A lot of ND fans are not esp happy with the addition of a neutral site game each year. While some of them may be good games the venues don't make a lot of sense. We have Wazzu in San Antonio, I think we have Baylor in the Super Dome, I don't know who in Orlando. The supposed reason that we are not playing Wazzo in Seattle or Baylor in Dallas has to do with TV rights, ie they are home games for ND and NBC has the rights, but the Pac10 TV contract says that somebody not NBC has the rights to any PAC10 game in their region, and Baylor the same with the B12 contract. So we are moving these games out of their region so NBC can telecast them. But why are these games expanding. FSU is playing a game in the Georgia Dome, Texas Tech is moving it's Oklahoma State game to Jerry Jones World and Texas A&M is playing Ark in Dallas. Tech has a big home field adavantage in Lubbutt, as does A&M in College Station and I assume FSU in Tallyville. So what's the attraction of these neutral site games??? I don't get it. Terry
Here's a possibility As you know, every big school wants as many home games as they can schedule for the money. At the same time most big time programs will schedule another school on a home and home basis. When you have a home game on a neural site, you get the benefit of the favored TV network, the benefits of a home game but you don't have to return the favor. On the other hand the "visitor" doesn't feel slighted by no home and home arrangement.
Let's qualify that statement. A group of, say, 15-20 ND fans on NDNAtion has expressed its collective opinion on the subject. Maybe I'm underestimating the number. Maybe it's 25-30. These are vocal, highly opinionated people, many of whom also harbor a group hatred for the AD. Even if the number is twice my estimate, it hardly qualifies as "a lot". In my world it's a non-issue. Neutral site games have happening for many, many years, all the way back to when I was in school. The only thing that's changed is that the internet has provided a forum for those relatively few vocal, opinionated types who don't have a more productive way to spend their time. I don't mind neutral site games, and I'll bet the vast majority of ND fans don't mind them.
I was really thinking more global, why so many neutral site games. I wouldn't argue that websites and the internet allow the powerless to vent and there is no doubt a sort of herd mentality. But I really don't think ND playing Wazzu in San Antonio is going to help recruiting, winning helps recruiting, getting out there and making an impression on players helps recruiting. Having a great visit to the campus helps recruiting. Same for FSU in Atlanta, or Texas A&M and Texas Tech in Dallas. I just don't get it. The neutral site games that make sense to me are when Navy and ND play and instead of playing in Annapolis we play in Baltimore or New York/New Jersey maybe even Philly or San Diego. Texas/OU is a tradition: Georgia/UF is a tradition. It's too bad the Iron Bowl game is gone that was a great tradition. Terry
I can't speak for the others, but I can tell you why A&M is playing in Dallas. Two reasons: 1) Money 2) Recruiting 1. A&M is being guaranteed $5mil for that game every year. In a home and home, you only get revenue when you are at home, so... both Arkansas and A&M double their money. 2. A&M needs a renewed presence in Dallas to help bolster recruiting. We haven't done well there since the SWC broke up. This game does all that, and doesn't cost us a conference home game.
ND-Wazzu in San Antonio? Is that San Antonio, TEXAS? I did not know that. LOL! As weird as it is, I'll bet the game sells out. You'd go wouldn't you, Terry?
I will go to the San Antonio Game...how about a tailgate!! Gipper is right it's a fun place to visit. Scott, I'll give you that is a good money deal, but I still don't gett the recruiting angle. It seems to me that high school football players (the ones you and I want at our school) are more influenced by the things I pointed out..facilites at TAMU, coaches, winning, depth chart, type of offense/defense, early playing time, coeds, etc. Not so much by TAMU playing a game in Dallas. I could be wrong though!. Terry
Scott what is your take on Texas Tech and OSU moving their game to Dallas? I mean Boone Pickens just paid a ton of money to expand and renovate the OSU stadium, and as I said Texas Tick has a home field advantage there in Tortiallaville. Terry
All I know is we have SUCKED recruiting Dallas ever since we quit playing there. We used to OWN Dallas Carter... now we can't get a whiff from them or most other schools. I don't think playing at JerryWorld guarantees us anything, but it will get us in front of the Dallas media again. Living here, I can tell you the Aggies get ZERO coverage right now. OSU/Tech sounds like an attempt to keep up. Tech desperately wants to have something to thump their chests about... they think this will make them big time. whatever... The only way to "renovate" that stadium is to raze it, and start over. What a DUMP! They don't call it STOOLWATER for nothing! ;-)
Terry, I wish they would return to Birmingham also, but I think Auburn considers B'ham a Bama town and they wanted to play their home game in Auburn. Also, as you know West End is not a great place to visit and parking was always an adventure. On the neutral site thing, Alabama is playing Clemson this year. One time only, so instead of one team getting the home team income and not being able to return the favor to the other team, they chose to go to ATL. 8)