OmahaGopher
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Whatever anyone else wants to say this is a great get for Gopher Football.
Think about everything that is currently significantly wrong with TCF (which is a fairly small list):
So what do the Vikes get for playing this game at TCF?
Think about everything that is currently significantly wrong with TCF (which is a fairly small list):
- Aramark sucks as the lead vendor -- There's no reason that The U has stuck by these guys with calculator vending for two full seasons. The NFL or their fans will highlight the problems with vending that are apparent in the stadium. This should become addressed soon after this game and I expect that the calculator vending system will be a thing of the past by kickoff of the New Mexico State game next year.
- Awesome recruiting tool -- Think about how much the campus will be highlighted at this point during the recruiting process. How many other college-only stadiums have been host to regular season NFL games in the past few seasons? Illinois, Washington??? Say what you want, but it sure can't hurt to have MNF there next week.
- In-stadium alcohol issue -- I'm not going to truly go there, but I think it will help The U make a better case for the alcohol issue. Having the NFL intervene and *probably* allowing alcohol will allow The Bank to be used for more concerts and other events going forward that alcohol would normally be allow alcohol consumption. This game will truly test the alcohol tolerance of the Board of Regents.
- Even more widespread public support for outdoor football -- Whether it be Gophers or Vikings. This game will show recruits and fans that the place can get packed during cold weather games, if there is "an event" to attend. The problem is that we have not been able to market this new venue properly during its first few years. Getting this game there, during cold weather, will show that people in Minneapolis are willing to brave the cold weather to go to "an event" if the production value is worth of their time/money.
- Excitement for Outdoor Football -- This game means essentially nothing to the Vikings, but does give The Bank a ton of TV exposure over the next week both in Minnesota and outside of the state. Don't forget what that does for The U and helping to gain the notoriety of the stadium.
- Checkpoints/Admission-- Will the entrance points be as congested as other games in the past? I would think the NFL will get people through the turnstiles much faster than previous 'big games' that have been at The Bank.
So what do the Vikes get for playing this game at TCF?
- Home Game (still) -- Other notable options would have been playing at Indy, St. Louis or Chicago... All would've dismissed home field. The other option would've been for the MSFC to say The Dome would be ready in time. This would have made this into a rush job, which wasn't as big of a deal with a new stadium in the 1980s, but since we are living in a litigious society this would not have given the Vikes proper assurances that The Dome would be 100% fixed and ready in time.
- Acclimate Minnesotans to Their Roots -- This has been reported to be a "throwback" uniform game, so why not play outdoors. The season is in the latrine for the Vikes, so why not play a Purple People Eater's-type cold-weather game. This is a great way to shift public opinion about building a stadium for their team... One last shot prior to getting rejected by public support to help pay for the stadium.
- Meaningless MNF Game in MSP Becomes Very Watchable -- This would've been a switch the channel game, but playing it outdoors like this makes this similar to how the Illinois/Northwestern game was this year. Unique venue = Watchable. Again, a huge gain for the UofM!