We make great money with any home game, over any away game (less those with big payouts). Remember, we have add revenues tied to the number of games and attendance. For example, they can charge more for signage, programs, etc. ..where rates traditionally are tied to the amount of "home" attendance. Local radio and TV used to benefit dramatically, as they could not travel like they do now.
If we would sell 20k tickets to each game, we would not have to worry as much; but an extra home game adds an average of about 3,500 to each of the other home games.
In addition, there are the post-season benefits. Play-off games were traditionally granted on the season total attendance figure. Back then we were going to the postseason most every year. In the 90's, we brought in a light-weight team for the opener. It was cheap, and we knew the game was going to sell-out, as it is the season-opener. We grossed $140k on ticket sales alone, while paying $30k + bus travel + room and board to Slippery Rock. It was a very smart move by AD Tressel at the time.