To play Nebraska at Nebraska? I'm not so sure it's an unreasonable request. The game would go on National TV so Nebraska should make more money than they would with a weak opponent who they would pay less but not get on television. Here's hoping they get together. Boise Wants A Million
My guess is that the original offer is a home and home. When big time teams balk, BSU makes the offer to play away only for 1 mil. I assume what happens is that the opponent balks and then their fans whine about how BSU has such a soft schedule.
I am almost positive that we discussed this ad nauseum earlier. I absolutely, positively, ripped the author of the blog who 'broke' that story last night. If you guys remember, Boise had an open date and they were selling it.. we'll go anywhere and play anyone.. the cost? $1 million dollars. Nebraska was interested, but I believe they wanted a 3 game series in which Boise couldn't play because they had conflicting dates. It was a disingenuous offer at best by Nebraska. It's also rather clear that I am not sure how either side could have agreed to a 3 year series with both teams eye balling new conferences. But anyway.... Check the TV ratings for the Boise-VTech game. The big boys pay between 200 to 700k to play pansies of various levels. Here is a bonafide top 10 team that is willing to come to your place with no expectation of a return visit. The anti-Boise hysteria of some is hilarious and it is fever pitch here in Alabama (btw, I believe the ratings showed that nearly 25% of all homes in the B'ham area watched Boise play). There's 1 sure fire way to 'prove' they don't belong. STFU and play them. Agree to a home and home, or pay the big money for a top 10 team to come to your place. Honestly, it's a steal... Keep in mind, I have a lot of respect for Dr Tom and Nebraska... but some of the 'leaked' stories and whining about this Boise deal starting to make me wonder.
Funny. Nebraska is willing to pay $800k to play Idaho Omaha Source here but they aren't willing to pay Boise State the extra $200k??? For the record, Boise State beat Idaho 63-25 last year. Something tells me that Asst AD at Nebraska should have just kept his mouth shut.
I have a lot of respect for Nebraska and their fans. However this is one I don't quite understand. Sure they would pay more for Boise State than some lesser program. However that should more than be made up by TV revenue. To bad. I also wish Utah had not left the conference so that TCU, Boise State and Utah would play a round robin. I fully understand why the Utes left but in an ideal world I would love those teams playing every year.
Bill, Totally agree. I think it's hard for BCS school fans to really appreciate the mindset of non-BCS school fans. I just don't think they have any faith in the system. They shouldn't. BYU leaving is still the big hanger.. Utah leaving is one thing, but had BYU stuck around, they'd be looking to add one more conference member to go for that title game format. Boise has inked something like a 6 year deal with BYU but that's not the same as playing them in conference each year (since it will eventually end).