Wave of the Future -- or just a Bad Deal?

MACReport · Post by **MACReport** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:28 pm

With the trend going more and more toward the MAC sacrificing home games in exchange for "neutral site" games with BCS schools -- we are wondering if this is a bad trend.

Check out: Wave of the Future - or Just a Bad Deal?

It's MAC Report Online's editorial take on the topic and we'd like to hear your thoughts too.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:04 pm

That was a really good read and I have to agree...I'd much rather play games at Doyt Perry Stadium than do the neutral site games.

Lord_Byron · Post by **Lord_Byron** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:07 pm

What do you think the players' take is on this? Would they rather play another home game, or a game at Browns Stadium?

I would think that if we could consistently get the likes of Minnesota to come in and there's an electric atmosphere, they'd rather play at home. If the choice is Cleveland or a home game against Eastern Kentucky, then I'm not so sure.

Which would be a bigger recruiting tool?

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:54 pm

It's real tough to build a program and a fan base with 4-5 home games a year. We need to find a way to consistently have 6 games at home. I really hate the neutral site idea. I'd much rather go play a payday game at OSU or Oklahoma than get a mid-tier Big 10 school into CBS. Those games don't really do anything for us. At least the payday game helps the bottom line.

falconfan1 · Post by **falconfan1** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:39 pm

I think our preference is six games played at the Doyt- though some might not be Saturdays- and not have too many (or any) neutral siters. Perhaps an academy game or a certain special circumstance. We will have six home games next year. Likely back to five in 2010 and then looking at six going forward when possible.

Our players/recruits? I think you would have a near unanimous opinion that the 9/6/08 BG- Minnesota playing environment is what they would prefer. That game is what we would hope to have/duplicate at the Doyt vs neutral site.

And our fans can help do that.

Go Falcons!

Class of 61 · Post by **Class of 61** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:30 am

We'll see what Toledo has to say about this next year when they play OSU at Cleve. Browns stadium...an "alleged" home game for the Rockets.

I recall many years ago that Northwestern agreed to "host" OSU at the old stadium and the place was filled with red and gray, with just a small section of Purple in the stands..They might as well have switched the game to Columbus for all that it was worth...and it gave OSU (as if they needed it), MORE recruiting contacts.

daspollak · Post by **daspollak** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:09 pm

An OSU or Mich. give Clev. Browns Stadium. 70000+ would guarantee we make 15000+ for the three years. Outside of those two schools, put it in the Doyt.

FalconFan16 · Post by **FalconFan16** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:44 pm

I don't recall, because I wasn't able to make it to the game, how was the attendance for the Wisconsin game in Cleveland?

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:54 pm

"f the Big Ten doesn't want to sign legitimate one-for-one or two-for-one deals, then the MAC schools need to look elsewhere to cut their deals, and most importantly, stop accepting second-class status in the world of college football scheduling."

I agree 100%. f**k THE BCS. A we will never be able to qualify for a BCS championship, because the system will never allow for it. We dont need them.
The MAC should instead just start the reg season earlier and incorporate a MAC playoff. Top 4 or 6 teams playing off leading up to the MACC. that would be exciting!

Class of 61 · Post by **Class of 61** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:23 pm

FalconFan16 wrote:I don't recall, because I wasn't able to make it to the game, how was the attendance for the Wisconsin game in Cleveland?

Just about 30,000...and frankly many of us were disappointed...as one of the reasons given for playing the game in Cleve. was due to the large number of NE Ohio alums. Guess many of them forgot where they went to school...or maybe too busy cheering on Columbus Tech.

eRichFalcon · Post by **eRichFalcon** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:02 pm

MACMAN wrote:"f the Big Ten doesn't want to sign legitimate one-for-one or two-for-one deals, then the MAC schools need to look elsewhere to cut their deals, and most importantly, stop accepting second-class status in the world of college football scheduling."

I agree 100%. f**k THE BCS. A we will never be able to qualify for a BCS championship, because the system will never allow for it. We dont need them.
The MAC should instead just start the reg season earlier and incorporate a MAC playoff. Top 4 or 6 teams playing off leading up to the MACC. that would be exciting!

Are you suggesting that we secede from the NCAA?

bgsufalcon24 · Post by **bgsufalcon24** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:16 pm

Class of 61 wrote:
FalconFan16 wrote:I don't recall, because I wasn't able to make it to the game, how was the attendance for the Wisconsin game in Cleveland?
Just about 30,000...and frankly many of us were disappointed...as one of the reasons given for playing the game in Cleve. was due to the large number of NE Ohio alums. Guess many of them forgot where they went to school...or maybe too busy cheering on Columbus Tech.

Actually, the reason we only had 30,307 present that night was because the weather was HORRIBLE. We had driving rain and wind for much of the game, and the temperatures were unseasonably cold for early September. The conditions really were only a few steps above the Miami game later that year.

Remember, Akron only drew 17K for their game at CBS vs Army in 2007, and Kent barely drew 11K for their game there against Boston College earlier this year. We beat the pants off of those teams in the neutral site attendance department.

daspollak · Post by **daspollak** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:36 pm

FalconFan16 wrote:I don't recall, because I wasn't able to make it to the game, how was the attendance for the Wisconsin game in Cleveland?

Im sorry just wait till the F'in team 20 miles north of BG plays OSU there. Granted 8 out of 10 fans will be OSU, but they count towards the F'in team 20 miles north of BG attendance. Both OSU and Mich. are better draws than Wisconsin and BC. The only other school I would want to play there is PSU, but they won't ever leave Happy Valley for a MAC school. Til then folks I hope we can 6 home games with some of them being against quality opponents. I also do not mind seeing BG play in the money games because it will be great when we can shock the world and knock of a top 10 team. I hope they can play a game down in the Carolinas soon. I just want a chance to see them without a 10 hour drive.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:01 pm

bgsufalcon24 wrote:Actually, the reason we only had 30,307 present that night was because the weather was HORRIBLE. We had driving rain and wind for much of the game, and the temperatures were unseasonably cold for early September. The conditions really were only a few steps above the Miami game later that year.

It was rainy (and yes, a bit cold) earlier in the day, but by 3pm or so it had cleared up and wasn't all that bad. It wasn't ideal for the 8 hours of tailgating we had planned, but to say it was "only a few steps above the Miami game" means you misremembered one or both games.

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:47 am

TG1996 wrote:
bgsufalcon24 wrote:Actually, the reason we only had 30,307 present that night was because the weather was HORRIBLE. We had driving rain and wind for much of the game, and the temperatures were unseasonably cold for early September. The conditions really were only a few steps above the Miami game later that year.
It was rainy (and yes, a bit cold) earlier in the day, but by 3pm or so it had cleared up and wasn't all that bad. It wasn't ideal for the 8 hours of tailgating we had planned, but to say it was "only a few steps above the Miami game" means you misremembered one or both games.

Exactly. The weather for the Wisconsin game certainly wasn't ideal, but to even begin to compare those conditions to those of the Miami game is the nadir of stupidity. Unless there were a tropical system combined with temperatures in the 30's, I can imagine few situations worse for watching a game than that game.

Quite frankly, we have had the best turnout of any college game at CBS to this point. To wit, the Akron game against Navy last year and the Kent game against BC this year, in terms of attendance were embarrassing by comparison. And what is the big difference between those two schools and BGSU? Obviously their proximity to CBS, which one would logically not only expect to boost student attendance, but also alumni attendance - especially in the case of UA which has historically been a largely commuter school (which means that many alumni could be expected to be in the region). At the time in 2005 I was somewhat disappointed with our attendance, but by comparison to these two games, I think we did pretty damned well. These games have, after all, been an experiment.

If you are so intellectually simplistic as to totally disregard our comparative success simply because of an anticipated sellout for an OSU-UT game in the same venue, then, well, there probably isn't an acceptable starting point upon which to have this conversation.