How does one go about getting CSTV? is it an extra cost? I use Time Warner in manhattan, and have no clue what channel it's on.

Also, 8 pm starts + $25 all you can drink at mcfadden's = holy crap I'm going to have a fun year.
Wooderson | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 11:56 am | #

8pm on a warm southern night in the heart of Atlanta with two programs sporting a combined 17 national championships to kick off the season? Sounds good to me.

I wasn't alive for ND's last trip to Bobby Dodd, and I'm looking forward to this one.
Nathan | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 12:05 pm | #

I don't understand the 'firing' of Tony roberts, one of the better play by play guys around.

I'd rather they got rid of Allen Pinkett.
John B. | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 12:20 pm | #

Speaking of schedules, this article was just posted on cnnsi. Some interesting quotes from Kevin White...would love to hear some take on this.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com...e.ap/ index.html
ND Alum | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 12:26 pm | #

The Michigan State game may only be shown in the east since a USC/Arizona game is also scheduled... I'll need to leave the confines of my couch for that one.
JDL | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:13 pm | #

Was White thinking when he made those comments? Seriously, couldn't someone have told him that to put a better spin on it? I understand what he's saying, but it sounds like he doesn't think that ND can win a national championship playing the opponents they have in the past. And yes, I realize that the reporter may have taken some creative license to make it sound a little more interesting.

I like to think that we'll be recruiting the kind of tallent that could beat anyone on any Saturday so the schedule shouldn't matter.
Erin | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:19 pm | #

Good question Wooderson. If I have to order something special in CSTV to watch an ND game I might have a stroke from pure rage.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:19 pm | #

Ok, maybe a stupid question, but I have to ask....

If CSTV is part of "CBS", will CBS have the insight to televise the Air Force game regionally? Or will I be forced to go to a bar and drink to watch Charlie and the Football Factory dismantle the plebes? I can't imagine, after looking at the lineup on CSTV, that many bars in the greater Chicagoland area are going to subscribe to a package with TCU, SMU, Tulane, etc. on it.

Did I miss something here?
Powdermonkey | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:25 pm | #

I'm really POed that that game will be on CSTV, I thought that network would tank in 3 months
TPAT | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:42 pm | #

Seriously? Musburger and Davie? Is this a "..... death is not an option" choice?

Why not just broadcast the game without booth commentary? Has this ever been done?

Better yet, broadcast the game with a 30/60-second delay and tap into the discussions between the Head Coach and the O-Coordinator up in the booth (or D-Coordinator) so that the fan can see what's happening in the minds of the coaching staff. First trip down the field for each team, use sound from the Offensive Coaching Staff, then switch to the Defensive Coaching Staff. I know ESPN was trying some new stuff as far as broadcasting goes (I believe they tried some funky stuff for a Duke-NC basketball game). Why not try something new with football? It would be better than listening to Brent and Boob.
Lance Boil | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:48 pm | #

I only have one thing to say.....'mute button'.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 2:04 pm | #

Well, I just blew out my irony meter reading the article on the Kevin White interview.

"I think it was real important for us to go back to our roots and behave more like an independent -- go back to the coach Rockne barnstorming era if you will." ?!?!?!

Back in the '20's the adminiatration HATED the barnstorming reputation, and HATED the team's unofficial nickname -- the Ramblers. Of course, they weren't always so thrilled with Rockne, either. Ah, the benefits of perspective.
Fitzwater | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 2:56 pm | #

'mute button' and listen to Tony..D'oh...

Let's hope that NBC has the cojones to put the "5th Golden Girl" out to pasture w/ the ponies permanently and hires....Tony Roberts...
Domer95 | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 2:59 pm | #

oh good, a night game at state. glorious. tailgating up there is an absurdly good time - sophomore year i shotgunned beers with a cop...
alli 07 | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 2:59 pm | #

The Lord giveth.... 3 Saturday night games.

The Lord taketh away... Boob and Brent.

Maybe alli can pound a few beers with Brent....
GRNDFan | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 3:13 pm | #

I for one have no problem with Kevin White's quotes. However, I refuse to read them which makes it a whole lot easier.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 3:31 pm | #

Wow. My job finally comes in handy for something worthwhile.

Looks like CBS owns CSTV (see final paragraph)

Pulled this from Hoovers:

"CSTV Networks competes in the televised sports game. The round the clock CSTV (College Sports Television) network was launched in 2003 as the first 24-hour network devoted to college sports. CSTV broadcasts games from 35 men's and women's university teams and reaches 52 million homes through Time Warner, Adelphia, and Comcast cable systems, as well through the DIRECTV satellite network. CSTV also operates CSTV.com, which features college sports news, stats, scores, and other programming. CSTV was founded by CEO and president Brian Bedol, chairman Steve Greenberg (who together co-founded the Classic Sports Network, now ESPN Classic), and CSTV Regional Networks president Chris Bevilacqua, a former Nike executive.

"In addition to programming content distributed through cable, broadcast, and satellite television, CSTV also has pay-per-view, satellite radio, in-flight entertainment, and wireless network offerings. The company's CSTV All Access is a broadband service providing live audio and video of some 7,000 events annually.

"In late 2005 CBS announced plans to acquire CSTV Networks for $325 million. The deal closed in early 2006 after the split of Viacom into two discrete entities (CBS Corporation and Viacom)."
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 3:31 pm | #

Few points:

-Anyone know the Irish's record when Davie is the announcer? I think it has to be pretty good. The only game I really remember him at was the 04 Pitt game (where Julius exploded).

-With that said, Bob Davie really isn't that a booth guy. I think you all are gonna argue back with "But he's Bob Davie"...Ok congrats, it's still better having a 'semi' pro-ND guy than, say, Bob Griese openly rooting for Purdue, or Keith Jackson openly rooting for Stanford, or those two jackasses who practically saying "Urban Meyer is a God" the entire game in BYU 2 years ago...

-And with that said, Any good Davie does will untimately be cancelled out by Musberger...Dear god, what a trainwreck (during football, b-ball he's a little more tolerable)...I can't wait for the MSU game when his entire evening will be spent going "Big Ten! BIG TEN!! BIG TEN!!! Big Ten!!!"...

-While I'm on announcers:

Tom Hammond doing the Kentucky Derby/Preakness = Good/Respectable Work

Tom Hammond doing the AFL = You're kidding me right? Does anyone else find it embarassing that the de facto 'voice' of ND also does Areana football? What's next, Rodeos? The Hot dog eating contest? Tobacco spitting contests?

-Tony Robert is overrated. Sorry that just my opinion. Great at 'moment' calls, terrible at play by play...Just my preferences, that's all

-That said, this is a pretty crappy way to go out. Damn you Westwood One!
Bryan ND '02 | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 4:52 pm | #

CSTV is one of those "it depends" channels. On DirecTV, it is part of the Sports Channel Package, so you have to pay extra. You get quite a few channels...all of the regional Fox Sports channels, CSTV, and some others IIRC. I don't subscribe to the package.

Each Cable system probably has it's own arrangement with CSTV which determines whether it is part of the basic package or a premium package. Golf Channel, for example, used to be part of the DirecTV sports package, but recently it converted to the standard Total Choice package.

Overall, I see this as a step backwards. CSTV is definitely not a first class channel (compared to ESPN, ABC, NBC, and CBS), and the ratings will suffer due to limited access
Vic | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 5:29 pm | #

Does anyone know if it's possible to pick up the Westwood One feed on the Internet? There isn't a radio station out here in Seattle/Tacoma that carries Westwood One, and I cringe at the thought of listening to Musberger do ND football (I've always thought Davie does a decent job in the booth).
TacomaDomer00 | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 5:55 pm | #

The only thing I can really say badly about Bob Davie as an announcer is the fact that he can't say 'football'. I cringe every time I hear him say 'footbawwww", it pushes me to violence.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 6:02 pm | #

I certainly hope I can get Westwood One feed off the 'net here in WA state. I'm not going to pay extra for CSTV and I sure don't want to hear Mushberger on the Saturday night games.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 6:18 pm | #

What happened to Bob Griese and the guy he does games with? I liked listening to them during the Michigan and Washington games in 2005.
Loretta | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 6:34 pm | #

9-3
byron murrill | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 7:52 pm | #

CSTV can be complicated and expensive to get on cable, but the internet package is reasonable (it cant be more then 10 a month) and if I'm not mistaken ND plays Army on CSTV as well. Last year Navy's games were broadcast free on CSTV, and a decent cable connection set me up for all the away games. Actually this season they will feature some good Mid-Major games including every Navy home, Mountain West Games, and Conf-USA games. The commentators arn't horrible (Jessie Palmer is one in particular), at least not any worse then what you'd find on ESPN 2.
Mr. A | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 8:21 pm | #

I am just going to put out my request now for the location of the bar in Columbus that will carry the ND/Air Force game.

A pitcher of Guinness to the guy who supplies the answer and meets me at said watering hole.
Sean | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 11:34 pm | #

Why would you ever get a pitcher of Guinness? Thats like blasphemy.
Patrick | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 12:17 am | #

Not like......it is.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 8:23 am | #

BRyan, how dare you mock Nathan's hot dog eating contest. That place has possibly the best hot dogs on the planet. and they serve beer too. that you can take out onto the boardwalk. god I love that place.
Wooderson | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 8:25 am | #

I could have said four pints but it sounds dumber.
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 8:25 am | #

Also, the way some places in Columbus pull a pint of Guinness it really doesn't matter. I have had pints handed to me within a minute of ordering. The bartenders keep looking at me funny when I look at the pint like it has hair growing out of it.

Five minutes to poor a pint properly people. Five!
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 8:28 am | #

Couple of points:
First, the DirecTV Sports Package runs me about 8 bucks a month, I think, which includes CSTV, as stated above. (It is actually fantastic if you are a die-hard college sports fan b/c you get Big Eleven, Big 12, etc.. regional Football and Hoops.)
CSTV's coverage is usually pretty poor - sometimes looks like a cable-access high school game. Of course, the 8 bones for the Sports Package is cheaper than the $15-25/per I had to pay for at least three of the ABC games last year. (The ONLY drawback to living in NC in the fall is receiving horendous ACC games on ABC regional coverage.)

Secondly, as much as Lushburger has "jumped the shark" (I appologize for the overused term) in the past 10 years, at least you feel like it is a big game as soon as you hear him screaming into the mike. At least you will be getting ABC's "A" broadcast team and production. If you think Brent is bad, try watching a meaningless Maryland/Wake Forest game with the esteemed Mark Jones calling the action. It's coma-inducing.
I just can't wait until '07 when, following a 1-10 season at UDub, we can have Ty acting as third man in the booth with Brent and Malibu Bob.
Tony | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 9:58 am | #

The bottom line in this whole thing is this:

ND = Primetime.


I just can't think of any other college football team that's got as national a schedule.

Not even the Dallas Cowboys have coverage like Notre Dame. Now, if only the defense could cover as well . . . .
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 10:14 am | #

"Better yet, broadcast the game with a 30/60-second delay and tap into the discussions between the Head Coach and the O-Coordinator up in the booth (or D-Coordinator) so that the fan can see what's happening in the minds of the coaching staff."

Worst. Idea. Ever.
Pantsb | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 10:20 am | #

It is kinda funny when you think about it. 32 teams in the NFL, 119 Div IA football programs. How many NFL teams get nationally televised each week vs. how many ND games are nationally televised in the fall? And some NFL people wonder why Weis would leave the pros for college? Heck, the money is about comparable and, as hard as he does work, he actually works less at ND than he did with the Pats.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 10:48 am | #

"If ESPN Gameday is in town, as it will be for the Georgia Tech game, then Kirk Herbstriet will join the Brent and Bob show up in the booth and hopefully get to add intelligent conversation to the mix."

Nice. BTW if you have Dish Network, you need to have America's Top 120 to get CSTV. It's ch. 152.
Josh | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 1:33 pm | #

In addition to what Tony said about the DirecTV Sports Package, if you get the package (which I do), you also can watch a variety of other sports. I've been able to check out about 4 of the ND men's lacrosse games, which is awesome for me. (I played in high school and coach middle school lacrosse now.) You can also find some hockey, baseball, and softball. You don't always find ND games, but you can find them from time to time.
Domer '99 | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 1:49 pm | #

need help on seeing CSTV in East Lansing

Thanks, I am really want to watch air force game without adding channels to my cable plan. Can i find some bar to watch it that day? Do you guys know a place that I can watch it with irish fan?
ND PhDing | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 2:43 pm | #

Actually, I am most likely going to be in Lansing next year as well with the same problem. Rest assured, I will find a way, even if it means resorting to violence and taking hostages.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 2:58 pm | #

ND PhDing,

If you go to the alumni association's website on ND's site (http://alumni.nd.edu/) you can find an alumni club in the city of your choice. During football season most clubs organize game watches at a local pub. No need to be an alum to join or sign up for the mailing list--just a fan. Hope this helps.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 7:38 pm | #

thanks ANON. I'll check
ND PhDing | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 10:12 pm | #

One wonders if there was a wrestling match between ESPN and ABC guys over who would get to show the Spartans game? Yes, they are the same company, but that doesn't mean in-fighting couldn't have occurred.

That game could be our toughest game of the year.
Dad the Domer | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 1:29 am | #

"And some NFL people wonder why Weis would leave the pros for college? Heck, the money is about comparable"

Not according to Kevin White:

"White declined to get into specifics of the contract, but conceded it is impossible to guarantee Weis, a longtime NFL assistant, won't someday leave for the pros, in part because NFL coaching salaries are escalating so fast.

'The resources that are at the next level are mind-boggling,' he said."

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/ne...tory? id=2447691
irishru2 | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 8:41 am | #

Yeah, the resources available are vast, but who at the next level is gonna give out a 10 year, $40 million contract. While the $4 million a year is comparable to a good NFL coach, the job security flat out sucks unless you're coaching the Steelers. Even great coaches get canned at the next level. Plus it means moving around and being away from your family a whole lot more. I think Charlie would have to have absolutely unprecedented Leahy-like success to want to move on back to the pros simply for the challenge.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 11:56 am | #

Who in their right mind would want to leave South Bend after getting a monstrous contract like Charlie did? (tongue planted firmly in cheek)

I have to agree with Brad in that the incentive to move to the "next level" would mean that Charlie would have nothing more to prove at the college level. Frankly, I see ND getting better and doing well, but there will be dips in the program's performance that he will have to contend with. Hopefully, along with that we will see some titles, but it just ain't gonna happen every year.

I (naively) hope/trust that he is a man of his word and will be in SB until his son graduates from high school.

And seriously, what is the big draw to the pros, anyway? I think Saban a fool for jumping out of LSU, although I understand the urge to leave Baton Rouge. Look at what happened to Spurrier, Erickson, Davis... The pros are a crap-shoot, where the movement of talent through free agency can help you, but more likely hurt you. You can be king in a college town. What more could you want?
Powdermonkey | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 1:04 pm | #

RE: Westwood One stations carrying the ND game.
Their website at westwoodone.com has a station finder feature. We'll have to wait until we are closer to the opening date for them to list the ND games in this feature. But, when they do you can find the stations in your state that are carrying the game.
Bill Blake | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 2:31 pm | #

The only incentive I can see for a head coach at a major D-I program to go to the pros is to prove you can win at the next level. Once you earn a certain level of salary, such as $4 mil/year, how much more money do you really need? I'd be willing to bet that's why Saban left LSU, and it's the only reason I could see CW breaking his promise to do his 10 years at ND. As ND keeps winning, the drumbeat of "sure he's got 4 SB rings, but he's never done it as an NFL head coach" will get louder and louder.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 2:34 pm | #

I suppose that's pretty true JohnWA, but I think ND's got one big thing going for it. Saban never felt complete success in the Charlie did, for one. Was Charlie a head coach, well no, but he was still on a series of uber-successful teams. Yet you are right about the need to proove himself at the next level as a possibility. The one thing I think that reallys makes a difference is this...Charlie went to ND. Sure he could go to the NFL and probably even have a great deal of success, but as an ND grad he knows that the more success he has at ND the more of a god-like figure he becomes to ND fans. What could boost your ego more than to be mentioned in the same breath as Holtz, Parseghian, Leahy and Rockne? For a football coach (and especially ND grad) I think that temptation is a powerful boost. Besides, as the coach of an NFL team he'd actually have a lower profile most likely!
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 3:51 pm | #

"The only thing I can really say badly about Bob Davie as an announcer is the fact that he can't say 'football'. I cringe every time I hear him say 'footbawwww", it pushes me to violence."

Outstanding take, Brad. I was beginning to think I was the only person who was infuriated by this man's vain attempts to pronounce "football".
Tee | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 4:00 pm | #

Oh, come on...that's the only problem you find with Davie? As someone who went to ND during the Davie years and was constantly amazed at our lack of clock management (anyone remember the Nebraska game in 2000?), I think I was more amazed at how often Davie would criticize the clock management of a coach. Ridiculous.
ND Alum | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 6:05 pm | #

Don't get me wrong, Brad. I don't think Charlie is going to leave ND, just that the only reason he would leave would be to prove he can win in the NFL without Belicheck (sp?) or Parcells. I completely agree that unless he was hired by a marquee NFL team (Pats, Raiders, Steelers, etc.) he would have a lower profile than head coach of ND. I also agree that Charlie realizes what kind of legacy he can leave behind if he has the kind of success that Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, and Holtz did. That's a much more exclusive group, and aruguably better known group, than Super Bowl-winning NFL coaches.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 6:42 pm | #

1) Dammit, ND Alum, why did you have to bring up the 2000 Nebraska game? Now I'm gonna have to comtemplate suicide again. The only good thing that came out of that game was the 12 year old Nebraska asshole fan who I made cry in front of his father in the 3rd quarter. Oddly enough, making a child cry on that day made me truly feel as if I'd finally accomplished something.

2) Don't worry JohnWA, I didn't misunderstand you at all. Agreed fully, I was just elaborating/playing Devil's advocate. Read you loud and clear. 10-4 good buddy.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 8:11 pm | #

I (naively) hope/trust that he is a man of his word and will be in SB until his son graduates from high school.

Weis has said he will coach until his son graduates from college. Apparently, he wants that faculty/staff tuition discount. :-)
DJ | Email | Homepage | 05.18.06 - 11:11 pm | #

Bob Davie, while his voice reminds me of painful memories of seasons past, at least provides some good commentary/analysis. Musberger on the other hand has zero value and is irritating as all hell.
Rumpus | Email | Homepage | 05.19.06 - 12:01 am | #

Great article on ESPN by Pat Forde on Brady Quinn.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/c..._pat& id=2449290

Take note of the histerical sentence mid-way through where Forde notes Quinn will be taking 4 upper-level classes this fall to complete his double-major degree and "none of them happen to be ball-room dancing".
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.19.06 - 10:59 am | #

Loved that line about the ball-room dancing. Gotta love Quinn's bookstore basketball team name too.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.19.06 - 11:55 am | #

Davie adendum to the musburger drinking game:
-every time Bob says "footbaww" in a sentence add that number of drinks to the total for the sentence. (for example, if Bob says "he's just a footbaww[1] player making footbaww[2] plays" take 3 drinks)
-one drink every time he missprounounced "Rehma"
-take another drink if he is talking about how he recruited Rehma
Tom | Email | Homepage | 05.19.06 - 1:29 pm | #