Are Sean McDonough and Chris Spielman the best announcing team?
I say yes. I can't get to the game tomorrow but I feel good knowing those guys are doing it. I think Sean is much better than Chris Fowler (who I loved on Ganeday but don't think is better than average doing play by play) and at least as good as any other announcer out there (I like Vern Lundquist and a couple others equally as well). And I think Spielman is the best for me at analysis, pointing out interesting schematic things, and I am a big fan of his ad hoc comments about tackling technique and other fundamental points. Those that don't like Spielman often point to his roots as a buckeye, but IMO that is homer-blindness, he has demonstrated quite often the respect he has for Michigan, and does a great job being impartial IMO.
What do you think? Any better announcing team?
September 26th, 2015 at 12:00 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:49 PM ^
He was asked which Michigan players would start on OSU's offense. That's why none of them mentioned any defensive players. Spielman was more insulting towards Michigan players a few years ago.
September 26th, 2015 at 12:15 AM ^
Except he said that about the offense... and well... he's right. Nobody on Michigan's offense would start for OSU except Butt and maybe Glasgow?
I guess Darboh and Chesson could too since OSU is kinda depleted in their WR corps this year.
September 26th, 2015 at 7:30 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 9:12 AM ^
That was the most discusting display of homerism I have EVER heard. After saying the great Ben Braden (might) make the buckeyes roster. We all know if anyone leaves UM disgruntled of course they are almost immediatly picked up by the Botteyes. During the RR fiasco I forgot the linemans name that ran over there crying to his mama, saying how evil UM is not being a family atmosphere here.
It doesn't matter if you think he is right. Griese had so much class he would call his own son by his last name and not Brian Do you think he would pick out a OSU player and say he could never make the UM roster. Let us say we want to debate the point, I can easily think of probably ten players that could make their roster. It does not matter because the point is he said it and lost a lot of credibility in doing so although I am sure some bloggers here agree with him as well as all OSU fans. Are you trying to say OSU did not want any of our four and five star recruits? If they did they could never have made the team. Is that it. Their is no telling if Green could be their starting tailback today had he went to OSU two years ago.
Edit: I believe the linemans name was Boren......
September 26th, 2015 at 3:20 PM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:11 PM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:16 PM ^
It's really surprising to me that networks don't hire more people like Spielman who have actual, in-depth knowledge of the game. It makes such a huge difference.
September 26th, 2015 at 7:02 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:18 PM ^
spielman. i remember what a great detroit lion he was (after ohio), and have respect for that, but he isn't the most articulate guy you'd ever meet. i actually greatly prefer herbie who is awfully good and i've never heard throw michigan under the bus.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:28 PM ^
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September 26th, 2015 at 7:33 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:23 PM ^
Keith Jackson and Bob Griese were my favorite.
I'll never forget the time when Spielman was calling a Michigan game and a WR caught a ball jumping very high in the air and he said "the receiver showed great verticallness."
Then Sean McD said "verticallness?" ... Chris replied "leaping ability.".. then Sean says enthusiastically "NO, lets go with verticallness."
Great exchange by them, but Speilman makes up words. I believe he is the person responsible for creating the word "physicallity." This word drives me nuts every time I hear it.
September 26th, 2015 at 9:46 AM ^
But what the hell does Physicality really mean?
September 25th, 2015 at 11:28 PM ^
nuff said.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:29 PM ^
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September 25th, 2015 at 11:37 PM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:51 PM ^
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September 25th, 2015 at 11:53 PM ^
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September 26th, 2015 at 12:29 AM ^
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September 26th, 2015 at 12:54 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 12:55 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 1:24 AM ^
They actually kind of overrated in the midwest just because of questions like this, not because they're not good - which they are. They're a very solid duo. But people gas them like they're the greatest of all time.
Really, IMO, people just like Spielman says stuff that many other guys won't and he represents the "toughness" in the booth.
My biggest issue is that they frequently make mistakes on what they're seeing and call the wrong thing - those types of things that make you scream back at the TV and yell things to correct them. For example, a QB throws a pass away and Speilman calls it a bad throw. Or even his comment about Braden starting for OSU - it's like, come on...he's been widely regarded as our worst starting OL and he's having the best game of his life right now - let's be serious.
But I'd still take them over just about everyone else, they do a very solid job each week.
September 26th, 2015 at 2:20 AM ^
I'm still a bigger fan of Nessler and Blackledge.
Does anyone remember Sean Grande and Spero Dedes from ABC?
September 26th, 2015 at 5:14 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 6:11 AM ^
He's the Brady Hoke of play-by-play.
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September 26th, 2015 at 6:17 AM ^
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September 26th, 2015 at 6:18 AM ^
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September 26th, 2015 at 9:52 AM ^
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September 26th, 2015 at 7:00 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 7:19 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 7:39 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 7:53 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 8:21 AM ^
But seriously, I really like McDonough and Spielman is alright. I prefer Herbie honestly.
September 26th, 2015 at 8:39 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 8:43 AM ^
I'm a big fan of Sean McDonough dating back to when he used to Sox games. The jury is still out on Spielman for me.
September 26th, 2015 at 8:57 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 9:10 AM ^
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September 26th, 2015 at 9:12 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^
September 26th, 2015 at 1:18 PM ^
I mean, Keith Jackson is Keith Jackson, but if we're talking active announcing teams, I think both McDonough and Spielman are pretty good. They're both knowledgeable and don't have too much idle chatter. Spielman explains things really well and I don't think that he is biased against Michigan at all - in fact, I think he shows remarkable respect and fairness toward Michigan. I know some people are miffed with him because of his remark about who on the M offense would start for OSU, but 1) I'm not sure what he said was that much of an exaggeration right now and 2) even if it were, he more than makes up for it for his knowledge and the good things he has said about Michigan.
Some of the other teams here folks have mentioned are good too. I like Nessler and Blackledge. Fowler isn't bad, but I liked him better on College GameDay. Herbstreit's decent.