Replacement for N.C. State, IF Necessary

[CoolDawg]

I realize there is great uncertainty as to whether there will be a 2020 football season. Assuming there is a season, and the A.C.C. decides to go conference only, I see that Iowa State now has an open date the same week we are scheduled to play N.C. State. ISU was scheduled to play Iowa at Iowa that weekend. I would like to see MSU schedule ISU in Starkville should the N.C. State game get canceled. What is the thoughts of the pack?

 

[MSUDC11]

Iowa State is projected to be very good this year, that would be a really challenging game and one we’d probably be protected to lose. Don’t see this happening but don’t hate the idea of it though.

If games are rescheduled I would expect there to be some geographic parameters.

 

[ronpolk]

Iowa State is projected to be very good this year, that would be a really challenging game and one we’d probably be protected to lose. Don’t see this happening but don’t hate the idea of it though.

If games are rescheduled I would expect there to be some geographic parameters.

I agree. If that game gets cancelled, look for one of the swac schools in MS to come on our schedule.

 

[mstateglfr]

Iowa State is projected to be very good this year, that would be a really challenging game and one we’d probably be protected to lose. Don’t see this happening but don’t hate the idea of it though.

If games are rescheduled I would expect there to be some geographic parameters.

Being in Iowa, the less we lose to UofI or ISU, the better. That shitshow of a bowl 2 years ago was more than enough for the next decade.

ISU is the MSU of the north in many ways. Ag leader in the state, good vet program, known for engineering.

 

[Duke Humphrey]

There have been talks about an alliance with another conference, with the Big12 or ACC being most likely. I think the SEC would prefer the ACC to accommodate USC, UGA, UF and UK playing their in-state rivals that belong to ACC. Also, both Auburn and MSU are scheduled to play an ACC team this year. Complicating factor with ACC is ND.

 

[Quincy A. Wagstaff]

Why would we schedule a SWAC school? We pay to play those games to host a home game. With attendance very much in question, I don't see why we would do that. In fact, I think that's why the Big Ten and Pac-12 are getting out of non-conference games. They know they will lose money on most of them. COVID-19 is a convenient excuse. From a medical standpoint, I don't see how Illinois hosting Illinois State was more of a risk than Illinois traveling to play Rutgers in New Jersey.

 

[ronpolk]

Why would we schedule a SWAC school? We pay to play those games to host a home game. With attendance very much in question, I don't see why we would do that. In fact, I think that's why the Big Ten and Pac-12 are getting out of non-conference games. They know they will lose money on most of them. COVID-19 is a convenient excuse. From a medical standpoint, I don't see how Illinois hosting Illinois State was more of a risk than Illinois traveling to play Rutgers in New Jersey.

The only reason to schedule a swac school is to have a game and not have to travel. I just see that as about our only option if the NC State game is cancelled. I’m sure if you struck a deal with Jackson state, it wouldn’t be a big pay day anyway. It would just be to get another game on TV.

 

[Seinfeld]

I may be alone here, but I don’t see this ending any other way than an SEC-only slate for ‘20. When you’ve already got two of the P5 conferences doing this, I don’t see why the SEC would be adamant to add more games with more tough opponents. Especially considering that there are already so many rumblings about the start of the season being pushed back.

Then, when talking about the small schools, it just doesn’t make any sense either. Are we really going to have SEC schools with already significantly reduced revenue sending checks to schools while we have little to no fans in the stands? It would be nothing short of charity work which is wonderful for everyone when times are good, but these ain’t good times.

My money’s on a 10-gm conference only schedule just like the rest

 

[Duke Humphrey]

IF there is a way to find an alliance with the ACC, I would rather play NC State than UGA or UF.

 

[TNT.sixpack]

Why would we schedule a SWAC school? We pay to play those games to host a home game. With attendance very much in question, I don't see why we would do that. In fact, I think that's why the Big Ten and Pac-12 are getting out of non-conference games. They know they will lose money on most of them. COVID-19 is a convenient excuse. From a medical standpoint, I don't see how Illinois hosting Illinois State was more of a risk than Illinois traveling to play Rutgers in New Jersey.

With attendance in question anyway, we're going to lose money regardless. So why wouldn't we play a SWAC school? we schedule those games for a "W". Lack of attendance due to COVID doesn't change that.

 

[johnson86-1]

I may be alone here, but I don’t see this ending any other way than an SEC-only slate for ‘20. When you’ve already got two of the P5 conferences doing this, I don’t see why the SEC would be adamant to add more games with more tough opponents. Especially considering that there are already so many rumblings about the start of the season being pushed back.

Then, when talking about the small schools, it just doesn’t make any sense either. Are we really going to have SEC schools with already significantly reduced revenue sending checks to schools while we have little to no fans in the stands? It would be nothing short of charity work which is wonderful for everyone when times are good, but these ain’t good times.

My money’s on a 10-gm conference only schedule just like the rest

We probably need the G5 schools to cancel their seasons first, or at least show they are open to it, or we'll still have to spend money on a termination fee or legal fees to litigate.

I'm sure a lot of the G5 schools are wanting the P5 schools to terminate first so they can then cancel their season and claim that they had to with the uncertainty of whether they would get the termination frees from the buy games..

 

[Quincy A. Wagstaff]

You understand that we write a big check for those schools when they come play us, right? That's how they make their athletic budgets. I don't see how it makes sense to write a big check to a SWAC school for a game that we might not be able to sell.

 

[AusTexDawg]

You understand that we write a big check for those schools when they come play us, right? That's how they make their athletic budgets. I don't see how it makes sense to write a big check to a SWAC school for a game that we might not be able to sell.

If the SEC TV contract with ESPN says we have to have a a certain number of home games for them to broadcast in addition to the SEC schedule in order to get our full share of the SEC TV money, then it probably doesn’t matter whether it is a buy game opponent or not (although you’re right that we would probably prefer agreeing to a 2020 home game/future road game series with someone rather than pay out of pocket for a buy game). I’m not sure how all that works, but getting the maximum TV payout seems like the critical path for the Athletic Department right now, since there’s no telling what ticket revenues will look like.

Since the ACC’s broadcast rights are tied up with ESPN and with the other SEC/ACC games scheduled, hopefully the SEC can work it out an agreement with the ACC so we can keep the NC State game.

 

[Dawgbite]

We aren’t having a football season this year, it’s just not going to happen. Even if they start the season it will be suspended within a month. We are about to experience a shutdown that makes March seem like a three day weekend. I hope I’m wrong because two months ago I was 180 degrees from this opinion but I’ve changed over time.

 

[ronpolk]

You understand that we write a big check for those schools when they come play us, right? That's how they make their athletic budgets. I don't see how it makes sense to write a big check to a SWAC school for a game that we might not be able to sell.

Yeah, I understand how the process works. I’m thinking ESPN is going to want live games to broadcast. Certainly, they’d rather have state vs NC state. But if that’s not possible and espn still wants a game, I think there is a deal to be made with a team in state.

I’m not suggesting that state just schedule a game with Alcorn just so they can get a big pay day. It’ll be done solely for tv.

 

[mcdawg22]

Iowa State is projected to be very good this year, that would be a really challenging game and one we’d probably be protected to lose. Don’t see this happening but don’t hate the idea of it though.

If games are rescheduled I would expect there to be some geographic parameters.

If there are no bowls does anyone care if we play more competitive non conference games? If we go 4-4 in the SEC is there a big deal going 7-5 instead of 8-4 but playing a top 25 team? I always felt in a Bowl year that could be the difference between a Gator/Texas or a Belk/Liberty. I know you still want to have a better record still but does the loss hurt as bad when there isn’t Bowl prestige on the line? Just a general question for the group.

 

[patdog]

The SEC is a 50% partner with ESPN on the SECN games, so I'm sure both sides are working hard to get as many home games as possible. And I'm sure with so many SEC-ACC games scheduled, if the 2 conferences both play, they'll work an agreement to be sure those games are protected. But we're probably not playing this fall anyway, so it won't matter.