The addition of a 12th game in NCAA Division I football has been a boon for many athletic departments. It has also spurred new creativity from athletic administrators looking to make the most of the extra contest. One such example is the Ohio State vs. Toledo match-up in Cleveland coming up on Sept. 19.

It all started when Ohio State asked Toledo if it was interested in being the visitor in a one-game deal with a guarantee. Toledo wanted a home-and-home series, but Ohio State was cold towards playing in Toledo's Glass Bowl, which only seats about 26,000. The solution? Move Toledo's home game to Cleveland Browns Stadium. Ohio State will get its home game with Toledo in 2011 and each school will keep the proceeds when it hosts.

"For us, playing a school with the kind of football tradition Ohio State has helps to elevate our entire institution," says Michael O'Brien, Athletic Director at Toledo.

Another big benefit is financial. Tickets for the contest are priced from $45 to $95, compared to $24 for reserved seats at most Toledo home games, and the Rockets expect to pull in $4 to $5 million before expenses. To help maximize its proceeds, Toledo is limiting ticket sales to its season ticket holders, donors, faculty, staff, and students. This means any Ohio State fans who can't get tickets from the Buckeyes' allotment of 12,000 will have to pony up some extra cash to buy Toledo season tickets or make a contribution to the Rocket Fund.

For Ohio State, the main incentive was getting a home game without having to pay a guarantee. "When they come here to play, we'll save the $700,000 or $800,000 we would have paid another team," says Gene Smith, Athletic Director at Ohio State. "Plus, we'll be able to save some money by taking a bus ride up to Cleveland instead of having to fly somewhere else."