(09-13-2016 10:20 PM)Big Frog II Wrote:  The NFL pretty much owns Thanksgiving. I am glad the TCU-Texas game is now on Friday. Thursday games are tough on families.

The NFL squashed CFB on Thanksgiving when they added the 3rd NFL game that day, just as they have squashed CFB on every other Thursday during the season.

NFL would probably go for the kill and play on Saturdays, too, if it wasn't for their long-ago agreement with Congress to not play on Fridays or Saturdays during CFB's season.

(08-22-2013 07:45 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  I guess they think that the A&M-LSU game is strong enough to carry the load.

Wasn't the Texas vs A&M game on Thanksgiving?

Oklahoma and Nebraska use to play on Thanksgiving years ago.

(09-13-2016 10:56 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-13-2016 10:20 PM)Big Frog II Wrote:  The NFL pretty much owns Thanksgiving. I am glad the TCU-Texas game is now on Friday. Thursday games are tough on families.

The NFL squashed CFB on Thanksgiving when they added the 3rd NFL game that day, just as they have squashed CFB on every other Thursday during the season.

NFL would probably go for the kill and play on Saturdays, too, if it wasn't for their long-ago agreement with Congress to not play on Fridays or Saturdays during CFB's season.

Killing their feeder system would be the absolute dumbest thing the NFL could possibly do. Not saying they wouldn't do it, just very, very short-sighted.

Well, to those you blaming NFL dominance of Thanksgiving, the article makes clear that ESPN is not giving up on college football that day.

It is just switching from LSU - TAMU to the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss vs Mississippi State, because those schools were amenable to playing on Thanksgiving every year whereas LSU was not.

(09-13-2016 07:32 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Forced rivalrys don't work.

I agree with you in general but it does not apply here.

LSU vs Texas AM was and is not a forced rivalry. The schools are only 350 miles apart, basically the same distance as between LSU and Alabama, and they share the strange mix of bayou and pine culture that characterizes the area between East Texas and Central Louisiana. Their first game was in 1899, and they played 49 times before TAMU joined the SEC. And they played pretty regularly over the years, they played at least three times every decade back to 1900 with the exception of the 1930s and the early 2000s, and both schools historically considered the other to be a neighborhood rival with a dash of cross-conference and Texas-Louisiana competitiveness thrown in. One of the things that made the 2011 Cotton Bowl between TAMU and LSU such a big deal down here and resulted in a sold-out Jerryworld (even though the Cotton was not a BCS bowl at the time) was that they hadn't played in over 10 years (scheduling issues put the rivarly on hiatus when TAMU joined the Big 12 in 1996) and everyone was eager for a renewal.

In fact, the presence of LSU in the SEC was one factor that made TAMU fans eager to join the conference as they were a natural connection in that regard.

(09-14-2016 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-13-2016 07:32 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Forced rivalrys don't work.

I agree with you in general but it does not apply here.

LSU vs Texas AM was and is not a forced rivalry. The schools are only 350 miles apart, basically the same distance as between LSU and Alabama, and they share the strange mix of bayou and pine culture that characterizes the area between East Texas and Central Louisiana. Their first game was in 1899, and they played 49 times before TAMU joined the SEC. And they played pretty regularly over the years, they played at least three times every decade back to 1900 with the exception of the 1930s, and both schools historically considered the other to be a neighborhood/interconference rival with a dash of Texas-Louisiana competitiveness thrown in.

In fact, the presence of LSU in the SEC was one factor that made TAMU fans eager to join the conference as they were a natural connection in that regard.

I can confirm all of this. aTm was LSU's second most played OOC game before the Aggies changed conferences. The first was Rice.

(08-22-2013 10:53 AM)miko33 Wrote:  The NFL trumps CFB every single time. Did you college FB homers not realize that when the NFL decided to make Thursdays one of their days? That nice run ESPN had for Thurs night FB evaporated practically overnight.

Here is what I think will become a legitimate fear for CFB fans - and will provide a serious dilemma. In many ways, I think the highest designation for CFB is like Icarus flying too close to the sun. It spread out its wings to try to fly to higher levels. Now it is singing its wings. The question becomes will it ultimately take a beating in the end or will it be able to generate a soft landing. Because right now, I see the future of CFB pushing most of the games back to Saturday. Thursdays used to be special - until the NFL decided that it wanted that slot. BAM - CFB was practically tossed out on its ear in the ratings department. And it's obvious that the answers are not Friday either. The CFB fans on this thread who beat their chests about how in their neck of the woods most fans would take CFB tickets over pro tickets should also realize that these same fans won't forsake HS football on Friday to catch CFB instead. Friday night football only works for a handful of colleges who are not in states where HS FB is big. Otherwise, it's not an answer either.

Bottom line is that it is STUPID for TAMU-LSU to play on Thursday night opposite the NFL - especially if the Steelers, Patriots, Giants, Cowboys, Bears, Packers,... I could go on and on.

In the Northeastern US & even on the West Coast, I'm sure that pro football trumps college football every time. I'm sure that the same holds true for Northeastern transplants too. But, if you take them out of the equation, I can guarantee you that the NFL won't be trumping a good SEC, ACC, Big 12 game.


It's like this Miko, what game would get better ratings if they went head to head: a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia Sixers or a Pittsburgh vs Duke game?

(08-22-2013 08:41 AM)Wedge Wrote:  It's not a TV move. The SEC is giving TAMU a difficult permanent east division rival, South Carolina, and making the Ags open the season on the road there. No starting with two tuneup games like this year.

The compensation for TAMU is that they get their Thanksgiving game against a name opponent to make the Aggie loyalists happy.

If the TAMU - LSU game also ends up on ESPN while the Texas game gets bumped to LHN or moved to another day at TV's request, even better from the Aggie point of view.

More leverage on the Horns, and I imagine that ESPN would like to test the NFL market every now and then. Eventually the "P" conferences will be the cheaper option. If they can draw half of what the NFL makes then it becomes a viable alternative entertainment product for ESPN without having to buy into the NFL. If an SEC game between L.S.U. and A&M in two of the most rabid football states both with NFL teams can draw on that night then ESPN puts Thanksgiving in play.

(09-14-2016 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-13-2016 07:32 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Forced rivalrys don't work.

I agree with you in general but it does not apply here.

LSU vs Texas AM was and is not a forced rivalry. The schools are only 350 miles apart, basically the same distance as between LSU and Alabama, and they share the strange mix of bayou and pine culture that characterizes the area between East Texas and Central Louisiana. Their first game was in 1899, and they played 49 times before TAMU joined the SEC. And they played pretty regularly over the years, they played at least three times every decade back to 1900 with the exception of the 1930s and the early 2000s, and both schools historically considered the other to be a neighborhood rival with a dash of cross-conference and Texas-Louisiana competitiveness thrown in. One of the things that made the 2011 Cotton Bowl between TAMU and LSU such a big deal down here and resulted in a sold-out Jerryworld was that they hadn't played in over 10 years (scheduling issues put the rivarly on hiatus when TAMU joined the Big 12 in 1996) and everyone was eager for a renewal.

In fact, the presence of LSU in the SEC was one factor that made TAMU fans eager to join the conference as they were a natural connection in that regard.

As somebody with LSU alums in my immediate family and who is originally from Lousiana, and who went to a high school known as Little A&M I'd have to disagree to a large extent.

It's just not a natural fit.

One reason for the discontinuation was due to flagging student interest. That says just about everything there is to say.

The second choice thing is important and the whole spectacle has the feel of second choice.

I think as an exhibition there is interest, but not as a staple.

(09-14-2016 12:12 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 10:53 AM)miko33 Wrote:  The NFL trumps CFB every single time. Did you college FB homers not realize that when the NFL decided to make Thursdays one of their days? That nice run ESPN had for Thurs night FB evaporated practically overnight.

Here is what I think will become a legitimate fear for CFB fans - and will provide a serious dilemma. In many ways, I think the highest designation for CFB is like Icarus flying too close to the sun. It spread out its wings to try to fly to higher levels. Now it is singing its wings. The question becomes will it ultimately take a beating in the end or will it be able to generate a soft landing. Because right now, I see the future of CFB pushing most of the games back to Saturday. Thursdays used to be special - until the NFL decided that it wanted that slot. BAM - CFB was practically tossed out on its ear in the ratings department. And it's obvious that the answers are not Friday either. The CFB fans on this thread who beat their chests about how in their neck of the woods most fans would take CFB tickets over pro tickets should also realize that these same fans won't forsake HS football on Friday to catch CFB instead. Friday night football only works for a handful of colleges who are not in states where HS FB is big. Otherwise, it's not an answer either.

Bottom line is that it is STUPID for TAMU-LSU to play on Thursday night opposite the NFL - especially if the Steelers, Patriots, Giants, Cowboys, Bears, Packers,... I could go on and on.

In the Northeastern US & even on the West Coast, I'm sure that pro football trumps college football every time. I'm sure that the same holds true for Northeastern transplants too. But, if you take them out of the equation, I can guarantee you that the NFL won't be trumping a good SEC, ACC, Big 12 game.

It's hardly just the Northeast where the NFL dominates....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(09-14-2016 08:24 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(09-14-2016 09:09 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-13-2016 07:32 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Forced rivalrys don't work.

I agree with you in general but it does not apply here.

LSU vs Texas AM was and is not a forced rivalry. The schools are only 350 miles apart, basically the same distance as between LSU and Alabama, and they share the strange mix of bayou and pine culture that characterizes the area between East Texas and Central Louisiana. Their first game was in 1899, and they played 49 times before TAMU joined the SEC. And they played pretty regularly over the years, they played at least three times every decade back to 1900 with the exception of the 1930s and the early 2000s, and both schools historically considered the other to be a neighborhood rival with a dash of cross-conference and Texas-Louisiana competitiveness thrown in. One of the things that made the 2011 Cotton Bowl between TAMU and LSU such a big deal down here and resulted in a sold-out Jerryworld was that they hadn't played in over 10 years (scheduling issues put the rivarly on hiatus when TAMU joined the Big 12 in 1996) and everyone was eager for a renewal.

In fact, the presence of LSU in the SEC was one factor that made TAMU fans eager to join the conference as they were a natural connection in that regard.

As somebody with LSU alums in my immediate family and who is originally from Lousiana, and who went to a high school known as Little A&M I'd have to disagree to a large extent.

It's just not a natural fit.

One reason for the discontinuation was due to flagging student interest. That says just about everything there is to say.

The second choice thing is important and the whole spectacle has the feel of second choice.

I think as an exhibition there is interest, but not as a staple.

I didn't say that LSU - TAMU was in the same league as Army-Navy, USC-Notre Dame, or Florida-Georgia. It isn't, it is a "second-tier" rivalry, not a first-tier one. But, it *is* a real rivalry, there has never been anything forced about it, other than the move to Thanksgiving for TV, which LSU resisted. For what it's worth, the Egg Bowl, a first-tier rivalry, is making that same move now.

All the indications are that ESPN was perfectly happy with the TAMU - LSU turkey day matchup, the switch to the Egg Bowl was made strictly because LSU refused to play on Thanksgiving during the years when LSU is the home team. The LSU AD is on record as saying that wouldn't happen on his watch.
Not a lack of interest (there is no lack of interest in this game - attendance was 102,000 in Baton Rouge last year and 105,000 at TAMU in 2014).

LSU is just weird about (er, values the tradition of) "Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium" and don't like to play their home games at any other days and times. The fan base expects their administration to defend that against networks and the conference.

Heck, i remember in 2011 when they were #1 most of the year, and about three of their home games were moved to 2:30 PM for CBS broadcast. At most schools, the fans would be excited by that, but there was a LOT of local grumbling even though it was a sign of success and national interest.