Cupcakes

by unitboy on Nov 3, 2007 11:14 PM EDT

I realize that this may have been covered previously, nonetheless, I would like to know: "Would you now consider Notre Dame a "cupcake" on the schedule"?

Think about it; we've all talked about PSU playing cupcakes such as Akron, Fla. Intl. and Louisiana School for the blind (OK; I made that one up for laughs). However, I'm not so certain that there really are any Div. I teams that meet the cupcake definition. Think about it: Div. I-AA Appy. State was probably thought of as a cupcake. Then there was Michigan. Long considered a "cupcake"; Toledo beat us a few years back. A few years ago "cupcakes" Rutgers, Louisville and Wake Forest weren't all that impressive. What about South Florida?

Any more I believe the "on any given day" theory. The team "more hungry" (i.e. preparation, execution and certainly attitude)wins the game. Yes, coaching and recruitment also play a role.

Like many others I certainly would like to see each game vs. a major program that is consistently rated in the top 25. Conversely, I'm really not too concerned about playing the likes of Coastal Carolina, etc. too. Is this padding the "W" column? I'm not so sure about this anymore. If a Div I-AA team such as CC wants the exposure; then have at it; right?

Now don't take this too far out of context; yes I would be concerned about padding the "W" column if Joe started to schedule the likes of Clarion or Millersville (I don't mean to offend those of these fine institutions and I think you understand my drift). I am thinking only of Div. I schools.

I know I am asking for it and I was just curious.

Shields up!

Thanks for the fanpost! Please do not post any content from a premium site that requires a subscription. Also, if you just want to share a link, quote, or video, please consider using fanshots instead. Thanks.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

ND made their bed

and they got their ass kicked in it.

I think we should play the Ohio loop, just like the Buck's do.

For the Glory National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,

by jesse. on Nov 3, 2007 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

CC is the exception

Not the rule.

However, look at things this way. If you run the table or go one loss in any given season, youre going to be a contender in the NC race. If the people in front of you lose, you move up, no matter who you play. From a NC standpoint, I'm more concerned with ending before Thanksgiving in the Big 10 than I am with weak schedules. A tough non-conf. matters much more in basketball than football.

However, I'd like to see teams a little tougher than CC and Ark. St. to get us ready for the Big 10 schedule. Clearly, the cup cakes didn't prepare us for Michigam, a team that had already been in a war with Oregon.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Nov 4, 2007 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Michigan, In A War with Oregon?

Maybe you didnt see the game but it looked to me like a cupcake game - for Oregon. Blow out in the Big House, 39 - 7. If it was a fight it would have been stopped. Michigan could not keep up with their speed in the secondary. Oregon is a very good football team.

But the real question is who knows how bad the Big 10 is really?

OSU - Michigan again the best by far. OSU has played no one and Michigan has 2 bad out of conference home losses, one to a 1AA team.

Can you name the biggest non conference win by a Big 10 team this year? OSU over Washington, a 1 -5 teamin the pac ten? I cant find a better one to be honest but there has to be.

by TRW88 on Nov 5, 2007 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

bad choice of words

My point was Michigan played a tough OOC, and now they're undefeated in the Big 10.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Nov 5, 2007 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

cupcake teams

i've asked this question to a couple people about the playing of the "cupcake teams" and the answer is that Penn State would love to play these teams but the answer in the end comes down to the money issue. If we played Alabama, we would play them there on their turf and instead of having this as a warm up game it would instead probably be a game where we see injuries and possibly a loss and therefore a downward spiral the rest of the year, but hey, at least we would know where we're at.... right?

I hate playing the costal carolina's and the buffalo's too, but sometimes its needed to get your offense and defense on the same page.

Josh

by PSULion on Nov 5, 2007 3:27 PM EST reply actions

I Don't

See whats wrong with a couple games against cruddy teams, but we should also have 1 scheduled with a marquee opponent, and one with a middle of the road team as well.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Nov 6, 2007 7:03 PM EST up reply actions