Teams see possible rewards in 12th game
NSU, La. Tech could reap benefits of NCAA decision.
July 8, 2005
By Brian Vernellis
College football fans get a bonus for the 2006 season. The NCAA approved a proposal at the end of April to allow Division I-A athletic programs a 12th game on the schedule.
Previously, schools could schedule a 12th game in years where there were 14 Saturdays from late August to the end of November -- as was the case in 2002 and 2003. The next time 14 Saturdays will fall in that time frame are the 2008 and 2013 seasons.
The measure's intention was to aid programs struggling financially. For a major conference like the Big 12, which co-sponsored the bill, it means an average of $1.5 million per an additional home game.
At LSU, the extra game will bring an extra $2.1 to $2.3 million to its budget.
"It provided us with some flexibility as far as nonconference games," LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director Dan Radakovich said. "We have been, since it's been announced, looking at spots where we can place another nonconference game."
The addition of a 12th game allowed the Tigers to renew their rivalry with Tulane. The schools signed a 10-year contract to play home-and-homes beginning at Tiger Stadium in 2006.
Louisiana Tech could be in a rare position by playing 13 games in 2006. NCAA provisions allow teams which travel to Hawaii an additional game on their schedule like the Bulldogs' 2000 and 2004 seasons. If the Bulldogs return to Hawaii, it could mean an extra game for revenue.
"It's not going to be easy, but I think it's something we're probably going to do," Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell said.
"The main thing is who do you pick up for that 13th game? If you can manage the out-of-conference schedule, then I think it's a positive."
It's unlikely the Bulldogs will load up their nonconference schedule like they did last season, playing at Miami, Tennessee and Auburn.
"It's got to be the right mix," Bicknell said. "Last year with Auburn, Miami and Tennessee, that's not a real good mix. You've got to be careful how you schedule."
Division I-AA schools aren't allowed to schedule the extra game, but could still benefit from the changes. One of the other measures passed allows schools to count a victory against a Division I-AA opponent toward their bowl eligibility.
Schools like Northwestern State and Grambling State could find large paydays from I-A schools looking for opponents.
"It will open up some I-A opportunities for us," Northwestern State Athletic Director Greg Burke said. "I'd like to think that on a national level for the last eight to 10 years we've been very aggressive anyway in pursuing I-A games for a number of reasons.
"The 12th game obviously makes that option very real for everybody. The games are going to be there because the I-A schools are going to play a 12th game."
NSU is rumored to be on the verge of signing to play games against BCS-caliber teams.
Opponents say the 12th game will stretch players' academic time even further, but the NCAA board of directors passed the measure 8-2, with one member abstaining.
"The 12-game season obviously is a longer season for student-athletes," Kansas head coach Mark Mangino said.
"It's more preparation, another game to prepare for. I always believe that we have to let these kids be students and earn their degree and give them to work at it. That's one of the negatives I see with it."
The majority of players and coaches can't wait for the prolonged schedule.
"I'm for it, I really am," Iowa State head coach Dan McCarney said. "I don't know about other schools -- everybody has a different situation.
"Obviously, anything we can do to get another home game here at Iowa State, help our situation financially and budget-wise, get another opportunity to play in front of our fans, we're all for it."
The extra game also means schools can alter their scheduling philosophies. Before they might have shied away from scheduling a major opponent in a non-conference game during an 11-game season.
"What you try to do is you just try to get a schedule," Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel said. "We also know our Big 12 schedule, being in the great league we're in, it's certainly very difficult schedules we all have.
"You want balance in your non-conference schedules. The schedules are made up two, three, four, five years ago. Sometimes you don't know from one year to the next if they're going to be bowl teams or not. But we're playing some good teams and that's OK. We need those kind of challenges."
I think that we need to be real careful about this and try and schedule so as to not add another body bag game but do something to advance the program. What does everyone think?
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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
Re: What will a 13 game season mean?
