Scheduling Just Got Tougher for ISU

[tornado]

The pool of 140+ RPI teams available has just shrunk...

The OVC (Ohio Valley Conference - all TEN of it's members were RPI at or over 140!) just passed a new rule for it's members...

"Starting in the 2010-11 season, the OVC will require that its teams play at
least as many home games as true road games. The league also won't allow
any of its members to play more than two "guarantee" games.

and "Under the new OVC rule, members will be allowed to schedule one game
against a non-Division I opponent for every guarantee game they play
against a major-conference power. "

"That new rule will prevent Morehead State from having more schedules similar
to the one it just faced. The Eagles played four guarantee games this past
season: Drake, Vanderbilt, Louisville and Illinois State. Tyndall said that quartet
of games brought the Morehead State athletic department about $210,000."

[TheAsianSensation]

This is weird. I'm trying to find motivation in this.

The OVC aren't getting at large bids anytime soon, so I guess they just want to lock up home games. Only 2 guarantee games means they'll go for the big paychecks. Mid majors will no longer be able to buy these guarantee games because they'll go to BCS teams.

In theory, this hurts the mid majors.

[tornado]

I actually see little wrong with any smaller or midmajor school landing a couple big payday guarantee games each year.
(as long as the terms aren't too much of a giveaway)
I wouldn't even be bothered if BU did it and went on the road to a big East or ACC school.
Most of those schools pay $50-100,000 for guarantee games.

But, there are those who have the sentiment that it is selling out and yielding to the big boys and getting pim*ped by them.

I can see both sides, but the money talks and the chance to beat one of the big boys on the road is also appealing.

But the OVC sees limiting the guarantee games as a way to "look like a stronger conference", which is what they want.
They don't want to send the message they are the big boys' (and even mid-boys') whipping boy.

[shaunguth]

I actually see little wrong with any smaller or midmajor school landing a couple big payday guarantee games each year.
(as long as the terms aren't too much of a giveaway)
I wouldn't even be bothered if BU did it and went on the road to a big East or ACC school.
Most of those schools pay $50-100,000 for guarantee games.

But, there are those who have the sentiment that it is selling out and yielding to the big boys and getting pim*ped by them.

I can see both sides, but the money talks and the chance to beat one of the big boys on the road is also appealing.

But the OVC sees limiting the guarantee games as a way to "look like a stronger conference", which is what they want.
They don't want to send the message they are the big boys' (and even mid-boys') whipping boy.

I say play anyone, anytime, anywhere! I wonder if the fans of those teams that refuse to be "pimped out" by putting the big boys on pedestals would say the same about their own program/coach if they suddenly changed policies?

[MacabreMob]

This is weird. I'm trying to find motivation in this.

The OVC aren't getting at large bids anytime soon, so I guess they just want to lock up home games. Only 2 guarantee games means they'll go for the big paychecks. Mid majors will no longer be able to buy these guarantee games because they'll go to BCS teams.

In theory, this hurts the mid majors.

I don't know... it might help. If there are fewer chances for BCS schools to "buy" games with OVC schools... then the BCS schools will have to schedule more games with teams from better conferences than the OVC.

[TheAsianSensation]

I don't know... it might help. If there are fewer chances for BCS schools to "buy" games with OVC schools... then the BCS schools will have to schedule more games with teams from better conferences than the OVC.

I can buy that explanation. However, does it lead to more mid majors playing at BCS schools, or BCS schools actually hitting the road?

[MacabreMob]

I can buy that explanation. However, does it lead to more mid majors playing at BCS schools, or BCS schools actually hitting the road?

I don't know. Maybe a little of both. Gonzaga might take the "buy game" but someone like Bradley might get a 2-for-1.