Regarding the schedule, the Go-Gos are facing an identity crisis, and I'm not talking about which cowboy hat to wear or what check is the president going to write that the football program will have to cash. Nor are they the victim of atrocious Big Sky officiating any longer. I'm talking about who are they? Here's what we know:
*FBS Independent beginning in 2026
*They have two games schedule for next year. From an athletic administration standpoint, that is a nightmare on November 19. The Go-Gos allegedly play @ Fresno State and host Youngstown State according to the web. Also, some sites have them playing Southern Utah and Lamar. I'm not sure how much I trust random websites that aren't official, but this points to them not closing the door on FCS opponents. Their plan may be a slow rise with a hybrid schedule, I haven't followed it close enough.
*Ironically, the date UC Davis is slated to host the Hatters of Stetson, is also listed as the date that the Go-Gos are hosting the Penguins of Youngstown. This tells me that IF one of the parties wanted to keep the Causeway alive, that was the open date to do it and it didn't get done for whatever reason. My guess is that the Ags needed a home game on that date and the Go-Gos wouldn't oblige for obvious reasons. Davis isn't the one needing games so they got a home cupcake before the Griz come to town. Winning the Big Sky > keeping the Causeway alive.

So who is CSU Sacramento? From all appearances, they're a self-declared FBS program that will need to fund an additional 35+ scholarships and play their games at a renovated horse track while begging for games. Can someone say Cal State Northridge... add a bunch of scholarships, play at Devonshire Downs, travel the world, ooops, not sustainable, drop football. Stay in your lane. I hope they don't ever come to this for the good of the game.

I think something else to your point is that he has fumbled twice in the last three games pulling up at the line of scrimmage near the sideline, looking to throw, and been walloped from behind trying to extend the play. Throw it away, run, get out of bounds. All better than a turnover or potential turnover unless its an end of game scenario or you're out of downs. Young QB, these are little things that will be gained with experience.

Copy on the two salaries. I am in full support of the "people in place" and the job they're doing. In fact, I think our recruiting classes since Plough has taken over have been and are outstanding (we're just young and will need their help sooner than later). What I'm suggesting is bolstering the operation where it needs to be bolstered. I am asking hypothetical questions, not making suggestions or speaking on the job anyone is currently doing. For example: Do we need to improve nutrition offerings? Do we need a GM or additional help in recruiting or in the recruiting budget? Would a football fundraiser be a means to generate the money that we will need to break into the Top 4 conversation consistently? This is about helping the people who are already in place and not an indictment on the job they're doing. If Plough continually talks about making the same investment that the Top 4 make, what does that look like? How are those programs structured, where are they raising their money, where do they spend it, what do we need to address in recruiting (the staff will likely say OL/DL), etc. Just looking to put this coach and his staff in the best position possible. Go Ags!

We need to shore-up some things with our play action protection... we've been hurried by Power pull protections, then we adjusted to a Zone protection with a rat killer vs. MSU and got harassed at times by their DL finishing plays. Sac is one of the top QB Sack outfits in the Big Sky, if not the country. How the Ags protect is going to be a major tipping point in the game.

Man I'm too worked-up from what might have been in Bozeman and the crap call on the sideline that gave Sac that catch. Going to get a lift in and clear my head, I'll jump back in tomorrow or Wednesday once I settle down. Pray for me. Go Ags!

Everyone brings up good and relevant points. At the end of the day, there is a Side Judge or Head Linesman on the sideline whose job is to ensure that a foot comes down in-bounds. There is a Back Judge that focuses more on the possession aspect of the catch, but he is also tracking the initial foot-down mechanic as well I'm guessing but from a different angle. This missed call is egregious enough to demote the official that was on the sideline. Ship him/her down to work the JUCO circuit with an occasional NAIA or D3 game. Like I said, it felt like an easy call from the TV angles. How the hell does the Big Sky not have access to that replay? Practically every BSC game is an ESPN+ game at the least. No way they can't get up to par with camera angles to support the officials. Bush league

Wow, I had no idea we had that many associate ADs! Typical state school... I'll rephrase it then: let's re-evaluate the current roles and assignments of the existing administrative and support personnel and see where we might be more efficient or currently deficient. Do we need a GM, how is the recruiting side operated, do they need help? I can tell you now that nutrition is a platform of Plough's and it must be addressed and upgraded. He's raised money on that side and feels like we can continue to grow there.

I hear you on the equity piece and fundraising. Age-old dilemma. However, those "other sports" are all moving to the MWC ahead of football. I'm sure there is financial benefit to that. Perhaps a football fundraising position (salary probably <200k) could be leveraged as an offset to the cost of the move for the last sport to join and elevate?

Good points, thanks for enlightening me on the six Associate ADs and massive support staff.

I agree, and I feel TTU and SFA would be the tougher outs for UCD on your list. Lehigh and URI are sometimes solid, Harvard is a lower-third Big Sky team at best, and Monmouth is questionable. Nothing better than playoff season aside from winning the Causeway and Horseshoe in the same year!

Mercer... yes please!

Is their an East Coast/Midwest bias against the Big Sky? It doesn't feel that way to me when there are so many BSC teams in the dance every year.

One interesting aspect is that the playoffs make the entire roster available, right? Anyone lurking on the redshirt list that will help, either on special teams or as situational players? We're already playing freshmen at Corner, DE, WR, and we have a nice group of current redshirt FR playing (CP, Seivers, and others). Making the playoffs only makes the young players better due to more time on the field, sort of like bowl practices in FBS.

All the bitching and moaning about officiating a few weeks ago finally pays off with one of the worst calls in college football this year. I've seen the play in regular speed and time, I will never understand how three officials miss this call.

Agreed on some of the flimsy calls that benefited the Ags in Bozeman.

I am all-in on our QB. It looked like a communications SNAFU on the first pick (the Smash concept) and the DB made a nice play on a ball that was close on the second pick.

I am really down on our Special Teams play this year. That's one of those areas that separates good teams from great, at least in the areas of coverage and having kicks blocked. I may never get over the blocked punt vs. ISU :lol: Great teams don't beat themselves and Teams are an area that get you beat.

Things are 100% trending in the right direction. I fully support Plough and have been impressed by their recruiting efforts. I feel like they need help in some of the infrastructure areas: they need a dedicated fundraiser for football, they need to expand and improve player nutrition, we need an organized NIL effort of some sort, the facilities are nice but can always be upgraded, they need more community/campus engagement personnel, same with social media presence, etc. But all in all, things are looking up.

Regarding the wine-related mascots, how about something like the Wine-o's, or maybe steal Vintage HS mascot, THE CRUSHERS. UC Davis Crushers has a nice ring to it. Better than the "Mouthfeel" or "Fruit-Forwards"

Give us a crack at #6-#13, anytime, any place.

Awful. How do they miss that?

I've been contemplating my post(s) since late Saturday night. I will err on the side of restraint. All I will say is that we really missed some opportunities (theme of the season), we gifted a good team points and field position, and we really missed the Porter brothers Saturday night. Not their play making (although that would've helped) but in HOW they play the game. They are the enforcers, they are the irritants to the opponent, they just play differently than many of the kids taking reps in games right now. They play defense like the Montana State guys did, with a little shit in their neck and bad intentions. MSU, the Dakota programs, they all play football differently than a bunch of Californians do. We are skilled, we execute at times, but we are a finesse football team. That style doesn't beat Bozeman or win FCS championships. Hopefully our young players see that and will learn that.

I think that aside from the payday, playing at Husky Stadium gave us the benefit of dealing with some crowd noise, especially early in the game there. You are absolutely spot-on; we don't necessarily have to be great on Special Teams, we just can't shoot ourselves in the foot.

I'm fired-up, it's almost game day!

Tall task ahead in Bozeman against what is clearly the class of the Conference at this point of the season. Injuries and excuses won't matter tomorrow night, time to dance with the ones you brought. That being said, to pull the upset:

1. Everyone has to be available for the duration of the game. Missing a guy for a series or two could be the difference at critical positions.
2. MSU will need to help the Ags in some way. Come out overconfident and overhyped, turn the ball over, screw up on Special Teams, stupid penalties, whatever. They will need to provide hope and opportunities.
3. That being said, the Aggies will need to capitalize on any and every opportunity, something they have yet to do. They've had chances to blow out several opponents and haven't gotten it done. I'm not saying they have to score on every drive; they need to score when opportunity presents itself.
4. Keep it close going into the 4th quarter to give yourself a chance to win. By close, I'm talking within 14 points and the ball in possession. Then it only takes a score, a stop, and another score to make it an entirely new ballgame. Davis has gamebreakers at WR, RB, and QB. One play, one missed tackle, on great block. Give yourself the "puncher's chance" I talked about earlier.

This is a big night for UC Davis Football and for the Big Sky brand. Compete your asses off, find joy in the opportunity, and GO AGS!

HAHA! No doubt. Colorado State 2025 is not Colorado State 1994. Very nice stadium and football facility, but no real NIL to compete with the big boys. They're the same as the rest of the schools in the new Pac 12; there's a reason nobody wants them. They're basically the old WAC or original Mountain West meaning they can beat a P4 program on any given Saturday but can't do it for 12 weeks in a row. Hell, they can barely each other 12 weeks in a row. I feel confident (as confident as one can without being closer to the decision making process) that there is no way Plough leaves for low-level Group of 4 or 5 or whatever it is job when he is sitting on an ascending program in FCS with a path to the MWC and vision for the future. And oh yeah, it's his alma mater. KILL THIS THREAD FOR THIS HIRING CYCLE!!!

Yeah, I wondered about some of the late reps Lan took last season and held my breath. This team has had opportunities to blow people out and just have not been able to. I think the Rex running play was more about trying to do something cool for Rex than showing versatility, especially on a handoff inside the 5 yard line. He's really the most legitimate Undrafted Free Agent from this team, although several others will maybe get NFL camp invites (DE Psyk, possibly Simonson the LT). In my heart I want to believe that the NCAA will surely err on the side of common sense and grant both the Connors their season back so they can make the best business decisions possible for their futures.

For the record, no fingers being pointed, just thinking out loud. I am curious if there is something different in the preparation for 2025 compared to previous seasons, or if anything else has changed, but the staff will evaluate that. VERY interesting point about the "extra year" guys. If it is cyclical and happens occasionally, so be it. Our year in the turn of the football gods...

Spot on. There is no question that the game is bigger/faster/stronger than ever. Stand on the sideline at any college/pro game and it is a freakshow. Teams will have years where the old "injury bug" influences the outcome of the season, and that is likely the case in Davis. I've been around a lot of football and just don't recall seeing anything like this.