🏈 Big, neutral-site opening games

[LBS]

First its BAMA vs. FSU in Jacksonville, then BAMA vs. CLEMSON in Atlanta, now its BAMA vs. Virginia Tech in Atlanta. CNS has led the way in this new trend of big openers at neutral site fields. LSU and Tennessee are now in line for Atlanta, having seen the benefits BAMA received from having a marquee game in a new recruiting area.

Being one guy who likes the idea, I'm asking why the city of New Orleans does not do the same thing. What city is better positioned to pull off an SEC Big 12 matchup?

All this said, being the "lean forward" kind of guy that CNS is, do you suppose that he has contacted the City of New Orleans about such an event? I can't help but think that they would rather host BAMA vs. Texas Tech week one as opposed to Tulane vs. Lousiana Directional U. Of course LSU would be none-to-happy about CNS rolling back in as king of the Big Easy.

 

[bear facts]

Being one guy who likes the idea, I'm asking why the city of New Orleans does not do the same thing. What city is better positioned to pull off an SEC Big 12 matchup?

Dallas and its new stadium.

 

[LBS]

Dallas and its new stadium.

Not opposed to Dallas, but they already have an annual Arkansas vs Texas A&M game there, thanks to Arkansas Alum Jerry Jones. That's quite a feather in the Hogs hat and I'm would question if Mr. Jones would want to steal the thunder that he engineered for his Razorbacks. That said, there is no reason why Dallas would not work. And if you choose the right teams, filling every seat would not be an issue.

Houston might work as it is that much more close to SEC country. However, New Orleans being both a true vacation desination and home to a BCS bowl is the natural location in my mind.

 

[TerryP]

While the dates of the TX A&M vs Arkansas games haven't been set yet, they look to be mid-season games, not season openers (FSU was a mid-season game, fwiw.)

It's interesting to me how some teams are backing away from neutral field games—OU and VT—while others still like the idea. Of course, those two didn't fare so well.

 

[planomateo]

agree...those teams losing the neutral games are probably rethinking some things.

living in North Dallas (er....damn near Oklahoma as it's two counties shy of the red river), I'm not sure you could say that this place is a neutral site.

I see OU and A&M stickers as much as I see Texas stickers, if not more.

But I will say this, I run into Bama fans at least once a month here :a:

 

[252BAMA]

Assuming you are talking about the relative near future, let's look at the fact and the schedule. The fact is that Bama is NOT going to play more than one OOC game away from home in any one year. That rules out the next 3 years unless Bama buys out of the Duke &/or Tulane games and I just don't believe that is going to happen. It also rules out 2014 and 2017 in the somewhat relative near future. So that leaves 2013, 2015, and 2016.

The Atlanta Sports Council, of which I am a member, has a tenative agreement with USC to play in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game in 2013 or 2014. I don't think any Bama fan anywhere would want Bama ANYWHERE but in Atlanta against USC in 2013. I'll leave 2015 and 2016 for you.

http://nationalchamps.net/NCAA/future_schedules/alabama_future.htm

 

[TerryP]

Assuming you are talking about the relative near future, let's look at the fact and the schedule. The fact is that Bama is NOT going to play more than one OOC game away from home in any one year. That rules out the next 3 years unless Bama buys out of the Duke &/or Tulane games and I just don't believe that is going to happen. It also rules out 2014 and 2017 in the somewhat relative near future. So that leaves 2013, 2015, and 2016.

The Atlanta Sports Council, of which I am a member, has a tenative agreement with USC to play in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game in 2013 or 2014. I don't think any Bama fan anywhere would want Bama ANYWHERE but in Atlanta against USC in 2013. I'll leave 2015 and 2016 for you.

http://nationalchamps.net/NCAA/future_schedules/alabama_future.htm

USCw? 'effin A.

We tried to get a home and home with them a few years ago and couldn't.

 

[252BAMA]

USCw? 'effin A.

We tried to get a home and home with them a few years ago and couldn't.

Thats the ONE!

 

[TerryP]

Thats the ONE!

Just shot a note to "people" out there...I'll get back to this thread when I hear what is going on out there.

 

[SpecThis]

Neutral sites are ok, when they are starting the season. But other then the first game i would rather do a home and home series with an at large OOC team. Like we did with Oklahoma, UCLA, and next year with Penn State. I kinda like going into someone else's yard and beating them in their own house. It looks better for our strength of schedule as well.

 

[252BAMA]

Just shot a note to "people" out there...I'll get back to this thread when I hear what is going on out there.

It is public knowledge here in Atlanta. Gary Stokan, President of the Atlanta Sports Council is on with 680 TheFan every Friday. He made the announcement about USC back in June.

 

[TerryP]

It is public knowledge here in Atlanta. Gary Stokan, President of the Atlanta Sports Council is on with 680 TheFan every Friday. He made the announcement about USC back in June.

I was talking about what year...

 

[252BAMA]

I was talking about what year...

They are receptive to playing in either 2013 or 2014.

 

[TerryP]

They are receptive to playing in either 2013 or 2014.

Harry's...