Well Here's The New Schedule
As released by drip torture on Big Nude Saturday:
October 24th: @ Minnesota
October 31st: Michigan State
November 7th: @ Indiana
November 14th: Wisconsin
November 21st: @ Rutgers
November 28th: Penn State
December 5th: Maryland
December 12th: @ Ohio State
The most important thing about this schedule is that it keeps the home/away swap for MSU, thus overturning one of the many Brandon errors. It is predictable that Michigan drew the hardest possible crossover opponents while Ohio State drew Nebraska and a beard-free Illinois, but the world where Michigan beats Ohio State and does not win the division probably does not exist.
There is no content after the jump.
September 19th, 2020 at 10:59 AM ^
Even when it isn’t before the OSU game, the big ten finds a way to turn the Indiana game into a trap game.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:02 AM ^
So ridiculously excited for the season, it feels like the first time I did shooters at Dooley's (now Skeeps) with the hot Markley girls. Oh, the joy to come
September 19th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
Really? I think that for the first time in 30 years I am taking a pass on the entire college football season. Some conferences are already playing, some conferences are playing but starting late, some conferences may not be playing. Some games have been cancelled due to COVID. Some stadiums have crowds, some don’t. The lack of leadership in College Football was exposed...where the NBA, NFL and even the MLB have done admirable jobs. I don’t think that all teams and CPK defenses are necessarily going to be able to finish the season. ?
September 19th, 2020 at 9:38 PM ^
The NCAA is a very different and much larger and more diverse organization than those individual pro leagues. There was no way a completely uniform set of detailed rules and restrictions could have been imposed on the college leagues.
September 20th, 2020 at 10:10 AM ^
You are wrong and right. Your are wrong about the NCAA. They do not control the power 5 conferences, have no financial stake in college football’s post season or in college football’s television deals.
That said college sports response to COVID is pretty similar to this country’s response. No central direction or leadership, and a bunch of states doing whatever they want.
October 3rd, 2020 at 11:03 PM ^
That was my point. There is no way the NCAA could have imposed a uniform set of rules.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:03 AM ^
Jeepers, that's two easy wins (Rutgers, Maryland), one moderately difficult win (MSU), one difficult win (IU), and four tough games. I hope Milton is ready and the D is up to the task.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:52 AM ^
I'm sorry, but on what planet is MSU a moderately difficult win? Dantonio is gone. They have NOBODY on their team, they are absolutely in Rutgers/Maryland territory now
September 19th, 2020 at 12:04 PM ^
It's MSU, and it's on Halloween in the middle of a pandemic. I'm sure Dantonio has left a lockbox filled with voodoo dolls in the MSU offices preparing future staffs for this exact scenario.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:06 AM ^
I'm just happy we kept the MSU schedule correction. Hoping for another 44-10 this year
September 19th, 2020 at 11:53 AM ^
That would be sad if we only scored 44 points against that defense
September 19th, 2020 at 11:06 AM ^
Bring it! We all wanted football and now we got it. Like Brian said, our season will come down to the OSU game. I don't see a scenario where we beat OSU and lose two more games. Well I guess it's possible, but not as likely as us losing to OSU, winning out, and having them drop two games (especially without the chaos that road games bring to the table given attendance restrictions).
We can afford to lose one game leading up to the game and it would be difficult to go undefeated with this schedule. So if we have to chose, it's Wisky or Minny, as losing a crosssover game hurts less and beating PSU would ensure no three way tie. A week one loss would suck the sails out of the season. So, the dream scenario is: 6-1 with a loss to Wisky going into the OSU game.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:16 AM ^
So 6-2 is a dream season then. Not a great ceiling Bob.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:31 PM ^
A dream season is 8-0. Anything less, and what’s the point of dreaming?
September 21st, 2020 at 12:03 AM ^
If you look at this Michigan team and think that they're capable of going undefeated then you're just delusional.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:24 AM ^
You missed the point.
That said, I myself tend to dream of competent quarterback play. It’s been elusive in recent years, like one of those dreams where you don’t ever quite make it to your destination.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:07 AM ^
How the hell do we always get hosed on the schedule. We get literally the toughest two teams from the West in the crossover. There is absolutely a 2-6 schedule in here if they don’t watch it. I guess that first game will be very telling.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:13 AM ^
We were hosed many years ago, when it didn't seem like @Minny was hosing us. This season is going to be a season of attrition, so let's just hope that December 21st is a cold, snowy day in Columbus (as La Nina does her thing) and OSU's biggest advantage (OSU WR v. UM DBs) is mitigated and our greatest strength (UM Run game v. OSU Run D) is magnified.
September 19th, 2020 at 2:42 PM ^
I hope it is like that on the 12th too!
September 19th, 2020 at 11:10 AM ^
It’s as though they’re prescribing the outcome. Minnesota v Wisconsin winner in west, OSU from east would guarantee no rematch in west 1 vs east 1 so that the winner has maximal shot at playoff.
tin foil hat? Maybe. But probably not!
September 19th, 2020 at 11:27 AM ^
At least that means our crossover will likely be an inferior opponent if they avoid rematches. We may actually end the season with a win!
September 19th, 2020 at 11:12 AM ^
I don’t like starting at Minnesota. Looks like 6-2 (at best) to me.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:26 AM ^
Won't be cold. No fans. LOTS of off-season rust. I'm OK with playing them at the beginning of the season.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
It may actually be cold and/or wet in late October, and it’s still a road game despite the lack of fans. Travel is a factor in road performance. Plus we will have a new QB who has thrown like 50 passes in college.
We’ll be favored, but I don’t like our chances.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:08 PM ^
It's also travel with a whole bunch of COVID restrictions and protocols in place that Michigan will be figuring out for the first time.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:10 PM ^
Actually in his 2 seasons Milton has only attempted a combined 11 passes.
September 19th, 2020 at 1:40 PM ^
And completed like 3.
What could possibly go wrong?
Whatever, I'm in!
9-0, baby!
September 19th, 2020 at 11:13 AM ^
Look at the bright side! At least OSU’s shitty schedule will make it harder for them to get into the playoff...kinda.
Honestly, we all knew this was coming, but it is still a complete joke. I predicted a 5-4 record, and I’m sticking to that. Neg away.
And despite what Brian said, I can totally see a scenario where this schedule screws us. OSU is undefeated, we pull off a miracle in The Game, but we lost to Wisc and PSU. It actually seems quite likely, other than beating OSU that is.
September 19th, 2020 at 3:21 PM ^
The corollary is that UM's tougher schedule improves the chances of getting into the CFP. 9-0 with 5 wins over top 20 teams - that should do it!
September 19th, 2020 at 7:08 PM ^
if we somehow beat OSU i wouldn't care what our record was
September 19th, 2020 at 11:14 AM ^
I have heard rumors that the B1G has already booked Alabama to play Michigan as their +1 opponent. More to come...
September 19th, 2020 at 11:31 AM ^
How in the fuck do we get Minn and Wisc while Ohio St gets Nebraska and ILL?
September 19th, 2020 at 11:43 AM ^
You must be new here.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:51 AM ^
I am. Please enlighten me.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:57 AM ^
Well you asked how Michigan got screwed and OSU didn’t. The answer is that we are Michigan, and they are OSU. Also, water is wet.
You are now enlightened.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:53 PM ^
And you are a dickhead!
September 19th, 2020 at 2:08 PM ^
I know you are but what am I!
September 19th, 2020 at 6:37 PM ^
There's also a diary about it in case support data is needed.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
I thought someone said it was the permanent crossover opponent + one of the crossover games that was previously scheduled which means each team dropped a crossover game. However, Michigan lost Purdue but kept Wisconsin (bc I think Minnesota is the permanent opponent), yet Ohio State dropped Iowa but kept Nebraska and Illinois which is a little suspicious on both counts
September 19th, 2020 at 11:35 AM ^
Minnesota and OSU on the road sucks but this is the year to go on the road. Either zero people or very small crowds should negate home field advantage. It is a tough draw with Wisconsin included but I'm just glad to have football.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:23 PM ^
I'm actually kind of relaxed about all of it because at least it's football and this is really kind of a footnote season. Should be some great development for a new QB and a lot of young O Line talent that I'm very excited about.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:35 AM ^
Knowing the schedule is a thumbs up. One surprise for me is opening with a crossover game. Wasn't sure and did not assume that the two crossover games would be at the end of the season or not.
Placing the OH State was also a question mark as it could have remained at it's traditional date. No problem there.
Let it happen, Go Blue!
September 19th, 2020 at 11:44 AM ^
Kill Minnesota. Then kill MSU. Then keep on killin' stuff.
September 19th, 2020 at 4:11 PM ^
+1
LFG
September 19th, 2020 at 12:00 PM ^
Michigan is very, very much capable of beating everyone on their schedule except OSU. This was true before the pandemic and it’s true now. Defense taking a hit at CB but as good or better everywhere else. Offense is young and imperfect but has an incredible array of weapons and a truly exciting quarterback. I don’t know what will happen, but I do know that I’m ready to ride baby #MiltonSzn
September 19th, 2020 at 12:06 PM ^
Dude, we have no actual evidence that Milton is any good. Reports from insiders mean nothing, we all know that.
If he’s mediocre, I don’t see much chance of beating OSU, Wisc, PSU, or Minny.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:10 PM ^
You’re right. I agree that if the team turns out to be bad, they will struggle to win challenging games
September 19th, 2020 at 12:12 PM ^
Michigan's secondary is also largely filled with hopes and dreams which isn't great when going against a returning veteran QB with his entire OL back from the year before. With or without Bateman returning, that's a matchup problem.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:16 PM ^
Bateman will be tough, yes. Interested to see how Minnesota’s offensive line matches up against a Michigan DL that should be improved in the interior. I’m not saying 8-1 or bust, but I also don’t see many reasons to write this team off against opponents that have roughly been peers over the last few years—with Minnesota being one they’ve been better than. Against OSU? Sure, let’s go ahead and pencil that one in
Comments