theory: colleges that have a nfl team near by

[Spence]

Because in Cleveland, Toledo controls tickets - TV rights- and will wear home colors. Toledo controls all aspects of the game as if it were a home game for them. They wouldn't get to do that at the 'Shoe. They can make a pretty good chunk of change if it ends up a sellout, which it probably will. My guess is that there will still be more Buckeye fans in the stands then Rockets fans, but Toledo will be collecting the cash. Ohio State will be playing for a flat fee and tickets.

[Eric]

Looks like it would work out for Toledo, even though they don't have "homefield", the other factors seem to benefit Toledo.

[Spence]

THe wouldn't have the "home field" in Toledo. Once they gave Ohio State their 15,000 tickets they would only have about 10,000 left. At least 3,000 more Buckeye fans would get a hold of those.

[Jason G]

All true, but still wouldn't it make more sense to play Akron in Cleveland in 2007 than Toledo in 2006? Akron took 15,000 fans to Detroit last December 26 and the demand for a game with OSU in Cleveland would likely cause unprecedented demand for tickets in northeast Ohio.

I don't know that Akron would have a true homefield advantage in that game but it certainly would be much more equal than the Toledo game is likely to be.

That all being said I am glad the OSU-Toledo game is being played no matter what the location. It's a matchup of arguably the two best programs in Ohio that I wish could be scheduled more often.

[Spence]

I don't think that Akron -Ohio State in Cleveland is out of the question. Just because Ohio State will play Toledo in Cleveland doesn't mean they wouldn't play Akron there also.

[Jason G]

True, however Akron is on the 2007 schedule and from what I have heard is not likely to be again until sometime in the early to middle part of the next decade.

[Spence]

That is because they give all the schools who want to play a chance. There are something like 8 D-1 schools in Ohio and they usually get a two game deal. That is a 16 year turn around. You can't do much about that.

[Jason G]

I agree and the 2007 matchup will be the second meeting between Akron and OSU in recent memory. Ironically Tressel's first game at both OSU and Youngstown State were against Akron.

A bit of trivia...Last time the Zips and Buckeyes met I believe OSU won 28-14 in what was also the collegiate debut of current Browns QB Charlie Frye.