Phil Steele, one of the best college football information men out there, put out a chart of the easiest schedules based on opponents’ 2011 records. The method isn’t all that precise – a 11-2 team last year might be facing huge personnel losses and has little chance to repeat that mark, for example – and Steele acknowledges the method isn’t his own, but one the NCAA uses in determining strength of schedule.
Still, the numbers are interesting for Air Force. According to Steele’s chart, Air Force has the 121st toughest schedule out of 124 teams on the list (Navy comes in last, for what it’s worth). The Falcons play four bowl teams from last year, and the opponents had a combined record of 60-89. That’s no guarantee of success, of course, but it probably isn’t the worst thing for Air Force to have what could be a lighter schedule, considering how many players the Falcons lose from last year’s team.
Exactly how the brass wants it. That’s why they want no part of Big East, they want the weakest schedule possible to guarantee wins and bowl invites. They have learned from Frank Serratore that most of the fans and alumni don’t care if you’re beating Bentley, AIC, Canisius, Holy Cross, Sacred Heart or now a conference without BYU, Utah, San Diego State, TCU, Boise State. They love it…….but a real fan that wants to watch good games, I’m not sure I’m very excited. I will always support the Falcons, but I’m not looking forward to some very boring games. Personally I don’t know how anyone can watch the AF hockey team play those opponents, I typically watch CC play because its big time, I just hope football doesn’t end up the same way. I’d rather not go to Boulder to watch college football games, I love tailgating and enjoying Falcon football. Go Falcons!
AFA plays Michigan at Michigan and Navy, always a tough game for the Falcons but at AFA. Too bad no TCU, Boise State, BYU, Utah but AFA has no control.
Lets hope the new 2012 edition get healthy to game three at 1-1and run the table. Last year’s team did not do as well as hoped but they are in Washington this month-April–to get the CIC trophy from the CIC.
The HC could use some 10 plus wins, a same level bowl invite, a 12k plus bowl ticket sale, the CIC again-the Navy coach will jump of the plane on the way home-and some big D linemen.
Navy has played the weak schedule formula to great success and national recognition among the general public. It gets zero ranking but no one seems to care.
Go Falcons. The Hockey team does have it right. Watch BC win the NCAA hockey at Tampa with AFA being its toughest out.
Good Holy week to all.
Does the hockey team have it right playing in the weakest conference in all D-I hockey? Most of the AHA teams do not offer scholarships and the ones that do are limited. To me it’s kind of a joke that Air Force travels to the East Coast and plays the likes of Sacred Heart, Canisius, Robert Morris, American International, Mercyhurst, AIC. What’s next join the Patriot League for our olympic sports? Why not join the WCHA or the new NCHC? But playing in the AHA does guarantee an NCAA Tournament bid every year, even though we won’t ever win a game there (I know we did win once, but that was luck, like beating San Diego State in ball this season). When you play 95% of your schedule versus AHA teams, how can you possibly be prepared to play a Boston College in the tourney? If you watched that game you know we just played defense and really only have a couple quality scoring chances the entire game. I can’t believe beating the likes of Holy Cross, Sacred Heart, Bentley, Canisius is what the athletic program aspires to do.
The purpose of AFA football is not to win a national championship – it is to enter into competition in order to build the ideals of teamwork, leadership, success, etc.
A relatively weak schedule accomplishes that. It does not, however, fill seats in the stadium at premium prices, thus it will be interesting to see what the AF brass decides is more important.
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The reason Air Force cannot compete with the likes of Ohio State, Florida, and Alabama etc. is because they are limited to recuruiting students that can read and write.
Joining the Big East is hardly Ohio State, Florida and Alabama. Just saying how much do you really enjoy watching AF play New Mexico, UNLV and Wyoming in football. Many people would rather go to Boulder or watch games on TV. Air Force has always been competitive in football, they can play in the Big East.
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