Steven M. Sipple: No Husker TV early on no surprise
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The more I think about it, the more intriguing Nebraska’s 2008 football opener becomes. Western Michigan returns 10 starters on defense and features a balanced offense. Could this be Ball State all over again?
Perhaps first-year Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini will put a charge in the Husker defense. We’ll see. This much is certain: Memorial Stadium will be super-charged come Aug. 30. It should be wonderful theatre — but evidently not wonderful enough to be televised on a network.
Word arrived Monday that none of Nebraska’s first three games will be part of the Big 12’s television package. The news elicited teeth-gnashing among Husker fans. But those fans shouldn’t be overly surprised considering NU’s record since 2002 (44-32) and the relatively lackluster nature of the first three opponents on the upcoming schedule.
Yes, Western Michigan could be formidable. Bill Cubit is a highly regarded and meticulous offensive coach with a veteran squad. But let’s face it, it’s Western Michigan. The Broncos were 5-7 last season.
Nebraska’s next two opponents on the schedule will be struggling WAC teams San Jose State and New Mexico State, followed by a Sept. 27 game against Virginia Tech that is almost sure to mark NU’s first television appearance of the season.
The last time at least one of Nebraska’s first three games was not televised by a network was 1989.
It probably comes down to this: The Nebraska “brand” has lost enough luster in the past six seasons that the Big 12’s TV partners (ABC, ESPN, Fox Sports Net and Versus) are unwilling to overlook a pillowy soft opponent on a given week. What’s more, improved balance in the Big 12 has given the TV folks plenty of other intriguing options.
It’s difficult to argue with the early-season matchups in the Big 12 television package. Indeed, ESPN choosing Illinois vs. Missouri on Aug. 30 makes perfect sense. On the same weekend, Fox Sports Net chose Wake Forest vs. Baylor on Aug. 28 and Colorado vs. Colorado State on Aug. 31.
On Sept. 6, Fox Sports Net will show Louisiana Tech vs. Kansas when it could’ve shown San Jose State vs. Nebraska. The Jayhawks return 15 starters from a 12-1 outfit. They’re fresh off an Orange Bowl triumph. The Huskers, meanwhile, finished 5-7.
On Sept. 13, Fox Sports Net will show Washington State vs. Baylor when it could’ve shown New Mexico State vs. Nebraska.
In other words, the mighty Bears get two TV appearances in the Big 12 package before the Huskers get their first taste of the limelight. Interesting.
Is the sky falling in Huskerville? Not exactly. Nebraska has one scheduled TV appearance in 2008 (Nov. 28 against Colorado, ABC) and figures to get at least five more (Virginia Tech, Missouri, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Kansas).
In terms of television revenue, one part of the Big 12 package calls for league schools to divide annual revenue evenly. However, a second part of the package dictates that payouts are determined by the number of TV appearances a school makes. So, yes, Nebraska’s TV situation bears watching, especially considering relatively weak future schedules (NU in 2009 will play three Sun Belt opponents — Florida Atlantic, Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State — in addition to traveling to Virginia Tech).
In recent years, Nebraska’s television revenue has held steady at about $4 million annually. NU officials are counting on that to continue.
The fact Western Michigan vs. Nebraska was bypassed by TV isn’t necessarily bad news financially for dear old NU. The game has a good chance to be a pay-per-view telecast, according to NU officials.
The Huskers’ appearances on pay-per-view in recent years have generated as much as $400,000 in revenue per game for the school. By comparison, the payout to the school for a Fox Sports Net appearance has been in the $150,000-per-game range.
At any rate, the 2008 opener should provide excellent theater, televised or not.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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