Arlington return in works
LSU, TCU negotiating for 2013 Cowboys Classic
A return visit for the LSU Tigers to Cowboys Stadium could be close at hand.
LSU and TCU are currently in negotiations to play each other in the 2013 Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas — a single game that would replace the home-and-home series previously scheduled between the two teams.
Senior associate athletic director Herb Vincent said details have not been finalized, but that LSU and TCU are definitely working toward playing each other in Cowboys Stadium.
If the game is finalized, it would happen Sept. 7 and sere as the season opener for both teams. That’s the same date as the current game, which is currently scheduled to happen in Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers and Horned Frogs were originally slated to play in 2014 as well, but that game would be scrapped.
A report from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram quoted anonymous sources as saying a deal for the game has been reached, but Vincent said negotiations aren’t that conclusive just yet.
Currently, LSU has two other nonconference games set for Tiger Stadium — Sept. 14 against UAB and Oct. 26 against Furman.
Verge Ausberry, LSU’s senior associate athletic director in charge of football scheduling, said LSU will still have seven home games in 2013. The school will either bring in another nonconference opponent, he said, though the possibility still exists that the Southeastern Conference will go to a nine-game schedule.
If that happens, LSU could have five SEC home games and not need another nonconference opponent.
LSU has played twice at Cowboys Stadium. The Tigers beat Oregon 40-27 to open the 2011 season in the Cowboys Classic and beat Texas A&M 41-24 in the Cotton Bowl in January 2011.
TCU has emerged as a strong program in recent seasons. The Horned Frogs went 11-2 last season — finishing with a 31-24 win over Louisiana Tech in the Poinsettia Bowl — and 13-0 in 2010, including a 21-19 victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
During the offseason, TCU made big news by joining the Big 12 along with West Virginia. They replaced Texas A&M and Missouri, which left the Big 12 for the SEC.
The Horned Frogs opened the season last Saturday with a 56-0 win over Grambling. TCU, No. 16 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25, plays Saturday at Kansas.
The Tigers and Horned Frogs haven’t played in football since 1968.
LSU leads the series 5-2-1.