[Vision2020] U of I task force & football

[Jack Van Deventer]

I agree, Carl.  The UI's ability to survive (athletically andr financially)
in I-A football is very questionable.  Currently the UI is ranked as the
worst team out of all 117 I-A football programs.  For the 3rd straight
season they've been ranked worst at some point in the season.

Currently, UI is last in scoring offense, scoring the fewest points in the
nation, at 8 ppg. 
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/Internet/national%20rankings/IA_teamscoroff.html 

And, they are last in scoring defense, yielding the most points in the
nation, at 44 ppg.
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/Internet/national%20rankings/IA_teamscordef.html 

Still, the choice may not be in the hands of the UI faithful.  The Vandals
need to average 15,000 people per game.  It helps that the WSU game in
Pullman counted as a "home" game for the Vandals.  But they'll still need to
draw 8800 people per game for the remaining home games against LA-Lafayette,
LA-Monroe, and Arkansas State to meet NCAA requirements.

Clearly, the U of I has some tough choices to face in the future.

Jack
__________________________________
Jack Van Deventer
jack at moscowUSA.com

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Carl Westberg
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 12:28 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] U of I task force & football

While I remain excited about Idaho's foray into the WAC next year, I think 
the task force recommendation regarding the possibility of considering a 
return to 1-AA football is quite logical.  If, after 5 years or so in that 
conference, the Vandals continue to finish with season records of 2-9 or 
3-8, losing consistently by scores in the range of 45-7, wouldn't a return 
to the Big Sky and a chance to return to winning against teams our own size 
seem attractive to just about everyone?  What a concept:  a clear cut exit 
strategy to avoid a hopeless quagmire.

 

 

 

      Carl Westberg Jr.

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