ETSU will be playing in the Pioneer League in 2014??

(10-16-2013 07:35 PM)Buc66 Wrote:  ETSU will be playing in the Pioneer League in 2014??

I think they misquoted the year, sorry I fixed it in my original post. I believe they were talking about the stadium being done by 2015, but I'm not sure. I guess we'll find out.

Seriously here's my question to this whole PFL thing. IF ETSU is awarding scholarships to players on this signing day (2014) and then again in 2015, how and why would a completely non-scholarship conference accept ETSU?
Maybe a Mercer fan can come weigh in on this. Are you guys awarding scholarships yet?
My personal preference is to follow the Charlotte scheduling model on this one. http://www.charlotte49ers.com/SportSelec...SID=618647

Look at the mix of programs, Non-scholarship FCS, Division II, some second tier FCS scholarship programs, and a couple of high performing FCS teams. It's a mix of what should be winnable games, games that should be locks for wins, and measuring stick games dispersed throughout. The 49ers are sitting at 4-3 right now with back to back measuring stick games, though I think they scheduled Charleston Southern thinking they could win that one.
And if you also will notice, UNC-Charlotte's longest trips are to Harrisonburg, Va (JMU) and Morehead, Kentucky.
It'll end up that they'll end year one with around 6-8 wins, giving them plenty of momentum going into year two.
Here's to hoping for a whole lot of UVA-Wise, Mars Hill, Campbell, Morehead State, and probably Richmond.

Exactly.

Morehead St
Mars Hill
UVA-Wise
Davidson
Campbell
Jacksonville
Western Carolina
Emory & Henry
TN Tech
Mercer
VMI

(10-18-2013 08:21 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Seriously here's my question to this whole PFL thing. IF ETSU is awarding scholarships to players on this signing day (2014) and then again in 2015, how and why would a completely non-scholarship conference accept ETSU?
Maybe a Mercer fan can come weigh in on this. Are you guys awarding scholarships yet?
My personal preference is to follow the Charlotte scheduling model on this one. http://www.charlotte49ers.com/SportSelec...SID=618647

Look at the mix of programs, Non-scholarship FCS, Division II, some second tier FCS scholarship programs, and a couple of high performing FCS teams. It's a mix of what should be winnable games, games that should be locks for wins, and measuring stick games dispersed throughout. The 49ers are sitting at 4-3 right now with back to back measuring stick games, though I think they scheduled Charleston Southern thinking they could win that one.
And if you also will notice, UNC-Charlotte's longest trips are to Harrisonburg, Va (JMU) and Morehead, Kentucky.
It'll end up that they'll end year one with around 6-8 wins, giving them plenty of momentum going into year two.
Here's to hoping for a whole lot of UVA-Wise, Mars Hill, Campbell, Morehead State, and probably Richmond.

There's no way ETSU is joining the PFL. ETSU's approach is totally different than Mercer's. ETSU has announced scholarship from the beginning. Mercer was going to be non-scholarship, so they joined the PFL. Then Mercer got the opportunity to move up sooner than anticipated, and joined the SoCon for 2014. No one on Mercer's roster is getting an athletic scholarship.

As for the list that Meanmike posted... don't count on that Mercer game as a win

(10-18-2013 09:19 PM)MercerFan Wrote:  

(10-18-2013 08:21 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Seriously here's my question to this whole PFL thing. IF ETSU is awarding scholarships to players on this signing day (2014) and then again in 2015, how and why would a completely non-scholarship conference accept ETSU?
Maybe a Mercer fan can come weigh in on this. Are you guys awarding scholarships yet?
My personal preference is to follow the Charlotte scheduling model on this one. http://www.charlotte49ers.com/SportSelec...SID=618647

Look at the mix of programs, Non-scholarship FCS, Division II, some second tier FCS scholarship programs, and a couple of high performing FCS teams. It's a mix of what should be winnable games, games that should be locks for wins, and measuring stick games dispersed throughout. The 49ers are sitting at 4-3 right now with back to back measuring stick games, though I think they scheduled Charleston Southern thinking they could win that one.
And if you also will notice, UNC-Charlotte's longest trips are to Harrisonburg, Va (JMU) and Morehead, Kentucky.
It'll end up that they'll end year one with around 6-8 wins, giving them plenty of momentum going into year two.
Here's to hoping for a whole lot of UVA-Wise, Mars Hill, Campbell, Morehead State, and probably Richmond.

There's no way ETSU is joining the PFL. ETSU's approach is totally different than Mercer's. ETSU has announced scholarship from the beginning. Mercer was going to be non-scholarship, so they joined the PFL. Then Mercer got the opportunity to move up sooner than anticipated, and joined the SoCon for 2014. No one on Mercer's roster is getting an athletic scholarship.

As for the list that Meanmike posted... don't count on that Mercer game as a win

No. I would look for something like 6-4 or 5-5 against that schedule.