Michigan Football Has To Leave The Conference
First, a disclaimer: I am about 97% sure Michigan will not leave the Big Ten. But they should.
Here's why -- feel free to add yours!
- The money factor can be mitigated. Especially as an independent, Michigan will be in a position to dictate terms of its own TV deal. Yes, leaving the Big Ten will mean leaving their sweet TV contract, but they can make their own. If they join a conference, like the ACC which has been suggested, they should be able to negotiate favorable terms upon entrance.
- The expanded playoff helps keep Michigan relevant for the post-season. If Michigan goes to the ACC, that's still a "power X" conference. If there are super-conferences down the road, Michigan will be coveted. If they go independent, the NCAA will not be able to exclude them without affecting ND, which they won't do.
- There are no academic issues for which Michigan needs the Big Ten (research, etc.). The conference needs Michigan much more than Michigan needs them.
- Any desired rivalries can be maintained in some form. This is much easier if Michigan goes independent, but even if Michigan joins the ACC, there is room in the non-con schedule for certain games.
- After what OSU has done here, "The Game" is rapidly losing luster and desirability for me. Even during the awful stretch where we lost so often, at least we were getting beaten on the field. But this? These actions by OSU are heinous enough where they've become MSU to me -- I don't give a shit if we ever play them again.
- After what the NCAA and the conference "leadership" and the conference members have done and how they've acted, principle dictates, almost demands, that Michigan strike back with the most crippling power it has -- taking its prestige and power somewhere that it will be respected . Stretchgate was the tip of the iceberg. The 2016 officiating situation in The Game was a clear shot at the program and Harbaugh. Now this. Accepting rumor and shady PI findings as "evidence". The mob justice conference call excluding Michigan. The meeting to decide the extreme 3-game suspension without investigation or due process. The legal wrangling blocking any recourse Michigan would have. And the timing of all of it planned and executed to inflict maximum chaos, disorder, and hardship on the team. It's horseshit, all of it, and there's no reason for us to stay.
- If we were to stay, something else will be fabricated and come down on us. It's not like staying the course is going to make everything better. So, it's time to go.
The NCAA and the Big Ten hate Harbaugh and Michigan, that has been made VERY clear. To paraphrase the fantastic comment by Bluesince96, would you recommend someone stay with an abusive spouse if they had money? Of course not, and we shouldn't either.
Thanks for reading -- sorry about the length.
November 13th, 2023 at 1:28 AM ^
Wow, I've never heard this before...
November 13th, 2023 at 8:41 AM ^
Here's something you may not have heard of. If Michigan goes independent and gets a TV deal in the 60-70 million range. Each player on the the team could receive 100,000 in NIL, and Michigan would still have 50-60 million left over. Harbaugh also pushed for this earlier this year.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
That would be a shotgun to the dick of the NCAA.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^
TV money and NIL money are two completely different things from completely different sources.
November 13th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
Not when we get to pay our players to be on TV and use their name image and likeness. It's the purest form of nil there is.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
I think they should explore all possibilities and keep their options open because the commissioner has obviously shown bias in how he will govern us. Because the conference has 4 new teams with a brand coming aboard, the leverage we had isn't as great. They could certainly make things difficult once this agreement ends and make sure that the commissioner isn't allowed to have the unfettered power he is attempting use against us. His power becomes less and less each day. Forgive me for saying so but, we are founding members of this conference and we should lead, rather than throw a tantrum and leave, to the satisfaction of our detractors. IJS
November 13th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
This is the most likely outcome. The best outcome would be to restructure the revenue sharing terms to favor the income producers and tell the other schools if they don’t like it THEY CAN LEAVE. Why should we leave? We are perhaps the brand most associated with the Big Ten and the most historically important, besides being a founding member and the oldest football program in the conference and the oldest of the programs that are considered Blue Bloods.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
True, but I think somebody needs to post something like this every week. The B1G will do this to Michigan again if we don't leave.
November 13th, 2023 at 1:33 AM ^
We start our own super conference. Santa becomes commissioner. We handpick who joins and start a bidding war with the networks. All other conferences become second-tier irrelevant. Profit.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:09 AM ^
I'll one up you- we should leave the NCAA in football and form a super conference where players get a share of the TV revenue.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
Sparty to the MAC (sorry MAC).
November 13th, 2023 at 1:42 AM ^
Yes, Michigan should seek offers at a minimum.
In the off chance we do leave, the money factor can indeed be mitigated for Michigan, while it can't by the Big Ten. Good luck getting the west coast teams to cover the loss of Michigan.
Pettiness - 1
Big Ten - 0
November 13th, 2023 at 8:15 AM ^
Pettitiness - 1
Fify
November 13th, 2023 at 9:02 AM ^
Seek offers, dunno. But the question of a switch should be examined, carefully, by lots and lots of people. It might be past time. And I do share a sense, with the OP, that these rivalries acquire a character that is less and less consonant with the ideas of real competition, fair play, etc., let alone spirited fun; if we can't make this sting for Ryan Day and OSU on the 25th, I will be disappointed.
I would strongly oppose joining the SEC, but the ACC with M and ND would be by far the best academic conference, and an interesting prospect.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^
And being the best Academic conference is going to get you... where exactly, when the ACCs next TV contract is negotiated?
These are athletic conferences, and football is the driver of that athletic revenue. We should only consider the SEC or a super-conference with the best football programs.
I could see Michigan going to the SEC precipitating the eventual relegation of the bottom halves of the ACC and Big Ten, just like what happened over in the Pac 12.
November 13th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
We don't share the same values. Yours are, arguably, what got us here. New research pacts and other cooperation could be part of the package. Could be the driver of a lot of good, with an ambition to out-rival the Ivy Leagues.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
You are right I don't. I'm a Michigan fan because they take sports AND academics seriously. Your way only takes the academic side into consideration. Might as well be a fan of Brown or UPenn for as much as that would get us.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:05 PM ^
There is more strategically than just football and the SEC are a special brand of douchebags all their own. Academics do count because we are a school first and a football program second. Independent, ACC, or super conference if we can’t fix the Big Ten or force our ingrate partners to leave.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:15 PM ^
There is more strategically than just football and the SEC are a special brand of douchebags all their own. Academics do count because we are a school first and a football program second. Independent, ACC, or super conference if we can’t fix the Big Ten or force our ingrate partners to leave.
November 13th, 2023 at 1:47 AM ^
Seems like it would be better to wait until more people are on board with the idea that there needs to be some sort of formal cba between players and universities and football gets separated from the NCAA and the Big Ten.
All this is overreaction. The current mess will make it easier for Michigan to help lead this effort with football, but leaving the Big Ten is not in the best interest of all the other varsity sports programs.
I think we're still a couple of years out from this effort beginning. First, more people need to see the absurdity of 18-school conferences.
November 13th, 2023 at 7:15 AM ^
What you are saying sounds logical. I have concerns that B1G and the loser conference partners won't stop here and make it hell for UM for the upcoming years. How much UM able to fight back with their own investigation and flex their power remains to be seen. Unless the B1G teams not named OSU, MSU, Rutgers and Purdue don't change their tactics, inaction will further derail this Football program. We will see.
November 13th, 2023 at 8:18 AM ^
"....leaving the Big Ten is not in the best interest of all the other varsity sports programs." Why?
Hockey could shoot for Hockey East or NCHC or settle for the CCHA (TRADITION)
Basketball, Softball, Baseball, etc. would do just as fine in the ACC(full membership or ND model), SEC, Big 12. Wrestling may be a downgrade if we went SEC or ACC.
We have the legal, sports and business experts to analyze the most promising scenarios. We should do that, weigh the pros and cons then make the best decision for Michigan
The college sports world is in a tectonic shift. We might as well lead the change.
November 13th, 2023 at 8:25 AM ^
I think that's a measured, rational response. However, I think that Michigan needs to at least explore its options. I wouldn't be surprised if Michigan could get Penn State to explore a move to the ACC (which would probably be geographically favorable to PSU). The ACC needs help and this gives them viability. It also destroys the B1G.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^
At the same time it would keep all Michigan sports teams from having to constantly travel across 3 time zones to play a game. Football wouldn't be too bad with 1-2 trips out west, but the basketball team would be all over the place.
November 13th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
I also think this is the only logical way to leave the B1G. Form an ACC conference with Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Florida State, Clemson as the big dogs in ACC football. Basketball would even be better than the B1G. It wouldn't destroy the B1G with the Pac-12 teams joining but it would lessen the travel to the west coast. The ACC is all EST vs. the B1G of EST/CST/MST/PST.
November 13th, 2023 at 1:48 AM ^
Would you recommend someone stay with an abusive spouse if YOU had money?
Michigan is the one with the most money in this situation. Ohio State is close but I would still put Michigan on top. Either way, the Little 12 are not in the same zip code monetarily.
November 13th, 2023 at 5:30 AM ^
This is more accurate...and how Netflix documentaries about how a spouse tried to get away with murder, but got caught. At some point in this whole drama however, it would be prudent if the b1g addressed why a member couldn't simply report a rules violation as UM has done in the past, and allow the ncaa/b1g to investigate. Hiring firms to do the dirty work and wage a pr campaign is beyond acceptable. If rules were broken, let's pay our fine and move on - the right way - but the manner which other members have carried themselves needs to be addressed if the b1g expects to maintain any form of respect or trust among its members.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:06 AM ^
I think the best course of action is convincing the big boys they are being siphoned off by the Rutgers and Indianas of the world and that a bloated 18 team conference makes no sense when the conference is only guaranteed one playoff spot. I personally don’t care if anyone leaves the big ten with us or not but it’s clear that being the primary money maker for a conference that tries to screw you over at every turn and sabotage your program’s best season is not a tenable situation
November 13th, 2023 at 8:06 AM ^
November 13th, 2023 at 2:23 AM ^
The BIG got that lucrative TV contract in large part because more eyeballs watch Michigan football than any other team. Those eyeballs travel with Michigan regardless of the conference. The BIG needs Michigan way more than Michigan needs the BIG.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:10 AM ^
Apparently they don't think so. Let's leave at the earliest profitable opportunity. I hope when it happens it is quick and without expectation. A surprise that leaves them scrambling. A Friday afternoon commissioner on the plane announcement to ESPN. MFERS.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:26 AM ^
Michigan in the ACC or even the Big 12 sounds really fun to me after all this garbage, but I will say this. If the team manages to win a national championship this year, this mess will make it my peak as a fan. Nothing will ever be more satisfying than Michigan giving a big FUCK YOU to everyone despite this smear campaign full of overreactions to fool idiots into grabbing their pitchforks.
November 13th, 2023 at 5:21 AM ^
A few years ago I found myself getting too wrapped around the axle when my teams lost so I attempted to ramp my fandom down a bit. It worked until this year. I found myself bargaining with the devil during the PSU game by thinking if we lost it didn't matter much because the season was already largely ruined because of the injustice I perceive from the B1G and much of the college football world. As the game went along I abandoned my thinking but I know what will likely happen when we play OSU - more bargaining.
Using your winning the NC logic really puts all of one's eggs in one basket and not in a good way.
Being a fan is not easy.
As for the B1G, I don't see how things work moving forward. One caveat, while Michigan has value far above what it receives from the B1G, if you remove The Game that value will most surely drop.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
Which is exactly why Michigan should threaten to leave "The Game" behind. Some assholes would pucker right up immediately. It should be made clear, Petitti has to go or Michigan goes and it's not up for debate.
November 13th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
Petitti has to go or Michigan goes and it's not up for debate.
Personally I want rid of the B1G brand because [all the reasons] but if we stay B1G then B1G should be change. I don't care about Petitti, there is always someone worse out there. The rules should change so that this can never happen again. But if I'm being honest, I just want nothing to do with this conference anymore. I hope we can make it work to leave them behind.
November 13th, 2023 at 10:48 AM ^
This is where I am. Petitti is largely irrelevant, and the root of it all is how the conference--to include some of its member institutions--has operated. I hope the discussions that have been reported on lately are more substantive than pre-hearing bluster. UM should be exploring all options aggressively, irrespective of what actions the B1G takes from here.
November 13th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
When a bunch of bitch schools bow down to a team that has dominated them for 50 years and has scooped up every number 1 recruiting class (this is THE number one place where cheating gets actual results) you got to wonder how did the devil convince them they didnt exist?
November 13th, 2023 at 2:38 AM ^
For several years, I have been in favor of a different conference or competition model for Michigan football. However, my biggest concern about leaving the B1G is the impact on Michigan's non-revenue sports team. How would the non-revenue teams be impacted by a departure if we went independent? Obviously, the answer is easy if you join another existing conference or create a new one.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:08 AM ^
No hand wringing from me on that one. Non revenue sports should be just that.
November 13th, 2023 at 6:18 AM ^
I think the answer for the other sports if football goes independent is to join the Big East in everything they offer. There would be a few sports that would have to figure something out (hockey, wrestling) but I think that's the best option.
Regular basketball games against UConn, Georgetown, Villanova etc would be cool.
November 13th, 2023 at 8:16 AM ^
Wouldn't the SEC be the only logical move, if they'd take us ?
November 13th, 2023 at 8:19 AM ^
"If they'd take us."
Lol
November 13th, 2023 at 9:29 AM ^
I don't think so. SEC coaches were already in twitter wars with Harbaugh 8 years ago about the satellite camps and things like that. Michigan would not be welcomed in this conference. SEC and its fans are a different animal.
Tennessee still hates Michigan with a passion about Woodson winning over Manning.
Kentucky still hates Michigan about the fab 5 beating them in the final 4.
IMO a move to ACC is the most logical move if they decide to leave. They are not very strong right now and it would only benefit them to add Michigan to their conference.
November 13th, 2023 at 8:36 AM ^
Can we just leave the B1G for football? Doesn't stuff like that happen often?
November 13th, 2023 at 8:46 AM ^
Just leaving the B1G for football doesn't sound like a good option. The damage caused to the M brand by our fellow "member" universities transcends the football program only.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:49 AM ^
I upvoted you because I agree with your basic premise. I also don’t like to neg just because a topic has already been previously discussed.
HOWEVER, Albany Blue, this topic really has been beaten to death. And, I read your analysis a few times to perhaps find new arguments but, alas, there were none. Just a rehashing of the same points that have been reiterated numerous times by our fellow mgobloggers
I would prefer it if we were to completely table this discussion until after the season. There will be so much more that will have occurred on and off the field that will give us additional information to consider. We can then take a fresh look at this topic.
Just a friendly suggestion from a kindred spirit who can’t fall asleep so he is watching a DVR of the YSU hoops game and trying to decipher who half these guys are that play for our basketball team. Have a good night/morning.
November 13th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
Strongly disagree. This topic will not be tabled either way. There will be court dates and the big game in a few weeks. Just because Michigan won this weekend doesn't make everything all good and fuzzy. The subject hasn't been beaten to death when there has been no action taken. Constant calls from people who are stakeholders are necessary. The sooner people discard the history and romanticism of the conference, the better off they will be. Outside of Michigan and Ohio State, this conference sucks to watch. It's time to make a move. If you want people to respect you, you have to be willing to make big boy moves. It's long past time Michigan wielded some power and said the school won't be a part of the conference as long as there is equal revenue sharing. So time to leave, time for Petitti to leave, or time to let the Big Ten know Michigan will not be a part of the next TV deal without having larger revenue share, more protection from the ridiculous lack of due process, and different leadership.
November 13th, 2023 at 1:15 PM ^
It’s amazing to me how folks fail at reading comprehension. Maynard, my post clearly does not advocate our university do nothing for the time being. It suggests that this blog should table this discussion until later. That’s all. Just a friendly suggestion. But, from the numerous posts here, it’s clear the circle jerk will continue unabated. (Unabated! Listening, Tuck?)
Michigan will not be taking any steps to leave the B1G in the next few weeks. So, as a group here, we don’t need to continue to state and restate and restate and restate the same tired arguments. I guess it makes everyone feel better. When you are totally helpless and at the mercy of one judge making one decision, I guess you make yourself feel better by saying over and over again we should leave the B1G.
And, spare me the silly argument that we should use this as leverage. Typical laypeople thinking. As a litigation attorney who has tried or resolved thousands of contested cases, I can tell you that there is nothing more indicative of a weak position than threatening something the other side knows you will never follow through on. Michigan and their lawyers are smart enough not to utilize the threat of leaving the B1G since, unless you’re willing to do it now, it’s an empty position.
But, have at it! Keeps everyone happy while we stress out for the next five days!
November 13th, 2023 at 1:36 PM ^
1. I never said you advocated doing nothing.
2. The discussion will not be tabled. This isn't a court of law. We don't "table" conversations here. Stop it.
3. You're not the only litigator here. You're not even the only one in this conversation. As a litigation attorney, if you don't know how actual leverage works (Michigan has some) versus a mere threat (that which are projecting onto me), then I have to question how many cases have gone in your favor.
In the meantime, don't come at someone with your stupid-ass resume. This is a college football message board. not your Hchiti76 Tries to Humble Brag Firm. Is that okay with you, counselor?
It's not up to YOU what everyone here talks about.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:05 PM ^
Agreed that it’s not up to me to decide. Read my original post. I made a simple suggestion. I didn’t insult anyone or tell anyone what to do. You started the attack.
I’m not going to apologize for my career accomplishments anymore than I will apologize for my M degree. I am proud of both of them. The only reason to mention them is to provide a basis for the expertise I utilized in formulating my opinion. I’m not interested in opinions for the sake of opinion. I want to know what your level of expertise, either obtained by education or experience, is that are the basis for your opinion.
I will apologize if I inadvertently insulted you. I go out of my way to not lower the bar on this blog.
What I am not an expert at is navigating all of this. I have never been on any form of social media and this is the only blog I read and post on. As my good friend of 51 years, koklaw, always reminds me, this is how it’s done on the internet and don’t “feed the trolls.” I disagree. I am going to continue to try to be reasonable and not engage in lazy tropes or direct character attacks. Go Blue!