AstroDin wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2019 7:46 am
I just posted this on AGS.
I find the game interesting but IMO it has to have other benefits for both schools.
Recruiting:
Would coming to South Carolina help NDSU with it's recruiting footprint?
I know the Bison recruit Florida, not sure about SC, NC, and GA. From this angle paying a visit to Greenville could help them wrap a recruiting showcase. A plus for NDSU.
Would coming to North Dakota help FU with it's recruiting footprint?
No. Furman sits in fertile recruiting territory. FU recruits GA, SC, TN, NC, FL, AL heavily - since CCH has became HC add TX, and OH. The Dakota teams have built their programs with local talent plus they get talent from the west coast. I'd rate this a minus for Furman.
Fans:
Would NDSU fans travel to GSP? Greenville is now considered a destination city, we've shown we can put on quite a show (NCAA BB). The upstate is a football area, Clemson is 30 miles away, SC is 90 miles away, Wofford is 30 minutes away. If NDSU came to town I'd bet it would be a sold out. 18,000 to 20,000.
Would Furman fans travel to the ND? This fan would, I've had the pleasure to travel extensively in ND/SD for work. I consider several people in SD as my best friends - your great people. If Furman is building into what it appears, and by 2020 or 20201 a top ten team. People in purple would make the trek. How many? 500+ Not as much as NDSU fans travel.
Finally is there a rivalry, or a demand for the game? No. If NDSU wanted to make an east coast trek - it makes more sense to play JMU right now. If Furman makes the playoffs this season and sent out to Fargo and makes it a game or shock's everyone and beats the mighty Bison at home - game on. Right now Furman has to raise the bar and take our program to the next level.
What's not being talked about. Furman just made a new AD hire. He's a 'Nova' basketball guy. My guess is Furman is putting an emphasis on Basketball. This past season woke up a sleepy little giant — Furman BB, and Furman BB fans. I hope football doesn't get crunched by the elevation of basketball. I'll bet you could see packages you play us in BB and we'll come up and play a football game. I won't be surprised to see a FU/Nova home and home or another FU/CAA matchup it just makes more business sense.