(12-27-2017 12:36 AM)jrj84105 Wrote:  The problem with non-premium bowls is you have a lot of venues where there is no travel draw at that time of year. Vegas would have a premium bowl if they didn’t already have booked rooms over XMAS and New Year’s.

Heart of Dallas sponsors don’t want TTU or North Texas because the attendance is locals who don’t spend on lodging and food. I think the bowl attendance issues could be improved by reducing the number of venues drastically and having several games on consecutive days in the same venue/city so fans who travel can watch multiple games during the trip. More of a Bowl-a-palooza setup than each Chamber of Commerce hosting its own crappy event.

That isn't true. The HOD would have loved to take Texas Tech, but West Virginia had the better record and pick ahead of Texas Tech. The HOD also took North Texas twice. They loved having us. They know we will bring fans, and that equals more money for the bowl. The problem is the PAC had the backup agreement this season. The HOD doesn't earn squat from lodging or local food sales. They do earn money from concession stands, tickets sold, parking, and bowl merchandise. I have to believe the HOD would have loved to see the Texas Tech vs. North Texas yesterday. They would have had 40-50K in the stands and made more money. You need to read the article solohawks posted.

(12-27-2017 12:36 AM)jrj84105 Wrote:  I think the bowl attendance issues could be improved by reducing the number of venues drastically and having several games on consecutive days in the same venue/city so fans who travel can watch multiple games during the trip. More of a Bowl-a-palooza setup than each Chamber of Commerce hosting its own crappy event.

Given that ESPN has basically said that many of these bowl games might as well be played in a TV studio, why not reduce their expenses and do something like this. Pick two stadiums, one in the east and one in the west, in places with good December weather, preferably stadiums not used by the NFL so there is little or no conflict in December. Orlando and San Diego would fit these criteria. Play four bowls in each city over five days; make the third day, the day in the middle, an off day to give fans a day to do touristy things and to provide a day for routine stadium maintenance. Sell game packages -- see two games, or all four. If it works, expand it to another city or two the next year.

If I were king of CFB:
1) Every FBS team gets a bowl***. Every fan base can plan on traveling to a bowl game. The uncertainty is a big deal for these teams in the cusp.

2) Bowl games do not count against Red Shirts. WVU gets to play their young QB yesterday.

3) Limit the venues to 5-ish cities (maybe more than 1 stadium in a city like the Olympics) and play multiple consecutive games in said cities. The cities can bid to host bowl packages similar to the olympics.

4) Make bowl games count. Award a few additional one year scholarships to the bowl winner. Great stories with walk on get a scholarship after the bowl game.

5) play FCS teams instead of spring scrimmage***

*** these two go together. The FCS schools still get their money game. Automatic bowl eligibility with no allowance of regular season FCS games drastically improves the regular season with nobody scheduling down to preserve bowl eligibility.

(12-26-2017 07:43 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  20,507 for an "Official" attendance today. Hope their bowl committee remembers this when they are extending invitations next year.

North Texas would have brought more then 20,000 for a match up with West Virginia. Should have kept their C-USA tie.

Comparison: Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit, MI
matchup: Duke vs. NIU
attendance: 20,211

NOBODY wants to go to Detroit, and Duke and NIU have far fewer fans than WVU or Utah (in fact, I'd dare say WVU has more football fans than Duke + NIU combined).

WEIRD.