LSU will play its second day game this season in Tiger Stadium when the Tigers host Florida for a 2:30 p.m. national telecast by CBS.
Most LSU fans hate day games because they say the Tigers only play their best at night. But let’s look at the daytime game with the glass half full.
A day game in October is awesome because it gives you a chance to enjoy the Major League Baseball playoff games. Choosing between the two was always a problem for me, but Saturday I’ll be able to watch the Gators and Tigers tangle up, hit the road and before you know it I’ll be enjoying Game 4 of the National League Championship Series between the Cubs and the Marlins.
If baseball’s not your game, Southeastern Conference rivals Georgia and Tennessee face off in Knoxville at 6:45 p.m. on ESPN2. I’m sure I’ll be flipping back and forth between the two games.
Another great thing about a nationally televised CBS day game is it increases the value of your ticket. Being on CBS means that the game you’re attending is one of the best games being played that day. I saw countless people looking for tickets at LSU’s nationally televised day game against Georgia on CBS. I heard reports of people being willing to pay up to $200 for a ticket. Imagine that, you’re getting a $200 ticket for the low price of $7 – what a deal!
Finally, a 2:30 p.m. start on CBS is college football’s version of Monday Night Football – it’s prime time. It means that the Tigers are doing very well.
The Tigers aren’t traditionally successful during daytime games with a 44-60-7 record since 1958. But if LSU wants to be recognized with national powers like Oklahoma and Miami (Fla.) it’s vital for them to become successful. It’s something Saban has preached since he arrived in 2000.
LSU hasn’t fared well during day games under Saban so far with a 5-7 record. However, the Tigers are 14-3-1 overall and 5-3 under Saban in games televised by CBS. Saban is 4-1in day games at Tiger Stadium with that one loss coming to Florida 44-15 in 2001.
Continuing to win these big games is the only way LSU will continue to bring in top recruiting classes. It’s the most powerful recruiting tool LSU possesses.
If you still don’t think that CBS day games are a positive thing for LSU, remember one thing. At least it’s not a Jefferson Pilot game.