Michigan Will Have a Night Game in 2013
According to Nick Baumgardner and others on Twitter, Dave Brandon has announced that there will 100% be a night game in 2013 at Michigan Stadium.
Nick Baumgardner @nickbaumgardner
Brandon says UM will host a night game in 2013
Nick Baumgardner @nickbaumgardner
No ifs and or buts there -- UTL will return to Michigan Stadium against someone next season.
Nick Baumgardner @nickbaumgardner
Brandon -- night game No. 2 has to be special with special opponent.
Great news after the success of the first UTL. Commence speculation on who the opponent will be.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^
...Mark Snyder tweet retweeted by Scott Bell:
- Brandon: B1G divisions were divided by 'seeds' over 20 year period (Mich-OSU, PSU/Neb, Iowa/Wis) then on from there.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:54 PM ^
The PSU situation shows how silly that is. Landscapes change in college football. Should have just done straight geographical and lived with the consequences. Would have made scheduling better for everyone.
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^
So will they ever re-seed the divisions?
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^
....was to respond to a question about whether or not PSU's travails warranted reseeding. Apparently DAB responded that reseeding would cause tremendous schedule chaos. So don't count on it.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
...Twittersphere:
- Rothstein: "Brandon said Michigan is going to launch a fund raising campaign soon to set up a program to help athletes after they are done with sports."
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that be some sort of NCAA violation. You could just tell recruits 'Hey, if you come here, and if things don't go the way you plan, then we will give you some money'. It's not that I don't agree with it, I do think it's a good idea, I just don't see how te NCAA would be okay with it.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^
"hey, we raised some money, here's a check." If they're starting programs for career and health care guidance, as well as other issues former athletes face, it could be ok.
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^
PSU seems as though they might be "special" enough to please Brandon for the night game.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^
No way we do 3 straight night games with ND
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:20 PM ^
I don't think you can rule out ND just because it would be 3 years in a row against them. Brandon wants an annual night game at the Big House, and it won't be in November. Not every year do we schedule marquee opponents like Bama(sure we'll throw in many respectable opponents like UCONN, Utah, and San Diego St, among others), but often times Notre Dame will be our best OOC opponent. That generally only leaves you with one or two other options. For all we know, Brandon could be working with their AD to make this an annual night game to build off of the tradition of this rivalry. Maybe that was why ND happened to schedule it as a night game this year dispite it being a night game last year.
Just speculation though, and if that's NOT the case, then it will more than likely be the Minny game for the LBJ. Nothing wrong with that, it will just bring back memories of the Friday Night game in '03
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
since that's homecoming.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
Agree on this. Little Brown Jug and first conference game. Shame it's "just" Minnesota- first conference night game at Michigan Stadium against the likes of Nebraska or Penn State would've been cool.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
I'd love to see M/OSU played later in the day/night. The traditional noon start-time, although a nice bow to tradition, is outdated and tends to mute the overall excitement and exposure. Noon, to many fans, screams "regional matchup." Not as many people watch nooners, especially in the Western half of the country, where the game gets about as much hype as Harvard/Yale.
And noon crowds -- even during big game -- tends to be quieter. Or more sober. But still. Note the difference between last year's games against ND and OSU. Both were great crowds. But the former scene was louder and more intimidating right out of the gate (even though ND outplayed M in the first half). Night games -- the lights, primetime TV, the beer -- get everything to 11. And that's what you want during the biggest game of the year. M/OSU should be the national game of the week.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^
In total agreement, but with the current powers that be, a Michigan-Ohio night game just won't happen, unless they meet in the BTCG. And even then, I'm sure Bo will turn over in his grave when both teams play for the title at night.
I think this policy will change overtime, as the younger generation, as a whole, prefers night games, while the old guard clearly doesn't. But for now, its just not in the cards. They worry too much about people drinking all day, and opposing fans leaving the campus in an absolute wreck. That and the whole weather thing.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:52 PM ^
...on the MMB to Dallas issue.
- Characterized it as essentially a family squabble
- Original plan was for MMB to bus to Dallas and do shows along the way
- MMB changed its mind and gave him an flight option cost 4x bus option cost
- Eventually worked out a cost 2X original with donors paying half, U-M other half
From Angelique and Rothstein's tweets
August 22nd, 2012 at 8:55 PM ^
I'd be interested to know which party decided the "do shows along the way" option was viable. Because from the MMB side of things, I don't know how you do a Band Week with the performance block on the road during game week and put a block together, and a show on the field, for Week 2.
August 22nd, 2012 at 10:35 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
...according to Rothstein:
- Called old retired jersey recognition "lousy"
- Only on field celebration was that of Pres Ford
- Part of Legends Jersey celebration will be to have families on the field, showing video of the honoree, etc
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
...covered as we await the stories in DetNews, AA.com and WolverineNation:
From Rothstein...
- Brandon again confirmed that the Cowboys Classic jersey is a one off. Jerseys will be standard throughout the rest of the season. May consider a special jersey for a bowl game.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:00 PM ^
Really hoping its not another Notre Dame matchup. I think it'd start to get a little stale. Unless Minnesota somehow drastically improves over the next year and gets into Big Ten title consideration, they would be a waste of a night game. I abhore the idea of an Indiana night game. Ohio night game will obviously never happen, but I'd probably poop myself if it did happen. Nebraska would be great at night. If the conference can get over its BS "no night games in November" policy, I think that'd be a great night matchup.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:09 PM ^
hoke always stresses the significance of the jug. ND at night will be overplayed by then. if the league allowed, i wouldn't mind a november game at night, but then again i'll be sitting in my living room nice and warm.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^
at night AGAIN is not special. I'd honestly rather see the Little Brown Jug game at night.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 PM ^
I think the no Sparty night game thing is ridiculous and the safety/vandalism concerns are WAY overblown. If Sparty fans are that bad why even play the game?
Secondly, why not play Air Force at night? Why does it have to be this amazing opponent? That qualification, plus the no November night games and the no sparty night games basically limits our night game opportunties to two teams every two years (ND and Nebraska).
Anyone who was at UTL knows how magical the experience was (even in the first half when we were getting pounded)
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:31 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^
I think the "no night games against Sparty/Ohio" has more to do with concern about how our fans are treated over there. I don't think it's so much an issue of how they'd behave here, but if we have a night game here, then we have to agree to one there.
I don't know about East Lansing at night, but I definitely would not want to be in Columbus for a night game.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:57 PM ^
If we absolutely have to keep playing ND every single goddamn year, then I wouldn't mind starting a new tradition of playing them at night.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:05 PM ^
Notre Dame again, it's the only early season game that is truly big and would have a National following. Minny not a big game outside of Michigan fans and the 8 people in Minnesota that still have tickets. PSU and IU not worth mentioning and other games too late in the season.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:10 PM ^
can we just stop F-ing around and have more then 1 night game every 2 years?? its obvious much like the different uniforms that recruits love night games
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:29 PM ^
it won't happen because: 1) Brandon won't play MSU at night, 2) It has to be a "special opponent", and 3) the Big 10 does not allow night games in November that basically leaves 1 night game against ND every two years.
I think that is ridiculous but that is the corner DB has painted himself into with his scheduling decisions.
August 22nd, 2012 at 10:33 PM ^
Do we have to orient our entire program around the alleged desires of recruits? Night games should be a rare event. For people who drive a few hours to get to the games, night games can be problematic. The UTL game was awesome, but driving home at 2 in the morning wasn't. I would not want to do that more than once a year.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^
Should do Notre Game nigh game part 2.
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:56 PM ^
there is a longstanding tradition of OSU at noon, but I would love to see a night game against them. A cold night won't stop us from coming out to watch an OSU game, and the atmosphere would be electric. A night series against Notre Dame is also a good option though. I would also really like to see Michgian hosta big name out of conference opponent at night to open the season. How does the mgoboard feel about multiple night games in a season?
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^
INDIANA at night. WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
/s
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:41 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 7:55 PM ^
(and I, too, am not in favor of playing them in a so-called UTL II), Nebraska is the only game on the present 2013 schedule that is big enough to be considered for a prime-time start. I'd love to see it happen; I'm sure the B1G "policy" of no November night games is one that is not so set-in-stone that it can't be waived for a game of that magnitude.
If it's not ND or Nebraska? Then my money is on Brandon secretly having something in the works to replace Akron on the schedule with a big-name opponent.
August 22nd, 2012 at 8:44 PM ^
Feel like I've made this exact same post two or three dozen times.
There is NO current policy from the Big 10 prohibiting November night games. None. While they don't generally encourage it, and TV contracts/rights ultimately mostly determine when games are played, the conference does not have an unequivocal rule preventing a night game in November.
That being said, I don't think you see it happen. But the fact remains the conference does not prohibit it from happening.
August 22nd, 2012 at 10:33 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:15 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:31 PM ^
This is not the Big lEast.
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:39 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:43 PM ^
Somebody's got a cravin' for some MAC-tion.
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:33 PM ^
What about on August 30, 2014. Michigan vs app state at night to open the season? Mommy and Daddy better tuck the kids in early, because the app state heads will be rolling this time.
August 22nd, 2012 at 10:41 PM ^