Tiger Tales
Posted May 1, 2005, 11:49 AM ET

The NCAA Division 1-A Board of Directors voted to allow college football teams to play 12 regular season games beginning in 2006. The change will allow the "big-time" programs to add an extra home game which will generate millions of dollars for the institution.

I have written on this blog before how the ACC wimped out by voting down this proposal. Well, it gets even worse for one of the ACC's "football schools". If you are in position to generate more dollars and exposure for your school, you should do so. Evidently, that isn't the case according to Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden.

Bowden was quoted as saying: "The NCAA says that they are concerned about academics and the well-being of the student-athlete and then they add the extra game. I have not found a coach who is in favor of it. But of course, we're talking about money."

You're damned right, were talking about money...big-money. The same kind of money that is paid to coaches that oversee Top 25 programs. And Coach Bowden, that includes you, too. The coaches, administrators and fans at Clemson should be thrilled to add another home game in Death Valley. Even if you scheduled a Southern Conference 1-AA game, the Tigers should jump at the chance to entertain the masses in the comfort of their own stadium. And just think, the NCAA just approved the right for the schools to count wins over 1-AA teams so it counts for the six wins necessary to go to one of those thrilling 28 bowl games.

Tommy Bowden states that he hasn't met one coach that is in favor of the added game. Well, Tommy...let me introduce you to a guy that coaches in Columbia, SC...his name is Steve Spurrier. You'll see him every November and probably along the very exact same recruiting trail on a daily basis.

Here is what Spurrier said about the change: "Coaches should be willing to play during a bye week and help the university make more money."

Spurrier is 100% right on the money....no pun intended. When the college football coach gets paid 7-figures, like Spurrier and Bowden, it should be the responsibility of the coach to maximize the program. And that means wins, profile, recruiting, exposure and of course finances are a part of that equation, too.

Perhaps Bowden is whistling the ACC's company line. The conference was the only one to vote against the legislation. But anybody in their right mind that is coaching at a perceived big-time football program should welcome the opportunity to compete in front of 80,000+ every weekend.