Dave Brandon can't see how playing App St could be negative
"The opportunity to play again is a good thing. I don't see how it could be a negative" Link
How can he not see that? For one thing, we could lose. Oh right, that would NEVER happen...
Edit: A clarification. I was not saying that we should not play App St because we might lose. I am saying that if we lost it would be a negative. A big one.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:16 AM ^
This is a guy who thought putting Michigan and OSU in separate divisions would be awesome.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:22 AM ^
So is it bad if I still think it is an awesome idea?
August 26th, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^
If you like that the Nebraska Cornhuskers are now our most important opponent of the season, that is fine.
I would rather see that slot filled by Ohio State.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:53 AM ^
So, I guess from now on I have to root for OSU against any teams in our division? This year, I have to root for them to beat Nebraska and MSU?
Putting us and OSU in different divisions was the worst idea in the world in terms of maintaining the rivalry and the importance of The Game. If UM and OSU were in the same division and PSU was in the other division with Nebraska, UM and OSU would be playing each other at the end of every season to get to the BTCG and have a shot at the Rose Bowl. Effectively, the championship still would go through the UM-OSU game.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:22 AM ^
I don't really see your issue. We still play them every year, last game.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:45 AM ^
I agree with unWavering. If tsio was in our division we'd never play them for the conference championship. Where's the fun in that? Bo says no.
And even though I like the idea of playing them again, beating App. St. won't redeem Michigan. I think it will sting less, but we'll still be ridiculed. I can hear it now, as if Sparty isn't annoying enough as it is......
August 26th, 2011 at 3:11 AM ^
They just got to play the team that used to be their biggest rival in a conference championship game. It was so awesome that they decided to leave the conference.
We've seen this happen. The ACC was afraid to put Miami and FSU in the same division. The ACC sucks and nobody cares about FSU vs Miami (despite the game's early season date). The Big 12 put OU with Texas instead of Nebraska. The Red River Rivalry gained tremendous significance and Nebraska got sick of playing Colorado and a bunch of nobodies.
Beating Northwestern is now more important than beating Ohio State (no matter when we play them on the calendar) if we are to accomplish our stated goal of winning Big Ten Championships. That is fucking sad. The fact that people don't understand the change and/or don't give a shit is even sadder.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:49 AM ^
But I assume I'm going to irritate you if I say "you can't please everybody". Seriously though, I don't think the league would have been thrilled about having the two traditional powerhouse teams in the same division. Indiana has to beat Michigan AND tsio to win the division? That's why it didn't fly. Anyway, DB wasn't the only one that decided the alignment. I believe there was overwhelming support to split the two schools. As much as we (sometimes arrogant) Michigan fans like to believe, it's not all about us.
What I think we gain from this is an important game with Nebraska, a continued rivalry with MSU (which now takes on added significance), and a renewal of the rivalry between M and Minnesota.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^
the BXII made the OU-NU game an every other year game, which totally killed it.
That said, you have a point that the divisional games carry a bit more weight now even though conference record is still the most important to get to Indy.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:29 AM ^
Talked about doing bad too. (Mascot, over-expansion anyone?) He could either be the best or worst AD we've ever had.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:04 AM ^
Or both.
He's a monkey with a bazookza, firing that 'ole marketing cannon at everything that moves. Sometimes he hits what needs hittin', sometimes he wipes out his own side.
August 26th, 2011 at 8:43 AM ^
is the most apt description of Dave Brandon I've ever seen.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:13 AM ^
The past happened, but it very well may work to our advantage. Pulling out tapes like that prior to each game should be a humbling experience. Never take any opponent lightly. I would always feel better if the Wings lose a game or two prior to going into the playoffs, particularly if they had been hitting on all cylinders for a while. Thinking one can win at will makes one complacent.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:19 AM ^
Cant ever fear an opponent... doing anything, or making any decision out of FEAR is not a good thing...
That said, Im not looking forward to the sarcastic media coverage that is going to preceed that game...all the ESPN pundits chipping in on it, and the endless clips of that blocked FG are not going to be fun to watch.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:56 AM ^
I didn't even think about all the crappy coverage we're gonna see leading up to it. That game was my first soul-dong punch as a UM undergrad: fresh out of high school and at my first game in the Big House as a college student. Could have gone much better.
However, I defend DB for this. We shouldn't ever not play someone bc we might lose. The truth is, they'll prob be an FBS team in a few years. They're not exactly Delaware St. AMIRIGHT?
August 26th, 2011 at 12:21 AM ^
It looks like at lot of people are whining about playing App State again. Michigan is currently 0-1 against the Mountaineers. The only way to get even is to play them again. Armanti Edwards won't be there this time and Michigan will win by at least 14 points (you've seen the 2012 class coming in, right?).
This is a great move by DB. You can't erase the past so you might as well embrace it.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:26 AM ^
Some of us don't think it's a particularly good idea. I have no interest in "getting even" with App St. They were the better team that day, good for them. They were a long shot and they played hard and deserved to win. I just don't see what we gain by beating them in 2014.
August 26th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
U-M fans (which I'm) will never have the demons of that '07 loss exorcised, especially as it came on the heels of '06, and we were the #5 ranked team in the country. It will forever be THE HORROR, regardless of whether we hang 100 on them in '14 or not. We could beat them 99 consecutive times, and the record would still be 99-1.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:23 AM ^
is a moron if he thinks we have anything to gain by playing Appetizer State again. It was a horrible decision to play them in 07 and it is a horrible decision now. The one thing that is guaranteed is that UM fans will have to endure re-living the piece of crap game instead of lettting it fade into the background.
Dave Brandon = Douche Nozzle...and Dominos Pizza still tastes like shit.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:33 AM ^
It was not a "horrible decision" to schedule them in 2007.
Mike DeBord kicking his feet up and taking the day off actually calling plays, Chad Henne hopelessly throwing a critical pick into coverage, Shawn Crable not blocking the weakside rush on the FG unit and, most importantly, whatever the hell the coaching staff did to prepare the defense for a player like Armanti Edwards -- THESE were the horrible decisions that were made.
August 26th, 2011 at 8:13 AM ^
It was a horrible decision to schedule the best FCS team in the country! It's a no win situation and just a ridiculous scheduling mishap by Martin
August 26th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
Actually, it should have been an easy-win situation.
It's not Martin's fault that the coaches and players fucked it up beyond belief.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:30 AM ^
Because the first time was so much fun that it kicked off a week long bender till the Oregon game. Hell, let's schedule them as well for the following week, let's relive 2007 all over.
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<br>Of the HUNDREDS of possible teams, why this one? I really dislike Brandon for this
August 26th, 2011 at 12:31 AM ^
bitches. Every time we play an FCS team that is not named App. St. I hear jokes about how UofM wouldn't dare putting them back on the schedule. I wonder if Va Tech fans would freak out if they scheduled William and Mary again. I don't want revenge, I just don't think this should be a big deal. The reactions on this website are far more embarassing then espn replaying the damn blocked field goal.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:40 AM ^
I believe you mean James Madison University but I understand your point.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:45 AM ^
The thing that is often overlooked about the blocked field goal is that we never should have even had the ball back with that chance.
Of all the bad coaching mistakes that day, the one that was not made by Michigan was Jerry Moore's WTF decision to attempt a chip shot field goal with 30-some seconds remaining when he could have easily killed the clock and won the game as time expired.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^
DB can't see anything negative about scheduling App State if it brings in a few bucks.
DB can't see anything negative about a furry cartoon mascot walking the sidelines if it brings in a few bucks.
DB can't see anything negative about uniformz if it brings in a few bucks.
DB can't see anything negative about moving the Michigan-OSU game to get it out of the way of the B1G Championship game if it brings in a few bucks.
He: Would you sleep with me for a million dollars? She: Yes, of course.
He: Would you sleep with me for ten dollars? She: What kind of woman do you think I am?
He: We've already established what kind of woman you are. Now we're just negotiating price.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:50 AM ^
Well, considering two of those things haven't happened you might want to pump the brakes.
You're freaking out about a FCS team we're going to play in 3+ years and about a different jersey we're going to wear for one game.
DB is not perfect, but he has done a lot of good things for Michigan in his time here.
August 26th, 2011 at 8:51 AM ^
I don't care about playing App State again, we've already gotten over the bugaboo of risking losses to lesser teams. Any time you take the field, you're risking a bad day and a loss. That's not the point.
Michigan's OOC "cupcakes" for many years going into the 90s used to be teams like Pac-10 UCLA, Big 12 Baylor or Colorado, Navy, etc. We have now devolved to Mac teams, DII teams, etc. In this, we've followed the lead of the SEC and other conferences afraid to play a real football game to start the season. At least we still have ND.
Sigh.
But as to DB, the only important thing I believe that he has done is bring Hoke here.
The stadium was already growing. I don't care about scoreboards, when I watch a game, I kind of keep track of the score in my head. Night game? OK, but I could care less what time of day a game is played as long as it's not before noon. Lacrosse? Um, isn't that a Buick?
August 26th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^
It's one thing to defend your scheduling choice.
It's another thing to make a bold statement like you "can't see how it could be a negative."
Come on, DB. You're smarter than that. You can't think of -any- reason why Michigan entertaining the possibility of rehashing one of the most public humiliations in the history of Michigan Football, when you have literally over a hundred other teams you could schedule instead, would be seen as a bad thing? You're telling me Appalachian State was the best option on the table, all things considered?
Is this "creating a wow" for the fanbase?
August 26th, 2011 at 12:50 AM ^
More like sticking a finger in their eye. But hey, as long as it gets everyone's attention. Wow.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:58 AM ^
Is what gives you the impression he is smarter than that? I don't get it. He was in charge of Domino's for 17 years and the pizza was shit the entire time.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:17 AM ^
Counter point.
<br>I agree with both.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:19 AM ^
I ask this question though. I know nobody cares but how could you be in charge of something for 17 years and your product is piss. Then have all of M ride your nuts after you hired a coach that has a 47-50 overall record? I know I'm not meant to figure it all out but I don't understand sometimes. If Hoke wins a national title I'll kiss Brandon's bare ass, but shit and dear lord please get rid of adidas who gives a shit how much money there paying your losing the difference in revenue from the garbage they put on the shelf.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:35 AM ^
Yeaa domino's pizza was shit for 17 years, but it was still one of the most well known pizza for the time to. Because Dave Brandon is a marketing guy, and he is marketing michigan. Bringing in Brady Hoke was just a great choice to futher market Michigan. All Dave knows is that.
Maybe im over thinking but, but im ok with new R&D ideas like this for our program, it got us a night game, under the lights....and if you don't think thats gna be fun you can get the hell out right now.
Question: Do you want to play Appalachian State again?
Dave: Uhmmm.. yea, why the hell not.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:38 AM ^
Dave brandon didn't sign the contract with adidas, Bill Martin did...so don't pin that on DB. It probably makes less sense to try to get out of that contract, I assume .
August 26th, 2011 at 2:00 AM ^
Didn't but if he is the genius you say he is then he should fix it like he's fixed everything else.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:38 AM ^
The pizza may be shit, but Domino's is the 2nd largest pizza franchise in the company and has been public. I'm pretty sure DB was not making the pies. Brandon has vision and consistency, which are key to effective leadership. Plus, he must be behind Domino's brining the Noid back.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:18 AM ^
It was the 2nd largest pizza company when Brandon took over. It was the 3rd largest pizza company when he left.
Not exactly an ass kicking resume.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:52 AM ^
Moved.
August 26th, 2011 at 12:57 AM ^
If you're Dave Brandon, you have to want Michigan scheduling announcements to be coupled with pictures of, say, Denard scoring a touchdown. Not Armanti Edwards handing the ball to the ref in Michigan Stadium.
I just don't see how you could possibly volunteer to put that game back in the conversation. 24 hours ago, it was 4 years in the past and we're moving on with another new coach and a lot of positive momentum.
Now Appalachian State is back on the radar. And 8 days to kickoff, that's what the media is talking about again.
That's Marketing 101 right there, ain't it?
August 26th, 2011 at 12:57 AM ^
Losing twice. Christ. There is going to be so much pressure on those kids to crush them... I hope they can handle it
August 26th, 2011 at 1:01 AM ^
either we never play them again and always hear how App State's so much better than Michigan or we play them and beat them and get the monkey off our back.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:06 AM ^
Or we take the third option and let them have their moment at our expense while we pound on another non-conference opponent that wasn't involved in The Horror. We win the opener and everyone moves on without thinking twice about it.
Because, after all, Option 4 is The Horror II. And if you didn't think it could happen and didn't like it the first time, you're not gonna like it the second time, either. Why open the program up to that? Not that I think we're going to lose, but I didn't think we'd lose in 2007, either. Any Given Saturday...
August 26th, 2011 at 1:09 AM ^
we're michigan we take things head-on they beat us and now we shall accept the challenge to beat them.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:16 AM ^
whaa?
August 26th, 2011 at 1:35 AM ^
Check out the 252 replies between this post and the earlier announcement post, plus the ESPN headline, all over who we play in (what DearGodLetItBe) a gimme game 3 years from now. It definitely generates conversation. We don't get that kind of pub when we play EMU or even UCONN. It's smart marketing. Brandon's a modern day PT Barnum (or worse, Bill Veek).
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<br>Lord help him if we lose, though. Ann Arbor Pitch and Fork will have record sales that day...
August 26th, 2011 at 1:35 AM ^
Maybe Brandon was being silly and didn't mean it.
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<br>It's like Michigan just got beat up by a girl at the playground and then goes back a good deal later for a rematch.
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<br>Win: we look like dysfunctional j-holes who just kicked the crap outta some perceived way lesser opponent. Like usual with tomato can games except that here nothing is proved except that we felt threatened or something.
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<br>Lose: gggggggggggg
August 26th, 2011 at 1:38 AM ^
I do think he should have waited to maybe the year before to make sure it's a gimme than trying to predict what's going to happen 3 years down the road.
August 26th, 2011 at 1:41 AM ^
Honestly, this is getting ridiculous. Too many of you are over reacting. Just because we lost to them once doesn't mean we should never schedule them again. Playing them again says that we are not afraid to lose, we are past that lost. The only bad thing that will come from this is the media showing replays of the game in 2007, though, it seems like some of you guys just think that's the worst thing ever. Also, some of you seem to think Dave Brandon trying to get as much money as possible is a bad thing. This game will earn us more money than playing against EMU. I have nothing wrong if you think it's a bad idea, it just blows my mind that people think playing App st. is the worst idea ever.