Would you say this year's SBC schedule is significantly easier than what you faced as independents? The way NMSU played the cajuns makes me wonder if your schedules were tougher than what we face in the SBC.

(06-06-2014 10:45 AM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  Would you say this year's SBC schedule is significantly easier than what you faced as independents? The way NMSU played the cajuns makes me wonder if your schedules were tougher than what we face in the SBC.

Idaho played eight bowl teams I believe

Yes this years schedule is significantly easier than last years. We played 8 bowl eligible teams including the eventual National Champions, 2 other decent BCS teams (WSU, Ole Miss) , the MWC Champions who challenged for a BCS berth till a late loss (Fresno), the MAC runner up who challenged for a BCS berth till a loss in the championship game (NIU), and the Sun Belt Co-Champions (Astate). Last year was absolutely a brutal schedule.

This year we only play 1 P5 school (Florida) and a Sun Belt schedule where we do not have to play Louisiana and have 2 FCS move ups (not that they are pushovers by any means).

Plenty of advantages to being in a conference.

It was extremely tough. Last year NMSU played Texas, Minnesotta, UCLA and Boston College. A total of 7 bowl teams. One thing people my be underestimating is the familiarity factor of playing the same opponent year in and year out as well.

(06-06-2014 10:45 AM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  Would you say this year's SBC schedule is significantly easier than what you faced as independents? The way NMSU played the cajuns makes me wonder if your schedules were tougher than what we face in the SBC.

Well it's nice not having to play two potential BCS busters and the eventual national champion.

Idaho's comparative schedules:

2013......................2014

Florida State........> Florida
Fresno State........> San Diego State
Ole Miss..............> ULM
Norther Illinois......> Ohio
Washington State > Troy
North Texas.........> South Alabama
Wyoming.............> Western Michigan
Old Dominion........> Georgia Southern
Temple................> App State
Arkansas State.....= Arkansas State
Texas State.........= Texas State
NMSU..................= NMSU

Who knows how good the 2014 teams will be this year, but yes, I think it's safe to say our schedule will be easier this year.

(06-06-2014 11:51 AM)theultimateaggie Wrote:  It was extremely tough. Last year NMSU played Texas, Minnesotta, UCLA and Boston College. A total of 7 bowl teams. One thing people my be underestimating is the familiarity factor of playing the same opponent year in and year out as well.

Historically, our games have always gone down to the wire, and I expect nothing new this year. Our games have also been some of my favorites.

(06-06-2014 06:20 PM)GoVandals1893 Wrote:  Idaho's comparative schedules:

2013......................2014

Florida State........> Florida
Fresno State........> San Diego State
Ole Miss..............> ULM
Norther Illinois......> Ohio
Washington State > Troy
North Texas.........> South Alabama
Wyoming.............> Western Michigan
Old Dominion........> Georgia Southern
Temple................> App State
Arkansas State.....= Arkansas State
Texas State.........= Texas State
NMSU..................= NMSU

Who knows how good the 2014 teams will be this year, but yes, I think it's safe to say our schedule will be easier this year.

Don't be so sure on the 3 I've highlighted

(06-06-2014 06:20 PM)GoVandals1893 Wrote:  Idaho's comparative schedules:

2013......................2014

Florida State........> Florida
Fresno State........> San Diego State
Ole Miss..............> ULM
Norther Illinois......> Ohio
Washington State > Troy
North Texas.........> South Alabama
Wyoming.............> Western Michigan
Old Dominion........> Georgia Southern
Temple................> App State
Arkansas State.....= Arkansas State
Texas State.........= Texas State
NMSU..................= NMSU

Who knows how good the 2014 teams will be this year, but yes, I think it's safe to say our schedule will be easier this year.

You know GS knocked old dominion out of the fcs playoffs both times we met right?

(06-06-2014 07:41 PM)eaglemachine Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 06:20 PM)GoVandals1893 Wrote:  Idaho's comparative schedules:

2013......................2014

Florida State........> Florida
Fresno State........> San Diego State
Ole Miss..............> ULM
Norther Illinois......> Ohio
Washington State > Troy
North Texas.........> South Alabama
Wyoming.............> Western Michigan
Old Dominion........> Georgia Southern
Temple................> App State
Arkansas State.....= Arkansas State
Texas State.........= Texas State
NMSU..................= NMSU

Who knows how good the 2014 teams will be this year, but yes, I think it's safe to say our schedule will be easier this year.

You know GS knocked old dominion out of the fcs playoffs both times we met right?

How much of the 2011-12 team is still around?

On paper, NMSU's may look easier, as we had Boston College, San Diego State, Rice, Minnesota, and UTEP at home, and at Texas, UNM and UCLA. But lots of Freshman will be seeing minutes. Will be plenty of growing pains.

Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

(06-06-2014 10:50 PM)dmacfour Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 07:41 PM)eaglemachine Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 06:20 PM)GoVandals1893 Wrote:  Idaho's comparative schedules:

2013......................2014

Florida State........> Florida
Fresno State........> San Diego State
Ole Miss..............> ULM
Norther Illinois......> Ohio
Washington State > Troy
North Texas.........> South Alabama
Wyoming.............> Western Michigan
Old Dominion........> Georgia Southern
Temple................> App State
Arkansas State.....= Arkansas State
Texas State.........= Texas State
NMSU..................= NMSU

Who knows how good the 2014 teams will be this year, but yes, I think it's safe to say our schedule will be easier this year.

You know GS knocked old dominion out of the fcs playoffs both times we met right?

How much of the 2011-12 team is still around?

I don't think he is saying each game is comparatively easier .
Playing one BCS team vs three and Florida vs the champs is better.

(06-07-2014 05:40 AM)MJG Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 10:50 PM)dmacfour Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 07:41 PM)eaglemachine Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 06:20 PM)GoVandals1893 Wrote:  Idaho's comparative schedules:

2013......................2014

Florida State........> Florida
Fresno State........> San Diego State
Ole Miss..............> ULM
Norther Illinois......> Ohio
Washington State > Troy
North Texas.........> South Alabama
Wyoming.............> Western Michigan
Old Dominion........> Georgia Southern
Temple................> App State
Arkansas State.....= Arkansas State
Texas State.........= Texas State
NMSU..................= NMSU

Who knows how good the 2014 teams will be this year, but yes, I think it's safe to say our schedule will be easier this year.

You know GS knocked old dominion out of the fcs playoffs both times we met right?

How much of the 2011-12 team is still around?

I don't think he is saying each game is comparatively easier .
Playing one BCS team vs three and Florida vs the champs is better.

Come on now, Temple over App State, give me a break.
ODU over GaSo. They have played twice and GaSo beat them both times.

(06-07-2014 06:13 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(06-07-2014 05:40 AM)MJG Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 10:50 PM)dmacfour Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 07:41 PM)eaglemachine Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 06:20 PM)GoVandals1893 Wrote:  Idaho's comparative schedules:

2013......................2014

Florida State........> Florida
Fresno State........> San Diego State
Ole Miss..............> ULM
Norther Illinois......> Ohio
Washington State > Troy
North Texas.........> South Alabama
Wyoming.............> Western Michigan
Old Dominion........> Georgia Southern
Temple................> App State
Arkansas State.....= Arkansas State
Texas State.........= Texas State
NMSU..................= NMSU

Who knows how good the 2014 teams will be this year, but yes, I think it's safe to say our schedule will be easier this year.

You know GS knocked old dominion out of the fcs playoffs both times we met right?

How much of the 2011-12 team is still around?

I don't think he is saying each game is comparatively easier .
Playing one BCS team vs three and Florida vs the champs is better.

Come on now, Temple over App State, give me a break.
ODU over GaSo. They have played twice and GaSo beat them both times.

Those Two Are Wrong Maybe Temple gets credit for being FBS.
ODU strength was Idaho's weakness the passing game.