verandaman

Tickets bought; donation made....now let's just get the border open!

I had a chance to talk with Jimmy Conners once when he was in Toronto for the Players Tennis Challenge (which we had sponsored). I asked what he thought was a key to his success (charm aside)? He said, "I play to my strength, not my opponent's weakness". So maybe you can't/don't need to hide your weakness...but you better be prepared for what your opponent is good at.

Don't they say that the husband is always the last to know? I'd have to go to UB and protest in such an eventuality (O'Neill leaving) ...but, I'm having a beggar of a time getting across the border...

4OT win at Akron...

Well if he hadn't punched out Fred Lee, I'd have been able to see him Between the Hedges. 🙂

That will keep my OU barbeque apron clean......drat.

And now for something (new?) and different... I am in deep admiration of all of those on this board whose ethics and character would have them turn down a likely tripling of income, perquisites and ancillary opportunity, all in the name of what a fan base would desire; or at age 56 (how many on the board are 56 or older?....I digress) turn down what, as has been noted, could be the proverbial "last kick at the can...". Some would say, Carpe Diem. It seems to me that there is ample evidence that NCAA football (sports in general) is a business, rather than a hobby or passing interest. Business can be cold sometimes. I presume Lance made a business decision with/for his family and his own sense of opportunity. Personally, I wish Lance and his family nothing but the best. I hope he is a great success at Kansas. Will he be successful? Well I guess that depends who measures; what criteria they define; and how long he is given. But in the meanwhile, the business of football (sports in general) will go on, and continue to make a great deal of money, and engage fans emotionally both up and down. The timing sucks. This too we will survive. Ah, the life of a mid-major fan..."Next Coach In"!

So Lance, is that you masquerading as RoughToughBulls15? Agree with you ('er, RTB15) anyway!

Sharp Analytics added....UB is rated slightly ahead of Nebraska; trail both Coastal and Ball 2021 Beta_Rank Projections | Sharp CFB (sharpcollegefootball.com)

2021 College Football Power Index | ESPN UB comes in at #64 in the FPI. What's interesting is the projected wins total at 8.8; and a 98.6% chance of winning 6 or more games (Bowl Eligibility). It also pegs UB as having a 61.5 % chance of winning the MAC East, and 29.4% chance of winning the MAC! For all of the years I have been watching UB football, this years projections (yup, I know they are only projections) are the most encouraging yet. I sent a note to ESPN asking what the Index was for the border between Canada and the United States being open by the end of August this year...still waiting for a reply!

I was reading Stewart Mandel's article in The Athletic today...Top 25 FBS Coaches. Guess who came in at #22? Yup. More love for Lance.

I hope Lance stays for another year or two. However, he is likely to leave rather than retire from UB. So it is also likely a case of "when", not "if". Wherever he might go, there will be no guarantee of success. Now if he can get triple or more the money that he is currently making, and goes for three years at that level, it is the same as nine years at UB. If he waits an additional year or two: 1) he is older which is not a plus (this from a guy older than Lance, so don't rip me for age discrimination); 2) he will have made $1.5 to $3.0 million or so less, plus opportunity cost; 3) he may stumbe at UB (I suspect not, but UB is not guaranteed future success any more than any other team) and lose more future attractiveness If he goes to Kansas, for example 1) he immediately gets more $$$ 2) he doesn't need to win a lot in 2021 or 2022 to sustain his value (although that would help) 3) if he turns Kansas around, he will get any job within reason that he might want; and/or materially more prestige, recognition and (yes) cash in future years. I opened by saying I hope he stays. That's because I want UB to continue to be successful and I think he can lead that; although as noted, that's not guaranteed. But if he was offered and chose to go, I hope it is because the move would fit and feel right for him and his family; and that he wants one more challenge at doing what a lot of people want to say can't be done. I remember the skepticism when Danny hired a D III coach; that worked out okay for Lance and family it appears. I have a sense that he'll not be rash in jumping to any job; rather he appears to be a guy who will be thoughtful and deliberate. In the meanwhile, Go Bulls!

I'm with you, Brook, on the "hopefully". I like this schedule, and now just need to wait and see if UB will have fans attend the games; if so, how many; and (forgive the selfishness), whether or not the border is open between Canada and the United States. Even if it is open, if the return criteria are overly strict (two week quarantine upon return, for example), then it may not be practical to attend more than one game this year. I'm hoping for football and open borders! I'd make five of the six home games; plus do a road trip to Miami (OH) in Oxford. I'd miss the Bowling Green game, while galavanting around Oklahoma for games at Tulsa, and OU. So, I am hoping hard! Go Bulls!

I guess I hadn't really paid much attention to their schedule before. That, and playing OU and Georgia in the same year, caught my eye. It's possible that all three road OOC opponents could be Top 10 in 2022...talk about Murderers Row!

I am know to grumble about teams only having one (of four) OOC games at home. UB will have only one home OOC game in 2022, for example. Yes, I inderstand the need for "pay day" games. But Kent State may be taking it to new heights (?) next year. I saw an announcement today that they will play Oklahoma (in Norman, OK) next year. Add that to existing scheduled OOC games at Athens, Georgia versus Georgia Bulldogs and Seattle, Washington versus the Huskies. I'm not sure I can remember any MAC team ever scheduling three Top 25 (?) P5 teams in the same season. If you assume they schedule a home FCS team, and win, they will need to go 5-3 in the MAC to be bowl eligible...and we know that they won't beat UB. They will make a pot full of money though. A subtle example of the haves and havenots model at work.

Sounds like "win some; lose some" to me #UBhornsUP

I saw on Twitter where marks manned-up and said he should have caught it, but lost it in the lights. I'm guessing he isn't the first to have that experience. He also ran for almost 100 and a TD. I'm thinking he gets a pass for the drop. Play calling was indeed suspect. So is hitting your head against a wall. Just ask Patterson.

Bahamas Bowl excepted. I agree with your opener about bowl eligibility (plus a few MAC Championships thrown in for good measure!).

I like this class a lot. I am a big fan of OL recruits (no pun intended). The game is hinged on the quality of the guys in the trenches. If we can get these tall kids to add about 20-30 good pounds each, we will be in fantastic shape moving forward. The balance of this class is also very impressive. Nicely done UB!

Lawrence is a tough town for football. Kansas is a basketball school, by and large; little in-state football recruits of high ranking (and a good number of those head to Oklahoma to play); not much of a draw (other than Kansas City?); etc.. The exception in the last 20 years or so was the Mark Mangino (The Fat Man) era. He took them to the Orange Bowl and victory, but then got chased from town for bullying players (?) or something like that. Illinois should be a good school, with in-state, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio recruits by the truckload. Not sure why Lovie didn't have better results. Dick Butkus and Red Grange know better. I hope Lance stays at UB, but I believe he could make Illinois work if they had patience. A quick-fix guy he is not (or so it would appear).

Some kids just get homesick....talk that Arik Gilbert at LSU may transfer closer to home, and he has been a great fit.

I'm rooting for the International Bowl...oh wait. I'm rooting for a Bowl game versus any ranked opponent.

Yup

saw the message from the MAC.....covid at Ohio U

I saw on twitter a comment that the issues were with Kent....I'm not saying that is correct; but it was stated as such. I'm with Chubby on this one....keeping an eye on the UB sick bay for the next couple of days in particular.