Tarleton State?!

[keco616]

Apparently, Army is opening the season at home against the famous Tarleton State next season. https://fbschedules.com/army-to-open-20 ... _vignette

Army Athletics are having some run to end 2024. Bowl game debacle, and now all season ticket holders have the privilege of seeing the Army 4th string compete against a school you've never heard of to open the year. Several of the games on the slate have ZERO resale value for the ST holders, but this one is a doozy.

Sad to say, I won't be renewing my ST for the first time ever. The home slate is utterly shocking with lack of appeal, and now they don't even offer fans a crack at Army-Navy tickets unless they are high donor level. I was told to scour the resale market by their ticketing staff, and Ill be doing just that for any of the home games I attend. Should be able to get into the Tarleton game for a little under a buck.

What value does the program offer to fans next year in terms of ST? No Navy access, massive lines to enter the stadium due to construction, extremely low level of appeal of opponents.

[wpgrad]

Don't worry, once we join a conference our schedule is going to be much, much better. Who needs the Leheigh's and Lafayettes of the world that sell 30,000 tickets when we can use our AAC swagger and get tarleton state instead.

[stash76]

Tarleton State is playing Oklahoma State in men's basketball right now so they must be good.

[Oliphant]

The Patriot League schools, at least, bring fans to Michie.

Our AD should go run the Yankees.

[Army Frog Fan]

It’s a school from the DFW area, and gets Army some local exposure there. Not sure why the Lehighs of the world are any more desirable.

[wpgrad]

It’s a school from the DFW area, and gets Army some local exposure there. Not sure why the Lehighs of the world are any more desirable.

They are more desirable because their fan bases travel. See: 2023 schedule, our 2nd largest fan base was for the Holy Cross game. In 2022, our LARGEST attendance was Villanova.

etc. etc.

We play teams like Holy Cross and we sell 5,000 more tickets than when we play Troy. or Tarleton

[Armyfaninpa]

Since I've never heard of the school, I decided to look it up. Their website claims actor George Kennedy as a notable alumni, but don't see that listed in any biographical info about him.

They were a #13 seed in the FCS playoffs, losing to #4 ranked South Dakota, who will be playing in the semi-final round on Saturday vs. #1 seed Montana State.

I'll bet they have the Army game already circled on their calendar. Disregard them at your own risk. The last time I remember being this dismissive of a no-name opponent on the schedule was when I saw Stony Brook listed as a home game. Just sayin'...

[Oliphant]

It’s a school from the DFW area, and gets Army some local exposure there. Not sure why the Lehighs of the world are any more desirable.

We have multiple conference foes from Texas.

Tarleton State is a non-entity in that region.

The Patriot League schools are regional and bring fans. It is the perfect FCS-FBS situation.

[Army Frog Fan]

It’s a new era for CFB. Selling 5k more tickets doesn’t move the needle anymore. It’s all TV revenue.

[LoneStarPhan]

I was told this past February that Tarleton was going to play at West Point to open the 2025 season. This was from someone associated with Tarleton State. I have been trying to confirm this info but until today, I have not been able to do so.

Tarleton State is southwest of the DFW metroplex, located in Stephenville, Texas. Tarleton is a part of the Texas A&M system of state universities, one of the six state university systems in Texas. Tarleton is currently building a campus in Fort Worth and just recently announced a new school of Osteopathic Medicine in Stephenville. They are also upgrading their athletic programs.

Tarleton was 10-4 this year. They should be a good first game for Army the week prior to the road game against Kansas State.

As to their draw as a visiting team, it would seem that a closer team from the northeast would bring more folks to Michie, but as noted above, it is a much more complex situation now days. The AAC already has several teams in Texas, so Army should already be getting exposure here. Looks like Tarleton State replaces Marist in 2025.