Conference versus Independents: The logic behind it

[Reginald Rutledge]

The PAC 10, the Mountain West, the SWC, the Big 10, the Big East, the ACC, the SEC, and the Independents. That's a very impressive list of conferences! Conference pride, team tradition, and great coaches lined up all across America. You can feel the intensity as the CBSMF season fast approach.

A year ago, I was on the phone arguing with people at 6:00 am about even starting up a league. Today, we've got 7 of the strongest conferences represented. And just like the "real" NCAA, each conference comes with a certain amount of bargaining power. For instance, last year, the PAC 10 got us started with their opening week. The enthusiasm was high. ERob was the best person for the job. He had vision and the PAC 10 respected his decisions. Dave Campbell came out strong and represented well. Celo played 'possum throughout the season only to find Troy Aikman winning a Heisman.

In the Big 10, a RB from the past named Blanche Martin was coached by his son. He was one of the leading rushers in the nation but he had to get by some of the stiffest defenses in all the land, thanks to his Big 10 brethren. A little known rookie named Detroitchild became a major player with an upset win of Greg Hardmon's Sagnasty Cards. Not to mention Saginaw going all the way to the National Championship Game in yes, "The Rose Bowl Stadium". Coaches who taught these guys up in the Big 10 like Jim Davis, walked away with the leading rusher for much of the second half of the season in Larry Johnson. He averaged a whopping 9.7 yards/carry! He was right at 1,000 yards when the season ended.

In the SWC, a little known guy we call, "Rookie" made his mark on the league. He was as dominate of a player as there was one. The SWC was the cradle of the CBSMF, as MFCA Hall of Famer Reginald Rutledge's Tennessee Vols showed all the elements of what could be with the stadium, pregame shows, bands, and even Smokey. Another fat cat named RJ was finally shown on a national stand not to be the tyrant that many thought. If anything, he was just a loud-mouth Teddy Bear. And who could forget Texas, going undefeated and winning the inaugural National Championship. Coach Mike Robertson played great throughout and Priest Holmes ran for 1,500 yards in a style of play that the "myth" says any touch will not allow - totally false!

While last year, those were the 3 dominant conferences, this year we have 7 plus the Independents, which will give us 8 conferences in all. With 7 major conferences and the Independents, this makes for an intriguing season. Although one Independent made a great run last year (Frank Johnson), the advantages of playing in a conference versus "indie" status should be looked at and here's why.

Pros versus cons - I will not cover everything but here are some things to look at:

Commitment - there is a greater commitment to the group than the individual. In other words, when it is a conference weekend, everyone tend to try harder to get together to make that one weekend happen.

Scheduling - On a CBSMF weekend, if the conference is efficient, you can get anywhere from 1 game to 5 games. This depends on scheduling logistics. Everyone has more of an obligation to make this happen. Independents must find opponents willing to play them, which could be 12 different weekends of hoping that a game comes off. Let's see, 4 games (conference) versus 1 game (Indie)?

Pride - I look at this from the Out-to-end. In other words, as a former commish, you have to look at the good of the whole instead of your own selfish interest. That comes with the territory. Most conference coaches don't. It's about their conference and their individual team. That's called pride and tradition. that's a great thing. Independents may want to belong and circumstances may force them not to. But they are basically out there all alone. Unless you got a major conference near you willing to play you, there are not commitment or obligation by any conference to "reach out and touch you".

Time - Most of us have busy lives so time is a factor. I just know as a guy who has ran leagues how the bottom line comes down to whether your spouse is happy. Now if you are gone for 12 or 13 weekends because you're running around looking for games, that can put more stress on a home than anything. That can be the life of an Indie. If you belong in a conference, and if the conference schedules a weekend, you could possibly get in 4 or 5 games. If it is played right, from Friday to Sunday, so much time is cut off of your time. Next weekend, the ACC coaches could get up to 5 non-conference games against SWC opponents. Trust me, that plays big in the home.

Bargaining Power - Your voice is more heard when you are in a major conference. There is strength in numbers, even in the CBSMF.

Media Attention - You tend to see more hype about teams coming from major conference. Not only do they get conference coverage but most across the nation talk about that team, ala Dave Campbell's Wolves last year.

The Midwest has about 7 or 8 "Independents" between Indiana and Illinois. That would be a logical place to form a conference. However, you can't force anyone to do anything. Personally, I really do not care if it happens or not but for those 7 or 8 coaches, each one would have to go out and seek at least 7 or 8 games to play. You're talking potentially 7 or 8 weekends, whereas the truth of the matter is that if in a conference, those 7 or 8 games could have been done in 2 weekends, spread out over 2 months. On the other hand, you're playing 1 game for 8 different weekends as an "Independent".

I guess the question is, "Does that work for you?" I am trying to use logic in my thought process here. The logic behind it just says it's a good thing to form a conference (if at all possible) because history has shown us that "Indies" rarely have ever played an entire season of games. I know guys just want to be in it too, but last year, we saw several "Indies" never really get off the ground, mainly because of the challenges of finding willing opponents. And at the end, the Indies get frustrated that they can not get any games in. You start with so much enthusiasm and it tends to fizzle as you see the Big 10 play 5 games/team in a week or the SWC play 4 or whatever. And you as an Indie, struggle to get in 1 or 2 games for the entire season.

The logic behind it is simple - if you can establish a conference, do so because it will alleviate stress in other parts of your life but if you can't, still play as an Independent just because it gives you a chance to be a part of the CBSMF as a whole. Spoken from a guy who has achieved a sense of wisdom over the years.

Reg

[mantaraydre]

Reg,

Funny you brought this up, im thinking about joining the big east. But it cant be a every weekend sked. something will have to be worked out. Like RD negotiated contract into the SWC !!


MANTARAYDRE


PS/If there are 7 to 8 coaches in the area you mentioned, BUS TRIP !!!!

You would be amazed how cheap it is to take a bus across state lines. Take an early morning bus, get out your ipod and watch a movie or cone on line here for the entire trip. The ride will go quick. But your wright. CONFERENCES CAN BE WORKED OUT IF TALKS BEGAN.

Thanx
Mantaraydre

[Raven maniac]

Reg I can speak for me and only me. My schedule is jacked up Bass Ackward and I could not have someone wait for me to play a game or two. I respect everyone's time and know how ********ed I get when an 1/2 hour to an hour and then a no-show. Perfect example past blizzard while most were stuck in with family or girlfriend I'm rocking 197 hours at work between 2/6-2/13. Family hours 0 didn't get home until V-day. Oh yeah 2/13 was a gameday. That's why I'm an "Indie" Feel me

[mantaraydre]

CBSMF AFFILIATES,

Can an indie coach schedule a game with the same coach a MAX of 2 times. One thing about committing to a conference is. When they schedule there games only that indie coach knows if he can make it that paticular game date. He may not be able to make it one weekend but is free the next weekend. In a conference, when games are set. If something happens where a coach cannot come, this may ruin the weekend for other conference coaches. To avoid any headaches and bad feelings, Being a indie is the next best option..

[Joeram57]

Reg, Greg, Jasper,

Will there be any problem with me playing w/Valdosta State from Southern Ga, a Div II team, obviously NOT part of the SEC...they are in the Gulf State Conf or something like that.

Can I still be part of the SEC or does that make me in an independent? I can probably pull their 09 roster and use those players names with a few from their 3 Div II National Championship teams and Jesse Tuggle as he is one of the few I know of currently that was a Pro. There may be more.

How do we pay, to whom, and how much??? What about teams here in Ga who are playing and teams are not technically in the SEC...are they all independent?...been discussing Jasper...We are excited and looking forward and wanted to make sure we are all on same page and get our dues in...

Thanks,

[Reginald Rutledge]

not make any difference what team you have, as long as you play! The only thing that we have required is that the same team can not be from the same conference, no two Tennessee Vols from the SWC, etc.

As long as you get with the SEC commissioner and complete the registration with fee paid, I think you should be good to go. I will speak with Greg Hardmon and Michael Robertson about him doing a rules session/answer question session this weekend just as a way to help get coaches ready.

I don't really have the time or energy but knowledge needs to be spread across the league for newcomers and veterans alike.

Joe, I know you are hyped up about it and I see no reason why you should have to play as an Independent unless the SEC already has established a schedule. Consult with whomever is over the SEC to see whether or not you can play. All conferences are looking for good people to bring in and I think you work out just fine.

Reg

[detroitchild]

Joe,

Perhaps this will help add to your roster.


http://www.databasefootball.com/play...ate+Universtiy