Rutgers refuses to play at Giants Stadium.
Of course, the AP story states that UConn-ND agreed to a series on Wednesday. That hasn't happened. UConn and ND still have a lot of negotiating to do. But, sometimes facts get in the way of a good narrative. The AP story out of Hartford Wednesday was clear that this was a legislative hurdle. The story out of Rutgers said UConn-ND agreed.
Of course, the narrative that will develop is Rutgers showed pride and UConn acquiesced to the advances of Notre Dame.
Of course that's not accurate.
UConn and Rutgers are vastly different in geography. Rutgers is in the NYC market, so a home game at Rutgers certainly satisfies Notre Dame's metro want. East Hartford isn't New York City. So, the only playing in metro market arguments for Notre Dame are diminished here. I do know Notre Dame wants NFL size stadiums in major markets. UConn had neither. Rutgers at least has one of the components.
Would Rutgers have benefited for playing Notre Dame? Of course.
The difference is Rutgers has a bit of an inferiority complex with its football program. The reason its chests are always puffed out (and the program talks as big as any team in the country) is because they want so badly to be the Florida State, Penn State etc. of the East Coast.
If this was a non-stater, why did Rutgers even consider this deal in the first place? By announcing now that they have refused Notre Dame, they are taking a swipe at UConn, which is proceeding with its deal.
Then, there is the political realm. How could Rutgers accept state money to expand the stadium,then play at Giants Stadium? Politically untenable, and unpopular with the fan base.
It's about putting your program in the best light possible. UConn needs to play Notre Dame because it helps build the program. The benefits outweigh the negatives.
Rutgers' big problem is the perception of being a perennial loser. In that sense, by saying no to Notre Dame it shows that this Rutgers team is bigtime.
Perception is everything in college football. UConn feels having ND on its schedule is a benefit. Rutgers feels rejecting Notre Dame's proposal is a benefit. To each his own.
Here is my prediction: Now that Rutgers has refused to play Notre Dame, someone in the Jersey legislature is going to try and put the stops on UConn playing ND at Giants Stadium. Why would New Jersey want the University of Connecticut to upstage the State University of New Jersey in football?
Would the CT legislature allow Rutgers to play ND at the Yale Bowl? Fat chance of that happening.
My bet would be that all three games happen at Gillette Stadium in the UConn-ND series.
3 comments:
While I agree that there is an immediate benefit for UConn in terms of national attention and network coverage, I also have to argue (as a UConn alum and fan) that the deal is a bit unfair for the average fan (never mind the students who are always forgotten) who would have to travel to Gillette to watch a home game. How about one game at the Rent, which used our tax money and is quite nice. Instead we put more money in Krafts pocket who used Hartford as a pawn in the past.
Hope UConn ponies up the money for free bus trips from The Rent or Storrs for the fans and students to support our team 1.5 hours away from campus in a home game. I'm sure ticket prices will also escalate - nice payday for UConn.
Bus trips will be free. I think fans would like going up for the day to Giants Stadium or Gillette. College Football is a day's event.
There are only 80,000 seats anyway. There are millions who will watch at home and not have to move a bit.
It's not perfect, but it gives UConn exposure. That's in the best interest of the team and program. Plus, there will be a handful of tickets for those road games. That would be a pretty good road trip, don't ya think?
I know people who buy Boston College season ticket plans just so they can get the ND home game. You will absolutely see a spike in season tickets when UConn plays ND in the Northeast.
Good point on RU - the deal makes much less sense for them given their recent stadium expansion.
I can understand some fans being upset that the game will not be as close to home as the Rent is. But they have the option of not buying tickets. But noone should cry about making the pilgrimage to Boston - tons of CT residents come to Boston to see the Sox or Patriots play. And understand that there are a lot of UConn alum in the Boston area (many of whom are season ticket holders, like myself) who get a short commute to see the football Huskies play.
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