Sun Belt slate brings UL a fall full of football Saturdays

[NewsCopy]

Sun Belt Conference releases its 2018 football schedule.

In a departure from recent seasons, the UL football team is scheduled to play all of its games on Saturdays in 2018.


In previous seasons, the Ragin’ Cajuns have been assigned midweek games tied to the Sun Belt Conference’s current TV contact with ESPN and its networks.

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[CajunEXPRESS]

So no national broadcast on a weeknight during the World Series. I'm good with that. ESPN U & ESPN II only matter on Saturday.

But know this, we’ve been demoted due to bad teams.

[Oiler]

Say what you will, but in my eyes, playing all home games on Saturdays is a great thing.

[Bankruptcyman]

I think for too long everyone wanted to play on TV regardless of what it did to the fans or attendance. That was when being on TV really meant something. It seems almost every game and everyone is now on TV. The uniqueness of being on TV has certainly dissipated. And, as a result, the constant gymnastics over weekday games and early start times has really taken a toll on the fans and actual attendance. Take Boise State a few years ago. Premier opponent and first home game. Some off the wall network (that few had even heard of) required us to move the game to 11:00 am killing tailgating and the home game atmosphere. Nobody watched that game on TV with all of the other "kick-off" classics being held that day. If we only had 5,000 to 10,000 people actually show up, it wouldn't really matter when or what time we play games. We're a little different in that we are a G5 program with a die hard fan base that will actually attend games. These crazy playing dates and times really hurt us much more than others. I am all for playing on TV but not at the price the fans in attendance have had to endure the last few years. I, for one, am happy for a year off of that nonsense.

[Cajunsmike]

I think for too long everyone wanted to play on TV regardless of what it did to the fans or attendance. That was when being on TV really meant something. It seems almost every game and everyone is now on TV. The uniqueness of being on TV has certainly dissipated. And, as a result, the constant gymnastics over weekday games and early start times has really taken a toll on the fans and actual attendance. Take Boise State a few years ago. Premier opponent and first home game. Some off the wall network (that few had even heard of) required us to move the game to 11:00 am killing tailgating and the home game atmosphere. Nobody watched that game on TV with all of the other "kick-off" classics being held that day. If we only had 5,000 to 10,000 people actually show up, it wouldn't really matter when or what time we play games. We're a little different in that we are a G5 program with a die hard fan base that will actually attend games. These crazy playing dates and times really hurt us much more than others. I am all for playing on TV but not at the price the fans in attendance have had to endure the last few years. I, for one, am happy for a year off of that nonsense.

I agree.

[CajunPride]

These Saturday games will be good for the team and the fans.

[MetryCajun]

I think for too long everyone wanted to play on TV regardless of what it did to the fans or attendance. That was when being on TV really meant something. It seems almost every game and everyone is now on TV. The uniqueness of being on TV has certainly dissipated. And, as a result, the constant gymnastics over weekday games and early start times has really taken a toll on the fans and actual attendance. Take Boise State a few years ago. Premier opponent and first home game. Some off the wall network (that few had even heard of) required us to move the game to 11:00 am killing tailgating and the home game atmosphere. Nobody watched that game on TV with all of the other "kick-off" classics being held that day. If we only had 5,000 to 10,000 people actually show up, it wouldn't really matter when or what time we play games. We're a little different in that we are a G5 program with a die hard fan base that will actually attend games. These crazy playing dates and times really hurt us much more than others. I am all for playing on TV but not at the price the fans in attendance have had to endure the last few years. I, for one, am happy for a year off of that nonsense.

I couldn’t agree more. Only play a weekday game if you are on the main ESPN. All other ESPN/FS platforms are not worth it.

[jllanclos]

I couldn’t agree more. Only play a weekday game if you are on the main ESPN. All other ESPN/FS platforms are not worth it.

Only play a weekday game if you are the only sporting event on any network that night, period.

TV viewing isn't worth squat.

[IberiaCajun]

I think for too long everyone wanted to play on TV regardless of what it did to the fans or attendance. That was when being on TV really meant something. It seems almost every game and everyone is now on TV. The uniqueness of being on TV has certainly dissipated. And, as a result, the constant gymnastics over weekday games and early start times has really taken a toll on the fans and actual attendance. Take Boise State a few years ago. Premier opponent and first home game. Some off the wall network (that few had even heard of) required us to move the game to 11:00 am killing tailgating and the home game atmosphere. Nobody watched that game on TV with all of the other "kick-off" classics being held that day. If we only had 5,000 to 10,000 people actually show up, it wouldn't really matter when or what time we play games. We're a little different in that we are a G5 program with a die hard fan base that will actually attend games. These crazy playing dates and times really hurt us much more than others. I am all for playing on TV but not at the price the fans in attendance have had to endure the last few years. I, for one, am happy for a year off of that nonsense.

+1