The E-Files
Fresno State makes no sense
Posted by: Eric Loy
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 5:22 PM
Why in the world would Illinois want to play Fresno State home-and-home? This has trap written all over it.
I like Illinois playing games against real national contending teams, but Fresno State will never be anything other than an occasional Top-25 surprise team. If you are going to pretend to play a tough schedule year after year, and give up a home game in the process, play someone that's worth it. Georgia, LSU, UCLA, real national names if not always top programs, are all better choices.
Best scenario: Illinois wins both games and no one cares. Wisconsin's win (barely) over Fresno St. got barely a blip nationally and nothing but a "Whew" from Madison.
Worst scenario: Illinois loses, and the media spends the rest of the season pointing at that game as proof the Illini don't belong on the national stage.
As bad as the scheduling of the game on the road against Western Michigan was (and make no mistake, it's bad), only the scheduling of the opening game of the 1994 season, Washington State at Soldier Field (a 10-9 loss) would rank higher on a list of scheduling mistakes.
And scheduling Fresno State home-and-home is a MAJOR mistake.
Comments
I stongly disagree Loy!! I'ts a geat thing that Illinois is play against Western Michigan! I'm looking forward to them playing at Ford field in Detroit.(A NFL field!) I'ts a great oppurtonity for them. Remember Loy Wisconsin was expected to beat Fresno State. That's why it didn't get any attention. If Fresno State had won it would have been big time news. You're to narrow minded!!
Posted by yetroym on September 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
I am just curious about one thing. At what point will we need to refer to our esteemed A.D. as "His Excellency"?
Posted by IlliniHimey on September 17, 2008 at 10:31 PM
