Topic: USC in 2018 for a payday

[_sturt_]

https://twitter.com/HerdFB/status/753955345618403329

[_sturt_]

I suppose this is what happens when your tv contract goes south.... you suddenly have to accept 1/0s, and with that, accept that you're going to have to play more MEACs.

[Bleed_Kelly_Green]

Reports I've seen say that Marshall will receive $1.4 million for the trip. Not bad, especially when you consider that it could be a winnable game.

[svherd]

Good pick up. Certainly winnable. Chase will be a senior.

[Herdmeister]

Short drive, good  money and winnable. What's not to like

[IM4DHERD]

I expect at this point that we will have FCS matchups at home in both '18 and '19.  That gives us a 7th home game in 2019 to increase revenues.  Already have NC State and South Carolina on the schedule for '18.

A G5 home and home, with the '18 game in the Joan, would work but the dates have to match up.  I understand we are all set through 2020 with only the announcements to be made.

[IM4DHERD]

It's good to live in Charlotte!

2017 – At NC State / UNCC here
2018 – At South Carolina
2019 – UNCC here
2020 – At ECU
2021 – At App State / UNCC here

[QuickStrike]

Short drive, good  money and winnable. What's not to like

Win, Win, Win situation. Chad went there and beat them. So can Chase.

[_sturt_]

Short drive, good  money and winnable. What's not to like

Well-taken, and I agree with the decision, but c'mon... let's embrace balance, shall we?...

Put it this way.... the last program we scheduled iirc was NC state... for a 1/1, thus making a weakling home game unnecessary... to wit....

I'd much, much, much rather have an in-region auto-conference team coming to Huntington for an even exchange than to have a slightly better renown program that we get no return game, and which, as a consequence of scheduling, we have to accept (more than likely) a MEAC school coming to Hgtn instead.

Do I really have to explain why?

On the chance that I do, first, when auto schools visit non-auto schools it inherently invokes some greater status to the non-auto schools... second, it's an even-up trade of games, which is the essence of fairness... and looking past the locations, just the fact that you can automatically lock-in *two* auto games instead of one plus having to play a game that is practically meaningless from a rankings POV... really, the only reason I embrace this is the payout, understanding the stark reality of our budget situation.

[MUalumni0912]

Well-taken, and I agree with the decision, but c'mon... let's embrace balance, shall we?...

Put it this way.... the last program we scheduled iirc was NC state... for a 1/1, thus making a weakling home game unnecessary... to wit....

I'd much, much, much rather have an in-region auto-conference team coming to Huntington for an even exchange than to have a slightly better renown program that we get no return game, and which, as a consequence of scheduling, we have to accept (more than likely) a MEAC school coming to Hgtn instead.

Do I really have to explain why?

On the chance that I do, first, when auto schools visit non-auto schools it inherently invokes some greater status to the non-auto schools... second, it's an even-up trade of games, which is the essence of fairness... and looking past the locations, just the fact that you can automatically lock-in *two* auto games instead of one plus having to play a game that is practically meaningless from a rankings POV... really, the only reason I embrace this is the payout, understanding the stark reality of our budget situation.

Just shut the hell up.

[2xBison]

Lol

[_sturt_]

Just shut the hell up.

Nah. I'm good. Find another thread or make your own if you'd like. There's always those options, newbie.

[FlyHawk98]

I'm excited about the announcement. Especially being Chase Litton's SR year. It's also a trip I would love to take, and its winnable.

$1.4 million is a good chunk of change considering the trip is not very far. Only 6 1/2 hours and 408 miles according to google maps.

[Buffalo Bop]

Grant Traylor: Herd, South Carolina to meet in 2018

"The economics of this game made sense with a $1.4 million guarantee," Hamrick said. "That's the largest guarantee in our program's history. When we have a spot where we can throw in a road game that can be of financial benefit, you obviously have to look at that and this opportunity in 2018 presented itself."

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/_recent_news/herd-south-carolina-to-meet-in/article_34d530de-4aaa-11e6-bced-73675ff781c5.html

[The E-Man]

Sweet! We need to go down there and take care of business again!

[_sturt_]

My fav...

[FlyHawk98]

Plays like the Chapman TD is one of the many reasons ESPN/America fell in love with us at the time.

[IM4DHERD]

Last time we played, we were their 2nd loss of a 21 game losing streak.

[MUther]

Last time we played, we were their 2nd loss of a 21 game losing streak.

Just shows that perception >>>> reality.  It was considered a big upset by the media.  That's perception.  Beating them on their field even in a close game the reality is we were a much better team. That's reality.

[gochneaur645]

We shouldn't make a habit out of these games, but I always thought Hamrick's "never" policy was a bit silly. Obviously the lack of TV money seems to be what forced the change.

Once every 3 or 4 years is a good idea in my opinion for a money game, and the opponent and timing on this one is perfect.

[elginherd]

I was at the 1st MU vs USC game...I was in the band that was playing the tailgate party at the University House across streets from Bojangles & Williams-Brice. My older daughter, who was undergoing chemo for colon cancer at the age of 14, was with me when Derricott intercepted the pass & the winning FG was made; you cannot describe the emotional, inspirational uplift for her & me.

Plus I got to run to the gig, where I got to gloat over our (brilliant, extremely talented keyboard, former drum major) Ms. Amanda Heaitley, "welcome to the MAC". Of course I added the magic 4 syllables that would've got me thrown out of any baseball game.

This game makes so much sense to me. Coach Pruett & Coach Holliday have one big thing in common: their teams seem to never say die.

[bbcard1]

As for me I have no problem with us taking money games with SEC programs so long as we can field a competitive team.

[MUonium]

yes, from a purely fb comp level and simply playing different/more exciting teams coupled with the regionalism of opponents for travel and soforth, the sched thru 2021 is damned near perfect for us in about every aspect.  since maintaing as many home games as possible is a/the main factor, the first slot in 2020 may be the only realistic chance at another payday (and then again in 2022).

from a political or ideology perspective;
i believe i've heard pundits say that some P5 conferences have discussed phasing out or limiting, to some extent, G5/FCS competition (keep the $ in the P5, and get the piece of the pie equal to the revenue we generate as an individual brand/conference brand).  Whether or not this is even feasible or could truly become reality is yet TBD.  perhaps the P5 could succeed in sustaining itself as isolationists as i'm sure the G5 would, as well, having been forced to.

as has been said, for those who want to fight the trend, at possible costly risk, the G5/FCS would need a unified refusal to play P5s altogether even though it would take years to clear the calendar– I don't know how it would affect the P5s so-called power play or how it would affect G5s, in general.  $ will decide simply because the G5s are racing each other as well, for that almighty access slot that seems will rarely if ever mean anything.  given this lure of paydays, and the extreme odds of ever playing for a nat championship, safe to say the paydays will continue.
 
P5:  “come play with us in our 100k stadium and we’ll give you our pocket change ($1 - 2M}.”
G5:  “OK, but here’s the deal, you give us $5M/game and an additional G5 access slot with a real shot at the natty.”

[_sturt_]

We shouldn't make a habit out of these games, but I always thought Hamrick's "never" policy was a bit silly. Obviously the lack of TV money seems to be what forced the change.

Once every 3 or 4 years is a good idea in my opinion for a money game, and the opponent and timing on this one is perfect.

First, I'm not sure Hamrick ever went on record that he had such a policy, but the evidence just mounted and it was a reasonable conclusion. Under the previous paradigm, though, it made sense (disagree that it was silly) that it doesn't make now.

So, in spite of how some maybe took my earlier comments, under this new circumstance where our TV money has went so very, very south, I think the new reality is that Hamrick almost has to take the paycheck when it's this large.

Hopefully in 10 years we've amassed success that will have helped lead this conference into a better TV contract, but until that happens, this is altogether the right thing to do, along with doing everything we can possibly do to set ourselves in a position for repeated conference championships that, in turn, set us in position as an access bowl candidate.

[IM4DHERD]

the first slot in 2020 may be the only realistic chance at another payday (and then again in 2022)

Already full up in 2020 - @ ECU, Open, @ OU, Pitt and Boise at the Joan

2022 is prime with two home games already (Navy and App State).  Take a payday away and an FCS at the Joan to get to 7 home games.