Rumors out of the swamp
A Jacksonville, Florida radio station has asked me to go on the air tomorrow morning and talk about the possibility of a Utah-Florida matchup next year. Apparently there are some rumors floating around the Florida swamps that the Gators aren't too happy with their non-conference schedule and might want to replace a game with a game that would get "national attention."
The teams mentioned are Utah and TCU. According to the radio guys it would be a four-team deal involving Florida and the opponent it is currently scheduled to play and the school it would play in the revised schedule, and that school's opponent.
Take a look for yourself at what the Gators have ahead in 2009:
Sat. Sept. 5 Charleston Southern
Sat. Sept. 12 Troy
*Sat. Sept. 19 Tennessee
*Sat. Sept. 26 at Kentucky
*Sat. Oct. 10 at LSU
*Sat. Oct. 17 Arkansas
*Sat. Oct. 24 at Mississippi State
*Sat. Oct. 31 Georgia (Jacksonville FL)
*Sat. Nov. 7 Vanderbilt
*Sat. Nov. 14 at South Carolina
Sat. Nov. 21 Florida International
Sat. Nov. 28 Florida State
*conference games
First, let me say there aren't any discussions going on between the schools according to Utah ticket manager Zack Lassiter who oversees the scheduling.
"We're always looking at options, but right now our mindset is our 2009 schedule is full," he said. "We're focused on the 2010 and 2011 openings."
That leads me to believe the rumor of a Utah-Florida matchup started because of the Urban Meyer-Kyle Whittingham ties, fueled by Whittingham's statement at the end of the 2008 season he wanted to play Florida. He said that because he wanted to make a point that he felt the Utes were No. 1.
In reality, he and Meyer have both said they don't want to play each other because of their friendship. A Utah-Florida matchup is more wishful thinking for fans rather than a realistic possibility for the Utes.
But let's look at the logistics. The opening weekend could be rearranged for Utah, although that would mean stiffing Utah State (Sept. 3) and taking a home game off the schedule and all the revenue that goes with it. Chances are slim to none that happens.
The Utes also are playing at San Jose State on Sept. 12 and at Oregon on Sept. 19. To start out with three road games by dropping the home game against Utah State, which has been moved to Sept. 3, would be very difficult and I don't know if Whittingham would go for such a scenario.
If the game was Sept. 12 when Troy is at Florida and the Utes are at San Jose State, San Jose State would have to agree to play Troy instead of the Utes. Something tells me Utah would be a better game for San Jose State's home schedule than Troy, although Troy would certainly be a more winnable game.
Maybe money will talk and Florida could somehow make the deal attractive. Remember, the Utes received an $800,000 guarantee from Michigan and will get a $950,000 guarantee from Notre Dame for playing there in 2010, so the Utes aren't exactly a cheap opponent. Then again, maybe the Utes would give Meyer a bargain rate.
To me, the only way it could happen is if a major network steps in to sweeten the deal for all the teams involved.
Getting national exposure was one of the reasons the Utes decided to play at Michigan since they were assured it was going to be a national TV game. Maybe a major network would throw not only the Utes but Utah State or San Jose State some love in the future and entice them to agree to such a deal.
Maybe, but I wouldn't waste energy looking for airfares to Gainesville any time soon.
Back to Utah's scheduling for 2010 and 2011, Lassiter told me the Utes are considering "all" options for an opponent and aren't close to settling anything. I wonder what the Gators have going on.....
The teams mentioned are Utah and TCU. According to the radio guys it would be a four-team deal involving Florida and the opponent it is currently scheduled to play and the school it would play in the revised schedule, and that school's opponent.
Take a look for yourself at what the Gators have ahead in 2009:
Sat. Sept. 5 Charleston Southern
Sat. Sept. 12 Troy
*Sat. Sept. 19 Tennessee
*Sat. Sept. 26 at Kentucky
*Sat. Oct. 10 at LSU
*Sat. Oct. 17 Arkansas
*Sat. Oct. 24 at Mississippi State
*Sat. Oct. 31 Georgia (Jacksonville FL)
*Sat. Nov. 7 Vanderbilt
*Sat. Nov. 14 at South Carolina
Sat. Nov. 21 Florida International
Sat. Nov. 28 Florida State
*conference games
First, let me say there aren't any discussions going on between the schools according to Utah ticket manager Zack Lassiter who oversees the scheduling.
"We're always looking at options, but right now our mindset is our 2009 schedule is full," he said. "We're focused on the 2010 and 2011 openings."
That leads me to believe the rumor of a Utah-Florida matchup started because of the Urban Meyer-Kyle Whittingham ties, fueled by Whittingham's statement at the end of the 2008 season he wanted to play Florida. He said that because he wanted to make a point that he felt the Utes were No. 1.
In reality, he and Meyer have both said they don't want to play each other because of their friendship. A Utah-Florida matchup is more wishful thinking for fans rather than a realistic possibility for the Utes.
But let's look at the logistics. The opening weekend could be rearranged for Utah, although that would mean stiffing Utah State (Sept. 3) and taking a home game off the schedule and all the revenue that goes with it. Chances are slim to none that happens.
The Utes also are playing at San Jose State on Sept. 12 and at Oregon on Sept. 19. To start out with three road games by dropping the home game against Utah State, which has been moved to Sept. 3, would be very difficult and I don't know if Whittingham would go for such a scenario.
If the game was Sept. 12 when Troy is at Florida and the Utes are at San Jose State, San Jose State would have to agree to play Troy instead of the Utes. Something tells me Utah would be a better game for San Jose State's home schedule than Troy, although Troy would certainly be a more winnable game.
Maybe money will talk and Florida could somehow make the deal attractive. Remember, the Utes received an $800,000 guarantee from Michigan and will get a $950,000 guarantee from Notre Dame for playing there in 2010, so the Utes aren't exactly a cheap opponent. Then again, maybe the Utes would give Meyer a bargain rate.
To me, the only way it could happen is if a major network steps in to sweeten the deal for all the teams involved.
Getting national exposure was one of the reasons the Utes decided to play at Michigan since they were assured it was going to be a national TV game. Maybe a major network would throw not only the Utes but Utah State or San Jose State some love in the future and entice them to agree to such a deal.
Maybe, but I wouldn't waste energy looking for airfares to Gainesville any time soon.
Back to Utah's scheduling for 2010 and 2011, Lassiter told me the Utes are considering "all" options for an opponent and aren't close to settling anything. I wonder what the Gators have going on.....
9:02 PM
| 
2 Comments:
Great post, Lya. Thanks.
This would be an incredible opportunity for the Utes if they can get the schedule changed. I understand the logistics are tough, but win or lose (that is lose close, 10 or less) this would certainly help bolster their legitimacy as a national contender. It’s too bad the Utes couldn’t play Florida with their Sugar Bowl team. They have several holes to fill, especially in offensive skill positions. But I can’t think of a better way to get the team motivated during spring and summer practice than the opportunity to play the national champion (well, the BCS national champion anyway). In my opinion, the Utes don’t even need to win this one to get national respect. Just the fact that they are willing to play Florida in the swamp would help them get accepted into the ‘culture’ of the ‘big-boys’. BYU is doing this with Oklahoma and Florida State and even though I hate BYU, you have to respect what they are doing. The Utes should do the same. As for the media helping sweeten the pot, are you kidding? What a story. Underdog undefeated team from previous season who was shut out of a legitimate chance of the national championship gets the chance for revenge against the winner of the championship. Add to that the fact that the Utes are Urban Meyer’s old team and he and Kyle Whittingham are friends, just makes for more of a great story line. The media would love it. I would certainly hope Utah State and San Jose State would understand the opportunity and help the Utes out, since hopefully this helps the image of all non-BCS teams. Also, maybe our conference can get more SEC teams to play in the future because of this. By the way, I think the Crimson Tide may want a revenge game. If so, make them come to Salt Lake City. They might actually like it here.
Go Utes!!
Post a Comment
<< Home