LSU fans hot over starting time of season opener

By David Moorman  |   Thursday, July 03, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

LSU Tigers
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Louisiana in the summertime is hot, no matter the time of day.

Sitting in LSU's Tiger Stadium, let alone playing football, at 4 p.m. can be an unpleasant experience. That’s why so many fans are upset LSU decided to open its season at that time of day against Appalachian State on Aug. 30.

Actually, LSU didn’t make the decision. School officials simply went along with ESPN, which told the Tigers that if they wanted their game televised, it would have to be done so in the late afternoon.

LSU, understandably, followed the wishes of the sports network. The financial reward, and the national exposure, were too great to pass up, no matter the temperature.

Remember that Appalachian State, for all its acclaim, still is a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly 1-AA). LSU belongs to the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly 1-A).

The game originally was scheduled for 7 p.m., which is when LSU plays all its non-televised games. Even a kickoff at that time would not guarantee much cooler weather. What the new starting time does cost LSU fans is three hours of tailgating, for which their antics are legendary.

The contest actually promises to make for an intriguing matchup. It will mark the first time that defending champions from FBS and FCS will meet in a season opener.

Appalachian State served notice of its strength last year when it began the season by shocking then-No. 5 Michigan, 34-32. That’s unlikely to happen again this season, although the possibility was enough to convince the ESPN brass to televise the game.

LSU will open on ESPN for the fourth time in five years. Granted, the starting times have been better, but the Tigers have still had to be flexible.

For instance, last year LSU switched its season-opening opponent and began on the road against Mississippi State on a Thursday night. The Tigers roared to a 45-0 victory.

LSU and Appalachian State have played only once before, with the Tigers prevailing in a 2005 home game, 24-0. The outcome is expected to be the same.

For all LSU fans complaining, what would really make them hot is if Appalachian State pulled off another shocker. Of course, that’s about as likely to happen as having snowflakes fall at the season opener.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats ...
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