“ I thought we paid Lan and TY Johnson last year. Are we paying anyone this year?”

I think you’re correct. I didn't articulate my thoughts very well. I’m thinking in terms of program wide resources. For example the Griz pay each player an equal amount. I don’t remember the exact figure, but its either 20k or 50k per year. Tim has commented several times that they have 500 donors that contribute 1k each year. We have about a 100 similar donors. But beyond our specific situation, the current system of money schools able to buy away top players from programs like ours is troubling to me. That’s what i was referring to regarding some sort of realignment. I’m happy for many of these kids, especially those that come from challenging environments where the money is life changing, but there must be a better way forward.

this is a very good post. Honestly, I think we are in a particularly good place as a program. I think the best case scenario for us will happen no matter what, but I see pros and cons to both moves. I agree on that super conference at the top, hopefully Davis is able to position themselves/have the cards fall to have us in the best position when that happens

Here’s my opinion: the FCS is great. I like the playoff format, regional rivalries, etc. what I do think is important to note though is that us moving up to the Mountain West for football would be a smart move (in my opinion) because it solidifies us in the group of 5 no matter the changing landscape. For example, if the proposed power 4 split happens and the g5 becomes its own subdivision with its own playoffs, I would like to be positioned in the group of 5 instead of trying to get a move up from the fcs during the craziness that could ensue (no matter the fact that we would probably be at the top of FCS move-up’s if this split happened). I don't necessarily think moving to the MW would be as massive a step up when it comes to some talent (ie Montana state compared to a Nevada), but I think some of the closer regional rivalries, more national prominence of broadcast and name, and better positioning in realignment makes it worth it. I think playing in a conference where the lowest tier teams in the conference for football are UTEP or Nevada is a hell of a lot better for interest than Utah Tech or Portland State. I also honestly think bowl games are fun and provide travel opportunities for the alumni. Let’s face it too, getting into a bowl game is a hell of a lot easier than winning an FCS championship, and while this is completely speculative, I wonder if making it to bowls consistently would be more of a donation driver than fcs playoffs.

My final point. When it comes to money, and I may be wrong here, I am under the impression that teams are paid well to play bowl games, which I’m sure are larger revenue drivers than most fcs playoff matchups (maybe until the semis).

Overall, our position and current goals in the FCS are important, plausible and righteous, but I also think looking down the road a few years, aligning football with all of our other sports in the MW is a foreword looking move that would be a smart idea.

The whole stadium was having fun tonight. Lots of dancing in the crowd during the commercial breaks with the music pumping. I thought the announcing and the music were great throughout the game. It felt good to get up and move to the music just to keep a little bit warmer! It one of the coldest Aggie games I've been to. The fog just sets down a chill.

Also I wonder if Rhode Island fans still think they deserved the 8 seed over us

let’s just say I know quite a few lurkers haha, it seems like the boards have been getting more students checking it out!

Speaking of students, crowd was hilarious today! Aggie pack seems much stronger these last 2 years

That team was 14th in total defense and we made them look like a junior college. Confidence booster for a deep run.

Not sure how a home playoff game could feel any bigger, but now tonight’s game does!!!

You two are doing more to market this program than the people who are paid to do so. Great work.

I believe we all got swept up in the hype. This year, I’ve watched more Sacramento State football than I have in all previous years combined. I’m optimistic that they’ll overcome this setback and continue moving forward. One distraction has been eliminated, leaving them with one more to contend with.

I genuinely don’t want to be “that guy” … buuuuuuut … we were planning to revisit this topic in December and discuss how Sacramento State was making all the right moves while we remained complacent. I apologize for bringing this up, but if I recall correctly, you were quite vocal about their actions.

I got banged up reaching for my coffee ...

Uhh marketing on campus is.. fine? I mean they have ads running at the dining halls, coho and silo on the TV sets but that's about it. I think having football guys run around with flyers would create a better sense of public convo/awareness.
Also just got this email which is sent to all students:

More info in RI surfing. The Atlantic being smaller than the Pacific has an effect on break size and consistency. A wet suit is a definite requirement. Water temperature gets to about 72 degrees in summer, but the surf is flatter and you can go days with little activity. It’s probably best time for beginners. The scene picks up dramatically late summer/Fall especially if there is a hurricane in the Atlantic and then you can get 3-4 days of magnificent waves. The uniqueness is breaks here can come from two directions and the diversity is awesome. The best places to surf near URI are Narrgansett, Point Judith and Matunuck all about a 15-20 minute drive from campus. Further from campus in the direction of Newport are Goosewing Beach, Second Beach/Sachuest Point where the uniqueness lies in its south-west orienatation and Ruggles the only area in RI that you can get a bona fide XXL wave. While surfing on east coast plays second fiddle to California, the rugged coast of RI provides an interesting back drop of light houses, church steeples, domes, and Gothic towers you won’t find anywhere else.

Sorry for the diversion. Back to football.

Sounds like Wood has "concepts of a plan."

Not discounting your anecdotes on campus but that’s certainly not reflective of the entire university nor is it unusual for institutions with strong academics to have student support even during finals. This all gets back to Plough’s gripe and being expected to do more with less. It should be a priority to have a show with a sponsor rather than a weekly q&a with Dunning and no microphone. It should be a priority to have someone proof the SID releases and correct the obvious mistakes. It should be a priority to have this game plastered across town the last two weeks, including the student ticket options. These are just basic things that are not being done effectively and the people that should be managing these things are running around touting facilities plans that have zero ROI.

Stoked we got a Rhody fan on here educating us wine drinking snobs on the Rams. One great source of information on the Ags is of course from the most amazing Aggie Pride: A UC Davis Aggie Football Podcast - mouthful of a name - but has all the current sentiments and dirt on what's happening in UC Davis Football world. We invite all URI fans to check it out!

Agreed us FCS schools gotta stick together with the big bad FBS trying to pillage anything in their way. I look forward to seeing how we match up against a team from a better league. CAA was once mighty but has certainly lost equity with the departure of JMU, Delaware and Richmond.

We will need an A+ game from our QB Devin Farrell. He's a Va Tech transfer who has been really good since taking over the role last season. He got hurt at tail end of last year or IMO we would have beaten Mercer in FCS playoffs (lost 10-7 with our backup who was a big step back). He's mobile and throws a really good deep ball. Our top WR is Marquis Buchanan. RI native, was Gatorade POY in football and basketball his senior year. He likely will have FBS options for his final year of eligibility - 6'4 with good (not great) speed. Back to back 1k yard seasons. In the backfield we have a sorta fire and ice combo - Littleton is a bulldozer at 230lbs (Maryland / Temple transfer) and Barrow is a former Stanford player who seemingly was hurt his entire time there and has been coming on strong in the back half of this season. He's smaller but very quick through the hole and a tough runner.

On defense we revolve around AJ Pena. Probably the best defensive player in the history of the school. Holds school record for sacks and is a handful off the edge. He left last year to Memphis in Spring but changed his mind over the Summer and re-enrolled back at RI for his final year of eligibility. In this era of mercenary athletes we should build a shrine to him outside our stadium because he for sure could have just stayed in FBS. Our top corner Ayinde Johnson is really good too, as is DL Case Mankins (son of New England Patriot O linemen Logan Mankins). I have concerns about our D and O line against better opponents so that will be something to watch.

I'm more a hoops guy than football guy but that's my quick scouting report hope it helps.

if we want a dating analogy—it’s like telling your main girl, who might be average looking but sweet and a good cook, that it’s exclusive while Uncle Wingman from down the block is still running your Tinder profile trying to find you some SEC motorboat side action, and then falling for it when the stripper says she loves you.

That weekend is generally FBS conference championship weekend. There doesn't appear to be any west coast football games that weekend that I see other than a small chance that the Mountain West Conference game is hosted by UNLV or San Diego State.

There's no other FCS game in the west coast. Therefore, it looks like a shoo-in for UC Davis to be on ESPN2. I hope we get more opportunities like this in the future due to lack of competition for that time slot.

West Coast slot and doesn't really help that the URI watchers will see it starting 10 pm ET.

Maybe Rocko made a deal...and you know what, good, let's go. All that NIL $$$ flowing we can't get an ESPN exec to point the finger in.Davis' direction?...then we ain't worth a pinch of salt. Let's populate the game and get it up in every household and watch bar we can next Saturday night.

Rhode Island fans are probably pissed and if they lose they will blame it on the kickoff time.

Game moved to ESPN2!

A 7:00 PM PST kick-off is not going to help a team that is living on Eastern Standard Time.

one of them straight up said that he barely had Davis in his ballot because we weren't blowing teams out... Objectively stronger teams than what Rhode Island had to play over the course of the season. I hope we get and beat Rhode Island so maybe he as a voter will re-evaluate his criteria for voting. Same with him saying Tennessee Tech should have been seeded because they were dropping 40+ per game on even weaker opponents than Rhode Island faced.... Just a strange strange rationale and for him to be that heated about... Weird guy.

Now it is a 6-0 run!!
Men's Soccer ✔️
Women's Soccer ✔️
Women's Volleyball ✔️
Men's Basketball ✔️
Football ✔️
Women's Basketball ✔️

GO AGS!! Or maybe "GO-GO" AGS!!

The playoff game last year was my first since the Toom. This playoff game will be my third game this year and I intend to get season tickets next year. 99% of my family and friends think I'm a moron, except the people I've taken to the games. So much fun!

I have faith in the culture that has been built to keep players around. If these guys are having a great experience playing a lot and winning games with their boys, that's tough to beat. All these guys seem like they really love the program. It gets me fired up as an alum just watching it.
I'd imagine its a different situation all together at an FBS football factory.

As for Pinnick, he's gets to be the man on the gridiron and on the baseball team playing CF. Fam gets to see every game. Tough situation to beat. Hopefully the program can find some $ to help him stay. But I got a good feeling about guys continuing to stick around especially if they see Plough ignore the Cal job. That would be good for morale.