In Mike Gundy’s time as Oklahoma State football coach
https://www.cowboysdaclub.com/richard-ash-jersey-c-68.html, the Cowboys have traveled to some exotic locations for road games.
They’ve won a Thursday night game in Boca Raton
https://www.cowboysdaclub.com/tyron-smith-jersey-c-69.html, Florida. Lost a Friday game in Troy, Alabama. The Cowboys have been to Lafayette, Louisiana, and Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
Mobile, Alabama, joins the list Friday when OSU plays at South Alabama, but Gundy said Monday it’s just the price the Cowboys pay for additional home games in return.
“Right now, we’re in the two for one business,” Gundy said.
“Two for one” means exactly what it sounds like Oklahoma State agrees to play a road game at an opponent from a lesser conference in exchange for two home dates. South Alabama will travel to Stillwater in 2018 and 2023. OSU’s road trip to Central Michigan in 2014 preceded two Chippewa games at Boone Pickens Stadium
Jahad Thomas Jersey, the second of which is in 2022.
The benefit of the contract for programs not from a power conference is obvious. South Alabama gets a home game on ESPN2 against a top notch program. It’s the first home game against a top 10 team ranked No. 10 in the coaches poll in the Jaguars’ six year history as an FBS program.
What Oklahoma State gets out of the game is a little less apparent. But once you look at the contract
https://www.cowboysdaclub.com/byron-bell-jersey-c-67.html, it makes some sense. OSU saves money by agreeing to play in Mobile.
Oklahoma State will pay South Alabama a 625,000 guarantee for the meeting between the two teams next year in Stillwater. In the two other games, the home team pays a 300,000 guarantee — canceling each other out.
So OSU gets two home games for 625,000, plus one road trip.
“Most of your schools that
Chidobe Awuzie Jersey are at a high level, they’re going to set this up and then they’re going to buy that game out and still bring them here,” Gundy said. “That’s not something we do.”
Gundy said the topic of the road trip could be discussed about forever, but “it’s a financial deal.”
He said he addressed it with his team already.
“I told the team, ‘It’s already set, it’s in place.’” Gundy said. “You go with it.”