Oade

That was one of my first thoughts as well. Of course the likelihood of having another game cancelled within the next decade (or century) are 1 in a million, so it probably doesn't matter. It was an unfair situation, out of everyone's control. Are we the type of program that holds up our end of the agreement or are we the type that kicks and screams when we don't get our ball? Paying them is part of the deal, it's the least we can do to compensate them for time and travel, and it shows we're willing to work with other programs during unfair situations. It's not a huge hit to us financially, it's something we already had worked into the budget, and it's simply the right thing to do. The only logical reason for us to put up a stink about this would be to get them to agree to a rematch at a lower rate, if anything at all. There's no reason we should pay them twice for one game.

Not only that, but the (freshman) 2nd string QB played better than the starter (highly regarded transfer) when the starting QB left the game with cramps. Then the starter came back in and their momentum stalled again. I can imagine some finger pointing going on in that locker room. Idk that we'll beat them, but if w do, the wheels are going to fall off big time for them.

Any and every other cupcake team would've left. That much was predictable. The only reason to schedule another game should be bowl eligibility (and the extra practice time that comes with it). I hope we don't need an extra game to attain that, but if we do, then we're shooting ourselves in the foot of we don't try to get something scheduled.

I agree, and from that same perspective, if we truly need this game to reach 6 wins, then we're probably better off having the week of Dec 3 off to rest and recover from the season. We're likely looking at a Dec 23 bowl game if we're only at 6 wins, so it's going to be a quick turnaround (as far as bowl season goes) if we schedule something for the first weekend of December.

If we "officially" schedule anything at this point, it about has to be during our bye week. There are several teams that share the same bye week as us, and would likely be willing to take a pay check. Marshall, Louisiana Monroe, UTSA, ect. If we want to keep or our regular bye week, but also don't want to lock ourselves into a deal during the CCG weekend, then the smart thing to do would be to go find a team for that weekend, and essentially come to an option-agreement, and just not make it an official game at this point. We should still get everything scheduled and lined up within the next 2 weeks, so we don't have to do it short notice, but still leave an option in the contract that lets us cancel if we do happen to sneak into the ccg.

But did they schedule that before or after Chip was hired?

I learned that I'll stay up until 1 am for a potential announcement during a rain delay, but I'm glad that I didn't have to.

Wtf. Honestly.

I think that should depend on whether or not NU gave out free runza and pizza during the delay. Which I have no answer for at this time.

Is this God's way of saying we made the wrong choice in tunnel walk song? I mean, I think it's a decent enough choice, but then again I'm no saint.

I agree, but if they were to ever delay a game to Sunday, this would be the weekend. Three day weekend, and no nfl. There are a few CFB games already scheduled for Sunday and Monday, so it's not completely out of the question if it comes to that.

Lol, and some fans want to switch from Adidas.... The grass isn't always greener.

We'll learn a lot about the middle-depth of the B10 West tonight. Is NW a 10-win team again? How far have Purdue and Minnesota progressed? I think NW wins, but I do expect Purdue to play them tough. Should be a fun atmosphere too for a week one game.

Well now a harvest theme I would like.... Corncob helmets, soy gloves, wheat and barbed wire numbers, combine shoes, and a grain truck chest patch. Old school herbie on the sideline. The cheerleaders could probably come up with a snazzy alternate outfit too. Oh, and the student section dressed as scare crows.

That could be, but even then, that's just one of those things that sort of makes me scratch my head - at least as it would apply here.... If Gebbia wants to be there and if OSU wants him, then I don't see why Riley's past with NU should stand in the way of it.

I hope it's not like a Halloween theme. Like an 80s disco theme, or even worse, 70s disco. Wouldn't that be embarrassing.

Verdral and Neal followed Frost to NU. And I think a couple of players follow Pelini to Youngstown. I'm sure it happens all the time, and rightfully so, so unless something really shady took place then I'm not sure I care. But there are plenty of examples where students followed coaches to other programs without anything shady having taken place. I'll give them all the benefit of the doubt on this.

You could make the same argument about literally everything if you wanted. To single out and get hung up on honoring the Services is mind boggling to me. There are too many TV screens in the stadium - it's a nice thing for the fans in attendance though. There are too many seats, why do we need 90k seats? Why did we spend all that time and money on stadium expansion, it's not like it helped the team directly. Why are there so many concession options, the game will still be the game if we all don't get a slice of pizza. None of that is really an issue or too much, unless you choose to let it be.

I don't mind the permanent cross over game. I'm less interested in the semi permanent, but I don't hate it. I do wish there was a more consistent/simple approach over all. There is no reason not to do a straight forward round-robin with cross division games..... If they want teams to play more often, then I wish they would do a delayed home-home series. As in, we would play at UM this season, but then wouldn't get the return trip from them until 3 or 4 years later, once we've rotated through one game with the rest of the eastern teams.

What's so special about 2026? Does the current TV deal expire or something?

Yep, there are just too many nice gestures in the world. God forbid someone should have to stop eating nachos for a minute or pause from drinking a beer on a cfb Saturday.

I like playing UM, but I hope we randomly start getting PSU more often on the next cycle. I would love for us to end the season with PSU and Iowa every season forever.

I've never had an issue with smokers on gamedays, so on one hand, I don't really think this is necessary. I honestly can't remember the last time I was near a smoker on gameday. There's enough space sold the stadium if people want to get away from smokers if it's really bothering them. It's not that hard to walk 5 feet up wind. Smoking annoys me and is awful, but the idea of someone getting in trouble with cops or security for having a cigarette a block or two from the stadium is pretty silly imo.

Maybe that's what Frost had been chewing all this time.

I get my buzz from runzas