Get 'em on the schedule

[newshound]

SMU vs. Notre Dame ... Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Sept. 2009, '10, '11 ... whenever!

From the Indianapolis Star ...

Irish look into 'neutral' scheduling

From Star news services
February 15, 2005

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame officials are planning to reinforce a long-term commitment to the school's independent football status with a dramatic strategic link to the past.

Anticipating an NCAA decision in April that would make a 12th regular-season game each year permanent, Notre Dame intends to schedule a game each season in different parts of the country at sites the Irish hope will be anything but neutral.

The plan, the result of a two-year study, is expected to take effect in 2009. The Irish will increase the number of games at Notre Dame Stadium from the current six to seven, and four games will take place on the road.

For a 12th game each year, athletic director Kevin White said, the school is considering cities such as Chicago; Orlando, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; New Orleans, and Dallas. The Irish would negotiate terms that would include games, perhaps in prime time, in its agreement with NBC.

"It will be like a mini bowl game," White said.

The idea has roots in the 1920s, when coach Knute Rockne took his team, known as the Ramblers, from coast to coast.

John Heisler, a senior associate athletic director whose responsibilities include scheduling, said the school has not contacted potential opponents or representatives of sites. White said the initiative has been viewed favorably within the school administration because it could boost recruiting and provide alumni and fans greater access to tickets.

White said an agreement to play at least three Big East teams a season would let the Irish play annually at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. They have played there 11 times, including a 27-9 win against Navy in 2004.

A 10-year extension of an agreement with fellow independent Navy, an annual Irish opponent since 1927, will include a game in Dublin, Ireland, where the programs met in 1996.

[BUS]

That sounds like a good deal if we get a bunch of money for playing the game.

By that time I bet Bennett has a team that could BEAT ND.

[Hoop Fan]

we better beat TCU to the punch. I think we have more history with ND and more compatible academics, but you know Hymans on the phone. They could also play the Aggies in Dallas, which is probably what will happen. A&M needs a game in Dallas, and a high profile game with ND might just put a dent in the OU-Texas game's hype. But its definitely worth exploring, ND likes to win and likes traditional opponents so they might just play us.

[EastStang]

Also notice that ND expected the games to be home games away from home ("anything but neutral"). You play A&M in Dallas and there will definitely be more Aggies than Catholics. You play SMU in Dallas, there will be more Catholics than Methodists at the game. The two teams in Texas with a history with ND are SMU and Houston. SMU had the game of the century with them and of course that Hula Bowl game during the 1980's. Houston had the Joe Montana coming out party Cotton Bowl game. They have played Baylor before as well. My guess is that they would pick a beatable team. I would say that SMU, Baylor and Houston all could qualify and even if they lost, it would be to schools that had some history with them. If they scheduled a team like UNT and lost, a coach would immediately be fired.

[BRStang]

BUS wrote:

By that time I bet Bennett has a team that could BEAT ND.

Yeah...Bennett will be coaching the defensive line for Michigan State at that point.

Sorry, just kidding, but I couldn't resist.

[MeanGreenGem]

Also notice that ND expected the games to be home games away from home ("anything but neutral"). You play A&M in Dallas and there will definitely be more Aggies than Catholics. You play SMU in Dallas, there will be more Catholics than Methodists at the game. The two teams in Texas with a history with ND are SMU and Houston. SMU had the game of the century with them and of course that Hula Bowl game during the 1980's. Houston had the Joe Montana coming out party Cotton Bowl game. They have played Baylor before as well. My guess is that they would pick a beatable team. I would say that SMU, Baylor and Houston all could qualify and even if they lost, it would be to schools that had some history with them. If they scheduled a team like UNT and lost, a coach would immediately be fired.

Oh yeah, but scheduling and losing to WAC and/or CUSA bottom-feeders wouldn't?

UNT had beaten the best CUSA had to offer in a 2002 bowl win and that in only the Sun Belt Conference's 3'rd year of football existence over "true" CUSA football champion Cincinatti (who earlier that Fall had beaten CUSA co-champion TCU and that same Bearcats team that had all but beaten a top ranked Ohio State team if not for last minute heroics from the Buckeyes in the closing minutes of that game.

UNT lost to a "healthy" Southern Miss team that had had key players out much of last football season. A Golden Eagle's team that had all but beaten the #4 ranked Cal Bears on ESPN a couple of weeks before the 2004 New Orleans Bowl.

Not sure how many other higher ranked teams in CUSA or those who were higher ranked mid-major teams at the end of last Fall would have beaten a USM that had jelled with all its players back from injury.

Again, a very small handul here still grasping onto the distant past and not accepting the way things have been lately.

[MrMustang1965]

I bet if you asked a Notre Dame football player to find Dallas and Denton on a Texas map, they'd find Dallas first! In fact, I bet the only knowledge they might have of Denton is that it's the name of the town at the beginning of the movie, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"!!!!!

On a more serious note, though...this would be a GREAT marketing opportunity for SMU to get this game! Hold the game at Ford Stadium (forget having it at the Cotton Bowl or the Cowboys' new stadium...this is SMU football!) and have the participants from previous SMU v. Notre Dame games attend for halftime recognition. Get the Methodist and Catholic youth groups from around the D-FW area involved with discounted or free tickets! Hype the game itself up through the media. And don't let the Cotton Bowl committee beat 'em to the punch by letting them schedule the Irish for a game between now and then. Put a clause in the agreement that says this is an EXCLUSIVE Dallas appearance up to that date.

There are enough Irish fans in the D-FW area that this game would SELL OUT Ford Stadium! Just the fact that it's NOTRE DAME would get the buzz going!

Alright, Copeland. If you can land this one, all past transgressions are forgiven.

[2112]

MGM, NTS "lost to S.Miss?" Let's get real, the meangreen scored it's ONLY touchdown on the LAST play of the game!!!!!!!!! Not to mention your fieldgoal was made right where you chumps recovered a fumble!!! NTS got run out of the stadium you moron!!!! The two best things about nts are Ramon Flannigan and coach Dickey, both came from the very source of your obsession......... SMU!!!!!!

[2112]

MGM, NTS "lost to S.Miss?" Let's get real, the meangreen scored it's ONLY touchdown on the LAST play of the game!!!!!!!!! Not to mention your fieldgoal was made right where you chumps recovered a fumble!!! NTS got run out of the stadium you moron!!!! The two best things about nts are Ramon Flannigan and coach Dickey, both came from the very source of your obsession......... SMU!!!!!!

[Stallion]

I can't believe they are having an argument over a hypothetical game which WON'T INVOLVE either SMU or NTSU.

[No Cal Pony]

I think it funny too, Stallion. But, then again, SMU v nd. I'd love to see it, and stranger things have happened.

Even if we got beat, you know there would be good money and exposure.

Go Ponies!

[MrMustang1965]

I can't wait to laugh when it's announced that SMU will play Notre Dame!

[PK]

We are working on it! Initial contact with ND has been made, but no reply yet. May not happen, but we are at least trying...we will see.

[MrMustang1965]

PK: What's your source?

[PK]

I'm not sure I am at liberty to say...so for now, just trust me.