The release of the NFL schedule offers the Shreveport area even more excitement than most. Why, there are many die-hard fans of two teams -- Saints the Cowboys. And since they are both in the NFC, it often poses television issues.
For instance, this season, there are likely FIVE conflicts –including the final two weeks of the season -- between Saints and Cowboys games on FOX this year. Somebody is going to be disappointed; and the way it's been lately, it's going to be the Cowboys fans with cable. My advice: get your satellite system set up now.
The first conflict arises in Week 2, when the Cowboys are in Kansas City for a noon kickoff and the Saints play at Tampa Bay at 3:05 p.m. Both games are scheduled for FOX, and CBS is scheduled to have the doubleheader that weekend.
Recently, KMSS 33, the local FOX affiliate, has conducted a poll for conflicting weekend, letting the public decide. The Saints have dominated those results recently.
The next conflict arises the following week, when the Saints (vs. Cardinals) and Cowboys (vs. Rams) are scheduled to kickoff on FOX at noon.
The third conflict arises in Week 9. The Saints (at Jets) and Cowboys (vs. Vikings) play at noon on FOX again.
The teams are featured on FOX in Week 15, but the Saints (at Rams) are scheduled to play at noon, while the Cowboys (vs. Packers) play at 3:25 p.m. Week 15 appears to be a FOX doubleheader weekend, so locals should get both.
The final two weeks of the year are different. Unless either the Saints or Cowboys get moved with flex scheduling, one team’s cable entourage will be disappointed.
In Week 16, the Saints travel to Carolina while the Cowboys are in the nation’s capital to play the Redskins – both at noon. Another noon doubleheader completes the regular season on Dec. 29. The Saints host the Buccaneers and the Cowboys host the Eagles.
The 2013 season looks like yet another reason for Saints and Cowboys fans to be conflicted.
Saints-LSU doubleheaders
If you start planning now, there are potential opportunities to take in LSU and the Saints on the same weekend without a lot of trouble.
On Sept. 7, the LSU Tigers open their home schedule with a game against UAB at Tiger Stadium. At noon the next day, just 70 miles south, the New Orleans Saints open the 2013 season with a game against rival Atlanta in the Superdome. It will be Sean Payton’s first game as the Saints head coach since his year suspension due to the bounty scandal. The Dome will be rocking.
On Sept. 21, LSU opens SEC play with a game against Auburn in Baton Rouge. Sept. 22, the Saints host Arizona in a noon game in the Big Easy.
LSU hosts Furman on Oct. 26, a day before the Saints play Buffalo in New Orleans.
The final doubleheader opportunity is nothing less than spectacular.
On Nov. 9, LSU travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to play the Crimson Tide. That will precede the Saints-Cowboys showdown the following evening. New Orleans and Dallas will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 10.
Get your hotels now. Laurel, Miss., is a perfect halfway point between Tuscaloosa and New Orleans (about 150 miles each way).
Is it fall yet?
