Mr. Burgundy, thank you for your reply.
You put in a fair amount of research. It shows some gusto and fire that I like in fellow Cyclone Fans!
So let’s get right to it!
I did NOT imply in any sense that Iowa State is the only P5 school that schedules G5 schools on the road. Not once.
I also did not imply that Iowa State should NEVER schedule a Home and Home. There are reasons for them. But if you do schedule one, it should meet certain criteria that is a net positive for the program:
1.) it should be a fan base destination
2.) it should have a very positive impact on recruiting
3.) as a P5 school provide a decisive alternative advantage to your program (more money, home games, etc.)
Athens, Ohio and Jonesboro, Arkansas do not meet those criteria and those two teams were the EXACT two teams I mentioned in my post.
If we want to be considered a top-tier Big 12 program, act like one. A home and home with Arkansas State is not a good move. And Yes, we could afford to pay them for 1 home game.
Should we have scheduled UNLV, absolutely. I was in Vegas (were you?). The game was not at Sam Boyd as they have moved UNLV home games to Allegiant Stadium. It was a great road game.
Should we have scheduled Tulane? Most definitely. New Orleans is a great city. Great road trip for team and fans.
I’m saying, if we schedule a G5 HaH, make it worth your while instead of Even Steven.
Your first line says “because it happens all the time.”
It doesn’t happen all of the time.
But it does happen, And when it does, they each have their own story as to why, when , and where. The P5 school, at least the P5 school that wants to be a top tier program, should benefit. So just because some schools schedule them, it doesn’t mean we should.
Let’s dig in to your examples:
NC State @ UCONN
Even Steven
Side note: we have played @ UConn twice. We are 1-1. Zero home games. I hope we got paid big bucks for those road trips! Which leads me to:
Cal @ North Texas
Cal is in an economic mess. They are obligated to play. Can’t afford it at all. They are also one of only a very small few P5 schools to get paid from another P5 school to play on the road.
Maybe that’s the way you want us to go? Get that money!
Kansas @ Nevada
Reno is the Biggest little city in the World!
Can’t complain about a road trip to any school in Nevada. Plenty to do for a road trip in Reno. Still an even Steven as each road team receives $300k. Meets the criteria #1 for fan base destination. But not as good as our UNLV…
Therefore Iowa State > Kansas.
Texas Tech @ Wyoming
Even Steven
Doesn’t meet criteria, although Laramie is a nice place. Just not a hotbed for tourism. Recruiting in Wyoming? I hope not.
Also, the 2nd Big 12 team you mentioned. If you want to be like KU and TT then we shall always disagree.
Oregon State @ SJST
Oregon State has played 5 home games to SJST 2 home games. Plus the road games are in the Bay Area. Meets criteria #1 #2 and #3: Alternative advantage to your program. (Yes, Mr Burgandy, more home games matter!)
Ole Miss @ Tulane
An interesting rivalry. Thank you for making me look closer at this one. It even has its own Wikipedia page. I’ll save you all the trouble by inserting the headline:
“The rivalry began in 1893. Ole Miss leads the series 42–29. It is Tulane's second-oldest football rivalry, one week younger than the
Battle for the Rag.
[2][3]It is Ole Miss' oldest rivalry, predating its rivalries with
Alabama, LSU (
Magnolia Bowl), and
Vanderbiltby a year, and Tulane is Ole Miss' most-played opponent not currently in the
Southeastern Conference (SEC).
[4]”
They have played 73 times! Since 1893!!! Glad they keep the tradition going in 2023!
Hopefully we aren’t playing Arkansas State 71 more times after this Home and Home…unless 2/3 are at home.
Also meets criteria
UCLA @ SDSU
They’ve played 24 times
Since 2002 it’s been a 2 for 1 for UCLA.
1 home game for SDSU then 2 home games for UCLA. This year happens to be the home game for SDSU. Meets criteria #1, #2, and #3. Extra home games matter. Just apples and oranges again for your comparison.
And San Diego is Ron Burgandy’s home.
Alabama @ South Florida
Now we get into the Blue Bloods!
First it’s been 31 years since ‘Bama has travelled to a “smaller school” but it’s not a real road game is it?
Let me quote the Tuscaloosa News
“The upside to road games at smaller schools isn't much. Recruiting exposure in a sizeable market, perhaps, and USF's Tampa location at least offers that. But the real attraction lies in the 2-for-1 deal − netting two home games without having to pay an exorbitant guarantee − in exchange for next year's road-trip anomaly.“
They also failed to mention the game is at Raymond James Stadium. Which is another NFL Stadium.
Definitely checks all of the criteria…although Bama struggled mightily. Ha. Probably wont schedule another one for another 31 years.
I mean, I get it, we aren’t Bama, but dammit we aren’t Cal or NC State either!
Vandy @ UNLV
Vegas Baby!
Miami @ Temple
A “road game” at Lincoln Financial Field.
Miami got an advantage there. Did we play in an NFL stadium for the Ohio game? Not the same comparison.
Oklahoma at Tulsa
Psuedo Big 12 team playing an in state school so close to home.
By the way,
They got a 2 for 1 deal with Tulsa. Which is the big kicker (see Alabama)
Seems like all the cool kids are getting 2 for 1’s.
Because Home Games Matter.
Next,
Your point that I am guaranteeing G5 home game wins is preposterous. I’ve been to more Iowa State home and away games over the last 40 + years than most. I’ve seen it. Home and away Wins we should have. Losses we definitely shouldn’t have. Losses, wins, and losses. I’ve been on the field and in the locker rooms on our road trips to Kent State, Toledo, and Akron. Cool as hell, But give us as many home games as possible. It’s dumb to think that home games do not matter. Better chance to win and the fan base gets a home game. If we lose at home then so be it.
Btw, we never played UCONN at home. See my response above. But it certainly would’ve helped!
Next,
Ohio is good. We are better. If we play at home, we probably eat Hickory Park and don’t get food poisoning. Youth and gambling may have played a factor but let’s be real, we have a better shot at home with youth and inexperience. And like I said, if that one game costs a bowl bid, then is it worth it? Hell no. Not even close. NOT EVEN CLOSE.
Finally, maybe the horse has been beaten by the wrong people?
We can afford a one off G5 game at home for 7 home games.
6 home games
6 road games
Not advantageous.
7 Home games
5 road games
Advantageous
I’m not saying Never schedule a G5 Home and Home. I’m saying make sure it benefits us in a major way. We need to advance our program and try to be like Bama, and Miami and Oklahoma and UCLA (all in the good sense) and Not be like Kansas and Texas Tech and NC State and Cal. Etc.
The fans and team deserve better.
1.) I didn’t imply what you said I did.
2.) your game examples aren’t comparable but do show why and why not to schedule a G5 home and home. Certain criteria should be met and we should try to gain advantage.
“But the real attraction lies in the 2-for-1 deal - netting two home games without paying an exorbitant guarantee….”
-Tuscaloosa News.
So if you get the 2 for 1 deal or have to pay for the home games (which we can afford if you look at the pros and cons), the top tier teams want more home games and so should we.
3.) I never guaranteed home wins, but history shows we win at a higher clip at home. So does every other program. Pack the Jack.
4.) kind of goes to #3. Your excuses for the loss at Ohio May have an affect. But there are advantages to playing at home.
That said, I’ll see you in Jonesboro!
You Stay Classy, Ames.
Go Cyclones!
