Somewhat OT: UCF plays Penn State in Ireland for season opener

[Adios]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...s-play-central-florida-knights-dublin-ireland

Maybe we shouldn't be too down on the "American".

 

[whaler11]

Yeah anytime you can get your home half of a 1:1 played in a foreign country where everyone is for the other side you have be pumped

 

[Adios]

Yeah anytime you can get your home half of a 1:1 played in a foreign country where everyone is for the other side you have be pumped

It was originally scheduled to be played in Orlando.

http://www.foxsportswest.com/mobile...ee-to-two-game-set?blockID=859989&tagID=14492

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/1/25/3915814/penn-state-and-ucf-agree-to-home-and-home-series

 

[whaler11]

It was originally scheduled to be played in Orlando.

http://www.foxsportswest.com/mobile...ee-to-two-game-set?blockID=859989&tagID=14492

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/1/25/3915814/penn-state-and-ucf-agree-to-home-and-home-series

That was my point. A little pathetic.

 

[Srqhusky]

That was my point. A little pathetic.

We need to think along the lines of exposure and winning this game.

 

[whaler11]

We need to think along the lines of exposure and winning this game.

We need to think about UCF getting exposure and winning the game? UCF is not getting any exposure. They are just the team going to play PSU. They might win - but trading a game in Orlando just shows you how bad this whole thing is.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

If we did this I would propose rebuilding Memorial. This exposure thing is so grossly overrated. You know how I want exposure? Winning.

 

[Srqhusky]

We need to think about UCF getting exposure and winning the game? UCF is not getting any exposure. They are just the team going to play PSU. They might win - but trading a game in Orlando just shows you how bad this whole thing is.

What makes you so sure Ireland has a bunch of penn state fans. They are goin to see American football. I seriously doubt penn state is a household name per there. Rugby and soccer trump American football in Ireland

 

[whaler11]

What makes you so sure Ireland has a bunch of penn state fans. They are goin to see American football. I seriously doubt penn state is a household name per there. Rugby and soccer trump American football in Ireland

I doubt Ireland has any Penn State fans. I do know that in these situations the dominate brand takes over.

Let's be realistic. It's another example that the AAC exists to provide road apples to dominant programs. Having Penn State coming to Orlando was a big deal for UCF. How can anyone take them seriously when they sell that right to go be an afterthought in a game that exists for PSU to expand their boundaries.

 

[jdb50]

So what is the payoff for the "home" team that day for them to agree to this move? A sold out game at home in Orlando would have it's own merits for both programs but especially the Knights.

 

[UConnDan97]

I doubt Ireland has any Penn State fans. I do know that in these situations the dominate brand takes over.

Let's be realistic. It's another example that the AAC exists to provide road apples to dominant programs. Having Penn State coming to Orlando was a big deal for UCF. How can anyone take them seriously when they sell that right to go be an afterthought in a game that exists for PSU to expand their boundaries.

I agree with Whaler on this one. It's pretty rotten that UCF has to blow a home game for this. Is the publicity stunt worth it? Perhaps. Is it worth losing a home game for, after you had already negotiated a big team to visit your stadium? Hell no.

For those who don't agree, tell me how you'd feel if the UConn-Michigan game this year was moved to Canada...

 

[whaler11]

I agree with Whaler on this one. It's pretty rotten that UCF has to blow a home game for this. Is the publicity stunt worth it? Perhaps. Is it worth losing a home game for, after you had already negotiated a big team to visit your stadium? Hell no.

For those who don't agree, tell me how you'd feel if the UConn-Michigan game this year was moved to Canada...

Yeah that the obvious parallel I didn't draw. UCF has looked pretty good on scheduling games. I'm sure they get a nice paycheck to take this game to Ireland - but every single mention of this game in the media is going to about PSU playing a game in Ireland.

UCF is Iron Mike Sharpe or Leaping Lanny Poffo. The jobber who is there to let Hulk Hogan or Roddy Piper have a platform.

 

[huskymedic]

I agree with Whaler on this one. It's pretty rotten that UCF has to blow a home game for this. Is the publicity stunt worth it? Perhaps. Is it worth losing a home game for, after you had already negotiated a big team to visit your stadium? Hell no.

For those who don't agree, tell me how you'd feel if the UConn-Michigan game this year was moved to Canada...

Unless the "big team" you negotiated to visit your stadium was negotiating to get out of the game.

There is a post on a UCF message board that PSU was never going to play @ UCF, was looking to buy the game out for a West Coast game and this was a happy medium to play PSU and keep SOS up. Can't validate the accuracy of that statement yet.

 

[whaler11]

Unless the "big team" you negotiated to visit your stadium was negotiating to get out of the game.

There is a post on a UCF message board that PSU was never going to play @ UCF, was looking to buy the game out for a West Coast game and this was a happy medium to play PSU and keep SOS up. Can't validate the accuracy of that statement yet.

That might be the case. Clear lesson learned for scheduling. If you can't negotiate a buy out that is impossible to overcome don't sign any contracts.

If UCF does it because it's the least terrible outcome that's fine. Don't try and pretend they are doing it for exposure or it's a positive in any way shape or form.

 

[weyuo]

Penn St sure knows how to minimize their NCAA punishment. No bowl game but they get a prime(football) time, nationally covered TV event that will end up with more viewers than half of the bowl games this year. UCF needs to put it to these guys and that will generate some buzz that the new league is not just a one trick pony with it's foot already out the door.

 

[UConnDan97]

Unless the "big team" you negotiated to visit your stadium was negotiating to get out of the game.

There is a post on a UCF message board that PSU was never going to play @ UCF, was looking to buy the game out for a West Coast game and this was a happy medium to play PSU and keep SOS up. Can't validate the accuracy of that statement yet.

I'm guessing that PSU would have had the same negotiating "problem" that Michigan had; a hefty monetary penalty to back out. I think Michigan's was 2 million if I remember correctly? I wonder how much Penn State's would have been.

I've read in reports that Penn State did this to give their kids a "bowl type atmosphere". I get that, don't get me wrong. But burn one of your own damned home games, and not the opponent's. I'm surprised that UCF went for it. I would have held out for the payout (assuming there was one similar to the UConn contract)...

 

[J187Money]

Maybe UCF wanted the press.

 

[UConnDan97]

Maybe UCF wanted the press.

It's possible, but there are easier ways to achieve that. Like have O'Leary say some nonsense about beating Penn State by double digits. Free, and effective...

 

[huskymedic]

Penn St sure knows how to minimize their NCAA punishment. No bowl game but they get a prime(football) time, nationally covered TV event that will end up with more viewers than half of the bowl games this year. UCF needs to put it to these guys and that will generate some buzz that the new league is not just a one trick pony with it's foot already out the door.

0830 (EST) on a Saturday on ESPN2 is prime football time?

 

[Waquoit]

UCF dropped a deuce on their fanbase.

 

[mcs333]

Who's the UCF coach. O'leary! and they are playing in Ireland. I get it!! Historic venue, 69k, National TV. I get this also.

http://ucf.crokeparkclassic.com/

What a great venue!

 

[SubbaBub]

I'm not sure what makes everyone think a game in Orlando would be a UCF home crowd. UCF will do OK, their guys get to go to Ireland too. Might help recruiting against (oh say USF)

This is a bowl trip for PSU and it's traveling horde. A horde that will be 4 years without a bowl game. I think they'll sell a few tickets.

By the way. Their AD has the travel packages already up. 13 months in advance. Anyone in Storrs taking notes?

http://psu.crokeparkclassic.com/

 

[weyuo]

0830 (EST) on a Saturday on ESPN2 is prime football time?

I assumed it was later in the day but still, only game in town in that time slot. If I'm looking for something to watch Saturday morning I'll be tunin

 

[ruskin]

Don't think this is OT at all. If UCF can pull this off UConn certainly can. And Huskies need another FBS road game next year - a REAL FBS road game.

 

[Srqhusky]

I agree with Whaler on this one. It's pretty rotten that UCF has to blow a home game for this. Is the publicity stunt worth it? Perhaps. Is it worth losing a home game for, after you had already negotiated a big team to visit your stadium? Hell no.

For those who don't agree, tell me how you'd feel if the UConn-Michigan game this year was moved to Canada...

Don't think anybody is disagreeing. Just saying since Ucf lost a good home game the next best thing is to win in front of a lot of TV sets. Hopefully they are getting paid well for this