College Football Has Looming Attendance Issues, Especially For Cupcake Games

[BleedGopher]

per Ryan:

If you root for a successful, big-conference college football team, odds are there are several non-conference cupcake home games a year where they are favored by at least 25 and upwards of 50 points. They are a complete waste time -- not to mention within the scarcity of a 13-game regular season.

The incentives for scheduling cupcake games are that you get to tune your team up in something of a glorified live practice, and that you don't risk a loss that can hurt your status for postseason contention. However, there are beginning to be signs that fans are rejecting them, which will, at some point, cause more compelling non-conference games to be scheduled.

All sports inflate their attendance figures, but because most big college sports programs are public universities reporters can use FOIA tricks to uncover some real stats. The Wisconsin State Journal published a report today indicating that, on average this past season, over 10,500 sold tickets (or 14.4 percent) went unused. Unsurprisingly, there is a wide disparity between interesting games with meaningful stakes and games the Badgers had a 99.999 percent chance to win:

College Football Has Looming Attendance Issues, Especially For Cupcake Games

If you root for a successful, big conference college football team, odds are there are several non-conference cupcake home games a year where they are favored b

www.thebiglead.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[Vandy]

I don't mind these games one bit. Early season, shorts & t-shirt weather...

And lets just say, over the last 10 years, many projected blowouts turn out to be plenty competitive.

 

[forever a gopher]

I have no problem with 1-2 "cupcake" games, as long as they're against FBS competition. With 9 conference games, and 1 non-con against a P5 team, that leaves two potential cupcakes. With schedules done so far in advance, it's pretty hard to know how good some of the G5 schools are going to be far in advance.

With that said, it's complete BS how the SEC schedules schools like Southwest Arkansas State School for the Blind towards the end of the season. If you're scheduling a cupcake, it should be at the beginning of the season as a tune-up.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I'm not sure cupcake games are really the issue.

If you've got attendance issues. .. you've got attendance issues.

It's not just because that one game maybe is stinky ... it might be a contributing factor but generally it is more of a larger consumer behavior change IMO.


Let's say we were still were generally not good at football. Sure if we play Bama (let's pretend they would come up here... they wouldn't) folks would show up ... but we take a loss and still suck and that drives down perception ... folks still don't want to go to all the other games.

Does a bad team have a problem because they're playing cupcakes or because their product just isn't as attractive as maybe it once was?

 

[salzie]

I like some of the non conference games.

Plus, it's great I can get really drunk and there is room to pass out on a bench



/s

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I like some of the non conference games.

Plus, it's great I can get really drunk and there is room to pass out on a bench



/s

I mean for real the quiet games are kinda nice ...

 

[PMWinSTP]

I don't mind these games one bit. Early season, shorts & t-shirt weather...

And lets just say, over the last 10 years, many projected blowouts turn out to be plenty competitive.

The games will still be there, just better opponents to watch.

 

[Herd]

I have no problem with 1-2 "cupcake" games, as long as they're against FBS competition. With 9 conference games, and 1 non-con against a P5 team, that leaves two potential cupcakes. With schedules done so far in advance, it's pretty hard to know how good some of the G5 schools are going to be far in advance.

With that said, it's complete BS how the SEC schedules schools like Southwest Arkansas State School for the Blind towards the end of the season. If you're scheduling a cupcake, it should be at the beginning of the season as a tune-up.

If Georgia beats an FBS team 49-7, or if they beat an FCS team 49-7 . . . what's the difference? If you play good teams you'll have good games.

Was South Dakota State (who fumbled away victory again MN last year) a cupcake?

 

[Ski U Master]

Was South Dakota State (who fumbled away victory again MN last year) a cupcake?

Yes. Just because a team is a scheduling cupcake doesn't mean they can't beat the "better" team from time to time.

 

[forever a gopher]

I

If Georgia beats an FBS team 49-7, or if they beat an FCS team 49-7 . . . what's the difference? If you play good teams you'll have good games. Was South Dakota State (who fumbled away victory again MN last year) a cupcake?

On paper, yes it was a cupcake. That doesn’t mean it can’t end up a close game. FCS scheduling is a no-win proposition. Fans of NDSU, SDSU I’m sure would disagree, but losing to Colorado State or Fresno State is a lot less damning from a casual fan perspective than losing to a good FCS school, even if the FCS school is “better”. There is zero reason for a P5 team to schedule an FCS team.

 

[disco]

I like some of the non conference games.

Plus, it's great I can get really drunk and there is room to pass out on a bench



/s

Just as long as you aren't standing in front of some old geezer.

 

[Herd]

I


On paper, yes it was a cupcake. That doesn’t mean it can’t end up a close game. FCS scheduling is a no-win proposition. Fans of NDSU, SDSU I’m sure would disagree, but losing to Colorado State or Fresno State is a lot less damning from a casual fan perspective than losing to a good FCS school, even if the FCS school is “better”. There is zero reason for a P5 team to schedule an FCS team.

On paper? Where do you get your paper? I could have told you that SDSU would be a 1 score game. Your talking out of both sides of your mouth. You want cupcakes and easy games where you can't lose, while magically appearing that you are playing high profile teams. Just silly.

 

[Ski U Master]

On paper? Where do you get your paper?

It's the paper where it says "FCS"

 

[forever a gopher]

On paper? Where do you get your paper? I could have told you that SDSU would be a 1 score game. Your talking out of both sides of your mouth. You want cupcakes and easy games where you can't lose, while magically appearing that you are playing high profile teams. Just silly.

The Gophers were favored by 14.5 points. On paper, that’s a cupcake. There are plenty of cupcake worthy FBS teams to schedule. There is no need to schedule SDSU in the first place. FCS teams can play themselves.

 

[BroncoRedux]

Those 'cupcake" schools will suffer if they don't get schedule by the larger schools. It's a big pay day for them and helps sustain their football programs. Unintended consequences.

 

[salzie]

On paper? Where do you get your paper? I could have told you that SDSU would be a 1 score game. Your talking out of both sides of your mouth. You want cupcakes and easy games where you can't lose, while magically appearing that you are playing high profile teams. Just silly.

SDSU was one of weaker teams we played. We didnt place close to our best, still won

 

[salzie]

The Gophers were favored by 14.5 points. On paper, that’s a cupcake. There are plenty of cupcake worthy FBS teams to schedule. There is no need to schedule SDSU in the first place. FCS teams can play themselves.

There is no reason for MN schedule Dakota schools. Nothing to gain and game is only notable if we lose

 

[Veritas]

I like some of the non conference games.

Plus, it's great I can get really drunk and there is room to pass out on a bench



/s

 

[Veritas]

Why don't people say that NFL teams should not play pre season games either? Don't they play five or is it six per year? Why do they need to get their rosters straightened out and the college teams do not?

 

[Word]

Why don't people say that NFL teams should not play pre season games either? Don't they play five or is it six per year? Why do they need to get their rosters straightened out and the college teams do not?

NFL plays 4, but there's been talk about cutting that down.

 

[Veritas]

NFL plays 4, but there's been talk about cutting that down.

Why would they? Its just more money with a lot less wear and tear on the starters. Should be the same for our guys as well. Nine tough games per regular season is more than enough tough games. I do not want to play a tough team in the first couple of weeks. It's too much a crap shoot for a thin program.

 

[Mitu]

The solution:

GO FULL BANANA FOR CUPCAKE GAMES

Or wear increasingly red shades of maroon until OldBob fills the stands with protesters

 

[Herd]

There is no reason for MN schedule Dakota schools. Nothing to gain and game is only notable if we lose

Nothing to gain except close games with good crowds. Obviously you prefer FBS cupcake games with garanteed wins, that no one cares about. How ironic is that, just the opposite of what you suggest is needed.

Just be honest about it. What you want is the crappiest team you can possibly schedule, just as long as that crappy team carries the FBS label so you can sell people a bill of goods. That’s fine, Let’s just be honest about it.

 

[salzie]

Nothing to gain except close games with good crowds. Obviously you prefer FBS cupcake games with garanteed wins, that no one cares about. How ironic is that, just the opposite of what you suggest is needed.

Just be honest about it. What you want is the crappiest team you can possibly schedule, just as long as that crappy team carries the FBS label so you can sell people a bill of goods. That’s fine, Let’s just be honest about it.

Beating Dakota school does nothing for MN, they're expected to win. As much as you want them to be, NDSU is not a rival of the gophers.

If we lose, it's bad
If we win, it's meh

Gophers were 11-2 last year. I'd put SDSU game only ahead of Rutgers in terms of interest I had in it. Dakota schools draw in Dakota fans, not Gopher fans who I'm interested in drawing in.

 

[salzie]

Nothing to gain except close games with good crowds. Obviously you prefer FBS cupcake games with garanteed wins, that no one cares about. How ironic is that, just the opposite of what you suggest is needed.

Just be honest about it. What you want is the crappiest team you can possibly schedule, just as long as that crappy team carries the FBS label so you can sell people a bill of goods. That’s fine, Let’s just be honest about it.

I'd also add, I haven't suggested anything is needed. You're putting words in my mouth. I even said I like the non conference. I attend those games

I say again, Dakota games aren't rivals, aren't particularly interesting, and I'm not interesting in validating NDSU fans thinking we're rivals.

Here is a little tip for you:
I don't give a shit about FCS
I don't care what happens in G5
Pac 12/SEC/Big 12/ ACC don't really follow

I pay attention and care about the B1G season. I would take the occasional big time home and home vs real competition, and none of those involve a school from the Dakota's. Playing NDSU/SDSU to me is no different than playing Bowling Green/Kent State or some other crappy MAC school. They're only relevant if they lose

Hell, you're clinging to that we beat SDSU by a close margin as it's indicative of gophers last year. They were 11-2. Be honest, does NDSU go 11-2 or better with our schedule? I bet you think they would..

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Those 'cupcake" schools will suffer if they don't get schedule by the larger schools. It's a big pay day for them and helps sustain their football programs. Unintended consequences.

Yeah that's one side of the whole encouraging folks to play tougher games coin.

If the P5 conferences somehow as a group decided to play each other only (nothing like that in the works but just a what if here) you would see a huge change in terms of sports being cut, athletic departments maybe even disappearing at lower level schools. Many of those schools make or break their budgets by picking up a football payday from P5 teams.

 

[Ope3]

Why don't people say that NFL teams should not play pre season games either? Don't they play five or is it six per year? Why do they need to get their rosters straightened out and the college teams do not?

Lots of people (most) say they should do away some if not all pre-season games, especially season ticket holders forced to buy those crap contests.

When the NFL goes to a 17 regular game schedule, they will be reduced from 4-3. That is just a step away from an 18 regular game schedule and a 2 game pre-season.

 

[salzie]

Yeah that's one side of the whole encouraging folks to play tougher games coin.

If the P5 conferences somehow as a group decided to play each other only (nothing like that in the works but just a what if here) you would see a huge change in terms of sports being cut, athletic departments maybe even disappearing at lower level schools. Many of those schools make or break their budgets by picking up a football payday from P5 teams.

correct. G5's also raised their prices once FCS was considered. I'm ok with a limit of one FCS school per year. or one every other year. But for most part not too interested in B1G playing FCS

 

[Pete smith]

Interesting article in the Baltimore Sun concerning Maryland and its football program. According to the article, Maryland paid 8.1 million dollars to Durkin and his staff to not coach last season. Somewhat offset by a 4,200 increase in attendance. Mainly living on the 43 million BIG 10 tv dollars.

 

[Word]

Yeah that's one side of the whole encouraging folks to play tougher games coin.

If the P5 conferences somehow as a group decided to play each other only (nothing like that in the works but just a what if here) you would see a huge change in terms of sports being cut, athletic departments maybe even disappearing at lower level schools. Many of those schools make or break their budgets by picking up a football payday from P5 teams.

Might be time for power 5 to be one level of division 1 and then put all the g5 and fcs teams in another division.