The Review

Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports

NFL head coaches have echoed the phrase, "a win is a win." This statement holds true not only in professional football, but also at the collegiate level. Coaches realize playing a ranked or tough non-conference opponent, on top of conference opponents, is taxing and too demanding in college sports.

A team does not have to schedule tough non-conference opponents because for programs like Delaware, the risk is far greater than the reward.

Anyone can take a look at the Colonial Athletic Association in football. A total of seven CAA teams including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Richmond, James Madison, Hofstra, Villanova and Delaware appeared in the Football Championship Subdivision polls for the week of Oct. 29.

This season, Delaware has played or will play four of the other six nationally-ranked CAA teams. Why should coaches schedule tough non-conference opponents when the CAA features prolific talent like New Hampshire's senior quarterback Ricky Santos and Massachusetts' senior running back Matt Lawrence, who can go toe-to-toe with the best in the nation?

While many people call non-conference match ups "fluff" games, the critics do not understand the main reasoning behind these games. The easier games are meant to be confidence builders and they helped the Delaware women's basketball team on its run to the NCAA Tournament in 2006, as it beat up San Francisco, Pennsylvania and American by a combined 65 points.

The easier games also proved beneficial for this year's football team, as the defense turned in a dominating performance, allowing 14 points against West Chester, silencing many critics.

Not only do these "fluff" games improve a team's record, but they can bring a team together and give Delaware the swagger and confidence needed to have a successful season. Following the West Chester victory in Week 2, the Hens' defense used that momentum in a match up against CAA rival Towson the next week, holding the Tigers to seven points.

The Delaware men's soccer team took the alternative route, scheduling Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouses then-No. 4 Duke and North Carolina State, losing 6-1 and 1-0 respectively. The team was not able to establish the confidence needed entering a demanding CAA schedule.

Another problem with scheduling tough non-conference opponents is the risk of injury. Football head coach K.C. Keeler said when his team plays Navy, the game is the most tolling on the Hens because Navy is more physical than any other team on their schedule. This rings true with any sports, as tougher non-conference opponents demand a faster level of play, forcing more stress on key players.

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