This year should be a good test of the theory "build it and they will come". In a sense you have a "perfect storm". You have a program that has risen, and now has a good team. You have a winnable schedule. And you have some difficulties in the OSU program. If Ohio is going to attract new fans, and fill the stadium, this year is a critical test, in my opinion. If Ohio has a 10+ win season, and they still can't fill the stands, then I can't imagine any circumstances that will fill them.

Ordinarily I would agree with the assessment but TV might be the wildcard.  If A&M is not shown on TV as a penalty or if they just don't get picked up in a given week, there might be a boost to our attendance but I am skeptical, too.

Maybe during bad weather.....but good weather and a home football game is my favorite thing to do.

Congrats 66.  L.C. is correct about the confluence of favorable factors.  Getting off to a roaring start is absolutely vital.  I'll go on record right now as saying that I expect us to thrash NMSU and G-W to start.  If we get d-line play and steadiness (no turnovers!) at qb, it's gonna be a ride.

Unemployment rates by county.  

There are a lot of people out there that prefer watching sports on TV to seeing it in person.

There are a lot of people who prefer to watch sports on TV, yet how many have seen an OHIO Football game?

But regionally, SE Ohio still has more than it's share of counties in the lowest 25% of the counties for unemployment.  Since we are trying to draw regionally, that hurts us.

Also, there are other economic indicators (such as disposable household income) where the SE Ohio region ranks at the bottom of the state.

We have to get a significant drawing of fans from Columbus and Parkersburg. 
 

 

 

Of course there will be some sort of "residual uptick", but what remains to be seen is if that uptick is 5 people or 500, and whether they are largely loyal OSU fans trying something different, or upset OSU fans looking for alternative ways to satisfy their fall craving for football. Perhaps the two most likely groups that could potentially gain interest in Ohio football are friends and family of Ohio players recruited in recent years, and Ohio alums who have been converted to OSU fans over the years. Perhaps this will be a year for a few of them to come home.

Obviously the difficulties up north are affecting their recruiting, and it surely is going to have some impact in other areas. I would guess that  the biggest beneficiary will be Cincinnati, if they are having a good season, but Ohio will probably pick up a few casual fans, too. Growing any brand is all about adding one customer at a time, and satisfying them by delivering a good product, and I think Ohio can do that.

Perhaps the biggest opportunity will come at bowl time. OSU will not be going bowling for awhile, I am fairly certain. This would be an ideal year for Ohio to land a GMAC bowl bid, or better. Perhaps some Ohio alums that have traditionally taken winter vacations to coincide with OSU bowls might vacation with the Bobcat bowl instead. As good a time as the Ohio fans had in Mobile, a return trip their might really help.

This is a year when the athletic department really needs to think through their advertising messages, and make careful decisions on targeting. Perhaps an extra mailing touting the pre-season ratings and bowl expectations of the Bobcats might be useful, especially if targeted to Ohio alums who live within 200 miles, but who haven't come to an Ohio game in years.

Too bad.  The dream end to the season would be a bowl game against a team about 65 miles to the northwest.