Is it better to play the toughest part of your schedule early or late in the season? Let's discuss the pros and cons.
Pro - Injuries are a part of the game but the early part of the season has put less wear and tear on the players thus putting the team in a better position to weather the storm of tough competition.
Con - If you lose some starters early in the season due to those injuries, your team had better be deep with talent. Also the coaching staff should have a plan to develop young athletes.
Pro - By playing tough competition early, you can fine tune the offensive and defensive timing and strategies for success.
Con - If you are not prepared for the task, you can lose two and be out of the running for a championship.
Pro - It is better to lose one early and gain momentum throughout the season to finish strong leading to either a championship run or a strong recruiting year or an early start on next year.
Con - You could lose your team, but good coaches in good programs don't let this happen.
Bottom line, it is in this writers opinion that it is better to play a tough schedule throughout the season. This will keep the players focused on the task at hand each and every week. The coaches are challenged to develop the game plan to ensure success at every step. I believe that Texas A & M, through the virtue of a very difficult schedule to start the season, was better prepared to compete with Alabama than the inverse. The Tide took a significant beating in the previous week's contest and could not sustain the focus necessary to win the next game. In fact it will take a excellent coaching job by Saban and his staff to prepare them for the contest versus Georgia in Atlanta. The bulldogs are the hottest team in the SEC (outside of LSU) right now.
If your opinion is different or if you have something to add to the topic, please us a comment.
Pro - Injuries are a part of the game but the early part of the season has put less wear and tear on the players thus putting the team in a better position to weather the storm of tough competition.
Con - If you lose some starters early in the season due to those injuries, your team had better be deep with talent. Also the coaching staff should have a plan to develop young athletes.
Pro - By playing tough competition early, you can fine tune the offensive and defensive timing and strategies for success.
Con - If you are not prepared for the task, you can lose two and be out of the running for a championship.
Pro - It is better to lose one early and gain momentum throughout the season to finish strong leading to either a championship run or a strong recruiting year or an early start on next year.
Con - You could lose your team, but good coaches in good programs don't let this happen.
Bottom line, it is in this writers opinion that it is better to play a tough schedule throughout the season. This will keep the players focused on the task at hand each and every week. The coaches are challenged to develop the game plan to ensure success at every step. I believe that Texas A & M, through the virtue of a very difficult schedule to start the season, was better prepared to compete with Alabama than the inverse. The Tide took a significant beating in the previous week's contest and could not sustain the focus necessary to win the next game. In fact it will take a excellent coaching job by Saban and his staff to prepare them for the contest versus Georgia in Atlanta. The bulldogs are the hottest team in the SEC (outside of LSU) right now.
If your opinion is different or if you have something to add to the topic, please us a comment.
Great points, couldn't agree more. According to this article: http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2012/cupcake-9-game-sec-schedule/
ReplyDeleteThose cupcake games may be going the way side. Especially if the SEC moves to a 9 game conference schedule in preparation of a new tv network deal. And with the up coming selection committee enhanced playoffs strength of schedule will be a huge factor. Hopefully that leads to better scheduling.