Want to know why the Big Ten is actively discussing 9 or even 10 conference games? Why the ACC may have reversed course for now on 9 games, but may revisit in the future? Why the Pac-12 and Big 12 are already at 9 conference games?
It simply is not cheap to rent-a-patsy any longer.
Pitt will pay ODU $375,000 to play at Heinz Field next season, but that’s not as much as both North Carolina ($450,000) and ECU ($430,000) are paying. ECU’s is paying out $250,000 in cash and giving ODU 4,000 tickets with a face value of $180,000.
Maryland is paying ODU $350,000.
Idaho will pay ODU $150,000, but the Monarchs are scheduled to give that same amount back in 2019 when the Vandals play a return game to Norfolk.
In all, ODU is raking in almost $1.8 million in guarantees, which [ODU AD Wood] Selig said would go toward paying FCS opponents to come to Norfolk and for travel expenses.
It’s getting expensive just to buy a 1-AA team. Now imagine how much it costs for a guarantee game from the MAC or Sun Belt. Those are seven-figure games if you don’t make it a 2-for-1 (Hello, Akron road trip in 2015). Sure most of the SEC and Big 10 can afford it, and have stadiums they fill that more than cover the cost. Still, there are reasons 106 out of 125 1-A programs have a 1-AA team on their schedule. And only 9 schools in a BCS conference don’t have a 1-AA opponent.
So, no. I don’t like seeing 1-AA teams on the schedule, but I’m not surprised any longer. It’s almost become a necessary evil if you want to have seven home games every year.
Now this year’s schedule has no weekday games — aside from ones on a holiday weekend. The ACC has Thursday night games with ESPN, but for now that is it on weekday games.
The schedule is also more traditional, with 10 Saturdays after several Wednesday and Friday night games in recent Big East seasons.
“I hope we never do that again in my lifetime,” Pederson said of Wednesday games. “We have normal college football.”
Hopefully Wednesday and Friday games will be the province of MACtion and Big East remaindermen.
Heather Dinich at the ESPN ACC blog ranks Pitt’s non-con schedule as 4th best. Seems about right.
With the move to the ACC, kicking off with FSU. Plus Notre Dame at home, there is no question that this is Pitt’s best home slate since 2003. I have no doubt, that like 2003, the season tickets will sell out this year. As for whether it is reflected in physical attendance. That will depend very much on what Pitt does against FSU to start the season.
The game will be televised nationally on ESPN and will be the only Division I-A game that night.
“It provides a great opportunity because of the challenges,” Pitt coach Paul Chryst said. “We’re excited and proud to be going into the ACC and what better way for us to do it than to play against the defending champions?”
I guess the one thing that puzzles me is this: was there really any serious debate in the Pittsburgh area about jumping at the opportunity to host FSU to start the season? Or was this sports radio BS where the hosts tried to pretend there was a real debate to this issue. I ask because there was the Starkey article before it went through and then the Cook column afterwards. Both making what look to me like fake controversy over the issue as they side with the obvious choice of definitely doing it.
As for the price of FCS opponent poker being so high, it seems they have killed the goose laying the golden egg. So they’ve driven the Big Conferences to incest have they.
Too bad the net result is about 60 fewer paydays for them.
Oopsie. Supply and demand. Demand just dropped by one third. This ain’t OPEC we’re dealing with here. Watch the price fall and FCS schools whine in a few years.
I am on record with this: the sun is setting on WVUlgar athletics. Your linked story is further proof. 3 good assistants leaving in one year! QB, RB & OL. 3 areas where the reform school of western Virginia was arguably upper echelon.
Seems this guy is a good recruiter.
Holgersen is Harold Hill with none of the charm. When he and Luck are in the same room, neither will turn his back on the other! Watch their attendance in ’13. It will drop faster than a McDowell county virgins’ panties. LOL, just as & MD join the Big Ten, WVUlgar loses good coaches, gives up 50 pts a game and petitions the NCAA to loosen travel policies.
Recall when the WVUlgar leader Luck was claiming he could get Pitt into the Big 12? Fools gold! Luck wanted a date to Hell because he knew once the dust settled performance would count and bills would have to be paid!
WVUlgar belongs in what once was The Big East! All he had to do was not panic: but he did panic and was first out the door. Like Lee at Gettysburg and Picketts charge, the high-water mark of WVUlgar sports will be the time between them winning at blue blood Texas, right before they get to the clump of trees the rest of the world knows as Texas Tech!
Luck will be gone in 4 years, Holgersen in two.
My name for the football conference formerly known as the Big East? Welcome the Far East!
Not bad if I do say so myself!
And they tried like hell to get into both the SEC & the ACC.
So who could blame them for going to the BIg 12 at that point. Or they would be in some nameless conf., (as it appears the Catholic 7 are paying to keep the BigEast name, rightfully so btw), with such football juggernauts as Tulane, Temple,
Memphis, USF, UCF, Houston, SMU & East Carolina.
I’m sure PITT would have done the same thing given the choices.
I do believe in our school motto.
Veritas et Virtus
Hail to Pitt !
The Eyes of Texas
As well. lol
The internet is still working and the sky hasn’t fallen.
The 24/7 right radio isn’t the only medium that embellishes controversy.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Devin Wilson was the difference. He was excellent in the second half after a shaky first half from him. He finished with 19 points, seven rebounds a handful of assists and steals. He actually took over the game in the final quarter and a half. On top of that, the kid is cool as the other side of the pillow
I don’t recall blaming anyone for anything. WVU chose to leave and expedited the process incurring big time fees to do so. There was still time to decide. The Big 12 was and IS worried that UT will leave. That conference is a house built on one card.
Facts are facts. Records are what they are. If I’m wrong, I’ll admit it as I always do on this board when I am wrong.
WVU could have done what is always most difficult to do…weigh their options and not just react. But they acted like a man dying of thirst; knocking on everyones door to get in.
They would be far better off financially and competitively had they remained in the Big East. When you put pencil to paper, they lose. Exit fees, dropped attendance, travel costs, diminished brands, etc
Oliver Luck loves being perceived to be smart: but look closely at his resume. There isn’t a legacy of success once he stopped wearing cleats. He gains, but his organizations don’t. It easy to say WVU had no choice and Lord knows that their PR department runs circles around Pitt’s. But they could have staid and now they could have been cock of the walk poised to strike a deal where income AND expenses both are real.
Their day is done and Luck’s next job will be CEO of a racetrack somewhere.
I’m not going to argue over the Hillbilly’s.
And I know the Big 12 is all dependent on Texas staying, as I’ve blogged about that fact many times.
They expedited the process because those were the parameters that the Big 12 laid out to them.
I hope the Big 12 blows up, as,,,,as long as they are around they will be considered better than the ACC in football and if it EVER goes to 4 conf’s with 16 teams each, as long as TExas is there, the ACC is in some jeopardy of being one of the 4 left standing. As the other 3 conf’s. (Big Joke, SEC & PAC 12) are all very solid .
So it’s gonna come to do us and the Big 12 if it eventually shakes out to 4 & 16.
As far as Oliver Luck I could care less if he eventually becomes a janitor at Mylan Puskar.
Btw he went to Youngstown State. lol
Maybe Coach is reading The Blather !
Now if we can get him to play Kiwi Steve at the 4 on offense, my mission will be complete. 🙂
There are examples to prove my theory wrong all over, but there are probably just as many to give us hope and faith in PC.
A stumbling block in such a tactic would be that early foul trouble could hamper playing time for both of the bigs down the stretch if/when needed.
No articles about Villanova till tomorrow, We don’t have to read about Scotty Pippens LOL, and how we’ve never made a final four till then.
You’d think they could be more creative, but that would take actual work.
Nice article though< Taylor deserves all the love for being a team player and coming off the bench, no complaints, no ego. And Jamie superseding his seniors start history.
I am no hater of WVU, unless they are playing us. I have a lot of friends that have gone there and have fond memories of 3-2 beer and respect for their achievements in sports. If you think it's hard to recruit at Pitt…
While I don't condone their poor sportsmanship of late, I am amazed at how far and how fast they have fallen. Unless they were to improve their civility and embrace our fans coming to Morgantown, I don't care if we ever play them again. It will be great to return to Va Tech, where they show you a good time, and treat you with respect and civility.
I hope Pitt Fans show class and welcome all ACC fans to town, treat them right and show them a good time. And of course treat them to a can of whoop-ass on the field.
As for Luck, he can always manage his kid's career and money.
We need to beat Villanova tomorrow to keep the momentum and vibes going, also to avoid the trolls. They need the win more than us, so I expect a good one. It will be Senior morning, so we got that going for us.
GC, about your comment regarding WVU, I feel the same way. I think the move to the Big 12 in retrospect will turn out to be big mistake for them. I’m looking forward to possibly making a trip to Virginia Tech this year.
Come on Complit, are you implying that there is little speed in the B12? What there is little of in the B12 is defense, and it’s been that way for years. Remember 08 when those B12 teams were posting arena numbers, and they all got beat in the bowl games against teams that actually played defense? And who won the B12 this past year …. KSU which had the best defensive team.
Losing Bailey and Austin will be devastating to the Hoopies but I expect their defense to improve, so I don’t see a great drop.
I’m not ready to concede that we will be a lower tier team starting out in the ACC just yet .. but I’m certainly not predicting a BCS team either.
My point of view is Luck panicked when
Pitt/Cuse announced leaving the BE. Wish
WVU had waited and was now part of the
ACC rather than Louisville. Horgy will leave
As soon as he can get another job in the B12.
As a eesult of all of the above another great
Rivalry has been lost.
All in all, the ACC is a better fit even if a little less money, but most certainly less travel issues/costs
the catholic 7 or new big east will be better
then the old big east or metro 10 in basketball
i dont see that as being true
old big east before they sell the name
cincinnati
connecticut
memphis
temple
catholic 7
xavier
butler
marquette
georgetown
i would say the 4 top schools are on a even par
the outhers in the catholic 7 have not done much lateley
.
may be in time the cathloic 7 may be better
but so might theold big easti would think houston as a chance to move up in the bb world now
as nova will.
I’m gonna predict at least 40% of them will lose.
haha
#20 Butler is already walking the plank, VCU is up by 20 about midway thru the 2nd half.
So let the carnage begin. 🙂
L-ville vs Cuse
Marquette vs Notre Dame
Uconn vs Cincy
Portland vs Gonzaga (they could be #1, for first time ever if they win today)
Miami @ Duke
Arizona @ UCLA
North Florida @ Lipscomb (just wanted to type Lipscomb, lol)
Montana @ Montana State (huge game in Helena)
Hoopies @ Kansas (should be a momumental beatdown)
Enjoy !
I actually wish he would have started Dante the last game or even before, because even if he does start him tomorrow it will look like he’s doing it just because its his last home game…but he should be starting him because he has earned it.
I have not been a huge fan of Dante, but his work ethic and great attitude has won me over — and he deserves to be starting now.
at the top of league were it counts.
Pitt is close now to even getting the double bye. UConn only means something in the regular season rankings. I just heard today that the ACC doesn’t even have a regular season champ…dumb.
What could’ve been…
Blog ads..
You all see what I see?
Now that is one fine ass. (Chas…these ads are salable, as you well know.) But I’m not buying when the caption overhead reads, “SEXY Older women….Cougars,” et al. In fact, I’m not even tempted to hit that link.
“Give me the honeys with fat asses,” says DMX.
Does that fine ass look like it might attach to some menopausal 50+ Years Old, as advertised. No.
I’m meeting with one of the chicks I bought from MutualArrangements.com tonight — Sugar Daddy Dating.
Now that blog ad won me over.
He totally has shut down a number of players this year which is really amazing for a freshman. For all the angst about his shooting and offense, his defense and ballhandling has more than made up for it. We will need him against Nova’s guards tomorrow. Losing on Senior Day is not an option.
See you all in the second half.
I not offended but I don’t agree either. They have lost their eastern “window” where all if their students and most of their players come from.
Luck hit the panic button and I’m pretty certain knew quickly that he had “effed” up. He is a classic narcissistic CEO.
coaches like Holgersen don’t improve programs, they improve their PR. WVU might have been the worst coached team in 2012. Their defense was simply pitiful and once teams figured out their offense, that too ended up stinking. Look at the lack of production over the last 6 games. No one got hurt either.
Nope, they don’t have the chops and sticking with my R E Lee analogies, they are too far from their supply base. Logistics matter in recruiting too.
Lastly, for all of the criticism I have of Pederson, at least Pitt had a plan. WVUlgar ran out the nearest exit door and left their pants on the bedpost!
“The ‘It,’ the moxie, whatever you want your quarterback to have, I think he has that,” he said. “He carries himself in that way. The guys kind of want to follow him and are attracted to him.”
Sleepy can cover the offense lost, but the huge question can he step up his defense.
Also probably means Zanna plays more, I guess unless you have to use him as the backup center.
Which you would, since Sleepy hasn’t played a large amount of minutes in a game.
It must be a fairly bad injury or you wouldn’t report it… right?
at the top of league were it counts.
Comment by FRANKCAN 03.02.13 @ 1:58 pm
Think the new BigEast has the names and the big cities covered much better than, “The conference formerly known as The BigEast”
You have Georgetown in DC Metro
St. John’s & Seton Hall in NYC metro
Villanova in Philadelphia
Marquette in Milwaukee
XAvier in Cincinnati
Providence in Providence
Depaul in Chicago
Butler in Indianapolis
As far as the Top 4 in each league, it’s pretty much a wash, but I look at the entirety of a league, from Top to Bottom to measure it’s strength and the new BigEast is going to be very weak at the bottom, with current C-USA bottom feeders SMU, Houston & Tulane.
Which is why Notre Dame would rather play in the new BigEast next year, rather than the league formerly known as the Big East with above mentioned C-USA teams.
Oh Vey !
Somehow, that would have to include, Texas, TT, Ok and Okie St going with that Pac12.
That would free up the other schools to merge with ACC for 4th conf.. That wouldn’t be so bad.
However, long term dred, with what many see down the road, is this……..
Big 10 UNC, UVA, Kansas, Kansas St.—–16
SEC Va. Tech and NC.ST—————16
Big12 Clem, FSU, Mia, Ga. Tech Lou Byu–16
PAC12 Stays at 12
ACC Down to Pitt BC Duke Wake Syracuse
With then doing another alignment, becoming on the outs of the Big 64, and cobbling something together with UCONN, USF, Cincy etc. etc.
Hey, nothing we can control, but for those of us that worry about it ( and I mean worry, as in worry in the realm of college football, no real life worrying), this seams like the way it could go.
You could certainly substitue a team here or there. Like Kansas St., Louisville.
I only see two things that can prevent this.
1. Maryland loses lawsuit and has to pay the 50 million. Most peopele seem to think Maryland is going to win this and get it bartered down.
2. Somehow, someway, ESPN finds the money to put the ACC on par with the other conferences, or at least close, wanting to keep thier inventory of college sports for the future.
Thinking selfishly and romantically, I say, ‘why would a team move’?? Just for a little money.
I’ve now put myself in that position, with something I never really put into the equation.
The other conferences are up 5-6 million, or even 2-3 million. Guess I had an epiphany.
That’s up millions, EVERY YEAR. Not a one time hit.
At the end of the fiscal year, your team is up the others several million dollars.
Hard to not take the money when you realize that will be several extra million dollars, at the start of every year.
Lawsuit or ESPN coming up with cash, or I’m afraid Delaney will be going for 16 and we could be on the outside looking in before we ever even got to be “in”.
I still gotta go to work tomorrow, but, as things pertain to this conference crap, that is my humble opinion.
My fault. Totally forgot both.
I just wish someone would say, “that’s it, done”!!
I’m sure there are back door discussions as we speak. I’m sure that fella at the PAC 12 isn’t just sitting idly bye!!
As I would imagine the ACC commish and ESPN aren’t sitting around.
Everyone waiting to see outcome of lawsuit.
