I got a lot of email and comments in regards to my story on Tuesday about CBS passing on Auburn-LSU for the Florida-Tennessee game coming up September 20th. Many of you wrote to me saying that ESPN picked the LSU game prior to the season and that's the reason CBS is not televising the game.
After some research, I've found that I'm right - and wrong. Yes it's possible. It's sort of like arguments with my wife. I think I'm usually right and she always knows I'm wrong.
Anyway, thanks to Birmingham News writer Jon Solomon, we have the definitive answer. Prior to the season both CBS and ESPN have opportunities to "reserve" big games for the upcoming season. Under the contract, CBS is given six games to protect throughout the year. ESPN is given three.
CBS has the 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8th picks. ESPN has the 3, 6, and 9th picks. So CBS chose Florida at Tennessee, LSU at Florida; Tennessee at Georgia; Georgia vs. Florida, Alabama at LSU and Auburn at Alabama. ESPN picked LSU at Auburn; Alabama at Georgia and Tennessee at South Carolina (they lose big on that one).
So we do know that CBS passed on Auburn-LSU with its first two picks. What we don't know is what pick ESPN used to grab next weekend's game. It's highly likely that CBS used one of its first picks for Florida-Tennessee.
So, was my story right? Maybe or maybe not. If it's ok with you, I'll just say that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
As several readers mentioned, it's best anyway to have LSU on the Plains at night. I couldn't agree more. It gives Auburn a huge advantage. It still irks me that CBS passed on this game. Or did they?
If you want to read more on how television contracts work, then I highly recommend reading Solomon's article from yesterday. I find this stuff interesting, even when I'm wrong - or right.
One of the cool things on campus is the Tiger Trail of Auburn. Each year, former players and coaches from all sports are honored by having a triangle plaque placed on the sidewalks around Auburn. It's the Hollywood Walk of Fame for the Auburn folks.
This year's class of inductees was announced on Thursday. Representing the football team is Captain Crunch, Mike Kolen and representing basketball is former head coach Sonny Smith. Ceremonies will take place on September 27th prior to the Tennessee game.
With most Auburn fans staying at home this weekend, what's on television will be of major importance. Below is a list of the big games being televised across the spectrum (all games times are CT)...
North Carolina State at Clemson
11:00 a.m. Raycom (ACC)
Navy at Duke
11:00 a.m. ESPN U.
California at Maryland
11:00 a.m. ESPN
Florida Atlantic at Michigan St.
11:00 a.m. ESPN 2
UAB at Tennessee
11:30 a.m. Raycom (SEC)
Georgia at South Carolina
2:30 p.m. CBS
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
2:30 p.m. ABC
Michigan at Notre Dame
2:30 p.m. NBC
UCLA at BYU
2:30 p.m. Versus
Chattanooga at Florida State
2:45 p.m. ESPN U.
Auburn at Mississippi State
6:00 p.m. ESPN 2
Virginia at Connecticut
6:30 p.m. ESPN U.
Oklahoma at Washington
6:45 p.m. ESPN
Ohio State at USC
7:00 p.m. ABC
Wisconsin at Fresno State
9:30 p.m. ESPN 2