Thursday, May 05, 2011

Miami-BC back where it belongs

The most important game in BC history was played against Miami the day after Thanksgiving. This season -- in a nod to 1984 -- the two teams will meet again in an afternoon slot the day after Thanksgiving. Although this may be ESPN and the ACC's attempt to cash in on Flutie's Hail Mary, BC should try to lock down this slot any time we play Miami.


Even if we didn't have the history with Miami on that date, I think BC should jump a the chance. First of all, it is a national TV game late in the season. Regardless of how we play or how the 'Canes play, this game will happen. It is the benefit of playing in a slot other than Saturday. If playing in unique timeslots helps our coverage, I am all for it. A Friday game on TV is 10 times better than ESPN3.com on Saturday.


The second reason BC should play in the "day after slot" is because it is a branding opportunity for BC fans and borderline fans. What other game provides that? Unlike other teams, we don't have a rival on a certain week every year. Year to year we don't have an assured opponent or TV presence on any weekend. If we agreed to play in this timeslot every year, it would help reinforce the brand and tradition of BC football.


Finally, playing Miami in this slot is a competitive advantage. It will always be cold in Boston on these dates. It will be warm but not unbearable in Miami. That means we avoid their worse conditions while they will have to face our worst. Our record against Miami stinks, but playing them late in the season improves our chances to even the series.


Nostalgia and marketing are not the main factors when making a schedule, but they should be considered. In an ideal situation we would play Miami every year. Since we don't, the best thing we can do is make it a big deal when we do play Da U.

14 comments:

Benjamin said...

I like the idea of consistently playing that slot every year. You make a good argument for that 'branding' quality.

chicagofire1871 said...

Great post. Love the idea of claiming the day after Thanksgiving as a guaranteed BC football day. What would it take for GDF to make this happen every year going forward? An arrangement with ABC/ESPN or approval from the ACC?

With respect to BC-Miami, is there any hope that we could play them more than 1 every 4 or 5 years? Jeez, I really could care less about VTech. Gimme the U!

blist said...

I've always felt a big mistake of the ACC was not having BC Miami play every year.

BCMike said...

While I don't think it's great that we're forced to play VT every year, I'm not sure Miami is better or worse by much.

I'd love to have this be an annual game but given how the league is set up with our one "rival", that's the only non-divisional opponent we'll play year in and out.

While the series is very lopsided in Miami's favor, it does have history and will get good ratings...but putting us as Miami's rival over FSU is a tough case to make.

Erik said...

blist, I can agree if it meant a different division lineup. But it's really hard to argue that the ACC gains more from BC/Miami than it does from FSU/Miami, they are the permanent rivals. That's the game that gets people watching.

ATL_eagle said...

IMO, FSU should have been in the Coastal and Miami in the Atlantic. Then we would have played them every year.

chicagofire1871 said...

Atlantic Coastal
VTech BC
Clemson Georgia Tech
FSU Miami
Virginia Maryland
NC State UNC
Wake Forest Duke

I switched BC/Vtech and UVA/Maryland. Any objections if this were the setup?

Unknown said...

Its a good idea, except for the fact that no students will be on campus so the student section will probably be very sparse during the game - will just lead to further banter that BC has no fans and cannot fill a stadium...

Mike said...

I don't think that would work. Va Tech, Clemson, and FSU all on the same side? Those are the three biggest powers (with Miami). You have to have them split up with 2 on each side.

mod34b said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mod34b said...

Swapping FSU for MIA works for me.

JBQ said...

The problem is not to play Miami. The problem is to win. A team that ranked 109th in offense is not a good omen. Flutie to Phalin was dramatic and filled with emotion. Flutie was the man. Now, it is obvious that he is "persona non grata" out of jealousy. I also make the point that this issue is no petty that this feeling was taken out on his nephew. Right now, there is a "loser mentality" between the lines. Herzie is gone and the "gentle giant" will be missed. It is probably good that he left before the "Little Big Horn".

Benjamin said...

JBQ, what the heck are you trying to say? Are you on drugs?

chicagofire1871 said...

Hahaha, yeah I'm with JBQ, the Little Bighorn sucks. And this is your brain on drugs.