Comparing the recent startup programs

[coachacola]

So how does Lamar compare to Old Dominion, Georgia State, South Alabama and UTSA? First, ODU and USA started in 2009 so they had a head start. Also, keep in mind that all 4 are going FBS while Lamar is staying FCS for now.

 

The most successful so far is ODU, They've won at least 8 games each year and made the FCS playoffs last year, their 3rd year of existence. They also have NOT played any FBS schools yet and do not have any on their schedule this year.

 

South Alabama also started in 2009 but they played a reduced schedule which really didn't count. They went 10-0 in 2010, playing 4 FCS schools (including Lamar, Nicholls State and Georgia State). They went 6-4 last year playing more FCS schools, and they are now 1-2 this year (as a FBS transitional school), losing 31-7 to NC State.

 

Georgia State is 0-3, losing big to South Carolina State, Tennessee and UTSA. They could very well go winless this year as a FCS team and their coach (Bill Curry) has already announced he's retiring.

 

UTSA is in their second year and are now 3-0, beating both South Alabama and Georgia State. We'll see how well they do playing Rice and the WAC this year.

 

ODU has by far been the most successful and they are on their way to CUSA next year. They have yet to play a FBS school, but they sellout every game and seem positioned to be successful. Like Lamar, they've had a team in the past so that probably has helped.

 

Georgia State seems to be the least successful, especially with a lame-duck head coach. They're scheduled to come to Beaumont next year, hope that game happens.

 

South Alabama started off great but seem to be hitting a wall. UTSA is the youngest but they are drawing large crowds and winning, but they are about to play a bunch of FBS games.

 

We know Lamar's story. No problem winning against the weak teams but gets blown out against the strong FCS teams and FBS teams. Lamar will probably end the season with 5 or 6 wins, meaning no break-through season, but no failure either.

 

[Who Dat]

i think we're still where we need to be. many of our issues have to do with the really ugly losses. i dont think people would be freaking out if we had put up 20+ points on the board and still lost by 25.

[Guest LU 17]

Who Dat you would be correct. Instead we had no offense, except for a little bit of trash late. defense played hard, but it was obvious we were not going to move the ball on them. QB was running for his life and our RB's had no holes to run thru. I mean we didn't get our 2 points by pushing Hawaii back In their end zone, we blocked a PAT. I know we all want is for LU to compete, but these kind of games are frustrating for us fans. I know we have more talent at LU than what we showed in our two FBS games.

[BigRedTrack]

I think the big question is "are we improving?". What would be the score if last years team played this years team at 3 weeks into the season. If the answer is "last years team would beat this years team or I can't tell", we are losing ground and fundamental changes need to be made, starting with the head coach. We do look in much better shape than in previous years.

[Guest NorthoftheBorder]

So how does Lamar compare to Old Dominion, Georgia State, South Alabama and UTSA? First, ODU and USA started in 2009 so they had a head start. Also, keep in mind that all 4 are going FBS while Lamar is staying FCS for now.

 

The most successful so far is ODU, They've won at least 8 games each year and made the FCS playoffs last year, their 3rd year of existence. They also have NOT played any FBS schools yet and do not have any on their schedule this year.

 

South Alabama also started in 2009 but they played a reduced schedule which really didn't count. They went 10-0 in 2010, playing 4 FCS schools (including Lamar, Nicholls State and Georgia State). They went 6-4 last year playing more FCS schools, and they are now 1-2 this year (as a FBS transitional school), losing 31-7 to NC State.

 

Georgia State is 0-3, losing big to South Carolina State, Tennessee and UTSA. They could very well go winless this year as a FCS team and their coach (Bill Curry) has already announced he's retiring.

 

UTSA is in their second year and are now 3-0, beating both South Alabama and Georgia State. We'll see how well they do playing Rice and the WAC this year.

 

ODU has by far been the most successful and they are on their way to CUSA next year. They have yet to play a FBS school, but they sellout every game and seem positioned to be successful. Like Lamar, they've had a team in the past so that probably has helped.

 

Georgia State seems to be the least successful, especially with a lame-duck head coach. They're scheduled to come to Beaumont next year, hope that game happens.

 

South Alabama started off great but seem to be hitting a wall. UTSA is the youngest but they are drawing large crowds and winning, but they are about to play a bunch of FBS games.

 

We know Lamar's story. No problem winning against the weak teams but gets blown out against the strong FCS teams and FBS teams. Lamar will probably end the season with 5 or 6 wins, meaning no break-through season, but no failure either.

 

UTSA's startup makes us look amaturish!!! 3-0 and beat 2 teams we could not beat. I don't want to hear that they are in San Antonio. Geez, when you make excuses, you can never rise to the level of a champion. Champions overcome the obstacle in front of them and believe they will win in spite of them!!

[Guest LU 17]

Agreed NOTB, San Antonio really isn't even a factor. I have always heard about SE Texas football since my playing days in the 80's. I don't know if it's coaching, but UTSA is a real program that I'm glad we aren't playing. We need to make a statement this week.

[coachacola]

UTSA really hasn't played anybody this year. They barely beat South Alabama to start the season and South Alabama only beat Nicholls State 9-3 the following week. Next UTSA beat a 0-3 Tx-A&M Commerce team 27-16, not exactly a blowout win against a non-D1 team. Then last week they beat 0-3 Georgia State, so their opponents are 1-8 this year. I'll hold off judgement on them until they start playing some real FBS team in the WAC.

[Guest NorthoftheBorder]

UTSA really hasn't played anybody this year. They barely beat South Alabama to start the season and South Alabama only beat Nicholls State 9-3 the following week. Next UTSA beat a 0-3 Tx-A&M Commerce team 27-16, not exactly a blowout win against a non-D1 team. Then last week they beat 0-3 Georgia State, so their opponents are 1-8 this year. I'll hold off judgement on them until they start playing some real FBS team in the WAC.

Ok Coach we will wait and see but do you really think we would beat S. Alabama after taking a spanking from them the last 2 years?

[coachacola]

UTSA really hasn't played anybody this year. They barely beat South Alabama to start the season and South Alabama only beat Nicholls State 9-3 the following week. Next UTSA beat a 0-3 Tx-A&M Commerce team 27-16, not exactly a blowout win against a non-D1 team. Then last week they beat 0-3 Georgia State, so their opponents are 1-8 this year. I'll hold off judgement on them until they start playing some real FBS team in the WAC.

Ok Coach we will wait and see but do you really think we would beat S. Alabama after taking a spanking from them the last 2 years?

 

As they say in the investment community: Past Performance Is No Indication Of Future Results

[puddin tane]

UTSA did lose at home last year to McMurray

[Guest austinred]

Don't forget that McMurry was a Division III school last year with no scholarship players. It was a hugh embarrassing loss for UTSA. LU has won all their games against Division II and NAIA schools, all of which have scholarship players. If LU can finish in the middle of the Southland conference this year, I think they are on the right track.

[austin badbyrd]

With the upgrade in competition, the flaws were going to be exposed. Lamar did a heavy dose of SLC competition, UTSA did more of the smaller schools as did South Alabama.

ODU went for top competition in the beginning from what I can tell. Lamar also went through a major coaching overhaul in the off season and the growing pains are showing. I don't believe we can adequately compare LU years 1 and2 with this year due to the changes. I believe by the end of the season we may be headed in the right direction. Give Woodard credit, he didn't stay pat when he saw this needed some adjustment in personnel - players and coaches.

 

I may be wearing the bright red shades, but that's my two cents