We want our A&MTV … and there’s still a slim chance
Forget Texas Tech’s and Texas A&M’s history of playing riveting, down-to-the-wire games against each other. Neither the Red Raiders nor the Aggies are ranked at the moment.
Wes Welker's 88-yard punt return touchdown seven years ago at Texas A&M wasn't seen on live television. That's because it came in the last Tech-A&M game not carried by Big 12 broadcast partners. Next weekend's game might not be aired either.
That’s the main reason the Tech-A&M game in Lubbock wasn’t selected for television when the Big 12 Conference TV partners announced their choices Monday for the Oct. 24 games.
“A&M-Tech was one I made strong arguments for in our selection process,’’ said Jeremy Langer, FSN’s vice president for collegiate sports. “On another day, the quality of the matchup and the history of those two teams would have carried weight if we only had one team in the top 20 playing another opponent.’’
There’s still a chance the Tech-A&M game could be televised for the seventh year in a row. Langer said he plans to start discussions with the two schools’ officials today to look into the possibility of airing the game via local telecast or Fox College Sports pay per view.
The game has been set for 6 p.m. Langer said FSN would have to take into account added production costs and what would air in the 6 p.m. time slot otherwise.
“It would have to be a different kind of arrangement than we traditionally have,’’ said Langer, who is based in Los Angeles. “It’s not something we could pull the trigger on quickly and make happen. There’s a lot of conversations that need to be held. We’re definitely going to have those conversations.’’
Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said there’s a financial risk to Tech if the game is aired outside the regular parameters. For one, there would be no appearance fee of about $185,000 that comes with regular Big 12 cable telecasts.
“There wouldn’t be an appearance fee,’’ Myers said. “So if you do that and people decide to stay home and watch the game, it could hurt your attendance. I’ll wait and see what Jeremy has to say, but I personally think this game is always one of the best games of the year. It’s a game people have a lot of interest in, and I personally think it was deserving to be picked on the conference packages. But I can understand they picked four teams that are ranked.’’
All four games chosen Monday involve ranked teams. ABC Sports chose No. 3 Texas at Missouri and No. 20 Oklahoma at No. 17 Kansas. FSN picked Iowa State at No. 15 Nebraska after debating that game with Tech-A&M over the weekend, Langer said.
Versus, with the last selection, took No. 16 Oklahoma State at Baylor.
“One of the criteria we look at is who’s ranked the highest,’’ Langer said. “Since both Oklahoma State and Nebraska are playing opponents who aren’t ranked, that had to be given consideration because of where they are in the standings. You can always have an upset on your hands. You want to be there for it.’’
Langer said he was well aware of the rivalry between the Red Raiders and the Aggies and the series history of exciting games.
He said another factor is FSN hasn’t televised a Nebraska game this season.
“We felt pretty strongly Texas Tech was going to find its way onto our schedule a few more times,’’ he said, “and we thought there might be opportunities to work with the schools to get A&M-Tech on TV.’’
Most weeks, Big 12 games are set for television on a 12-day advance notice format. Three times each season, ABC retains the right to exercise a six-day advance notice, not choosing one Saturday’s games until the previous Saturday’s are complete.
Big 12 senior associate commissioner Tim Allen said the week-to-week selections are solely the networks’ call.
“We don’t play much of a role in that selection process,’’ Allen said. “As one can imagine, if we play a role and we try to tell them to select one game over another, that’s not in the best interests of anybody. We allow the networks to select the games they want to select. They pay a lot of money for that right.’’
Allen said complaints from fan bases about their team not being picked is something the league faces on practically a weekly basis in conference play.
Allen said the Big 12 office even tries to respond to angry fan e-mails. That might sound time consuming.
“But you know what? They’re our fans,’’ Allen said. “We try to (reply) and try to make sure it’s not a canned (response). Most of them come through our Web site, and we try to respond the best we can to the ones that want a response. There are ones that just want to let off steam, and that’s OK, too.’’
If the Tech-A&M game is not added for television, it figures to boost ticket-sales potential with Tech opening 6,100 new seats in two sections. As of Monday, a little less than 8,000 tickets remained for the game, according to Dave Welsh, assistant athletic director for ticket operations.
College football
• Who: Texas Tech at No. 15 Nebraska
• When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb.
• Records: Tech 4-2, 1-0 in Big 12 Conference; Nebraska 4-1, 1-0
• Last game: Tech 66, Kansas State 14; Nebraska 27, Missouri 12
• Last meeting: Tech 37, Nebraska 31 in overtime last year in Lubbock
• TV: ABC (channel 28; Suddenlink Cable channel 8)
• Line: Nebraska by 7
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8735
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No surprise here. How else will they sell $95 end zone seats?
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That is ridiculous!! Tech vs ATM and it won’t be on TV!!! I am upset by this news.
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Goes to show how unimportant aTm is.
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Oh noes! Whatever will we do!
Goes to show how unimportant TTU and A&M are.
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sleepy,
Could be, but more sooooooooo….for aTm.
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Did you expect anything else??? mike leach tried to make this game a storyline in the offseason…. The media only recognizes UT & A&M in the State of Texas….. Everyone goes to those schools, right?? haha…. It is frustrating, but until we win the Big 12.. we wont be taken seriously!! But that is ok…. I like being the perennial underdog!!! And why are the end zome seats $95…. I guess they are trying to get more visiting teams fans in the stand…. they should make them $50 and sell them on wednesday before games in person only…
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We get plenty of TV exposure…………..I’m surprised though.
Also, 6:00 p.m. is our much preferred game time. Tech’s website is now showing that time.
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THAT REALLY SUCKS, THATS OUR BIGGEST GAME AND ITS NOT TELEVISED COME ON GET REAL
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I believe that A & M has the bigger role to play in the pricing for their away games. I “think” that’s correct. I’m disappointed w/ this news too. In scanning through that Day’s Big 12 games, it is surprising the Tech – ‘Ags game wasn’t chosen. BUT……..get that Jones AT&T FULL. $95 IS STEEP, especially considering income standards in and around Lubbock, but possibly this can be some kind of round-about opportunity. Who knows? On the 24th., we all have TU @ Mizzou, UO @ KU, OSU @ BU, Nebraska @ ISU and CU @ K-State. Hmmmmmmmm!? As for me, I don’t consider this a reflection of the “condition” of Tech – A & M from the media standpoint. SIMPLY a little STRANGE.
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I might have to reconsider selling my tickets….
That CU KSU is a joke, TTU and A&M is bigger than that one.
6 is a bit cold. But it’s better than that 8:30 kick-off or was that 9:30? a few years ago…
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I agree with TBONE here. TTU is a “small” school in the eyes of TX and the media. I feel the TT UT game is bigger than the UT AM game on the field. AM has had nothing the last 6 years or so. I can understand why they chose not air the game because Tech walks all over AM. I am dissappointed only because I’m a Red Raider and my big brother and his wife are Aggies. We probably get the pleasure of watching UT and Mizzou, woohoo! As it is said, we have to win the Big12 to get recognition. Beating UT last year and AM every year is not enough I guess. Tech took down 3? ranked teams last year? KU, UT, OK St.; so hopefully when we beat Nebraska at home they will change their minds, oh wait it is AM, never mind!
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I wouldn’t fret the news just yet…im sure Fox Sports Net will pick it up and show it to regional viewers. Not to mention if (when) we take down Nebraska this weekend and are ranked going into the game.
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This is ridiculos I live in the San Antonio area and wanted to see us walk all over a&m just like we have for the past 6 or 7 times in lubbock.
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All Big 12 games at the Jones are $95. But if you want to go to the next 3 home games the Tech site has a package for $195 to aTm, KU, and OU. Definitely the best route. Thing is it’s the same price for any seat. I bought mine a week ago and they’re in section 107. So not too bad.
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HOOK ‘EM HORNS! They are the only sholl that matters! Not tceh or Texas Enema!
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Texas4NationalChampsFootball i bet you are one of those “T-shirt” fans. Probably never went to UT, lived in Austin, heck you probably have never stepped foot on the UT campus. Get a life.
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I’m glad its a night game at the Jones! At least its not 11 AM, tv or not.
Wreck ‘em Tech!
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The 6 PM start is great, we don’t need no stinky TV, we’ve got new $95 seats to fill! All you fans out of the hub city, come on to town. We’ve got new hotels, eating joints and you can now buy beer in town. COME ON DOWN!
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David agreed Texas4NationalChampsFootball is a t-shirt fan. They have nothing better to do than talk crap, wishing they actually held a degree from the school.
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“Texas4NationalChampsFootball i bet you are one of those “T-shirt” fans. Probably never went to UT, lived in Austin, heck you probably have never stepped foot on the UT campus. Get a life.”
So every single TTU must have gone to TTU in order to be a legitimate fan?
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Hey sleepyt good point. Where were all those die hard TTU fans last Sat. night in Jones? About midway through the 4th, Jones was less than 1/3 full. Stick it out and support your team!
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The reason the other games are on T.V. is because most all of the TOP 25 are televised and OU, OSU, Kansas, UT, Mizzou are all in the TOP 25 as of right now! Not sure why OSU is still in the 25….If TTU or A&M either one were in the TOP 25 it wouldn’t be a question about it being televised…but 2 non ranking teams aren’t a priority to be on TV. And I agree $95 for ALL seats is nuts….but since it’s not on TV and one of the biggest games of the year I am sure it will still be sold out!
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And yes I wouldn’t be surprised if FSSW doesn’t pick it up last minute or someone else! If there’s a big enough uproar about it not being televised FSSW will most likely air the game…….they would be stupid not to..depending on what time everyone else plays that saturday and if they haven’t already picked up another big12 for that time slot…
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TDOG. It probably didn’t help that the game was over Tech’s fall break. That’s why i wasn’t there. If i had been though, i would have stuck around until the fight song, as usual. I wish we had more die hard fans at that game, but i guess when it was in the 30’s and we’re up by 51 points over a team that we have no rivalry with, people don’t mind seeing the end of the game live. Just wait another 2 weeks, we’ll have more fans there, for the entire game too.
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Roger Yoakum.
You, sir are obviously out of touch with reality. The Tech- A&M game would be a sell out whether it is on TV or not.
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Elwood……………………..why is it we only sell out UT,A&M or OU???? In little ole Jones with 30K students, it should be a sell out EVERY-TIME we play! When’s the last time UT did not sell out? Raider Nation needs to support it’s team by showing up!
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TDOG
I agree.
That’s why I have season tickets and make an 800 mile round trip for every game.
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If you recall, the K State game was also announced as NOT being on tv. by the AJ just two weeks before the game, but ended up on FSN regional telecast. So, the A&M game may also still get picked up.
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I’m w/you Elwood! It’s only 700 miles for us. Good/Bad/Cold/Hot/Win/Lose WE support!
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the game halloween night should be Brandon Carter night and have everyone paint there face like him, should be lots of fun!!!!!!
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Texas might not even be the best college football team in Texas, much less the world.
A-J might want to change Tech’s conference record to 1-1 instead of 1-0.
Geez. Who you got editing this stuff? (Someone out of a job when the newspaper croaks).
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raider 1011 I think you idea is great see you Halloween for the game Go Tech Guns Up. We love all the home games and I hope they keep Sheffield as starter.
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Neither OU or OSU will be ranked by the 24th…what then?
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I blame the beer companies, now that its legal they want us all to come to town to show off their fancy new beer displays down at the United.
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Well UT screws us again buy not getting us any rankings in the poll (at least via coaches poll). Also irronicly A&M srewed themselves by not giving Tech any respect. How can we almost beat (at least play well and made them sweat) UT and should have won against Houston (let them come from behind). Losses to two rank teams and themselves not be ranked?
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Tech is 1-1 in conference….sadly.
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I know that I may be putting the cart before the horse and knock on wood and all that, but has anyone considered that Nebraska may not be ranked and Tech may be come the A&M game? I think the prospect of an un-ranked Nebraska vs. Iowa State sounds horrible compared to a 21st ranked Tech vs. A&M. The way Tech has finally been playing and bringing it all together, we may see some Huskers getting their corns stomped in Lincoln on Saturday.
Go Red Raiders!
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And why Leach agreed to play UT early….people forget your early losses! Onward and upward we go!
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I just hope it’s Sheff & Jeff again. They really bring back the excitement to Tech football
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Do the math…TV appearance fee= $185,000. 8,000 remaining seats x $95/each = $760,000. Even if you sell half the seats from now until A&M, you’re still better off financially. If it’s on TV, those seats are probably not getting sold. We need the publicity (that you can’t put a price on), unless we lose to A&M. Then taking the seat $ is clearly the thing to do with the information we have at this point.
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TechMill, I don’t see 100 Tech fans paying that for those seats! Maybe a few 1,000 aggies would who are use to the endzone nosebleed section might shell out, but again this is not the a&m of old.
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Say what you want, but Texas A&M will win this game, and even if we don’t, I’ll still be your boss one day.
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gd28.. you’re and idiot. I dont plan on working for a vet or moving to houston so i think i am probably ok…
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Lol @ gd28…key words,”one day.” You keep herdin’ them sheep and practicin’ them yells and you might just take over daddy’s job on the farm.
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gd28…you are rediculous! I was waiting for a my dad can beat up your dad, or something like that. 2 things will happen, tu will be beaten this year, and we will beat the aggs. You aggies can’t keep a coach long enough to have a competitive program. 1 thing that won’t happen is you being my boss.
TECH 49 aggs 17
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