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Post by BearlyInAtlanta on May 3, 2019 13:54:24 GMT -5
Every SoCon school other than ourselves and Wofford are playing 12 game schedules in 2019. Any idea why Mercer is only playing 11 games?
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Post by FUBeAR on May 3, 2019 14:52:37 GMT -5
Every SoCon school other than ourselves and Wofford are playing 12 game schedules in 2019. Any idea why Mercer is only playing 11 games? I don't KNOW the reason(s) why, but I heard from 1 'insider' there was a lot of thought put into it and solid logic behind it. That said, I haven't had a follow-up convo to hear about some of that logic...so, here are some reasons that MAY have been part of that decision... 1) Mercer is expecting to make the Playoffs and doesn't want the Team to be worn-down / risk key injuries before the Playoffs just for the sake of adding a 12th game, with playing a tough SoCon schedule, 2 solid FCS OOC games, and an FBS P5 game to end the season 2) Already have 6 home games. If Mercer only had 5 Home games this year, they probably would have found a way to get a 6th and 12 total, but 7 home games may be a bit of 'over-supply' of the 'product' 3) Did not wish to play a 6th road game and couldn't find another FCS opponent with a common open date willing to come to Macon for a reasonable $ guarantee. Playing and winning a D2 game or an NAIA game does nothing at all to help Mercer win the SoCon nor to make the Playoffs. Losing to one of those types of Teams could, however, cause Mercer to miss out on an at-large bid, even with a stellar record, if they don't win the SoCon. 4) The 1st open date on the schedule is 9/7 (Week 2), which is too early to feel like a 'rest & recuperate' open date. But, giving it up would mean playing 6 straight weeks, with 2 SoCon road games during that stretch. The 2nd open date 10/12, falls at a good time, after game 5, and before a tough SoCon 'stretch run' of VMI, @ The Citadel, Samford, Wofford, @ ETSU...and @ UNC to finish the regular season. Mercer did not want to 'lose' that open date. ...that's all I can conjure up on my own...All sound like good reasons to me...and when you take all 4 together...it probably makes good sense to only play 11 REGULAR SEASON games in 2019. |
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Post by jackal on May 3, 2019 22:14:41 GMT -5
I haven't checked every team, but Wofford is playing 11 games (5 home games). So, Mercer isn't the only one.
I'd guess the answer - like most things in college sports - probably comes down to money. Mercer played two big money games in 2017, so might not need to double dip in 2019. I agree that if they had only 5 home games instead of 6, the schedule may have been different.
Whatever the reason, it would seem like they made the decision long ago. I believe Mercer was the first SoCon team to release their schedule, leading me to think they weren't exactly beating the bushes for another opponent.
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Post by wcugrad95 on May 9, 2019 12:38:45 GMT -5
My opinion (from a school who has been forced to take way too many money games and has had struggles with scheduling), if you already have 6 home games and a money game on the calendar I would applaud the program for NOT trying to push for an unnecessary 12th game unless there was a very nice home-and-home type series you could setup with another FCS school. Just my $0.02.
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Post by jackal on May 10, 2019 9:41:51 GMT -5
My opinion (from a school who has been forced to take way too many money games and has had struggles with scheduling), if you already have 6 home games and a money game on the calendar I would applaud the program for NOT trying to push for an unnecessary 12th game unless there was a very nice home-and-home type series you could setup with another FCS school. Just my $0.02. I agree with you. Much of it depends on the facts and circumstances facing each individual school. Furman had a unique problem this year in that they lost a home game last year to weather. As best I can tell, having that 12th game seemed super important to the school this season. |
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