[NU Sports] on non-league skeds (fwd)

[Mike Nolan]

> as long as bowl bids are based on 6-win seasons, and one can count a 1-AA win every season, our non-conference schedule has to consist of:
>  
> - a lousy Div 1-AA team, always at home (Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois could work)
> - a lousy Div 1 BCS conference team (think Duke or Temple) home-and-home
> - 2 lousy Div 1 non-BCS schools (think Eastern Michigan and maybe UNLV) in 2 home-1 away contracts, such that we always end up with at least 3 non-conference home games, to go with 4 conference home games
>  
> Then, hopefully you can win at least 2 conference games and get bowl-eligible.

I think this is a defeatist attitude.  I'd like to see at least one game
on the schedule against a 1-A team that isn't Compass Point State, even
if means a home/home contract.

It doesn't have to be USC or Notre Dame (though a ND home/home series once
a decade would be OK by me, it could be a school like Miami of Ohio, Marshall
or Kansas, or even currently down schools like Syracuse.

Boise State and Fresno State have demonstrated that they CAN compete against
top programs.  Is Northwestern a lesser 'draw' for recruits than they are?
I don't think so!  (I suspect those teams would be worthy and formidable
opponents for us, too.)

If all we play are creampuffs, don't be suprised if we're considered
pastry too.

I haven't checked the NCAA bowl guidelines, is a 6-6 record considered
bowl eligible?
--
Mike Nolan