Every preseason, college football coaches and players drone on about how tired they are of scrimmaging against their teammates.
N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien has a solution for this yearly August malaise. O'Brien has joined Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer in calling for the NCAA to allow schools to schedule a preseason exhibition game against another school.
O'Brien said the issue was discussed at the latest American Football Coaches Association convention last winter. While preparing for the national marquee opener against Alabama last week, Beamer threw his weight behind the idea.
Now O'Brien is saying that either playing an exhibition game or being allowed to go practice against another team would be "a great idea" for college football teams.
"It will give you an indication of who and what you are against somebody else," O'Brien said. "Then when you open with a South Carolina or an Alabama like he did, you might be better prepared to take on the first game."
O'Brien said support for the idea might be the result of an influx of former NFL coaches in the college ranks. He said he wouldn't want to play four exhibition games as NFL teams do.
He said that when he played for the Marine Corps team in 1972, Carson-Newman and another school visited the Corps at Quantico for about a week.
"Each day you practiced against somebody different and you worked on your stuff," he said. "And it worked out pretty good."
The NFL isn't the only place where exhibition games are held. In college athletics' other marquee sport, men's basketball teams are allowed two exhibition games each season.
Some schools have taken to forgoing one of those exhibitions in order to meet an opponent for a secret, unpublicized scrimmage.
Football is more violent than basketball, and it might take only an injury or two to key players to make coaches dread exhibition games. But the way O'Brien sees it, getting a chance to work out the kinks against an opposing team without having a win or loss at stake would be worthwhile for college football teams.
Comments
pre-season game
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 10:37 — tarheelyankDoes Coach O'Brien think that a preseason game might help his team to quit losing it's opening game year after year.
misleading article title...
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:52 — izzykareemhe was asked about Beamer's quote about wanting a preseason scrimmage game/practice. So TOB said that he thought it was a good idea and that all the coaches had discussed it at their annual meeting. Tysiac makes it sound like TOB has sour grapes because of the SC loss. he's been doing that alot lately.
Such heavy trash-talk coming
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:36 — mad_maxSuch heavy trash-talk coming from a Tar Heel fan. Since moving to the state of North Carolina, BMFD and TOB both have the same number of wins against div 1-a schools in week one; zero. I thought fans like you learned last year not to pound your chest so early in the season...guess not.
Tarheelyank
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 12:09 — SurferI don't know if Tarheelyank was pounding his chest early in the season last year or not. Granted there was some optimism after the Rutgers game, but better then than before the season even starts, like with NCSU this year.
When have I pounded my chest
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 19:47 — mad_maxWhen have I pounded my chest this season or pre-season? I'm one of the few people on here that looks at things realistically. I've said from the beginning that I feel State will win anywhere from 7-10 games this year, and I'm the one that said losing to SC wouldn't be devestating for us as long as we kept the game close.
Perhaps not you
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 09:47 — SurferNot you necessarily, Max, but others, proclaiming victory over S.C., winning the Atlantic Division and the ACC, etc.... All of that preseason. The last two of which, could still happen. If you have to have a name call him J.P.
Fair enough
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 21:18 — mad_maxI think even worse was Caulton Tudor though. That really surprised me too, because usually I feel like he doubts the Pack.
November TOB
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:08 — SurferYes, November TOB wants the opening game as the last game of the season, unless of course it is a bowl game. I know that doesn't make sense, but State does seem to improve over time, so the more games before the opening game, the better chance of winning.
Playoff
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 09:33 — Guitarman51Until the BCS institutes a playoff system, every game, including the bowls, is nothing more than an exhibition game. Well at least the NFL, real football, starts this weekend.
Real football?
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:34 — JPDOhioApparently you haven't been watching the Cleveland Browns for the last half century.
In any event, I'll take college football over the NFL all day, every day.
+++
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:57 — izzykareemi can't even watch the pros. I occasionally will check out what pro wolfpack players are doing, but i haven't seen a whole game in years.
did u also notice how most of the comments against ACC expansion and wanting the ACC to remain a bball conference came from UNCCH fans.
Eh, you have a valid
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 09:47 — mad_maxEh, you have a valid argument. Though, the beauty of college football is that there are so many teams and rivalries, that most of us don't really need to be in the national spotlight to enjoy the ups and downs of the season. Local bragging rights are plenty in this area right now.
OBrien is grasping at straws
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 21:54 — caldwellheelIt will take more that a preseason game for NCSC to win an opener w/TOB as coach.
they say imitation...
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 01:07 — izzykareemis the best form of flattery; either that or you're just not original. You can't beat me; you guys are UNCCH. Everytime the papers write "UNC" i think, do they mean, charlotte, or pembroke or Asheville, maybe Chapel Hill. So stop writing NCSC, i don't even know what that means and its not even funny, catchy or witty. You're just an imitator. Besides it doesn't hurt our feelings, we just feel sorry for you.
"Everytime the papers write
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:48 — Heels20"Everytime the papers write 'UNC' i think, do they mean, charlotte, or pembroke or Asheville, maybe Chapel Hill."
That is either a blatant lie, or you're stupid to the point where you should lose your freedom of speech.
"We just feel sorry for you."
I would too if I was a State fan watching the Heels win more in every sport outside of Bass Fishing. By the way, I heard State is now giving out scholarships for that. Nice.
are you guys serious???
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 12:01 — izzykareemive been called an idiot and stupid. Do you understand now why most UNCCH fans are viewed as elitist and only losers appreciate your 'culture'?
Of course i know that Carolina means UNCCH. North Carolina = UNCCH. i'm just doing that to mess with you guys. Like when i refered to South Carolina as Carolina because i know how much you guys like to think you own 'Carolina'.
are you guys that uptight or is your batman underwear getting too small for you?
Elitist or not
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 12:09 — Heels20We do own Carolina in every aspect.
"Only losers appreciate your 'culture'"
Yeah, come to Carolina and win national titles as a "loser," experience a 62-29 head-to-head record with NCSC and go to the CWS every year, or go to State as a "winner" and enjoy watching your team fall short of the unrealistic expectations in just about every sport. Nice one lil izzy.
elitist for sure
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 12:16 — izzykareemonly a tarhole can be a loser while winning, exemplified by you and your ilk. That's why your called the tarholes.
but for the last two years in football we've owned you, stings doesn't it? that's your pride talking to you, and we own that too. 41-10 will do that to a man.
And what's with this lil izzy. only a doofus behind a keyboard on a forum would make remarks like that.
Oh lil izzy
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 15:12 — Heels20Funny how State's standard of a good season is just to beat Carolina. You'd be satisfied with a 1-11 season as long as you beat Carolina. But I guess we're the losers...
"But for the last two years in football we've owned you, stings doesn't it?"
Not really. We've won 3 of the last 5 and have yet to have a very good team. I mean, if you're that proud over beating a rebuilding Carolina program then all I can do is smile and shake my head. I'll remind you again, you haven't had a winning season since '05.
And with your little names: Tarhole, doofus, elitist. I can live with that. At least I can go to sleep at night knowing that my mom, aunt and grandma are three different people.
nice try...
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 20:51 — izzykareem"At least I can go to sleep at night knowing that my mom, aunt and grandma are three different people"
its called schizophrenia, it makes you think she's three different people.
Well then Izzy youre the idiot
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 09:44 — echllcIf you think UNCCH means anything else other than UNC Chapel Hill then you are a idiot. Does the N&O report or have sections on any other schools other than the ACC? If you don't know what I mean scroll up and use the drag bar under the words sports, pull down the bar and click on college sports and then roll over to the right and click on North Carolina. It only says North Carolina nothing else, but you do have to use the power of deduction. Your post is as stupid as your comeback, try again later dork, or better yet make sure you don't get in trouble for using your parents computer and stop looking at porn.
hhhmmm
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 09:01 — gvillegatrthen why did you respond to his post about ncsc then?? I mean that little shot wasn't even the reason for the post. your post did not come out very convincgly.
gville...
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:20 — izzykareemway to keep 'em inline.
huh?
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 13:07 — gvillegatrI was reffering to you. maybe I didn't make myself clear enough but it appears to I did after re-reading ...
sorry....
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 20:48 — izzykareembut with english like this: "but it appears to I did" how can you blame me.
sorry
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 21:14 — gvillegatrthat comment came after your post. got anymore excuses???
you didn't even go to ncsu. you are a wal-mart fan.
I shouldn't, but I gotta
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 21:35 — JPDOhioI have a question.
I didn't go to NCSU, but I did pay four years of out-of-state tuition. Pretty sure that doesn't make me a Wal-Mart fan.
So what does it make me? I think it falls somewhere between "great dad" and "complete idiot".
jpdohio
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 22:03 — gvillegatrI am just mocking lil izzy. hes ALWAYS been quick to call non graduates of a school (namely UNC) a wal-mart fan and all this time we were left to ASSume he graduated from ncsu.
I mean, what else would we think as no one would go that far out of there way to be a hypocrite?
I mean no harm and nor should you think of yourself as a wal-mart fan in college fandom.
No worries
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 23:27 — JPDOhioLike I said, I shoulda stayed out of the fray, but I just couldn't resist. Besides, I would be willing to bet that, when it comes to Wal-Mart Fans (as I understand the term), Ohio State has every other school beat, hands down.
100% true
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 00:45 — Heels20I came back home (Raleigh) on Monday and went to Chick Fila to get the free-sandwich-if-you-wear-a-college-shirt deal. For some reason, 1 out of every 3 people was wearing Ohio State apparel. True Wal-Mart fans.
Not surprised
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 09:49 — JPDOhioWere they also sporting the latest must-have item in Buckeye apparel- "Mike Vick" black patches?
correction
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 13:05 — gvillegatrmika vick. mika was for his sister. vick was for mike vick. TP may be the dumbest human alive! it is the reason OSU will not get any better under him.
Not sure
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 12:34 — Heels20Haha, didn't see any of those, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Or, instead of a pre-season
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 22:27 — mad_maxOr, instead of a pre-season game, he should just schedule the Citadel in week 1...
or...
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 12:07 — izzykareemJames Madison, maybe McNeese State
ncsu tough schedule
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 22:46 — sasrkcYou should have just moved up Murray St and Gardner-Webb the first 2 games of the season. Count these as your pre-season. They will beat you too.
Lol, nice irrelevant post
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 00:01 — mad_maxLol, nice irrelevant post there. The topic was having a pre-season game to get ready for the actual season. Kinda hard to consider State's two upcoming games as pre-season since they've already played a quality opponent. Nice prediction there too buddy...if you actually believe what you wrote, then you win the award for dumbest post of the week.
haha...
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 01:02 — izzykareemwhen these UNCCH guys write retorts (if you can call actually call them that), depending on the quality, or lack thereof of the retort, i picture 3 types:
Either a crazed toothless walmart fan
A basketball fan whose trying to talk football
Or a nerd with a pocket protector, with the mysterious sniffling and sneezing and ever-present handkerchief.
Just try that out next time you're reading their responses, it helps uncover the inner psyche of who you're dealing with.
problem is
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 21:36 — gvillegatrone pre season game would soon morph into a hype machine followed by ESPN showing the greta ones on prime time tv and the next thing you know we hvae 2,3 or 4 pre season games ....
but we can't have a playoff b/c these kids need to be in class. only the Div 1-A football players, though.
One small problem
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 20:51 — williamlI like the idea of 1 preseason game. However, I doubt you'd get the voters to not consider those games when voting.
How about a controlled scrimmage
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 22:59 — JPDOhioIt doesn't have to be a game. At least they'll be hitting someone that they are not practicing against every day. That may help the voters for the preseason poll, which is a useless exercise anyway.
That's a very good point.
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 20:57 — mad_maxThat's a very good point. I hadn't even thought of that. While the pre-season works for the NFL, it probably wouldn't in college ball. Damn voters and their reluctancy to give up their power. Playoff, playoff, playoff...