anything. When you’re not p5 you need to go undefeated to really make noise. If we build up multiple big seasons and a loaded roster that has a legit shot at beating top tier teams is when we should really push for it. Until then it’s fun once and a while but not a great idea to lock a sure loss into the schedule every year, especially with unfavorable terms

That's a philosophy of fear. Not a good look for a program that wants to step up. Don't be afraid of these teams...schedule them!

Bolded, that's a critical element here for sure. Odds are, UC wasn't going out to the Rose Bowl and winning against UCLA last year. That's what made that one special. Had UC lost a competitive game there though, we'd all be pointing to the one at Nippert to even the series.

its not a philosophy of fear at all. its understanding the system is rigged and taking your best shot within a rigged system. half the country has no chance at the playoffs. this was proven twice by ucf. best you can do is get the ny6 bowl. best chance of that is by going undefeated. then you would get both. you get a shot at a big program AND you get the big bowl game with the whole nation watching a top 20 Bearcat team in primetime. until college football becomes a legitimate competition, scheduling for undefeated seasons is the smart move for any non p5 school.

We could get in if we took Notre Dame's approach--play and beat the big boys while going undefeated. Then they have to give you a chance.

Notre dame's approach doesn't involve 1 off road games. I'd love to play home and home games against anyone

Bolded, that's really a critical element, isn't it? UC went to the Rose Bowl a year ago with few believing they would beat UCLA. Had the Bearcats lost a competitive game there, we'd all be pointing to the opener at Nippert as a chance to even the series.

So flip that to this season. UC goes to a hostile environment in Columbus with a young team, battles to the end and comes up a little short. How much fun would it be to get a rematch the following season in Cincy? Yet these two teams may never meet again.

Other than a big payday for UC, the one off road games against elite programs probably aren't good for building a program.