"Biggest Game Ever" Needs to Happen More Often

By Mark Knudson, The Mtn. Insider
September 26, 2011
 
A pair of old-timers was strolling along the perimeter of War Memorial Stadium about four hours before kickoff. They were obviously longtime friends, very interested in the outcome of that evening’s game between Nebraska and Wyoming. They were chatting about their seats, who would sit with whom and what they were going to be throwing on the grill in a few minutes.
 
One was dressed in Cowboy brown and gold, the other in red from head to toe.
 
It was actually a familiar scene in and around the stadium before, during and even after the first game in 17 years between these neighboring state universities, schools that could hardly be called rivals. Fact is, they’d only played five times before, which helps explain why it wasn’t a tension-filled atmosphere but more like the day of a bowl game; a chance for teams and fans that don’t play often to finally meet up and cheer for their side without wishing for a natural disaster to strike the other sideline.   
 
The circumstances of Nebraska’s visit to Laramie were a bit unique, seeing how it was the smallest venue the Huskers had visited in 40 years. That was part of what made the day so special for everyone there. No, this was not a rivalry game, which more often than not brings with it that healthy dose of disdain and verbal warfare with the other side. This was better.
 
Better but not new for Wyoming athletic director, Tom Burman, who’s trying to make a habit of bringing big time programs to Laramie. Two season’s ago it was Texas. Go further back and there were games against Texas A&M, Virginia and Mississippi, plus new conference foe Boise State has visited Laramie as a non-conference opponent a recently as last season.  
 
“I think this is great for football in this part of America,” Burman told me prior to kickoff against Nebraska. “We have an obligation to grow football in our market. This game, Texas, Boise State - those all grew football in our market. We now have 10,700 season ticket holders. Four years ago, we had 6,000. I’d say it’s working.”
 
Scheduling powerhouse programs is not without a downside, of course. “It’s a big risk,” noted Burman. “You play Nebraska three times, there’s a chance you’re going to go 0-3. But in my mind, there’s also a chance you’re going to win one, and those are program changing victories.”
 
For a program like Wyoming, the upside far outdistances the downside. Regardless of the final score, the game was a rousing success for the Wyoming football program and the people and businesses of the region. It certainly lived up to the advanced billing of being the “biggest game ever at War Memorial Stadium.”
 
It should also be a big deal for the Mountain West. Burman’s well thought out plan and his methods for bringing marquee teams to Laramie should be copied by every other team in the Conference. There are already plenty of rivalry games in the MW. What the Conference needs now is more chances like these for MW teams to showcase their programs - not just their teams - on a national stage against BCS conference opponents. More of these “in-season bowl game” kind of deals where the MW can play host, not just visitor.
 
Getting Nebraska to come to Laramie for the first time ever was plenty big, but because of the geography, it’s easy to see the benefit for the Huskers. Some called it a home game for western Nebraska. However, you can’t say the same thing about Virginia, Texas, A&M or Ole Miss, can you? Somehow, some way, they were lured to Laramie and it has to be about more than just money. Nebraska got only $300,000 for the trip to Laramie, far below a normal road game take for big programs.  
 
This season, the MW plays just 11 out of conference games against AQ schools, with only Air Force’s trip to Notre Dame in two weeks still remaining. Of those 11 games, only three – Nebraska at Wyoming, Texas Tech at New Mexico and Washington State at San Diego State – were home games for the Conference.
 
The remaining Conference schools need to follow Wyoming’s lead and try harder to do whatever it takes to entice more big time schools to MW venues for the next “biggest game ever.” Future schedules are still being worked on and we have limited information available, of course, but as of today, Boise State is scheduled to travel to Michigan State next fall and won’t host an AQ school until Washington comes to town in 2015. That’s also the next time Colorado State will host an AQ school (Minnesota) aside from the annual Denver game with Colorado. San Diego State has Arizona State coming to town, but not until 2018. They travel to Washington and host Oregon State next fall. Not much cache for that one. New Mexico will host neighbor Arizona State in 2014 for the first time since 1977. Kudos to UNLV for bringing Minnesota and Washington State into Vegas in 2012, Arizona in 2013 and UCLA in 2015.
 
Conference newcomer Fresno State is well known for going anywhere, any time to play any team. They are also getting in the hosting mode, bringing in their first ever visitor from the SEC - Mississippi - this week. They have a home game with Nebraska set for 2014. Fellow newbie Hawaii hosts USC and Washington in 2013 and Colorado in 2015.
 
Many more games like these need to be scheduled and soon, because if and when Super Conferences come into being, it could become a moot point. Non-conference games may not even exist after that.  
 
Games like Nebraska at Wyoming bring with them not just the badly needed national notoriety for the Conference schools, but a sense of freshness, excitement and a new burst of enthusiasm. I’m sure the two old-timers I walked behind last Saturday in Laramie would agree with me. It’s a special day when you can share the big game experience with someone you don’t hate.
See all of Mark Knudson's blog entries HERE.