To schedule up or to schedule to win,,,,,

[2trap_4ever]

I think this has been a debate on this site for some time so I want to know what the people think. Would you want you team to schedule up, which would have you ready for the playoffs, but at the same time could make your schedule so hard that you don't make the playoffs, or would you rather play a schedule that you will be favored to win most games but may not have you playoff ready when the time comes?

[Orange and Brown]

You have to play a combination of both. You have to schedule tough teams but you have to make sure your team isn't getting there brains beat in every week.

[LoganElm_grad09]

If we're disregarding travelling cost and availability, you would probably look at what state your program is in. If it's a school that has been down for quite some time, they may want to schedule other schools that were in a similar predicament. Ohio has done this for years and while it doesn't make a big splash, it can allow you to build a winning tradition and prep you for the next step. If you're already at the top, you want to schedule at the top. It's probably why St. X plays state and national powerhouses so often. This is assuming you have the freedom to schedule the way you want to.

That's not to say that some schools wouldn't want to take on the biggest they can get to prep for conference play. This is a gamble because while the sky is the limit, very little good can come from getting beat by 50 points. And keep in mind that while your team might be playoff ready, your record might not be.

This is also not taking into account any non-conference rivalries that are kept in place. Westfall has played the same ten teams every year for a long time because the other three Pickaway County schools are in the MSL.

[fortdawg]

Logan Elm has the best point---it doesn't matter if your team is playoff ready if they don't make it. Another consideration is job security--if you schedule up and lay an egg for a couple of years--will you be around in year three?

[LucasJackson]

I think it's different for different schools. If you are in a conference you can probably concentrate on winning early easier games and stay healthy for the conference. Less than 1% of all schools in Ohio win state titles every year. The goal should be to win the conference and hopefully go undefeated. All after that is gravy.

For Independents they have to schedule what they can after week 4 because most conference affiliated schools have few openings after that.

[noles_fan]

It is a balancing act. On one hand schedule strong because to be the best you need to beat the best. But this could backfire on you if you cant win enough games to get in the playoffs. On the other hand you schedule down run the table and you can puff out your chest. But this could leave you on the outside looking in come week 11. Most schools in this area do a pretty good job of scheduling year in and year out.

The biggest problem I've have with scheduling is when you schedule your entire non-conference schedule out of one conference. This doesnt benifit your program when you run the table early in the season but come conference time cant secure any points because all the teams you beat are playing each other now. Plus if other schools in your conference play those schools then there is less chance for seperation.

Bottom line is Football has the biggest budget of all the sports due to being the biggest money maker. Therefore should be given more leeway in scheduling. All other sports make the post season with or without a winning record. You have to give your team the best chance to suceed. If that means going a little farther to get a game that gives you the best chance to do that so be it!!!

[noles_fan]

Logan Elm has the best point---it doesn't matter if your team is playoff ready if they don't make it. Another consideration is job security--if you schedule up and lay an egg for a couple of years--will you be around in year three?

You're right you could lay a couple of eggs and take a chance of being gone. You could also have several winning seasons in a row while missing the playoffs and still be in that situation. Fans want sucess and are easily ready to call for your job if they feel you are taking the easy way out. Everyone wants to see there team playing come week eleven and if your not there your fans will let you know about it.

[2trap_4ever]

I think it's different for different schools. If you are in a conference you can probably concentrate on winning early easier games and stay healthy for the conference. Less than 1% of all schools in Ohio win state titles every year. The goal should be to win the conference and hopefully go undefeated. All after that is gravy.

For Independents they have to schedule what they can after week 4 because most conference affiliated schools have few openings after that.

If you read most of the people on this site, conference championships mean nothing, you are only judged by making the playoffs and that's it.

[fortdawg]

I'll argue with you Noles---if you are winning or sharing your league most years you'll have job security. I agree with you on this point--if you have control of your schedule (not always a given) you should schedule up when your talent level supports it. Yes, for the most part you can see that coming. When it's trending downward your schedule should reflect that too. How many guys have suddenly had the need to spend more time with their families when all the studs graduate? There are some programs because of tradition or recruiting that always stay on top---but most don't. Take the TVC Hocking right now---It's the Big Two but every team but one has won the league and made it to the playoffs. The wheel turns in most places and hats off to the schools and coaches who make the playoffs every year.

[playa_44]

Combo of both ideal.

[Fan of The Blue and Gold]

Great Topic! Of course everybody has an opinion on this subject. I think you schedule down until you become an established winner. Then you toughen up your schedule so you can have playoff success. Valley is the best example of this. The past couple years Valley has been the premier football program in Southern Ohio. They started by scheduling down. Of course everybody gave them crap for it but those are the same teams Valley is consistently beating now. But when it is time to toughen up the schedule I don't think you have to go overboard. With the 7 divisions any school that goes 6-4 or 7-3 will get in the playoff. JMO

[4thgoal]

With the 7 divisions any school that goes 6-4 or 7-3 will get in the playoff. JMO

I think that depends on what region you are in. If you look at the teams in Wheelersburg's region, I don't think that will be the case.
Bishop Hartley
Johnstown Northridge
Baltimore Liberty Union
Piketon
West
Wheelersburg
Ironton
Coschocton
West Muskingum
St. Clairsville
I would venture to guess all 10 of these teams and maybe a couple more could be 6-4 or better and obviously some of them will be watching on week 11.

[eagles73Taylor]

First, some of you act like schools are always readily available and that they want to play you, plus they are within a reasonable driving distance. Outside of our conference there are only 22 teams from D III Chillicothe, Jackson, Circleville to D VII Notre Dame, East, and Green within a reasonable driving distance. I am including Alexander, NY, Pickaway county schools as well. That is 22 football playing teams within a 60+ mile one way drive of all divisions. For 3 games, it makes it difficult to find games that are both winnable and playoff points.

[Fan of The Blue and Gold]

4th & Goal, That region will be good. But even in that region if a team goes 7-3, they will get in the playoffs. 6-4 maybe they won't but 7-3, I believe they will be in. Time will tell. It will be interesting to see how things play out.

[Paladin]

The question for this region of the state really doesn't matter. Excuses are quite common down there and results few. Lets just say that most will schedule to "win games" and not for the opportunity to get better. So long as the playoff gives you a local cousin to play you'll be competitive. But step outside the region and get your head & butt handed to you. Most have no choice as league games dominate the schedules. But the two or three non-league games is where people show their true colors. This topic is always worth a chuckle as the lack of guts show except for a handful of teams. The region as a whole is terrible as are the excuses used to justify the poor non-competitive schedules.

[G.W.A.]

The question for this region of the state really doesn't matter. Excuses are quite common down there and results few. Lets just say that most will schedule to "win games" and not for the opportunity to get better. So long as the playoff gives you a local cousin to play you'll be competitive. But step outside the region and get your head & butt handed to you. Most have no choice as league games dominate the schedules. But the two or three non-league games is where people show their true colors. This topic is always worth a chuckle as the lack of guts show except for a handful of teams. The region as a whole is terrible as are the excuses used to justify the poor non-competitive schedules.

I agree. Southeast ohio football is very weak compared to the rest of the state. That said, there is still many great players and great games to watch on a fall friday nite.

[Orange and Brown]

The question for this region of the state really doesn't matter. Excuses are quite common down there and results few. Lets just say that most will schedule to "win games" and not for the opportunity to get better. So long as the playoff gives you a local cousin to play you'll be competitive. But step outside the region and get your head & butt handed to you. Most have no choice as league games dominate the schedules. But the two or three non-league games is where people show their true colors. This topic is always worth a chuckle as the lack of guts show except for a handful of teams. The region as a whole is terrible as are the excuses used to justify the poor non-competitive schedules.

Looks like you found another excuse to talk crap about SE Ohio.
I wish you would stay where you are at and forget about SE Ohio.
I know you like to sit back and feel like you are important and you know everything, but please leave SEO out of your mouth.

[eagles73Taylor]

Don't feed the troll, let it sit quietly under the bridge.

[Paladin]

Reality sucks

[moonshine]

The question for this region of the state really doesn't matter. Excuses are quite common down there and results few. Lets just say that most will schedule to "win games" and not for the opportunity to get better. So long as the playoff gives you a local cousin to play you'll be competitive. But step outside the region and get your head & butt handed to you. Most have no choice as league games dominate the schedules. But the two or three non-league games is where people show their true colors. This topic is always worth a chuckle as the lack of guts show except for a handful of teams. The region as a whole is terrible as are the excuses used to justify the poor non-competitive schedules.

Looks like you found another excuse to talk crap about SE Ohio.
I wish you would stay where you are at and forget about SE Ohio.
I know you like to sit back and feel like you are important and you know everything, but please leave SEO out of your mouth.

O&B, Although some of Paladin opinions I disagree with, BUT Most of the SE region play even or down and I do understand most teams are bound by league schedules, but this region produces a lot of down right poor football programs! I also understand this is also due to lack of support and resource's within the individual school systems! Guy's just realize this is Appalachia!