StLRedbird wrote: ↑Tue Jul 10, 2018 3:00 pm
cpacmel wrote: ↑Tue Jul 10, 2018 1:36 pm
ISUBU wrote: ↑Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:33 am
My guess is that they all were looking for the same thing...a home game to balance the schedule. And when they couldn't find a Division 1 team to travel, they looked at D2 and NAIA. If everyone insists on a home game, then you can't match up these programs.
We think we have it bad paying St. X to drive to Normal. Sac State is paying University of St. Francis (Joliet) to come to California for a game.
Great post

. And this is exactly what I think happened with ISU. We refused to budge on giving up that 6th home game for either overpaying for another D1 or hitting the road for a D1. I know there was opportunity for other D1 games. But ISU would have had to buyout st. Xavier in the process. Not ISU's finest job here. Really hope it doesn't cost the Redbirds a play-off spot. St. Xavier game is just dumb.
If memory serves, 4th has also speculated that Spack might have agreed to this to ensure $ to get the coaches he wanted. Bet we’ll never know
yes, I rationalized that one. If that really came into play in the decision making process, Spack might have reluctantly agreed for the greater good .. meaning, given how much we've lost on defense, he may even be looking ahead to 2019 as our next serious chance for a Natty run. Last year should have been that year .. and we showed so much upside at times .. but it was not, and it was entirely due to maddening inconsistencies on offense .. IMO due largely to OC and OL inexperience/injuries
But Spack should have never been in the position to have to decide whether we could afford to buy our way out of a STX game we should never have scheduled to begin with. it is what it is. We still have a playoff shot if we go 7-4, because that would mean we probably went 5-3 in MVFC .. or we beat Colorado St. But none of us want to be on that bubble at 6-4.
If Spack and new DC Niekamp have this defense competing by week 1 or even by week 5 against WIU,. this will be similarly amazing accomplishment as when Spack turned our bottom 10 defense in 2010 (under DC Elmassian) into a top 10 defense in 2011.
So .. uh ... on behalf of Redbird Nation .. oh, and AD Lyons job .. uh ... GO DEFENSE !!!!!
Redbird Nation Rising ... Fans and donors need to get on board !!