theory: colleges that have a nfl team near by

[Spence]

Ohio State isn't far from Cincy, Cleveland, Indy, or Pittsburgh and they draw pretty well.

[Eric]

Usually the schools with NFL teams nearby use their stadiums (SDSU-Qualcomm, South Florida-Raymond James Stadium, Pitt-Heinz Stadium, Tulane-Louisiana Superdome, Minnesota-Hubert H. Metrodome, etc.). The farther from off-campus you get, the less of a home field advantage you have. That's why teams like Penn State have buit a great tradition because they have on-campus facilities.

I agree with your theory.

[Spence]

Ohio State isn't far from Cincy, Cleveland, Indy, or Pittsburgh and they draw pretty well.

yea but i said the college team has to have a nfl team in it.

I think that having an NFL team splits the entertainment dollar up, so it would hurt one or both. College football is a different animal then the NFL, though, the passions and the reasons for going are different.

[Eric]

I think anyone can become successful anywhere, but an on-campus site generates a better homefield advantage. I would find it hard to be excited at the Hubert H. Humphery Metrodome for the Golden Gophers, don't you think?

[Derek]

Definately not here in Georgia. College football is just big, stadiums still sell out.

It's irrelevant, here anyway, other places I might could agree.

[billybud]

LOL...go to the BC football board in season...see all the Patriot posts...Boston is not a college football town...they don't even allow tailgating as we southerners know it.

[colorado_loves_football]

I believe it does for example from the big east you have, south florida, cincinnati, and pitt. If you compare the turn out form pitt to penn state
pitt- 40,272
psu- 104,859

pitt record last 4 years
30-19

psu record last 4 years
27-21

post what you think about my theory

Pittsburgh has tradition on it's side. Sure, there are a lot of people who attend PSU games.

There are 'intangibles' to any football team, regardless. Nebraska sells out if they are good or not. Colorado doesn't always sell out.
Nebraska has a larger seating capacity than Colorado does. Colorado plays in a state where they have professional football (that sells out).

I think if you have a good football program, it sells itself. Are we talking about the Pittsburgh of 2004 or 2005? Reason I'm asking, one was a BCS team, the other wasn't bowl-eligible.

[Jason G]

I think each situation is unique to some extent. I know in the case of the University of Akron they have been talking about how one of their own, namely Charlie Frye, becoming the starting QB for the Browns (approx. 38 miles away) will actually help generate more fan interest in the program than what existed previously.

[colorado_loves_football]

I think each situation is unique to some extent. I know in the case of the University of Akron they have been talking about how one of their own, namely Charlie Frye, becoming the starting QB for the Browns (approx. 38 miles away) will actually help generate more fan interest in the program than what existed previously.

That actually was going to be my position, if anything it ought to make it more appealing to the fan. It might be one reason why Colorado and Colorado State have played in Mile High Stadium, rather than in their home field (last two years excepted). Professional sports, if anything should generate more interest in the game.
So, I don't really 'buy' into the argument that Penn St, necessarily is a bigger 'draw' than Pittsburgh. And they both play in Pennsylvania. What they should do is 'renew' their rivalry.

[Eric]

Well, look at it from this perspective:

Penn State sold out 97.7 percent of their seats.

Pitt sold out 61.96 percent of their seats.

Now, which is the better draw? It's clearly Penn State, but bar3cat5, can you verify if this is from last season, or all time average audiences?

[Spence]

The reason smaller D-1 schools play large D-1 schools at pro stadiums is that it is a way to not play the larger school at home and still make enough money for both schools to make money.

Ohio State is playing Toledo in Cleveland in a few years. Toledo wanted the game, but with only 26,000 in seating capacity, Ohio State couldn't afford to play in the glass bowl. It makes it work for both schools.

[Jason G]

My question about the Ohio State-Toledo game is why not Detroit? Certainly more Toledo fans would show up at Ford Field than at Browns Stadium. It just makes more sense geographically and you would think the Rockets would want a more pro-Toledo crowd than they are likely to find in Cleveland. Playing OSU in Cleveland is still just like a road game for Toledo. If it were Kent State or Akron 'hosting' OSU in Cleveland that would make more sense.

[Spence]

My question about the Ohio State-Toledo game is why not Detroit? Certainly more Toledo fans would show up at Ford Field than at Browns Stadium. It just makes more sense geographically and you would think the Rockets would want a more pro-Toledo crowd than they are likely to find in Cleveland. Playing OSU in Cleveland is still just like a road game for Toledo. If it were Kent State or Akron 'hosting' OSU in Cleveland that would make more sense.

Being from Columbus you should already know the answer to that question.

[billybud]

Sometimes "outsiders" don't see things the same way a school's fan does. I always get irked when some writer equates FSU playing in the Orange Bowl as a "home game" for the Noles...

Right!

Of course it is 480 miles away...in the heart of Hurricane Country, our fierce rivals....

Columbus is about the same distance from Madison, Wisconsin. I bet if the Buckeyes were playing in a bowl in Madison, writers wouldn't describe it as a "home game"

[Spence]

That and the fact that Ohio State plays in state schools to in fact keep the money in state. Playing in Detroit wouldn't keep the money in state. While Toledo may think they are still in Michigan they are in fact in Ohio and it doesn't make sense for two Ohio teams to help the economy of the state of Michigan.

Playing in Cleveland helps broaden the appeal of Buckeye football in an area of the state where there is a wide variety of very good D-1A prospects. Ohio State could play 6 games in Detroit and they aren't going to broaden the appeal of Buckeye football in Michigan.