LSU's decision to cancel its future football series with Arizona State is a significant development in the world of college football, and it's a move that has sparked a lot of discussion and speculation. Personally, I think this cancellation is a big deal, and it's worth exploring the reasons behind it and its implications for both programs. What makes this particularly fascinating is the context of the SEC's shift to a nine-game conference schedule, which has been a major topic of conversation in the past year. The SEC's decision has had a ripple effect on conference schedules across the country, and LSU's move to cancel the Arizona State series is a direct result of this change. In my opinion, the SEC's new schedule has forced schools to reevaluate their non-conference slates, and LSU's cancellation is a prime example of this. The series with Arizona State was originally scheduled for 2015 and 2016, but was pushed back to 2029-30 due to scheduling conflicts. However, with the SEC's new schedule, LSU needed to clear space on its 2016 schedule to play Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, which led to the cancellation. One thing that immediately stands out is the financial implications of the cancellation. According to the terms of the original agreement, LSU would have owed Arizona State a cancellation fee of $100,000 per game. However, the cancellation agreement signed on June 15 states that LSU will not have to pay a cancellation fee, which is a significant development. What many people don't realize is that the cancellation fee structure is a common practice in college football scheduling, but it's not always clear to fans and observers. If you take a step back and think about it, the cancellation fee is a way for schools to protect themselves financially in case of last-minute changes or cancellations. However, in this case, the cancellation seems to have been mutually agreed upon, which is a unique development. A detail that I find especially interesting is the impact of the cancellation on both programs' schedules. With the Arizona State series off the books, LSU's 2029 non-conference schedule is now set, with the Tigers opening against SMU at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sept. 1. This raises a deeper question: how will the SEC's new schedule affect the non-conference schedules of other schools in the conference? What this really suggests is that the SEC's move to a nine-game conference schedule has had a significant impact on the scheduling landscape in college football, and it's likely to continue to do so in the coming years. In conclusion, LSU's cancellation of its future football series with Arizona State is a significant development that highlights the impact of the SEC's new schedule on conference scheduling. It's a move that has financial implications and has forced both programs to reevaluate their non-conference slates. From my perspective, this cancellation is a reminder of the complex and ever-changing nature of college football scheduling, and it's a trend that is likely to continue in the future.
