As expected, FAMU and Savannah State were thrashed by top rated football programs yesterday. Oklahoma beat FAMU 69-13 and in a game that was called in the third quarter due to lightning, FSU was victorious over Savannah 55-0.
Why do these HBCUs subject themselves to such a lopsided butt whooping? Well, first of all, it's not just HBCUs that participate these games. It's basically small schools that need the financial guarantee the bigger schools will pay, even if the smaller school takes a loss.
FAMU realized a $650,000 payday in the loss to Oklahoma. The guarantee was reduced to that amount because FAMU's marching band was expected to entertain the Oklahoma crowd during halftime but is under suspension because of last year's hazing death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion and other related incidents. While OU fans bask in the afterglow of last night's victory, surely their coaching staff is re-examining how FAMU scored 13 points on their team.
The first two games on Savannah State's schedule were guarantee games --- Oklahoma State and Florida State. OU paid SSU $385,000 and FSU paid SSU $475,000. SSU is scoreless in those two games.
As sure as small colleges and universities need money to fill-in budget gaps, these guarantee games will likely continue. Bruised egos and reputations aside, it's all about the Benjamins.
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