Are Sean McDonough and Chris Spielman the best announcing team?

Submitted by wolverine1987 on

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?

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Ronnie Kaye

September 25th, 2015 at 10:42 PM ^

Spielman is the best color guy. McDonough has some good qualities but seems a bit full of himself and injects unnecessary attitude at times.

I actually think ABC/ESPN has it right with who their first string crew is. Herbstreit isn't far from Spielman in quality (a little less knowledgeable but a better speaker) and Fowler has really stepped into his new role well and is as good as already as good as any PBP man in my opinion. Lundquist is great too; too bad he shares a booth with the shameless Gary Danielson.

 

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M go Bru

September 26th, 2015 at 6:10 AM ^

He says the same thing over and over and over and over. The same negative stats about UM. It must be piped into his ear. Once is enough.

I lost respect for Spielmann when he and McDonough started debating how many Michigan players could play on OSU during a recent UM broadcast.

What the F was the point of that. Let's put down UM. The majority of the viewers are UM fans unless we are playing OSU. Are they trying to alleniate the vast majority of the people viewing the game?

This is why I would rather listen to the UM radio team. Too bad radio no longer syncs with the TV.

The best play by play man was Chris Jackson. He was teamed with a revolving door of color commentators. None of which stood out to me.

I really liked the Nessler / Bob Griese combo. Hester is now no longer as good as he use to be. 

The best color commentator of all time was Hank Stram, the ex Kansas City Chiefs coach. He would always predict a couple of plays in advance when a screen or draw was coming because the defense was overcommitting to the pass rush. George Allen, the ex Ram's and Redskin's coach also had that same knack. Unfortunately he was not a commentator very long.

I recently watched the 1986 Fiesta Bowl, where UM beat Nebraska. Dick Enberg / Merlin Olsen  did the game. I forgot what a great combo they were together.

It was so cool that Jackson / Bob Griese did the 1998 Rose Bowl where his son Brian led Michigan over Washington State to capture the 1997 National Championship. Bob played it perfectly and didn't show any emotion until the very end of the game.

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Red is Blue

September 26th, 2015 at 7:20 AM ^

I also hate people that say the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.

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Keel

September 26th, 2015 at 9:58 AM ^

I'm going to agree with you there.  I think Fox in general has gotten better on their college football coverage.  I enjoy FS1 more than ESPN by a long shot.  You can tell when watching FS1 radio shows and FSL they are giving the B1G a lot of love in what seems to be an attempt to suade Delany towards Fox on TV rights.  I would be happy to see B1G coverage exclusively on Fox/BTN for home games (obviously); I just can't stand ESPN anymore.  

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WackoWolverine

September 25th, 2015 at 10:40 PM ^

Sometimes it makes me sick to think about, but Spielman is a great announcer. Even when he is shitting on Michigan, it is insightful.

That said, he shows a respect of Michigan football, shitting on it or no. This is in direct contrast to Joey Galloway, who is an asshole ALL OF THE TIME.

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Rupertus

September 26th, 2015 at 3:04 AM ^

I feel like Spielman is always fair with us. When he has criticisms they're usually well taken, and he's an overall good dude besides. When he announces our games I know I'm not going to get pissed off at the commentary, which is not to be taken for granted.

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enlightenedbum

September 25th, 2015 at 10:40 PM ^

Absolutely and it's not close.  Ed Cunningham is the next best color guy, but he's teamed with Mike Patrick.  Gus is saddled with a moron.  I'm not sure who else would even be in the picture.

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Victor Valiant

September 25th, 2015 at 10:49 PM ^

I actually think many of us will look back at Musburger's body of work and miss his calls greatly when he's gone. He's taken for granted right now. Same goes for Verne Lundquist.

I'd kill to have Keith Jackson back. What I wouldn't give for one more, "WHOOAAA NELLY!"

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Qmatic

September 25th, 2015 at 10:53 PM ^

I would say yes. McDonough has a great PBP voice, and Speilman is one of the most knowledgeable color analysts.

As far as teams go, Nessler and Blackledge are good, same with Verne and Danielson.

Still love Gus, Musburger, and Patrick for PBP also

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MGoRedemption

September 25th, 2015 at 11:00 PM ^

McDonough is kinda nasally sounding but provides pretty decent commentary and follows the flow of the game really well. Speilman is good but then you remember he's a buckeye and it makes you want to mute the tv. But good duo.

Fowler on the other hand just doesn't capture that big game atmosphere that musberger had. I think I would rather have brad nessler.



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Avon Barksdale

September 25th, 2015 at 11:03 PM ^

They are the best. Spielman is still trying to figure out why Denard did not take passing lanes and turn them into running lanes. Denard should've listened to Chris after the 167th time he told him to do it on national television.

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You Only Live Twice

September 25th, 2015 at 11:12 PM ^

I know a couple of people here have had issues with Brandstatter's play by play, but for anything away, or if I'm not at a home game, the TV will be muted and the Michigan Football Network will be the only sound.  For the Utah game there was no discernable delay.  Does not matter if Brandy isn't perfect, he is still great fun to listen to and I will not abide some TV hack kissing the ass of the other team. 

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ppudge

September 25th, 2015 at 11:14 PM ^

Brandstatter is absolutely BRUTAL as a PBP guy. A better analyst to be sure. That said, Dierdorf is excellent as an analyst and fun to listen to. They should have kept Beckmann and paired him with Dierdorf.

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RainbowSprings

September 26th, 2015 at 5:34 AM ^

The UM network requires one of the broadcast duo to sneak in commercials or promos during the actual play-by-play. Brandy used to do it for Beckman before the latter was canned. I can't see Dierdorf doing the promos. I think the need to seque into commercials during the PBP is the ONLY reason Brandy is now the lead on these radio broadcasts.

Brandy is absolutely atrocious on calling the yard marker on completed plays, always correcting himself even on short gains or losses. On one downed punt during either the Utah or OSU game, Brandy called it downed at the 10 yard line. Dierdorf had to gently point out that the ball was actually on the 30. C'mon, how can you be that far off?

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BlowGoo

September 25th, 2015 at 11:06 PM ^

Fine. I'll say it: Spielman sucks. Average at best. Yes, I'm biased. F off for asking. Still ticked off about when he said on air that no one on Michigan could compete for ANY OSU starting position (except maybe Braden). That was before NIU. Every time I hear Spielman this year, I'll remember that. Especially at the final regular season game. Spielman is a suck deluxe.

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