DALLAS — Two elite programs. Two shockingly bad performances. Time to demand action. Now.
Texas did not look as if it belonged in the same division as Oklahoma in a 55-17 loss Saturday. And we’re not talking about both programs being members of the Big 12. We’re talking about the Longhorns not looking like a BCS program.
Alabama rolled into The Swamp last week and strutted out wearing a pair of alligator boots after a 38-10 demolition of the Gators. Florida also did not look like it belonged in the same division as the Crimson Tide, and we’re not talking about the SEC.
The fans at Texas and Florida have a right to demand some money back. Now.
There are peaks and valleys at every program, but last year Texas, which is 4-1 this season without an impressive win, could not even qualify for a bowl game. Florida (4-2) may not qualify for a bowl this season. They got drilled 41-11 by LSU on Saturday.
We’re not talking about Oklahoma State or Arkansas here. We’re talking about Texas and Florida.
Florida, according to one study, spent $22.86 million on its football program in 2008-09, the most recent year from which such numbers are available. Texas spent $22.56 million. That ranks the Gators and Longhorns sixth and ninth nationally, so clearly funding is not a problem.
Recruiting shouldn’t be a problem. The three richest states for prep football talent are California, Florida and Texas.
Yet somehow, neither Florida nor Texas has an elite starting quarterback and both teams seem overmatched on the line of scrimmage. That’s a system failure at both programs.
The Mets recently announced they will lower tickets prices for a third straight season after their last system failure. Florida and Texas should do likewise.
The Gators announced this year they will raise ticket prices from $40 to $75 for regular seats and from $70 to $120 for club seats by 2017.
Texas said it was lowering season ticket prices from $400 to $395 this season. That’s fuzzy math. The Longhorns play one less home game this year.
In reality, Texas fans paid about $57 per game in 2010. They will pay about $65 per game this season.
The fans at both schools deserve to ask for some of their money back. Now.
