LSU and TCU have agreed in principle to open the 2013 season at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Star-Telegram has reported.
The 2013 edition of the “Cowboys Classic” will likely be played in prime time on Aug. 31, 2013 and televised on an ESPN network. LSU is 5-2-1 overall against TCU, but the two schools haven’t played since 1968.
As part of the game contract, LSU and TCU will play this game only and will not complete the home-and-home series they initially agreed to back in 2006. LSU was set to host TCU on Sept. 7, 2013 and then travel to face the Horned Frogs on Sept. 6, 2014.
Money, as always, is the deciding factor in playing this single game at Cowboys Stadium rather than a home-and-home series. LSU faced Oregon in Arlington in 2011 and walked away with a reported $3.5 million.
And just two weeks ago, Alabama squared off against Michigan in the Cowboys Classic and the two schools split an estimated $9.4 million.
If LSU does open the 2013 season against TCU, they will still need one more non-conference game. The Tigers are also slated to host UAB on Sept. 14 and Furman on Oct. 26.
TCU was scheduled to open the 2013 season vs. Southeastern Louisiana on Aug. 31. They will have to move that game to face LSU in Arlington. The Horned Frogs are also set to host SMU on Sept. 28.
Update: On Saturday, LSU associate athletic director Verge Ausberry told The Advertiser that “We still have some work to do, but it’s close.” The paper also reported that the two would likely open the season in Arlington on Sept. 7. We aren’t sure if that date is correct because the 2012 season begins on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Football Schedules: