The Effin Schedule

Another deadline passes and another one is set:

Frazier said he is waiting for two schools to decide if they want to accept a lucrative offer (around $700,000) to play a nationally televised game at Aloha Stadium.

ESPN and Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson are trying to help broker a deal.

Frazier said he will give the schools until the middle of next week to decide.

"We're zeroing in on Oct. 20," Frazier said.

Sigh. Dave Reardon continues:

"I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine," said Frazier, when asked if he thought one of the schools would accept a $700,000 payout (including funds from ESPN) for a nationally televised game at Aloha Stadium, probably on Oct. 20. "We're still having some talks, and the commissioner (Karl Benson of the Western Athletic Conference) is still involved."

Whatever happens to the schedule, read the rest of the article for Colt and June's optimistic outlook on it. And once the dust settles, it'll be easier for everyone to be optimistic about it, because they have great points. But it continues! It drags on and it seems like this will never end. Is next week really the actual actual actual deadline? I don't think Kurt Milne punted this many times last season. Anyway...

Ferd Lewis writes that the two schools considering the proposal probably aren't from the PAC-10.

Frazier declined to identify schools under discussion or which conference they play in. But he said possibilities of a Pac-10 opponent were finished. "Washington State and Oregon State were the most logical," Frazier said.

Spokesmen from both schools have said they will keep their current 12-game schedules and were opposed to giving up an open date to play a non-conference game in the midst of the Pac-10 schedule. The only other Pac-10 team showing an opening matching UH's is Arizona State, Frazier's alma mater. But Mark Brand, ASU associate athletic director, said the Sun Devils have their schedule "situated perfectly with 12 games" and have no interest in a 13th game.

And Kalani Simpson writes, as he burns with the fire of a thousand suns:

How does a guy who hits the "snooze" button this often ever get to work on time?

OK. So the schedule issue is still alive. Of course it's still alive. Give Frazier this -- he's not giving up yet.

Do you believe in miracles?

Good. Because that's pretty much what it might take.

...

Whatever day the actual deadline does turn out to be will not be the big moment in this whole thing. The turning point was months ago, perhaps years ago. The big moment was when Frazier decided, because he was the guy who could pull this kind of thing off, that strategic procrastination was the way to go.

Great column. Nonetheless, despite all this, let's all take a deep breath once again and hope for the best.