[FarmBoy]

Ted Miller mentioned that the 2013 Pac-12 schedule will be made public later this month. Does the conference office "game" the schedule at all to help position the likely contenders succeed? For example, C.al was given a schedule last year that didn't include a bye until after all games had been played. If you were a contender and you didn't have a mid-season bye to rest/heal, that could really damage your chances. Or getting a schedule that has 3-4 away games of great distance bunched together. I know the competitors and location are locked in, but will Stanford get an assist from the conference office to smooth the season, like putting WSU the week before hosting Oregon?

And I assume that the Pac-12 will do what they can to make sure the Stanford-Oregon game is in November, to maximize TV ratings, in the hopes that both teams are undefeated and playing for the NCG.

[FarmBoy]

Ted Miller mentioned that the 2013 Pac-12 schedule will be made public later this month. Does the conference office "game" the schedule at all to help position the likely contenders succeed? For example, C.al was given a schedule last year that didn't include a bye until after all games had been played. If you were a contender and you didn't have a mid-season bye to rest/heal, that could really damage your chances. Or getting a schedule that has 3-4 away games of great distance bunched together. I know the competitors and location are locked in, but will Stanford get an assist from the conference office to smooth the season, like putting WSU the week before hosting Oregon?

And I assume that the Pac-12 will do what they can to make sure the Stanford-Oregon game is in November, to maximize TV ratings, in the hopes that both teams are undefeated and playing for the NCG.

[Renaissance Man]

Putting the Oregon game in November would create the probability of playing Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame in consecutive home games, which would front-load the schedule with a lot of road trips.

[Renaissance Man]

Putting the Oregon game in November would create the probability of playing Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame in consecutive home games, which would front-load the schedule with a lot of road trips.

[FarmBoy]

I find it interesting that Oregon's games with U.SC the past few years have all been late October/November and in 2011, when it was clear that the Pac12 would come down  to Stanford and Oregon, that game was scheduled for November. Oregon has also had very favorable Road/Home mix of games the past three years, not having a single period of 3 straight road games. Meanwhile, Stanford was expected to be down this year and our schedule kind of sucked with so many home games, including U.SC, before school started.

But I guess it's enough that it could all be a coincidence. I will be interested to see how favorable our schedule appears, on paper, when it is announced, given that we're suddenly back in the mix in the pundits eyes.

[FarmBoy]

I find it interesting that Oregon's games with U.SC the past few years have all been late October/November and in 2011, when it was clear that the Pac12 would come down  to Stanford and Oregon, that game was scheduled for November. Oregon has also had very favorable Road/Home mix of games the past three years, not having a single period of 3 straight road games. Meanwhile, Stanford was expected to be down this year and our schedule kind of sucked with so many home games, including U.SC, before school started.

But I guess it's enough that it could all be a coincidence. I will be interested to see how favorable our schedule appears, on paper, when it is announced, given that we're suddenly back in the mix in the pundits eyes.

[Spiny_Norman]

Putting the Oregon game in November would create the probability of playing Oregon, Low APR U and Northern Indiana Parochial College in consecutive home games, which would front-load the schedule with a lot of road trips.

That is exactly what happened in 2011 - http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footb...-2011.html

I would not be surprised if the 2013 schedule looks similar.

[Spiny_Norman]

Putting the Oregon game in November would create the probability of playing Oregon, Low APR U and Northern Indiana Parochial College in consecutive home games, which would front-load the schedule with a lot of road trips.

That is exactly what happened in 2011 - http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footb...-2011.html

I would not be surprised if the 2013 schedule looks similar.

[Farm93]

The 2013 schedule is going to be set up for success.  It will be exciting.

The schedule probably will feature a collection of games in late October and November that could have national attention.  Perhaps more importantly, the desire for the Pac-12 to back load the schedule should allow for Stanford Students to be on campus when the schedule gets tough.

The 2013 team will likely not be good enough to just blast early season opponents, but I suspect the Pac-12's scheduling objectives will only help Stanford.

[Farm93]

The 2013 schedule is going to be set up for success.  It will be exciting.

The schedule probably will feature a collection of games in late October and November that could have national attention.  Perhaps more importantly, the desire for the Pac-12 to back load the schedule should allow for Stanford Students to be on campus when the schedule gets tough.

The 2013 team will likely not be good enough to just blast early season opponents, but I suspect the Pac-12's scheduling objectives will only help Stanford.