A game played outside the continental U.S. (e.g. Hawaii) does not count towards the 12-game regular season cap, which entices teams to play on the islands so as to gain an extra game, but for us it is the same deal, so why not schedule a patsy in the open date between Hawaii and San Diego State?

i don't get why any team would want to play a 13th game. maybe for money, but it won't help the team as much as giving up a bye week.

Not sure it's even an option, as we are not playing at hawaii. Notre Dame did not pay a 13th game when they played in Ireland in 2012... and they could have made a f#Q ton of money with an extra home game, especially compared to Cal.

ColoradoBear1;842623020 said:

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i don't get why any team would want to play a 13th game. maybe for money, but it won't help the team as much as giving up a bye week.

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We play an FCS team, get an easy win. What's not to like? Also do we really need a bye so early in the year, between Hawaii and San Diego State, it's not like we are playing USC and Oregon and need a break.

Strykur;842623033 said:

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We play an FCS team, get an easy win. What's not to like? Also do we really need a bye so early in the year, between Hawaii and San Diego State, it's not like we are playing USC and Oregon and need a break.

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Well the main reason is that it's not allowed. It is a special circumstance that we get to play a week early. Plus the kids will miss 3 days of class, and be messed up schedule wise after getting back, so the bye week makes sense to catch up. I personally think FCS games that are not the first of the year do not help the team at all, just a way to grab cash (which isn;t much in cal's case).

And if we ever play @ Honolulu, I sure hope the AD is smart enough to schedule it in a 14 week season (even better on thanksgiving in a 14 week season cuz the p12 likes to give us a worthless bye that weekend).

Strykur;842622976 said:

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A game played outside the continental U.S. (e.g. Hawaii) does not count towards the 12-game regular season cap, which entices teams to play on the islands so as to gain an extra game, but for us it is the same deal, so why not schedule a patsy in the open date between Hawaii and San Diego State?

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Probably because it doesn't count as playing Hawai'i at their home stadium.

This game needed a NCAA waiver because it occurs before the mandated start to the regular season for FBS football (which is essentially the Wednesday before Labor Day). My guess is that both Cal and Hawai'i had to agree that this game would not count as a Hawai'i home game and would not trigger the 13th game exemption for either team.