Doesnt it Piss Anybody Off That it's on Big Ten Network
In a way I feel very insulted for ESPN'S schedule for College Football tommorow. Why the hell isn't this game being nationally televised? With all of Michigan's recent positive ESPN compliments and coverage why isn't this game on ESPN or ESPN 2? This is a classic rivalry matchup for a rivalry trophy?! It's an in state battle for god's sake. Why broadcast it on Big Ten Network?
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 PM ^
No, because I can watch it and I could give two shits less what the rest of America thinks.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 PM ^
Yes, because I have family who lives in Florida and will have to either miss it or the most realistic scenario keep me on speaker phone the whole time to get constant updates.
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 AM ^
I'm in Florida. BTN is available everywhere. It's part of Verizon's basic digital package. I believe the same with Brighthouse. Channel 585 on Fios, BTN HD. Channel 85 without HD.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 PM ^
I was more just surprised than anything. I didn't even think about it till I read it on the blog.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:53 PM ^
I think that most of the people that would be pissed off by this have already switched providers to someone that carries the BTN, thus the lack of anger. Or maybe they just haven't noticed that it's on BTN yet.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 AM ^
Tomorrow there's Iowa and the Wisconsin-Minnesota game in our time slot. Iowa's coming off a big win over Penn State and now looks like a contender to go to a BCS bowl. Wisconsin is undefeated, Minnesota is 3-1, and they also have a rivalry. A Wisconsin win would make them 5-0 and put them on the national radar. Furthermore, it seems quite possible the Minnesota is a better team than MSU. Finally, there is a strong possibility that the quality of play in the UM-MSU game will be low, as Forcier's shoulder might be bothering him, Michigan's receivers aren't exactly fantastic, and God-forbid there might be more snapping issues. Meanwhile, MSU is generally not a high-performing team, with a lot of holes on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as their late game performance this year (not exactly spectacular). And that's ignoring the weather issues.
Even with ABC not doing any noon games, I was surprised that UM-MSU slipped to the Big Ten Network. But I can certainly see why ESPN passed on the game.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:03 AM ^
Well we were 3-9 last year, and they're 1-3 this year, so whether they made the schedule this year or last year it kind of makes some sense. At least there's no chance of Pam Ward, eh?
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 AM ^
Her voice is burned into my head and may replace any announcer who might be on tomorrow...ARGH!!!
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 AM ^
Just can't believe how terrible BTN analysis is. Tonight Gary Barnett was on Big 10 and Beyond. While discussing the game, he informed all of us that this game was important becuase of recruiting more so than ever. He claimed that in the past it was never really important for recruiting because UM and MSU never sought out the same type of player, particularly in state. However, now that Rodriguez is here, we will be competing for many of the same local players more than ever. What? Yeah, either that or exactly the opposite. WTF?
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 AM ^
It's called "mute". Or, change the f-ing channel when they do their "analysis". What the hell do you need to listen to them recap the first half for, you just watched it didn't you?
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:24 AM ^
Yeah, we don't get BTN in Kalamazoo.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:27 AM ^
Yeah, because the place I wanted to watch it doesn't get BTN. I don't mind the BTN for other games, but this one deserves to be a national game.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:43 AM ^
It does not piss me off. I am grateful that no Pam Ward will be heard tomorrow in my living room, but I feel as though it is a poor decision by ESPN. Their College Gameday location of choice (Florida State at Boston College) shows me that there aren't a large quantity of good games this week, and thus a UM vs. MSU rivalry game with all the Michigan stories floating around should be on the ESPN family of networks.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:57 AM ^
EXTREMELY pissed off. On the West Coast, no BTN for me. Enjoy watching the game, I get to listen to the audio stream on MGoBlue.
Yes, I'm bitter. This game is, like, always on ABC. WTF
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:22 AM ^
I get BTN, but yeah, it does piss me off. Regardless of how either team is doing, UM/MSU is one of college football's great rivalries.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:29 AM ^
Well, its hard to argue with ABC picking first and making Penn State at Illinois the featured game of the week on their network. Good call. What's that thought process?
Once that happened, this game became a lock for the BTN because of how contracts are worked up and the rotating drafts of games these networks swap with one another. This is a big coup for the BTN.
I dont really care this game is downgraded from any 3:30 prime slot, but I feel bad for all of you who cant watch it. That just blows. Takes a lot of fun out of the season if you ask me.
You cant really hate the BTN. Its a strong business move for them to grab this game. It could help as a chip to drag those who havent signed yet to do so. The network has helped the league and is vital to the conference's future. So, I dont think you can hate them, but this is certainly a time to suspend that and vent if you're getting screwed.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 AM ^
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/little-brothers-ruin-everything
To paraphrase...yes, it fucking does. ;)
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:18 AM ^
In my case, I will be relying on an internet stream and the mgoblog cover it live for my viewing enjoyment. Other than the broadcast team, it doesn't make a difference to me.
Unfortunately, ESPN America which normally broadcasts 4 live games per week (Thursday night and 12, 3:30 and primetime on Saturday) and a few others on a tape delayed basis has decided to focus on baseball and hockey this weekend. So, the home of college football has no college football! I have however had the benefit of watching UM vs ND and UM vs Indiana live on my TV (albeit without HD).
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:01 AM ^
yes it does piss me off.... im on west coast without BTN... (why the hell is gameday at boston collage vs florida state...) (miami oklahoma and usc vs cal would be my choise by far..)
Normally i can see it on abc but no... i get to see usc kill cal... great... i cant even see a good game with miami and oklahoma...
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
Of course reading this thread I looked on their "schedule" and it wasn't there. I'm going off the list of games displayed on the premium channels when they don't have any other content, and it's been inaccurate before (i.e., they showed the wrong channel for the Indiana game last week). So I'm not concerned. Yet. I better not be watching this on fucking justin.tv again.
Still, the quality of the BTN is a concern. I do expect them to get better in the next couple of years. They're clearly just starting to get their act together, whereas ESPN and most of the others have been doing this for years. In the next couple of years I would expect them to get better. There's nowhere to go but up for a lot of things, including the camera work.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:27 PM ^
Can't find the damn game on Rogers.
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 PM ^
I just checked my local cable monopoly's lineup and the Big Ten Network is not available in their lineup. If it were it would probably be on one of the add-on digital cable tiers.
I live in an apartment building so Dish Network and DirecTV are not options.
Yes, I could go to a sports bar, but I'm not in the mood to deal with overpriced, watered-down beer and Syracuse fans today.