lilpenny1316

September 12th, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^

I somehow forgot Duke and Kansas fielded football programs and was excited for a great lineup of hoops games. Either way, I don't like the combination of Gus Johnson and September Maryland. 

Joined: 11/19/2009

MGoPoints: 61836

WolverineHistorian

September 12th, 2022 at 12:57 PM ^

I looked it up.  They have the hilarious win over Texas from 2018…but other than that, they haven’t defeated a team with a winning record in September in the last five years.

With they said, they’re still better than any conference opponent we will face.  Usually we play these guys in November.  Don’t know why it’s the conference opener this year.  

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

brad

September 12th, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^

I've noticed our conference scheduling recently has been a little less of a minefield than I remember it being in decades past.  Wisconsin in particular seemed to show up as our first conference game or the week before Ohio State an inordinate number of times, just for example.  Warde seems to have fixed that, so we start out with some lighter fare before getting hit with a Wisconsin or Iowa these days.  If Maryland is our planned in buffer between the non-conference slate and night game at Iowa, I'm for it, even though it probably turns out that Maryland is better than Iowa this year.  And if so, then also kudos to Warde because I don't believe we got this treatment since the early 90's.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15805

Gree4

September 12th, 2022 at 12:33 PM ^

Damn...the picture quality on FOX is TERRIBLE through Youtube TV. Even when streaming through a 4k firestick.

 

I might have to buy an antenna or watch the game somewhere else. 

Joined: 09/04/2020

MGoPoints: 13939

Vasav

September 12th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^

I'm slightly surprised. Figured USC-Oregon St, MSU-Minnesota, Oregon-Wazzu may have been bigger draws. Looks like OU-KSt is a night game, and after El Assico and BYU upsetting Baylor, BU-ISU probably has lost its shine. 

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19255

ShadowStorm33

September 12th, 2022 at 1:05 PM ^

For one, Michigan is a huge draw. Four of our games in 2021 were among the top ten most watched all year (OSU, Georgia, Iowa, MSU), and half were top 50. In terms of ratings, we're always a good bet.

Second, yes, USC-Oregon St. and Oregon-WSU might be bigger draws, but neither of those games were going to be played at 9am Pacific, so they were never a factor in the decision. And Baylor-ISU is on ESPN.

It looks like ESPN had the top pick that week (Wisc-OSU in primetime), so of the games you listed, we really only beat MSU-Minny for the Big Noon slot. And honestly, while that is probably a better matchup, we're frankly the bigger draw, as Sparty and Minny are more regional fanbases.

Joined: 07/22/2008

MGoPoints: 23065

NittanyFan

September 12th, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^

FOX has 8 NFL games in Week 3 - which means they'll have Gus calling one of them (he's either their 7th or 8th NFL crew).

Lions at Vikings is one of those games and it's not going to get a ton of coverage or distribution (one of those only in MI, MN and the Dakotas type of games), so that may have had a factor too.  Multiple flight options Saturday night between the 2 Delta hubs - he can easily make both games.

The only real options for FOX Noon in 12 days were MD @ Michigan or K-State @ Oklahoma.  Logistically for Gus, Michigan is better.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43138

Newton Gimmick

September 12th, 2022 at 1:45 PM ^

Brian has been (kinda) talking up this Maryland team as a test but I just don't see it.  Have they ever come close to beating a good Big 10 team?

He also seems to think @Iowa will be easier but I guarantee there will be some weirdness at Kinnick.  Not my first choice for JJ's first road start.

Joined: 05/06/2015

MGoPoints: 33792

NittanyFan

September 12th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^

A 5-7 Maryland team (caveat, in College Park) was one play away from beating OSU in 2018. 

OSU scored a whole bunch (45 points in regulation) but so did Maryland: 339 yards rushing on 7.1 yards per!

Maryland will sling the ball around and they're certainly better than any of CSU, Hawaii or UConn.  They're not a test the way an OSU or MSU is, but they're a test in a way --- if the pass defense/rush performs the way OSU's run defense did that day, they are capable of keeping up with the points Michigan will also put up.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43138

Newton Gimmick

September 12th, 2022 at 4:08 PM ^

Ah crap, you reminded me of that game -- the one that, if the Maryland QB doesn't totally misfire on the 2-point conversion, clinches the East for Michigan -- though that arguably wasn't a very good OSU team, at least until the last game of that season.  
 

Just seems like we go through this every year.  There's a reason this meme exists...

(I know the Maryland game is technically September but...)

Joined: 05/06/2015

MGoPoints: 33792

Perkis-Size Me

September 12th, 2022 at 1:45 PM ^

First Gus Johnson call of the year. For sure won't be the last. 

Should be a really good test for the defense. Tagovailoa will probably make some bonehead plays in this game, but he'll probably have a couple pretty darn good ones, too. If the pass rush can get home on him, Michigan should be in really good shape. 

If not, Michigan might be sweating this game out for a while. Seems like Maryland probably has at worst the third best group of receivers in the conference. 

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105786

Soulfire21

September 13th, 2022 at 9:21 PM ^

Maryland seems (just to my untrained eye) to typically have a good group of receivers and strong passing game.

It may not be the test but it’s certainly an increase in difficulty from Colorado State, Hawaii, and UConn.

Joined: 03/18/2010

MGoPoints: 22716