The Rest of College Football

[Dr. Strangelove]

Clemson had a total meltdown. Fumbling every time they get the ball. Losing 49-20 and it's only halftime. For all the shit the B1G takes for bad bowl seasons, the ACC is far and away the worst conference in BCS bowls.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Going to be a long second half for Clemson

[hack]

For all the shit the B1G takes for bad bowl seasons, the ACC is far and away the worst conference in BCS bowls.

Yes but the real blame for that lies with primarily with Michigan and the Big Ten with a little bit of help from the Sugar Bowl's executives.

[Jamie H]

College football bowl game attendance takes a dip
By Steve Berkowitz, USA TODAY

Attendance at this season's college football bowl games is down from last season and might end up at the lowest per-game average in more than 30 years.

That's what happens when you turn every bowl game but 1 into a glorified exhibition game. Who would show up to post-season NFL games if they had already picked the Super Bowl teams before the postseason even began?

[lineygoblue]

Not only that, but have you priced the tickets for some of these bowl games? Its not exactly an event that you can plan on taking the wife and kids to, when ticket prices START at $80 - 100 and go up from there.

As well as Michigan travels, the Sugar Bowl wasn't sold out last night. Normally, Michigan fans buy up anything that isn't sold to the general public, or turned in by the opposing team.

[Jamie H]

Doesn't help that they make it even harder than ever to attend the games since they aren't on Jan 1. With the games on Jan 1. you could easily go and get back for work. Now with games later in the week, they interfere with work. I had to work on Jan 3, so there was no way I could go to the game even if I wanted to shell out for it.

[lineygoblue]

I could have went, but I would have had to tap my IRA.

I love Michigan, but not that much ... :-)

[Mike]

I also think attendance is hurt in certain cases because some venues and cities host multiple games now. Take New Orleans. Within a week they have the Sugar Bowl, a Saints playoff game, and BCS title game. If you're a local - in an economically depressed small market - and can afford to go to one game, which would you choose? The Sugar Bowl will come in 3rd every time and that's why attendance was down 9,000 over last year's game. Add to that the weeknight after the holidays aspect and it's not surprising. It looks like in most of the games the participating teams travel fairly well but the locals aren't turning out to fill the remaining seats.

[iam416]

The ACC officially sucks. Woof. Their champ managed to hold WV to 70.

[lineygoblue]

Add to that the weeknight after the holidays aspect and it's not surprising.

I think we're probably seeing a trade-off right now. The networks are probably getting a mile "bump" in their ratings by giving games like the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl their "own" nights, but they're hurting the gate. When NYD falls on a weekend, especially a Sunday, and that day is "given" to the NFL, that hurts the gate at the bowl games.

A Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday AFTER New Years Day is a normal work day for most people, and if they've had any Christmas vacation, its over by then. Most employers want their people back to work right after New Years. Its very difficult to get that time off.

[SeattleLionsFan]

The proliferation of bowl games doesn't help things either. I remember a time it was a big deal to make a bowl, now its the reward for a minimally competent season.

[Jamie H]

I don't think 6-6 teams should be eligible, but there are so many bowls now that they almost have to be.

[*JD*]

They could lose at least 5 bowls.

[SeanB]

I've been perusing the mgoblog boards today. Sounds like there is a good chance Narduzzi is leaving msu and heading to Texas A&M. Rumors of course, but it sounds like it has some legs.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Rivals premium board is speculating this as well.

Some think Sparty will make a counter offer with big raise to keep him.