That is exactly what the football squad at Delaware State will be when the regular season kicks off this fall.  The Delaware State Hornets will start their football season not only 0-1 in overall play, but a more critical 0-1 in the MEAC standings.  How is this possible?  Because they are being handed a big fat check from the University of Michigan on October 17.

Michigan reached a deal to play host to Delaware State on October 17, in my eyes a way to rest their players and pick up an easy victory before hosting Penn State the following week.  The deal meant that Delaware State would have to reschedule their conference game against rival North Carolina A&T.  Unfortunately for the Hornets North Carolina A&T was not so helpful in rescheduling, the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a revised date, and by rule Delaware State will have to forfeit their conference match-up against a team they destroyed to the tune of 42-7 a year ago.

It is clear that Delaware State is totally making a mockery of conference play, opting to cash a $500,000 check for a sure beat down (they’re not exactly Appalachian State) instead of making a run for a conference title.  Do I hope that the Hornets surprise everyone and upset Michigan in the Big House?  Of course I do.  But I am now finding myself hoping the Hornets come up one game short of the conference championship.  Critics will keep a close eye on the MEAC standings this fall just for this reason.

What is the lesson here?

Big time schools handing a fat payday to a small school is nothing new.  Even Penn State has stooped to this low level, making the argument they they need an extra home game to pay for the rest of the athletic department.  This trend is not likely to change with programs like Miami playing Florida A&M, Florida playing the Citadel, Wisconsin playing Cal Poly, Georgia playing Georgia Southern and so on.  Until the day comes when strength of schedule plays a vital role in post season plans don’t expect to see this change.

Whether or not we see future conflicts that result in conference forfeits is another story.  Taking an eays pay day is one thing.  Making an excuse to play in a historic venue is another.

Forfeiting other games, ESPECIALLY conference games, gets a running start as it jumps over the line.

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