Football: Why don't we play........

[Classof72/74]

BUFFALO ?

 

This started as a topic about UB's sports program and funding over in the General section of this forum, but it got me to thinking. Why does UAlbany schedule places like Delaware, Northeastern, Hofstar,and get pasted and banged up when there's a natural (?) rivalry out at the other end of the Thruway?

 

I'd bet UB football, even with full scholarship, isn't over our heads competitively.

[UAalum72]

With Buffalo struggling to meet attendance requirements, I don't think they can afford to host any I-AA that doesn't bring at least name recognition, if not fans.

[Classof72/74]

With Buffalo struggling to meet attendance requirements, I don't think they can afford to host any I-AA that doesn't bring at least name recognition, if not fans.

 

Okay, so they can come to our house

 

[alum73]

They may be struggling in the MAC, but they'd crush us. They have no reason, other than the win to play us.

[Classof72/74]

They may be struggling in the MAC, but they'd crush us. They have no reason, other than the win to play us.

 

So, is UB tougher than Hofstra, Northeastern,Fordham, UMass and/or Delaware ? That's an honest question, not a sarcasm.

[Dane96]

No, they are not better than Northeastern, UMASS, Delaware. Fordham and Hofstra....maybe, but not by much.

[DaneFan2k3]

A game for them vs. a I-AA school wouldn't count toward the minimum they must play annually against D-IA schools. So it would actually work against them to play UAlbany, by forcing them to "waste" a week on a game that essentially wouldn't count for anything but a meaningless W.

[Ruler]

They lost to someone like Villanova a couple of years ago so there playing 1AA days are behind them unless they drop down.

 

I also think they would beat us by 50 or 60. They SHOULD be able to spank NE, UMASS, Hofstra etc. Now Montana, JMU, or GA Southern would probably beat them.

[UAalum72]

UB lost to Colgate 38-15 in 2003. Their OOC schedule is set for the next three years -

2005 - Home - Rutgers, Away - Connecticut, Syracuse

2006 - Home - Temple, Away - Rutgers, West Virginia

2007 - Home - Rutgers, Away - Temple, Syracuse

 

so unless Temple drops football there's no opening at UB anyway.

 

I-A can count 1 I-AA win toward bowl eligiblity every four years. There's a proposal to allow 1 every year. But UB isn't close to six wins yet so it wouldn't help them. 2008 is the next 12-game season, when they'll need seven wins for a bowl.