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<a href='http://www.thenewsstar.com/sports/html/293C2209-5E14-4049-BEEE-E70A4679671F.shtml' target='_blank'>LA Tech, the nation's toughest schedule again?</a>

La. Tech football schedule loaded
Scott Beder
April 24, 2004
It's a good thing Jack Bicknell likes challenges, because the 2004 football schedule - officially released Friday - certainly will test his Louisiana Tech football team.

The Bulldogs' 12-game slate features seven bowl teams, including games against three teams from BCS conferences and five home games.

"Obviously, there is nothing easy about this schedule," Bicknell said. "It's going to be challenging from week No. 1 to week No. 12."

Tech opens the season later than usual at home on Sept. 11 against Louisiana-Lafayette before embarking on a four-game gauntlet in which Tech will travel to Miami and Tennessee in back-to-back games, before returning home for its Western Athletic Conference opener against Fresno State. The Bulldogs then travel to Auburn to finish out the tough opening stretch.

Because of the late opener, Tech won't report to fall camp until Aug. 17.

This is the third time in the past five years Tech has played Miami and Auburn and it will be its first game against Tennessee since 1993.

"Once again we will have one of the nation's most competitive schedules," Tech athletics director Jim Oakes said. "Playing teams such as Miami, Tennessee and Auburn should continue to help us with national recognition and in the recruiting process. Hopefully, this year's Louisiana Tech team will be able to defeat a BCS program like we have for the past two seasons."

In 2002, Tech upset Oklahoma State in its season opener and last year defeated Michigan State.

The Bulldogs begin the meat of their WAC slate on Oct. 16 with a trip to SMU before returning to Ruston on Oct. 23 to face UTEP and first-year coach Mike Price for homecoming.

Tech also has one home game in Shreveport against Nevada on Oct. 30 and then finishes the season with three of its last four games on the road at Hawaii, two-time defending WAC champion Boise State and Rice.

Looks like a 4-7 season.

Cutting your own throat and giving yourself little chance for success.

C-USA teams that used to schedule like that have curtailed it signficantly, which helps the league.

Tech could get awaywith that when a)they had a good team and b)when they could schedule arkie State the week after Penn State. Can't do that anymore- now it's Fresno or even Rice.

That kind of schedule is the kind that gets your players really banged up when it is time for conference play. LaTech's AD is taking the wrong approach. You can get by playing 2 top teams, but playing @ Tennessee and then @ Miami the next week with a game @ Auburn two weeks later with conference games against Fresno State and Boise State is just too much for an average team to be successful.

La Tech has always played anybody, anytime, anywhere, that's how you get respect. Now let's hear the OOC schedule for all those posters schools who are bad mouthing La Tech, like So Miss, etc!! I doubt if they come close to measuring up to Miami, Tenn, and Auburn----------Wimps!!!!

Another Reason Tech is not Worthy of joining CUSA. I just hate it!!! Tech just flat out admits their nothing but a little tiny school. That program has already accepted defeat, this talks about oh, maybe we can beat a bcs team. Thats a big difference compared to the views from USM, Marshall, ECU, Memphis,UCF, Houston, Tulane,UAB.

Unlike CUSA schools he admits his school is nothing, not worthy of competing with those other programs but his is way below those programs, what a joke. Tech just simply admits their nothing short of div 2.

CUSA members continue to fight against teams in conferences like the acc, sec, big 12 without referring to them like they are some sort of God.

AMEN

I believe we play 12 games.

More like 2-10, I think. We might slip by another 1 or 2 opponents, so 4-8 is possible....I guess.

Doesn't someone want the guy who snapped the ball to Doug Flutie to throw the hail mary to beat Miami, on their coaching staff? Someone please hire Jack Bicknell III soon!

It's fine to play a schedule like that if you beat a couple of those teams. UAB used to play a suicidal schedule like that and even this year have FSU and probably a more competitive Miss St. on the schedule and played Georgia (loss 13-10) and South Carolina last year. Even better to collect the checks you get from your participation in these types of games.

But it does your team a world of good not to play three or four of these type games in a year especially if you're in a conference.

BTW, it's an 11-game season this year. Unless you play in one those pre-season games I guess. But it's only an 11-game season for mostly everyone.

Tech plays at Hawaii, so we get the 12th game this year too.

Our OOC is: ULL, Tennessee, Miami & Auburn
plus 8 WAC games.

As for Top Eagle's comments... don't confuse our current coaching woes with the overall program. Some fans are quick to point out a "flash-in-the-pan" team, and rightfully so, but then when a successful program goes thru some lean years, some of those same fans want to impune the program. Jack Bicknell is NOT Tech football. Soon, he will be gone. After this season, or perhaps before the end of the season.

As for the BCS games, etc.... I agree with you about attitude. That's precisely why Bicknell sux as a coach. That said, Tech has still managed to beat some BCS teams in years they went to bowls. You can try to brush that aside, and the anti-Tech folks do, but those are still quality wins. Also, the WAC is a lot tougher than some fans are willing to admit. Of course, the WAC's 5-2 bowl record the past two seasons has opened some people's eyes.

Tech does play a tough schedule. That is an acknowledgement of what our opponents have accomplished.

I have always tried to be 100% honest in my postings. I call a spade, a spade. I believe that 2004 is gonna be a tough year for our football team. And of course, our detractors will be quick to point that out. But I believe our problem lies with our current head coach. I guess in the years to come, we'll see.

It's what's being called "Road Wariors". Until you stop. Just take on some top non-BCS foes and a couple BCS schools scattered in here and there to build your program up. You will always be a 5-7, 6-6 team with maybe an 8-4 record ever so often.

Sit down and get a series with 2 top BCS schools, get a med. BCS school not a top power like Virgina and Alabama.

Have LA Tech go 10-2, 11-1, 9-3, win the WAC & your Bowl games in the next 3 years and see if things wouldn't turn around in N. Louisiana, Attend. would rise BLA BLA BLA.......

You are reading way too much into the quote.

Why give them any more reasons to focus on the game with us. Let them think that we are just happy to be there. They start looking down the schedule and we come away with a win.

Winning the war of words does not score any touchdowns.

Killer BCS Schedules haven't help UCF either.

That's something O'Leary wants to address in the near future.

This year, (scheduled years ago), UCF's first 3 games are at Wisconsin, home to West Virginia, and at Penn St.

With a new offense and defensive game plan, new QB, new LB and DL, etc...UCF players could be beaten up pretty bad...go 0-3...before we enter Conf Play.

In 1999....UCF's first 4 games included:

PURDUE
at Florida
at Ga Tech
at Georgia
plus at Auburn later in the year


UCF had to do this in the past...We needed $$$$ plus, since we were an independent till 2002, we needed GAMES!!!

Yes, these games on the road were great to attend (aka Nebraska, Auburn, Bama, Ga Tech, Clemson, etc...) and I travel to these BCS campuses vs when we play at MAC schools, but since most BCS Teams play non-conf games in the beginning of the season...it does hurt mid-major schools that try to build up some confidence before conf play.

And yes, when we get to host BCS Teams like Va Tech (50,000 plus in 2000), Purdue (40,000 plus in 1999) and West Virginia this year (40,000-50,000 expected for this home opener) it does help our home gate.

LaTech...with the smallest budget by far if they join CUSA...needs the $$$ as well.

Once schools like UCF and LaTech are "addicted" to BCS Game $$$$ (almost like crack!), its hard to break the habit of turning down hundreds of thousands of $$$$$$.

But, like Marshall has done...they've been able to schedule like 1 BCS Game per year (sometimes 2) and has won a few of them. They don't get beat up playing 3-4 BCS Teams before Conf play starts...they win their conference...they get on TV...and they go to Bowl Games.

That's probably the best way NOW to build up a program.

KL

I semi apologize for my earlier post, it isn't my style, but I get sick and tired of the world is going to fall in if La Tech is invited!!! :mad: I have to believe the people in that category are either afraid to play La Tech, or afraid of recruiting against them. I do know one thing for sure, La Tech is not going to be awed or scared by any CUSA team they play, anytime!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For some younger posters, Miami of Florida was an absolutely nothing, independent football team until they went out and played the big boys and beat some of them. Know one would have ever heard of Marshall and Central Florida if they didn't play some big boys. You don't get national pub and recognition for your wins in the MAC. Hel!, 99% of the football fans in the country Have no idea where Troy St is, but in the last few years you know they exist because they've played some good teams! Even if La Tech doesn't get into CUSA, I would love to see how many CUSA schools want to add La Tech to their OOC schedule. Not many if they wanted an easy win!!! La Tech would do CUSA just as proud as UTEP if not more so when it comes to Athletics, but I know, their stadium isn't as shiny :bang: !!!!

Your wrong there..... Marshall is known because they stay home, win their DIV. and then the CONF. Then they go on and win their Bowl game. Not because they take on the so called "BIG BOYS" and win. Take care of Home base first. Don't worry about second until you get to first. I hope that made since.

And somehow we drew 50,000 for Idaho. How and why? Beats me.

They need to be called big 12, acc or sec schools NOT BCS programs. That just pisses me off every TIME someone refers to them as a BCS school.

Nothing will change my thinking!!!

Louisiana Tech is used to these schedules. Here's the studs on the Bulldogs' schedule over the last several years:

2004- @Tennessee, @Auburn, @Miami-FL
2003- Miami-FL, @Michigan St, @LSU (National Champs)
2002- OK St, @Penn St, @Clemson, @TX A&M
2001- @OK St, @Kansas St, @Auburn
2000- @Kansas St, @Penn St, @Auburn, @Miami-FL
1999- @Florida St, Texas A&M, @Alabama, @USC-California
1998- @Nebraska, @Texas A&M, @Auburn
1997- @Arkansas, California, @Auburn, @Alabama
1996- @Miss St, @Texas A&M, @Arkansas

Louisiana Tech beat the following BCS opponents:
2003 Won at Michigan State (Tech played 7 bowl teams in '03)
2002 Beat bowl-bound OK State
2001 LA Tech "WAC Football Champions", lost in overtime @Auburn 41-48
1999 Beat 1999 "SEC Football Champions" Alabama
1998 Set all-time passing record @Nebraska (590 yards). LA Tech established a school record & the Nebraska opponents' all-time record.
1997 Won @Alabama, beat California, lost @Arkansas 13-17 with 150+ yards in penalties
1996 Destroyed Miss St 38-23 in Starkville, MS.

2 Words ROAD WARIORRS

It''s no way to build a team.

Playing that schedule does not give you respect if you lose them.

We played insane schedules as an indy because we had to. If your team is in a conference, why in the hell would you want to play that kind of schedule still?

Having said that, our first 3 games next year are gonna be tough-

at Wisconsin
vs. West Virginia
at. Penn State

You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

You are expected to lose, but if you win, you get lots of discussion.

When you build your team up you can start to have a tough OOC schedule and maybe every so often take a soft schedle.

This has nothing to do with building a program. Tech is hitting the road in exchange for payouts to try and keep their program afloat now that the state of Louisiana is looking into their finances. If these guys could make any money at home they'd be scheduling McNeese State or Louisiana-Monroe in Ruston instead of going to Tennessee and getting hammered in exchange for money.

You sure the hel1 don't get any national respect playing or beating Ohio U and Bowling Green, what are you smoking!! You get respect playing the best and either giving them a great game or winning it!! Don't make any more ridiculous statements about not playing quality opponents---go back to smoking whatever that is that messes up your mind!!

Again....you have to win those games. Going 4-20 against top teams won't give you respect. LaTech has not and will not win enough of these games to get respect.

Now here is the difference between LaTech's and UCF's schedule:

UCF has West Virginia at home, which makes that game a lot more winnable. Games at Wisconsin and at Penn State are easier to win then playing at Miami, at Auburn, and at Tennessee. Plus, Wisconsin, WVU, and PSU are big enough programs to give you respect if you win.

When the Dawgs join the C-USA schools in '05, we will lessen our dependence on 'pay day' football games and concentrate on only one a year, maybe two. Our travel expenses will not be as great and regional competition to improve fan base will mean we won't have to play three 'bigger names' each yearfor big bucks. We will continue to try to contract home/away series like the Miami series.

You all need to be calling N. Texas, ULL & ARK State and becoming good friends and asking them to go to the WAC with you.

So what is the downside?

Maybe so, partner, but not just yet. That 'phat lady' ain't sung just yet.......

I am very surprised that 'informed, important' alumni like I read on this board haven't placed phone calls to their presidents and/or AD's to get the real scope....... I have yet to read where any of you have done anything but read some sports writer's account of hearsay.

If you all are so 'informed' why haven't we read quotes and or seen anything concrete?

WVU and Penn St. will be very winnable games.

Wisconsin I don't think so. That place is downright nasty to play in. Our biggest advantage may be the Wiscy lost ALOT of starters last year.

Going on the road vs. Miami and Marshall back to back won't be fun either.

Atleast we get NIU at home.

UNLV beat Wisconsin 23-5 last year, and that game was at Wisconsin. If UNLV can do it, an improved UCF team can do it to. It's not like Wisconsin is as good as Miami Fl. or Tennessee.

Losing credibility and making it harder to gain respect. That is essentially what has happened to LaTech in the last few years. As a LaTech fan it might be hard for you to swallow that or understand it, but outside of LaTechers your program has lost any respect they gained in the late '90s.

Now if you win 1 or 2 games against good teams, like your win against Michigan State last year, people just say "well they got lucky......when was the last time they beat somebody good?"

Sorry if this sounds like a slam, but it is true. Playing those kind of schedules and not winning the games makes it harder to gain respect when you do win. It's just the way it is.

New QB AND that schedule? Bicknell is probably at Kinko's right now running off his resume.

Whats the downside..... What we are going through right now is the downside.

You have lost enough of those games to make you have a losing 5 yrs. So when a conf needs a new member this is one factor and one of the big factors they look at. So this is a downside of losing games like that. That money might be good, that respect that you think you might be getting when you only lose by 3 or when you win is all washed away if you get passed over time after time.

We can hope and pray!

Most fans of SEC and Biig 12 teams that I talk to are very impressed with our teams.

Yes, we lose several of these games, but we also win several. One win, yes we were lucky. Two wins is a little bit more than luck.

A win against Michigan State last year, a win against Oklahoma State the year before, and losing to Auburn and Oklahoma State by 7 the year before has done more for our recruiting and national recognition than playing the likes of ULL and ULM.

Playing Miami and Florida State hurts us more than helps in my opinion, but playing the middle tier teams in the BCS conferences definitely has helped us in recruiting and recognition.

A ucf fan asked oleary what his opinion of UCF was when GT played us 3 years n a row.. a couple of them were real close... his answer the only thing I remember is they were 0 for 3. U lose em all and u get nothing. :stupid:

Exactly.....

You get respect when you have respectable opts. and win your conf and bowl game. Not when you take on the big boys 40 times and come away with 7 wins. I would much rather play 40 OOC games and come away with 35 wins, and 11 BCS games and 6 wins. Most of our OOC have been to top non bcs schools. I would love to have a series with Boise.

Winning 1 out of 4 a season doesn't give you respect.

You cannot beat them if you are afraid to play them.

I appreciate you calling me stupid. Nice to know that some UCF fans are just as rude as some of the other people on this board, including some of my fellow dawgs.

You've gotta build your program first.....Tech clearly hasn't done that.

I won't call you stupid, but I'll say you have a limited capacity to grasp ideas. What we're saying is that you can play teams "close" all you want, but if you lose then they don't care. Wins matter. I'd much rather play top non BCS teams and have a good winning percentage vs. playing 40 BCS teams and having 5 wins, wouldn't you?

At the end of the year, what will look better? 11-2 with a conference title and a bowl game appearance

OR

6-5 with 3 "close" BCS losses?

Furthermore,

It's great to have a tough non-conference shedule, and if you play top caliber teams like you are next year, that's great too! You can earn respect if you even win 1 or 2 out of 4 tough non-conference games. BUT! And this is a big but, if you have some minor successes in your non-conference slate like that, but then you flop come conference time, no one gives a rat's a$$. If La. Tech were to win 1 or 2 non-conf. and then go 6-2 in the conference, then that would be something. That way when you get to a bowl people will look at your schedule and say Hey!, they won some conference games and even knocked off a good Aurburn team this year! The're a pretty good team.
But if you flop in your conference schedule and go 4-8 over all, no one will care who you beat earlier in the year. They will say oh, they must have caught Auburn early in the year. That was a good win but a fluke. They can't even win 1/2 of their WAC confewrence games!

Which is going back to my orig post....... Tech needs to build their program first.

Oh, so now you call me the politically correct version of stupid.

I hate losing, but I would rather be 6-5 against teams like Miami, and Auburn than 11-2 and play teams like ULL, ULM, and Ark State.

Middle of the road team with potential to make something of itself, or a team that is forever stuck in the "best of the worst" category. Best of the worst may be good enough for you, but not for me. Lets play the big boys. We win some, and we lose some, but we always compete.

Tell a recruit that he can have a chance to play some of the best teams in the country and maybe make a name for himself, or he can go to some Sunbelt team and be the "best of the worst." Does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. But like you said, I am of limited capacity. Despite our loss to Nebraska, Tim Rattay and Troy Edwards got alot of attention. Our win against Michigan State got Luke McCown alot of attention.

Look, no offense, but do you think anyone around the nation goes "Hey, La Tech really played those teams good. I like them"?

Wins over USM, Memphis, Tulane, Marshall, ECU, UAB, Houston, etc. would be nothing to sneeze at. That would be a great accomplishment, and you'd have a conference title and bowl appearance to show for. Losing to BCS juggernauts without an established program gets you nothing.

A conference title and bowl wins will do 3x better for your program than beating a BCS team once out of 8 tries.

No Dchi Tech can't run with those teams year in and year out, neither do you take on the schools you mentioned.

This is what your AD should be doing to build your program up....

1 Get a series with 2 top Non BCS TEAMS maybe 3, since C-USA doesn't look like its going to happen Marshall, S. Miss would be excellet, and then maybe Miami OH or Toledo.

2 Sign 2 med non BCS schools most likely to a 2-1 or 3-1 such as Virgina, Alabama & Maryland (Respectable programs but also very winnable games at anytime)

3 Then when you start to win your conf a couple times and most of the non BCS OOCGs at least and some of the BCS games, you drop 1 of your non BCS schools and add one of the powers such as Florida, Florida ST, Miami, or another.

But you just don't jump in Feet first, until you have built the program.


What Tech's Schedule Could look like
at Virgina
at Alabama
Toledo
at New Mexico St
Boise St.
at Hawaii
Nevada
Utah St
at Fresno St.
N. Texas
at Arkansas State

This looks a lot more respectable and winnable instead of trying to be road wariorrs. And take on the world in 1 season.

Um, yes they do. In my travels with work, sports is usually a fairly big topic. Most of the people that I talk with are fans of Miami, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Texas, etc. They are especially complimentary of our program.