Warde, Gene Smith is returning your call...

[Jimdish255]

We need all the B1G exposure we can get. Add in some hoops, hockey and a nuetral return and we start to look like we belong. Because we do.

 

[FDNY99]

I don't think we should he playing FCS games anyway right now. I would much rather play MAC teams than FCS schools. Dump Nova and let's go to Columbus! If we want to play in their comference let's step to the plate here!

 

[huskymedic]

Do we leave it to chance and assume WM is aware of tOSU's plight and at least considering this? Or do we get a bit more proactive? He doesn't know me from Adam but I'm an alum and willing to represent for us. Or has somebody here already done that . . . maybe someone with an established relationship . . . or at least an email address that doesn't dump right into his spam folder? Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin, into the future.

Gene Smith from when WM was hired: "First of all, Warde and [his wife] Chris are very good people and have a great family. Warde is a leader in our industry, and he understands the challenges that one faces in trying to run a collegiate athletic program. I also think he is going to be a huge asset to the university outside of athletics, as he really understands how all of higher education operates.”

They also sit on the NCAA Council of Athletic Directors together (which just met a week ago in Chicago). If there was a possibility to discuss, that would have been the time!

Again, a man can dream...

 

[uconnbill]

Without an expanded Rent, we are not hosting Ohio State. We're lucky Michigan is coming this year! That said, YES YES ONE THOUSAND TIMES YES! I would absolutely dump Nova for a one off road game at the Horseshoe. I'd even do a home and "home" where we play at MetLife, Gilette, Yankee, Fenway...wherever they deem to be more attractive. That is, if the CDA will allow us to play a "home" game away from the Rent.

A road game against a powerhouse program in the B1G > a cupcake home game that won't even come close to selling out anyway (gate revenue would be limited). Dump Nova and play OSU! I would DEFINITELY go to that game.

Tennessee plays in a bigger stadium and they are doing a one for one, so why does OSU get a pass. They are no different than Michigan, Tennessee or any other school out there.

 

[metsfan2323]

If we want to get into the final 4 playoff in 2015 we will need a big time road win like Ohio State.

I know that is an outrageous thought, but if we aren't in this to win championships, then what exactly are we in it for? Beating Ohio State the opening week would give us a reason to dream big. The fastest guy on the field that day could be Arkeel Newsome, the best QB could be Boyle or Lagow, the best linebacker could be Graham Stewart, the best tight end could be Tommy Myers and the biggest bad lunatic could be Andreas Knappe. Hemingway might even reach 290 by 2015.

Have outrageous goals or get off the stage. It's doable.

 

[jbdphi]

Tennessee plays in a bigger stadium and they are doing a one for one, so why does OSU get a pass. They are no different than Michigan, Tennessee or any other school out there.

Because when that was scheduled the landscape looked very different and we were in a BCS league. Going forward, the AAC is not in the so called Power 5 and this will be a problem for many Power 5 schools in scheduling.

 

[huskymedic]

Tennessee plays in a bigger stadium and they are doing a one for one, so why does OSU get a pass. They are no different than Michigan, Tennessee or any other school out there.

Because times have changed since the TN game was scheduled back in 2008??

We have a perception issue and in my opinion stamping our feet and refusing to play teams of higher statute if we don't get a return game won't change that perception outside of CT (and may hurt us even more). Boise State model - take on all comers, anytime, anyplace. Earn respect - not demand it.

I do understand the counter argument though Bill. (that's why I initially said I was conflicted). Different story if we were talking MBB/WBB scheduling.

 

[uconnbill]

Because times have changed since the TN game was scheduled back in 2008??

We have a perception issue and in my opinion stamping our feet and refusing to play teams of higher statute if we don't get a return game won't change that perception outside of CT (and may hurt us even more). Boise State model - take on all comers, anytime, anyplace. Earn respect - not demand it.

I do understand the counter argument though Bill. (that's why I initially said I was conflicted). Different story if we were talking MBB/WBB scheduling.

How about tie both men and women basketball games along with football to get one for one's. Just hate giving a game and getting nothing back in return.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

All fantasy, but book the game and offer a return at Citifield in a few years...our relationship with SNY would probably make that possible. Just a thought.

 

[Huskyforlife]

i would go to ohio state every year without a return game. we are uconn and that would be great exposure

 

[zls44]

Tennessee plays in a bigger stadium and they are doing a one for one, so why does OSU get a pass. They are no different than Michigan, Tennessee or any other school out there.

Because times have changed. A lot is different than when the UT and Michigan deals were signed.

Pride cometh before the fall...you do a one-off with Ohio State. Not even a debate.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Yeah.....I can't understand the reasoning behind not jumping at this. We did the same deal with ND back when we were in a BCS conference. Times have changed. You are not going to easily get marquee programs to come here as long as we are in the AAC. It's just a fact of life. You have to get the BYU's, the Boise's, and the mid tier "P5" programs. You may occassionally strike gold with a marquee program but it's going to be both extremely difficult and rare.

You have to take this game. No brainer.

 

[freescooter]

Yeah.....I can't understand the reasoning behind not jumping at this. We did the same deal with ND back when we were in a BCS conference. Times have changed. You are not going to easily get marquee programs to come here as long as we are in the AAC. It's just a fact of life. You have to get the BYU's, the Boise's, and the mid tier "P5" programs. You may occassionally strike gold with a marquee program but it's going to be both extremely difficult and rare.

You have to take this game. No brainer.

I have mixed feelings about this deal, too. I don't call it a no-brainer by any means, though. I think we have more flexibility in 2016 so I'd move Villanova to there and take this one though I'd try to get a return game a couple of years out if I had to. Not so different from Cincinnatti's recent deal with somebody (Nebraska?) where they play there but the return is a few years out. Lots of things can happen over those years so who knows if the game will or won't make sense then.

 

[gioff23]

This is so much more than a P5 issue. Granted, that will be a challenge going forward, but scheduling by these programs takes into a number of considerations when you are an established program like tOSU, including:

* lots of alumni in area - not in our favor
* recruiting trip - not in our favor
* opportunity for kid - not in our favor, unless playing ina 40K stadium outside of Hartford is the carrot
* exposure - not in our favor

So, you're G Smith - why are you signing up to come play here? You're Urban Meyer and do you see anything more than a trap game in terms of coming here? I'll give up my home ticket to see UMass in 2020 to travel to Gilette and play tOSU.

And if you dont think it will help recruiting to tell a kid they're going to play in the horseshoe one day (vs. a tough Nova team at home), you simply don't understand recruiting or today's recruit.

 

[chrisn671]

Set up a home and home in men's and women's hoops, and take the single away game in football. Every single one of those games would get a ton of exposure for UCONN.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Take the game. Even if it's a one off.

Try and schedule a neutral site return game at Giants Stadium, Gillette and split the proceeds.

Try and schedule home and home basketball games with them.

If both don't with? Just play the damn game.

Some of you talk about acting "big time" and demanding home and homes. That's not happening. As far as public perception goes? You are clueless if you think puffing or chests out ans playing Villanova on ESPN3 is better than OSU on ESPN.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

In the best Sam Kinison, Do It! , Doiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!

 

[pj]

If they pay enough it's great to do a one-off. Get $3 mn for playing Ohio State in Columbus and pay $1.5 mn to get a one-off against Buffalo. We still have 6 home games a year, have made $1.5 mn, gotten a game with national exposure and a chance to show the B1G we can compete.

 

[UConn Dan]

I love how some Cleveland reporter says we are a "prospect" on his own volition and we all go nuts like Warde Manuel should be calling Gene Smith right now and suck his balls to schedule this game.

PS - according to Jurich (per McMurphy), whether or not the L'Ville - Ohio St game is still on is "up to Charlie and Urban". So, while the the debate about whether we accept a one-off game with an OSU-type is fun and a bridge we may have to cross at some point, it may not even be a slot to fill.

 

[UConn Dan]

Who are the teams you'd take one-offs from? Where do you draw the line?

 

[ruskin]

Jesus, Dan no one is saying to perform an unnatural act on Smith. It's a realistic opportunity to play a big time opponent in a big-time environment with big-time bonuses down the road. What little objection seems to be a return game either here or at Meadowlands, and UConn isn't really in a position to demand that as part of the deal.

 

[UConn Dan]

Jesus, Dan no one is saying to perform an unnatural act on Smith. It's a realistic opportunity to play a big time opponent in a big-time environment with big-time bonuses down the road. What little objection seems to be a return game either here or at Meadowlands, and UConn isn't really in a position to demand that as part of the deal.

I don't think we are in the position to demand home and homes in the current market from a team like Ohio State, but I think if we can beat Michigan and prove again that we are up-and-coming then we may have some more cache to play a home and home against an OSU-type (though I don't think we'll get those deals ever for the likes of Alabama or Texas). I don't mind one-offs at a neutral site like Gillette or MetLife (and Warde is on record as looking for neutral site "kick-off" type games and home and home series for BCS schools). We should seek those opportunities first, before selling ourselves short. Agreeing to a no-return game for a B1G school, a conference we are trying to gain access to, does not send the message that we would be adding value to that conference. I think a year from now, we'll have a good picture on what our future scheduling will look like.

 

[BlueDogs]

The way we get into the Big Ten is to be known to the Big Ten as a credible, competitive program. Putting up some good shows helps. Of course, I dread becoming the next Miami of Ohio, so we definitely need a return home game in an alternate venue.

 

[SubbaBub]

In theory, if the hype that SOS will be a critical factor in determining playoff spots. Any team that thinks it might be left out for an SEC team with an equal record might take a winnable OOC road game against a quality opponent like UConn.

Doubt it trumps, the extra home game, but there is more reason for bigger teams to play here than under the BCS system.

 

[FAIRTIDES]

I wouldn't give in to this without a return game. Sets a precedent that will be tough to reverse. So, my answer is no. No return, then no deal. I rather play Michigan State home and home then just at Ohio State.

First, Dan, this is not a shot at you. You are a fan and have every right to feel that UCONN is deserving of one-for-ones with the heavy weights. But, the realty is that the CFB world-at-large doesn't feel the way you, and others, feel.

As a UCONN fan, I've gone from being absolutely positive that every conference had us at the the top of their CR lists to thinking that UCONN's best hope is bribery and/or blackmail.

Every time I see someone questioning the playing of a game in NYC or taking a one-and-done away game with a national power, I wonder what reality people/persons are experiencing. The truth is that if we want UCONN football to advance, perceptually, in the eyes of those that matter (as it relates to CR), we're going to have to swallow some pride. Further, the football program is going to have to adopt an anyone, anytime, any place (as long as it's on TV) philosophy. Importantly, it's also going to have to come away with enough wins.

The sad fact is that the world doesn't see us the way we see us.