Posted by sjsbuff on 9/7/2007, 8:52 pm, in reply to "Cal fans arguments don't hold water" First, and perhaps foremost, the team doesn't have to travel (in the larger sense of the word). This helps in terms of advance scouting, game day freshness and low travel costs for the SJSU program. Hopefully, this latter concept isn't offset by a significantly lowered payout. I'd think a compromise in that regard makes sense wherein a "reintroduction" game between the schools would precede letting the attendance figures effectively dictate future terms. Second, the chance to beat what has become a legitimate top-20 team every few years - just outside our backyard, no less - does have its appeal. Really, I can't think of a better opportunity in that regard, aside from the historical Boise/Hawaii/Fresno trio we meet year in and year out, wherein one of those teams is usually ranked highly. Third, beating Cal would be a real coup for the WAC. Coach Tomey has said he wants to play the Pac-10 more, and the Bears certainly fill that bill. We need to win OOC as much as possible and while Cal would certainly be a tough opponent, the history and proximity between the teams might just give the Spartans that little extra edge they need to make a statement every so often. Moreover, I think a victory over a nationally ranked Pac -10 team would likely eclipse a victory over a nationally ranked WAC team, both in terms of fan and media perception. An added benefit there. Fourth, while we historically haven't recruited the same players that Cal has, the re-emergence of this rivalry may give Spartan coaches opportunities that previously didn't exist. Perhaps this simply takes the form of a top athlete being spurned by the Bears who then sees an opportunity to make his own statement in a subsequent matchup. Lest you think that can't happen, remember, there's only so many roster spots available each and every spring. The Bay Area has a huge talent pool to tap into. Cal's "loss" could be our "gain." Finally, I think this game is good for the fans. Even for the Cal-haters, another realistic opportunity to watch the Spartans play per year is a welcome opportunity, in my book. It's not like we enjoy every other road stadium we go to, year in and year out. If we can take it too the Bears a time or two then the parking inconvenience, etc., sure would be more than worth it! --Previous Message--
68.165.174.16
That's pretty interesting (and novel) research, Dude. Goes far in dispelling a common fan myth, if you ask me. I think the benefit in playing Cal lies in several areas:
: One of the arguments I've read from Cal fans
: time and time again as to why they should
: not schedule games with SJSU is that, by
: playing other opponants, it allows them to
: recruit in other parts of the country that
: they do not normally play in.
:
: I got curious about that, so I took a look
: at Cal's out of conference road trips over
: the past 5 years and whether or not they
: currently had any players on their roster
: that came from those areas. In essence, did
: they get any bang for their buck?
:
: The results are interesting to say the
: least.
:
: 2002 @ Michigan State
: # of players on roster from Michigan? -
: Zero
:
: 2003 @ Kansas St.
: # of players on roster from Kansas? - Zero
:
: 2003 @ Utah
: # of players on roster from Utah? - Zero
:
: 2003 @ Illinois
: # of players on roster from Illinois? - 1
: (However, the player from Illinois is a
: freshman, so it's doubtful they recruited
: him during his freshman year of high
: school).
:
: 2004 @ So. Miss
: # of players on roster from Mississippi? -
: Zero
:
: 2005 @ New Mexcio State
: # of players on roster from New Mexico? -
: Zero
: I also checked for players from Texas. There
: are two on Cal's roster, but both are from
: the Dallas area, which is a long ways way
: from Las Cruces, NM.
:
:
: In comparison, Cal currently has five
: players on their roster that played for high
: schools located in Santa Clara County, and
: several more from Santa Cruz County.
:
: In looking over their roster, it's clear
: that Cal recruits predominantly from the Bay
: Area, and from those parts of the west that
: have PAC-10 schools within their area (LA,
: Seattle, Oregon, AZ, etc.).
:
:
:
:
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