Several people have called the Tech athletics department inquiring about the time of the Syracuse-Tech game on Oct. 21. Unfortunately, Tech officials won't know the time until six days before the game.

Here's how the BIG EAST Football Television contract works. By December 10 of each year, CBS will pre-select and reserve its first three intra-conference games and ESPN will reserve its first two that will be scheduled on Saturdays for the next season. CBS receives the first, third and fourth choices, while ESPN gets the second and fifth picks.

Both networks are likely to commit to the reserved games at that time, but do have the option to forego the reserved game at the time needed for the final selection on a 12-day basis (12 days before the game). In the event that either network does pass on a reserved game, the other network would have the opportunity to select that game.

Also, by December 10, CBS must select and commit to its one permissible prime time telecast if it intends to have one in that season. In addition, both CBS and ESPN must select and commit to any telecasts moveable to Thanksgiving Thursday or Friday. ESPN's two additional games to be scheduled on Thursday evenings also must be approved and committed.

By July 1, CBS must commit to all its September Saturday selections. Most, if not all of ESPN's September selections, likely also will be guaranteed by July 1.

All remaining selections for all broadcasters have the option to be made on a 12-day advance basis, with CBS having two and a possible third opportunity to choose with six-day notifications. Thus, Tech and Big East officials are waiting to see if CBS chooses to broadcast the Syracuse game and also the Pittsburgh game on Oct. 28.

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