University of Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity has let everyone know that he will continue scheduling FCS opponents at home. I have the perfect solution to fill their next available home opener in 2017, and they wouldn't even have to look very far.
When the Athens Banner Herald dropped the nugget that the University of Georgia was in the process of getting a deal done with Southern University for a game in 2015, several ears likely perked up.
No, not Georgia Southern. The Dawgs already have games scheduled with the fightin' Jeff Monkens for 2012 and 2016. We are talking about Southern Unversity. The Jaguars. The school located in Baton Rouge, Lousiana that finished 2010 at 2-9, dead last in the Western division of the SWAC. Also, Georgia is reportedly paying SU $650,000 for the trouble, with much of that going to travel costs.
How about a local option?
Georgia State played its first year of football in 2010. They had the opportunity of a lifetime in a 63-7 beatdown in Tuscaloosa vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide. National TV and a $436,000 check to help build the program. They are currently shopping for another SEC school to play in 2012. If I'm the AD at Georgia State, I make the call to McGarity and ask him for the 2017 opener. And I also ask for $650,000 to boot, as they just set market value to a new high for playing FCS schools.
For those counting, no startup since 1991 has remained FCS for more than 5 years so either the game is played or bought out when the Panthers move to FBS. Pick up the phone, Mr. McGarity. It's a 404 area code. It's also your home opener for the 2017 season on the line.