Brandstatter, Dierdorf Called the Game From Michigan Stadium
I didn't listen to the broadcast, so I don't know if they mentioned it or not. And forgive me if it was posted in one of the other threads. But I saw that Brandy and Dierdorf called the game from the press box at Michigan Stadium. I'm assuming this will be the norm for all the road games this year, but still, kind of weird.
Photo from Bruce Madej's Facebook page.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:18 AM ^
Perhaps this will be an unpopular response, but...
Brandy is so much better suited for color, and Dierdorf...is not good. Together, they’re unlistenable.
Can we please get a real PBP guy, and move Brandy back to color?
October 25th, 2020 at 11:39 AM ^
I agree with this. Bob Ufer they aren’t, not by a long shot. I like them both but they’re not good.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:42 AM ^
I actually think that's the most popular response that's ever been posted here.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:43 AM ^
I hear Keith Jackson is available.
October 25th, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^
You didn’t hear? Im surprised it hasn’t been posted on the board yet...
October 25th, 2020 at 11:43 AM ^
I agree. After listening to the pre-game show on the radio,I started out watching and listening to the ABC broadcast and then approximately 10 minutes into the game, muted the TV to listen again on the radio.
My ears and brain soon started hurting and by the middle of the 2nd quarter, I gave up on their radio broadcast, not listening the rest of the way other than to get some halftime and postgame commentary.
Because they're both Michigan Men through and through, I like these guys JUST NOT AS A BROADCASTING TEAM FOR MICHIGAN FOOTBALL.
We need a real play-by-play broadcaster, Brandy back at color, and if Dierdorf wants to stick around, then just on the pre- and postgame shows.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:53 AM ^
I rather hear Dierdorf's pre game, halftime and post game comments. He isn't half bad as a color guy. Love Brandy but he's not play-by-play material. My gut tells me this their last year together in their current roles.
Not sure Jon Jansen is ready for play-by=play but that's a topic for later discussion.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:04 PM ^
Jansen on PBP? No. No! God no! PBP is a professional position that is earned by several years of doing it in minor league type environments. It is not a job for Grandpa because he loves Michigan. Greatest PBP guy I ever experienced was Ernie Harwell. He absolutely LOVED the Tigers but he called the game as an objective observer. The subjectivity comes from the wheel man, which even at that Brandy was barely listenable. Jansen will one day take over the Brandy wheel man role.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:22 PM ^
Yeah, you don't need any prior connection to Michigan football to be the PBP guy, you just need to be good at the job. Frank Beckmann had never been an athlete, he was just a career broadcaster - and very good at it. (I feel like Beckmann never fully got his due, because he succeeded Ufer. He had a lot of legendary calls in his own right - "Charles Woodson, down the sideline!" and "Denard Robinson, shoelaces flopping in the wind!" come to mind.)
October 25th, 2020 at 12:25 PM ^
I agree and have said this for years - as color with Frank Beckman it was a really good broadcast. But play by play is not his strong suit and at times Dan Deirdorf just comes across grumpy. Like others I miss Ufer but I thought Frank Beckman was very good; albeit with a very different style.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:50 PM ^
Since the UM club did not have a watch party, I synched up the Radio with a muted TV and enjoyed it.
October 25th, 2020 at 2:24 PM ^
Agreed about Brandy being a better color man but I still like Dan. They need to get Dan Dickerson in the booth with them to call the plays
October 25th, 2020 at 11:34 AM ^
Lions broadcasters have been doing the same thing, though I can't stand 3 seconds of Lomas Brown.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:21 PM ^
Will NEVER understand why the Lions ditched Brandy for Lomas. Oh, wait ... They're the Lions.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:38 AM ^
How many "Sack Time!" orgasms did he get off?
October 25th, 2020 at 11:49 AM ^
at his age..............
Anyway. It seems like Jon Jansen is Brandy part II and that's a positive. All of these guys are former players and while that is great for hearing passion we would benefit from a true broadcaster like Brian Griese. A few NCs and maybe he would be willing. He is a color guy too tho right?
October 25th, 2020 at 1:40 PM ^
Quite a bit in the 4th quarter as I remember.
I wish he would ditch the phrase though...it's like the boom goes the dynamite guy...just trying too hard.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:57 AM ^
NASCAR has had all of their broadcasting done in Charlotte not matter where else the venues are held. It makes sense in today's COVID world.
Dierdorf has missed many road games in the past because he is unable to travel. Poor guy, he can hardly walk anymore. By broadcasting here in A2 makes for the best situation for this year.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:04 PM ^
Yeah, my dad mentioned to me they would be doing this before the game started.
If Michigan Replay were still around today, Brandy would be LOVING this arrangement. In the past when they would play night games on the road, he’d have to fly back to Ann Arbor after the game, get dressed up and film the Michigan Replay episode around 4:00 in the morning. Then he’d have just a few hours to rest before he’d be needed to broadcast for the Lions.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:24 PM ^
October 25th, 2020 at 1:09 PM ^
What channel was it on?
October 25th, 2020 at 12:18 PM ^
Brandy has to go as pbp guy. Loveable dude but not suited for the role. Excellent color man. But I also like Dierdorf. I like his insights and there is a reason he had a lead analyst role on network TV for years.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:20 PM ^
Brandy is awful.
October 25th, 2020 at 12:45 PM ^
How is it that this is the best duo Michigan can come up with to do its games.
October 25th, 2020 at 1:48 PM ^
If there is any replay with Dierdorf and Brandstatter, you have to listen to the last empty throw by McNamara when M could have attempted a 4th field goal.
Dierdorf went on for 20 min into the post game show about how Michigan is going to need a field goal this year and that was the perfect opportunity to give Moody a chance to get one in and change the narrative.
Just going on and on and on and honestly I personally did not find it annoying one bit because I think we should have gone for a field goal for the same reason...need the game day practice. But Brandstatter almost started have a hissy fit at one point trying to get Dierdorf to shut up.
Anyway, if you are working at your workbench today with your circular saw or what have you, see if you can listen and enjoy (safety first). There is also a bunch of talk of how the game was quite a success overall, a pleasant surprise, great way to nail the first game.
I agree, but the game was a 25 point different and Brandstatter was making it seem like it was a 50 point win, but, that's the least of the worries here...Michigan was in some kind of control, just has the usual kinks to work out.
If you're interested as to why I'm the only person to have listened to this whole broadcast, well I was driving for 15 hours and really listening to these guys was a true privilege on an otherwise long drive, so perspective.
And yes, I am procrastinating on work today (even watched a TED Talk on procrastination). You're welcome on the blog entry.
Go Blue!
October 25th, 2020 at 4:54 PM ^
Nah, I love the rank homerism and folksy humor of Brandstatter and Dierdorf. Yes, they Brandstatter fumbles his words a little, and misses some action, and is not real fluid and smooth, but his 50 year knowledge of Michigan Football, and his repartee with his former teammate, works for me. The only change I'd be comfortable with is a 3 man booth where Brandstatter and Dierdorf chuck it up while another Michigan homer is the play-by-play guy. If I want objective, I'll listen to the national telecast.
October 26th, 2020 at 8:48 PM ^
Yes, that info was reported about three weeks before their first broadcast.