What Happens to the Service Academies In Super Conference Scenario?

In my 2nd Super Conference Option, the service academies were left out of the 80 teams including in said conferences. In all likelihood, they wouldn't win anyways, but we love seeing those games. When we think of those games we think of Air Force v. Army v. Navy. Those three schools are the service academies. However, they aren't the only actual service academies. There are actually 5 service academies. What if these service academies played a bigger role in college football?

My idea is to open up the Commander and Chief trophy to more than those three schools and really up the competition for the trophy. Then the winner of that trophy would face the winner of a seperate division 1B after the 1A super-conference. Any other fower FBS teams would then move to 1C and former FCS would be 1D. Scholarships numbers would drop at each level making it more likely that each team would get in.

Commander and Chief Division
Air Force Academy
The Air Force is currently in the running for this trophy and is one of the traditional service academies. An obvious selection.

Army Black Knights
The Army Black Knights are an obvious choice as they are currently in the running for the trophy anyway. We all think of this team as a service academy.

The Citadel
The Citadel is a 4 year public college that also enrolls civilians, but it is traditionally a military school and is known as a military school. This school is currently an FCS school so their competition level rises from being promoted to just behind the Top 80 schools.

Coast Guard Academy
The Coast Guard Academy is located in New London, Conneticut. There is no school that benefits more from this school than the Coast Guard Academy. By including this team people realize that the Coast Guard is a service academy. More ignorant people are now informed that the Coast Guard is a military branch. This school gets a huge increase in competition as they move from Division 3 to above where the former FCS division was. It will likely take them 2 or 3 years to compete at a high level, but it is exciting to join the big time. They could probably strike a major hire for head coach as well. Finally, the bump should see the football facilities get a massive makeover.

Merchant Marine Academy
The Merchant Marine Academy is located in Great Neck, New York. It is very similar to the Coast Guard Academy in that it is a service academy. More like the Coast Guard is that people don't realize it is the 5th Service Academy. These guys are also Division 3 currently and would likely see the same bumps projected by the Coast Guard. We'd also likely have more athletic people entering the military to start because elite athletes would want their scholarships. They could see a lot of transfers from smaller schools.

Navy Midshipmen
The other traditional service academy and the strongest football program currently of the group.

Norwich University
Norwich is a private senior military college that also enrolls civilians. This school is located in Northfield, Vermont. They currently compete at the Division 3 level of NCAA and would be another school receiving quite the athletic bump from inclusion.

University of North Georgia
Another school that is a public senior military college also enrolling civilians is the University of North Georgia. It is located in Dahlonega, Georgia. They currently compete at the Division 2 level of NCAA so they don't have as far to go as some others. The issue is that they don't even have a football team currently. That issue would make this team by far the hardest to incorporate in this scenario. However, if this scenario were implemented, we could fast track that stadium and have them play locally early on.

Virginia Military Institute
VMI is a public four year military college. It is the only of its kind and located in Lexington, Virginia. This school does not really enroll civilians so it is different from those public universities. they compete on the FCS level currently for football, so it would be a slight bump up in play. This school would face teams that are more like them in makeup as well.

The only issue other than getting the smaller schools up to snuff early on is that Air Force is West and all these other schools are East Coast.

Military Friendly Schools
Buffalo
Played Army this year and is a great geographic fit for this scenario. Their main rivalry on the other side could be the Merchant Marine Academy. They would play at least once a year.

Connecticut
UCONN also played Army this year and is a geographic fit. The main service rivalry for them would be the Coast Guard Academy based on that school being located in the same state.

Delaware Blue Hens
The Delaware Blue Hens have traditionally been a very strong FCS school with a historic background. They have played military schools in the past and are a great fit for a rivalry with Navy. This case being stronger by the fact that the Baltimore Ravens starting QB went to Delaware. This matchup every year would be exciting to see.

Georgia Southern
A school that just moved up to the FBS level this season and beat Florida last year is a school that deserves to stay above some current FBS schools. These guys would be the main rival for the University of North Georgia.

Harvard
While this school would be the rival for Norwich in this scenario, you include them here to keep their true rivalry with Yale alive. It allows you to include Yale in this scenario and keep their two biggest rivalries alive (Army and Harvard). Without a true rival for Norwich they are a perfect fit to play Harvard. This rivalry could really grow into something special.

James Madison
JMU is currently an FCS school like VMI and they play that school from time to time. Why not bring that matchup to a higher level and keep one of the most exciting FCS matchups (JMU v. Delaware)? This is a no-brainer to have Madison as VMI's rival.

New Mexico
New Mexico is one of Air Force's biggest rivalries in the Mountain West. They keep that rivalry and matchup while getting to play more military schools.

Wake Forest
Has played numerous service academies in the past and is a great fit for a rivalry with the Citadel. They are the one Power 5 school that got left out of the Super Conference, so it makes sense to put them at the next highest level. The Citadel is from the next state over and regularly plays ACC and SEC schools so they are a natural fit for a rivalry.

Yale
The Yale-Army game is one of the most storied matchups in the history of college football, it only makes sense to keep it going.

For these Military Friendly Schools, I picked schools that either played a military school this year, I consider more of a traditional rival, or are a made-up rivalry based on Geography. The issue again here is that New Mexico is far West from the other schools.

Sample schedule for Navy
8/30 Navy v. Delaware (Neutral Site)
9/6  Navy @ North Georgia
9/13 Wake Forest @ Navy
9/20 Navy @ Norwich
9/27 Merchant Marine Academy @ Navy
10/4 Navy @ Air Force
10/11 VMI @ Navy
10/25 Navy @ Citadel
11/1 Coast Guard Academy @ Navy
11/15 Navy @ Georgia Southern
11/28 Yale @ Navy
12/13 Navy v. Army (Neutral Site)
12/31 Division 1-B Championship Navy v. Wake Forest

There are obviously some complications in this model, but if they can work out the kinks I absolutely love it. This would bring more attention to our other military schools and would help each school get better athletes. I have no doubt that Army would field a better team if it had more pull than Tulsa etc. A 1B school would become more desirable than a 1C school and thus Army would be more desirable than about 20 schools they are less desirable than now. Virginia Military Institute would become far more desirable etc. Not to mention that these schools would have some awesome up and coming coaches. It would probably be easier for the big schools to determine who the great coaches were too. Right now Kirby Smart could be coaching VMI instead of being Bama's defensive coordinator, and Craig Bohl could be coaching the Coast Guard Academy instead of Wyoming. The coaching aspect could be a thrilling part of this scenario. You could have some brilliant young minds in fantastic matchups that really meant something. The military rivalries would be spiced up for sure.

While the travel issues would be real for the Western schools, these games would generate so much income that I don't think they would care. Every school with the exception of Wake Forest would be taking a step up in stature. This would help them to improve facilities and as stated earlier get better coaches. The scenario I present would get a sweet TV deal and every game at least on the military side would be must see TV. These rivalries would start to become epic. The intrigue of the games in this scenario are infinitely better than seeing any of these teams pummeled in their current setup. Although Air Force and Navy do quite well in their current placing. I absolutely love this idea and while it is extremely unlikely to happen, if we go the Super Conference route, it should happen.

No matter what we do though this is the one rivalry that must be protected under any scenario. It will always be America's best!

There just isn't a lot of harm to adding a little extra to those two. VMI could be an epic rival too!

-Noland

College Football Picks For Today

More ACC, SEC, and Interesting Game Picks. I missed on one game last week, but had a very solid first week. I even hit on my upset special. Here are some more picks...

Kansas State over Miami

Miami wasn't that impressive in a win over a BC team that isn't that good. Kansas State has better athletes and will win the game at home.

 

NC State over UConn

The Wolfpack should get back on track against an unimpressive UCONN team.

 

Temple over Maryland

I told you that Maryland was the worst team in the ACC and could lose to William & Mary. They almost did, and they will lose tonight.

 

UVA over Penn State

The Cavs are going to be good this year. Penn State is not going to be good. This one could get rather ugly.

Auburn over Mississippi State

One of the games of the week. I expect Auburn to bounce back after a loss to a very good Clemson team, that could easily compete for a national title. Auburn could still affect the title picture and will win a tough game today.

 

South Carolina over East Carolina

Clemson over Ball State

BC over Maine

Virginia Tech over Austin Peay

 

UNC over Wake

If Maryland is the worst team in the ACC, Wake isn't that far behind this year it seems. Wake looked pathetic against Liberty last week. If they are going to upset the Tar Heels a lot has to change. Based on last week and talent on their rosters, UNC wins in a route. As a big Jim Grobe fan, I hope I am wrong and Wake pulls it out.

 

Alabama over Western Kentucky

 

Michigan over Air Force

Michigan burned me last week. There is a chance they will do it again. Depending on how much hangover there is about last week's beatdown, Michigan could easily lose to Air Force. I expect Brady Hoke to bounce back against the service academy though.

 

Notre Dame over Purdue

The Irish looked impressive last week. This team could get to the BCS if they build off last week. Will there be hangover from a long trip though against a good Purdue team?

 

Texas A&M over Florida

A & M will impress in their SEC debut. Florida looked horrible in their opening game last week. It is all setting up for the Aggies.

 

Tennessee over Georgia State

 

FSU over Savannah State

Lots of people have been giving the Noles flack over this opponent. However, consider that it was supposed to be West Virginia and then the Mountaineers bailed. With West Virginia on the docket the Noles had 3 legit out of conference opponents. Without them it doesn't look as well, but when an opponent bails we are left with who we can get. So in comes the huge underdog Savannah State who will get thrashed this week.

LSU over Washington

Arkansas over Louisiana Monroe

Georgia Tech over Presbyterian

 

Army over San Diego State

The black knights will get it done in this one. This team will get close to bowl eligible, not sure they get there, but they get on track today.

 

Kentucky over Kent State

 

Georgia over Missouri

This one makes me nervous. The four suspensions on defense for the Bulldogs could cause them problems given that this is Missouri's SEC debut and they will look to impress at home. However, these guys have to much talent to lose this one.

 

Upset Special

Duke over Stanford

Some wouldn't call this an upset, but Stanford is ranked and Duke is not. Also most people still expect Duke to lose all the time. It will take a while for that perception to change. I will have said numerous times that Duke is no longer the ACC doormat. I also believe they get to bowl eligible this year. Today these guys prove it.

 



American Patriot: Pat Tillman

Pat Tillman is one professional athlete that we all think of as a hero. Tillman is the guy that left millions to join the army following the Sept.11 terrorist attacks. He enlisted in 2002 and had a very bright future ahead of him in the NFL before he left. I can only think of one NFL player in the last 20 years that would even think to do that and it is Pat Tillman.

Tillman served several tours and joined the Army Rangers after enlisting. Unfortunately he died April 22, 2004 in the mountains of Afghanistan. No greater love has one than to lay down his life for his friends. No greater love has one than to lay down his life for his country. Pat Tillman made the ultimate sacrifice and died while trying to defend this country. We should all thank him for that.

I will not ever get into the controversy surrounding his death. It is not my place and will not be my place. I was not there and I do not know. All I know is that Pat Tillman gave up millions to join the army, after giving up millions he protected our freedoms and while doing that he lost his life. That is good enough for me and should be good enough for anyone.

Thank you to everyone who currently serves, or has served. We appreciate it.

God bless America

-Noland

American Patriot: Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson would be an American Hero even if it wasn't for his military service. For those following this blog, you know that I posted two things about Robinson back on Jackie Robinson day. You can find those stories by clicking on the Jackie Robinson tab at the top of the page. Most people only know about him for what he did on the field. Robinson was equally impressive and influential off of it.

Jackie Robinson applied for OCS (Officer Candidate School) when it was unheard of for African Americans to do so. This was in 1942 During WW2 which was before Robinson's breaking the color barrier. Not only was Robinson accepted into army OCS, but in 1943 he finished. After finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned a second lieutenant. Once Robinson received his commission he joined the 761st Tank Battalion in Fort Hood Texas.



Robinson was told to go to the back of the bus by a military bus driver at one point during his commission which he refused. He received racist insults and questioning during that incident as well. Robinson would have shipped to Europe with his unit in 1944, but was instead court martialed over the incident. Later in 1944, Robinson was exonerated and honorably discharged. Who knows what would have happened in Robinson shipped out to Europe instead? He is a patriot for becoming a lieutenant in the 1st place and trying to serve his country and protect their freedoms. Jackie Robinson is quite the impressive person.

-Noland