I hope the UT ticket office called in some extra help today...

[Black Diamond Vol]

...because I'm sure their phones were ringing off the hook with people wanting to see this murderer's row of future opponents.

http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/083016aab.html

[Creek Walker]

We need a ninth SEC game in the worst way.

[Black Diamond Vol]

We need a ninth SEC game in the worst way.

Definitely.  But barring that, I really wish we'd schedule better.  Remember in the Majors years, when we'd play 2, 3 and sometimes 4 quality OOC opponents in a season?  Just go to the schedule link above, and look at who all we played in the 80s and early 90s (look at '87 and '91 in particular).  I know we'll never get back to that with the SEC slate being as tough as it is these days.  But we've kind of settled into a groove here of one decent OOC opponent at a neutral site, and three tomato cans at home.  Barring a 9th SEC game, is it asking too much to replace one of those cupcakes with a real team?

[Black Diamond Vol]

BTW, click on each of those teams at the original link, and it will show you the actual contracts for the respective games.  Every one of those teams is getting at least $1.3M to play in Knoxville- all except for UTC, that is.  They're only getting $500K.  Looks like Blackburn just paid his first year's salary.

[BanditVol]

Definitely.  But barring that, I really wish we'd schedule better.  Remember in the Majors years, when we'd play 2, 3 and sometimes 4 quality OOC opponents in a season?  Just go to the schedule link above, and look at who all we played in the 80s and early 90s (look at '87 and '91 in particular).  I know we'll never get back to that with the SEC slate being as tough as it is these days.  But we've kind of settled into a groove here of one decent OOC opponent at a neutral site, and three tomato cans at home.  Barring a 9th SEC game, is it asking too much to replace one of those cupcakes with a real team?

Oh come on...we play mighty Appy State this year.  What more do you want?   

[Creek Walker]

Oh come on...we play mighty Appy State this year.  What more do you want?  

Appalachian State is a better program right now than two-thirds of the teams on that list.

But, hey, let's not forget Tennessee Tech later this year.  

When I become president, I'm making it a law that: a.) No FCS teams are on the schedule, b.) There are nine conference games on the schedule, and c.) At least one of the remaining three non-conference games must be against a Power 5 program.

Love them or hate them, one thing I admire about Notre Dame football is that program's willingness to load up the schedule.

[Creek Walker]

Let me also say that I'll never buy season tickets again as long as our scheduling mentality is such as this. Not that the university is going to miss my contribution. My donation to the VASF would be the bare minimum.  With the trend towards scheduling in neutral venues, we're basically left with two marquee SEC games each year, two bland SEC games, and three powder-puffs that carry the excitement equivalent of going to a minor league baseball game.

[SmokeyJoe]

I thought we rescheduled the home & home with Ohio St. When is that game?

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[PirateVOL]

I thought we rescheduled the home & home with Ohio St. When is that game?

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It as NOT rescheduled

O'cryo State flat cancelled the series

[BanditVol]

Appalachian State is a better program right now than two-thirds of the teams on that list.

But, hey, let's not forget Tennessee Tech later this year.  

When I become president, I'm making it a law that: a.) No FCS teams are on the schedule, b.) There are nine conference games on the schedule, and c.) At least one of the remaining three non-conference games must be against a Power 5 program.

Love them or hate them, one thing I admire about Notre Dame football is that program's willingness to load up the schedule.

Appy state actually is pretty good.  They may hang with us a few quarters.