Michigan vs. Alabama #1 Non-Conference Game

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April 12th, 2012 at 2:41 AM
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hart20
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Michigan vs. Alabama #1 Non-Conference Game

Yahoo! Sports made a top 12 list of the best non-conference games of the upcoming season. The Michigan-Alabama game checks in at #1. Here's what they have to say: 

Two of the most storied programs in history get together for just the fourth time; the three previous meetings were in bowls, with the most recent coming in the Orange Bowl following the 1999 season. Alabama is a lock to open the season in the top 10, and the Wolverines should be in there, too. This will be the third time in five years that Alabama has opened the season in a neutral-site game; the other two were in Atlanta.

Other games of note:

#2 Boise St. @ MSU

#3 Notre Dame @ Oklahoma

#4 Miami-Notre Dame @ Soldier Field

#6 Cal @ Ohio St.

#8 Nebraska @ UCLA

 

Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf--college-football-worst-non-conference-games.html;_ylt=AjMblerUy1exhH7AqByOPywcvrYF

I'm loving the non-conference scheduling of late, although it likely won't last, which is a shame. I'm putting myself out there right now as well and I'm saying that we beat Bama, opening night. The first of many great victories this year.

Yep, that's Simba made out of a pineapple.

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April 12th, 2012 at 3:15 AM | praying for a Cal upset at (Score:2 Normal)
Lancer
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praying for a Cal upset at the shoe, boise spanking sparty wouldn't be bad either. 

Looking for BTTYS Nike sb Michigan Dunk Highs size 14, hit me up. 

April 12th, 2012 at 10:13 AM | Why? Them losing would be bad (Score:5 Normal)
rockediny
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Why? Them losing would be bad for the B10, making it bad for us. Them losing benefits us in no way. Sounds like a sparty thing to do and Michigan is better than that.

"There will be blood on the field and it won't be mine." -KK

April 12th, 2012 at 10:43 AM | Screw big ten pride.  I want (Score:3 Normal)
tbeindit
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Screw big ten pride.  I want ohio and msu to lose every game (cept I guess when they play each other?).  I'll root for most Big Ten teams the majority of the time, but this whole big ten pride thing makes no sense to me.  The benefit of msu or ohio winning is so marginal compared to the enjoyment of watching them get smoked.

Never root for ohio or msu.

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Tremendous

April 12th, 2012 at 11:45 AM | I am the exact same way, (Score:2 Normal)
ColoMichiganman
Joined: 03/09/2012
MGoPoints: 38

I am the exact same way, people always ask 'why aren't you rooting for big ten teams like Ohio and msu'. Simple answer: I Can't!!!! I despise both of those teams to the extent I can't cheer for them. When Msu played Ohio I was going for Ohio since the big 10 championship was on the line.

April 12th, 2012 at 11:47 AM | Problem is if Boise wins we (Score:3 Normal)
gbdub
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Problem is if Boise wins we probably need to hear about how they're the real deal and deserve a shot at the championship blah blah blah all year as they play the rest of their cupcake schedule. Now if Boise goes 8-4 with a win over Sparty I'm fine with that.



No one actually thinks Cal is that good so them beating Ohio is just pure schadenfreudey goodness, so go Bears

April 12th, 2012 at 3:52 PM | Can't agree with you there. (Score:3 Normal)
M-Dog
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Can't agree with you there.  As long as we have a voting system, we need the B1G to be percieved as a strong conference.

M'Dog

April 13th, 2012 at 6:30 AM | M-Dog (Score:3 Normal)
dennisblundon
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Bingo. Finally someone gets it. I will take it a step further and because the BCS computers are in involved, strength of schedule and top 25 wins matter. This is why I think even with 2 losses next year we are playing in a BCS game again simply due to our strength of schedule.

April 12th, 2012 at 10:51 AM | Don't tell me you didn't (Score:2 Normal)
MaizeNBlu628
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Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it when CMU beat MSU then. It's just fun watching them getting knocked down a notch or two.

April 12th, 2012 at 11:34 AM | guiliting me lol. I cheer for (Score:1)
Lancer
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guiliting me lol. I cheer for everyone in the big ten except for 2 teams. If you can cheer for them all the power to you man. 

Looking for BTTYS Nike sb Michigan Dunk Highs size 14, hit me up. 

April 12th, 2012 at 12:08 PM | So what you are saying is that.... (Score:5 Normal)
Bosch
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     you are going to sit on your couch and root for OSU and MSU and that you won't even crack a grin if they lose?

I call bullshit.

All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.

April 13th, 2012 at 11:22 AM | you bet your ass I will (Score:1)
MSHOT92
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I have an obnoxious sister-in-law who regularly requires another person to help her spell oh-io...she always says I should root for them in tournies etc because she roots for UM when we aren't playing them....my reply? That's the arrogance held in Colonumbus...they think everyone should like them...I know most programs hate UM and circle us on the calendar...I root for Michigan....and anyone who has a shot at beating ohio or msu...period. I care less about polls or BCS crap..it's flawed and evil...how did that work out for us when urban legend lobbied for Florida to play ohio instead of us in a rematch? Doesn't matter...we'll never get the respect of the vaunted SEC because B1G football is hardcore smashmouth and it's not 'exciting' to the lemming hordes who want to see sunny skies and teams putting up 80 on a DIII program every week all the while screwing greyshirts over and cutting daily deals with the devil...you can have your polls..I'll take a B1G championship ring any day...the way Bo and his boys played EVERY season.

April 12th, 2012 at 3:25 AM | It's late (Score:5 Normal)
Humen
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It's late, and I'm tired. For a moment, I thought someone was ranking Notre Dame preseason #3. This almost caused an existential crisis. 

Thanks Thorin/Mgovideo for avatar

 

 
April 12th, 2012 at 9:45 AM | That is what I thought as well. (Score:1)
Schmozerine
Joined: 09/12/2011
MGoPoints: 76

When I saw that I was like bull. The domers will not and should not be in the top 25.

April 12th, 2012 at 3:35 AM | well, Saban doesn't have (Score:2 Normal)
JimBobTressel
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well, Saban doesn't have Plaxico Burress this time round....let's see what he has up his sleeve.

ATTN NBA Dads and Siblings: Have brothers / sons on the hoops come-up? 

Michigan = NBA Family U

April 12th, 2012 at 11:48 AM | Don't know what Saban has up (Score:2 Normal)
gbdub
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Don't know what Saban has up his sleeve, but we all know what Plaxico keeps up his pant leg.

April 12th, 2012 at 3:40 AM | Beat Bama. (Score:4 Normal)
mgobluebraelow
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Beat Bama.

April 12th, 2012 at 4:32 AM | BK (Score:3 Normal)
Jasper
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I count two opportunities for this:

"500 channels and nothing but cats."

April 12th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | It's gonna be rough in South (Score:2)
death by trident
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It's gonna be rough in South Bend this year,

@USC - likely top 5 team

@Oklahoma - likely top 10 team

Michigan - likely top 10 team

@MSU - likely top 20 team

Stanford - likely top 20 team

 

Throw in the travelling circus to Ireland against Navy and another potential loss to Miami in Chicago, we could see a nuclear meltdown.  Some preseason polls had the Irish in the top 25 (lulz)...

April 12th, 2012 at 10:03 AM | But they should be (Score:2 Normal)
IronDMK
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They start just about every year in the top 25.  They must deserve to be there, right?!  :0)

To hell with Notre Dame.

"Bend over and I'll show you."  Perfect answer to nearly any question.

April 12th, 2012 at 1:44 PM | Right, you have to give them (Score:2 Normal)
MichiWolv
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Right, you have to give them some credit this year.  They have stepped it up from year's past.  But my question is why isn't Michigan-Notre Dame a top non-conference game considering the way that game has went the past 3 years, and its UTL again this year.  Who cares if we play them every year, if its a top non-conference game, then its a top non conference game.  You'd have to think it will be a better game than ND-Miami 

April 12th, 2012 at 4:33 AM | Nebraska - UCLA? (Score:3 Normal)
Caesar
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I thought UCLA was doing some serious rebuilding still?

April 12th, 2012 at 9:28 AM | Presumably they consider it (Score:3 Normal)
I Miss Bursley
Joined: 01/04/2009
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Presumably they consider it interesting because of the new coach.

April 12th, 2012 at 9:00 AM | They are losing a lot, but (Score:1)
bluebyyou
Joined: 09/07/2009
MGoPoints: 2682

They are losing a lot, but they are very deep, as we will be in a couple more seasons. They have also the advantage of having played under the same system for a while.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

April 12th, 2012 at 11:38 AM | For sentimental reasons OSU (Score:3 Underrated)
aiglick
Joined: 11/27/2010
MGoPoints: 1442

For sentimental reasons OSU may be bigger but IMO this game is the biggest of te season.

Win this one and we start getting recognition as a possible national contender not just Big Ten. I understand that the Big Ten Championship is the goal but I am sick of the Ess Eeee Ceee and want Michigan mentioned as one of the top national programs again.

Here's hoping for a bright future. This team does try hard and I will continue to support them.

April 12th, 2012 at 6:48 AM | I'm hoping for a good B10 (Score:5 Normal)
U Fer M
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I'm hoping for a good B10 showing in non conference, bring a little legitimacy back to the conference, then let the losses come for Sparty and Ohio in conference.

"Prejudiced? Partial? You better b'leeve I am. Michigan football is a religion and Saturday's the holy day of obligation." Bob Ufer

April 12th, 2012 at 9:16 AM | Same. (Score:1 Normal)
justingoblue
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The reason the computers thought so highly of the BXII last year was their out of conference record. Michigan could lose a shot at a BCS bowl or even the title game if it looks like we play in a third tier conference, which the computers definitely thought the Big Ten was last season.

Go Blue!

April 12th, 2012 at 10:02 AM | Every Loss Counts (Score:1 Normal)
Asgardian
Joined: 12/08/2010
MGoPoints: 583

While big non-conference games may matter more to voters, the computers penalized the Big 10 last year mostly because of losses like:

Indiana vs Ball State, Indiana vs Virginia, Indiana @ North Texas, Purdue @ Rice, Minnesota vs New Mexico State, Minnesota vs North Dakota State, and Northwestern @ Army

"I have a dream that someday Michigan will not have freshmen on the field. That day is 2013 at the earliest." - Brian, Defense vs MSU UFR 2011

April 12th, 2012 at 10:07 AM | I agree. (Score:0 Overrated)
April 19th, 2012 at 9:16 AM | North Dakota State (Score:1)
PBlair76
Joined: 04/19/2012
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I can see most of the other scrub teams, but NDS only lost to Youngstown State, and won the FCS titla last year.

April 12th, 2012 at 8:41 AM | We have some big positions to (Score:1)
Clown Sauce
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We have some big positions to fill with the departed seniors. IF this team can gel early on rather than later in the season I think we have as good a chance as any to beat bama

"What" ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in What?

April 12th, 2012 at 9:23 AM | WTF Nebraska at UCLA? (Score:2)
markusr2007
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No.

This is not going to be a great non-conference game, Yahoo. Sorry.

If it were 1988 or 1994 then maybe.

I think Penn State at Virginia will be way better.

Shaky power program against improving Cavaliers.

 

April 12th, 2012 at 9:29 AM | They shouldn't be able to (Score:5 Normal)
sundaybluedysunday
Joined: 01/07/2009
MGoPoints: 382

They shouldn't be able to include Notre Dame. You need a conference to have an out of conference game, theirs are just games on a road free of accolades.

April 12th, 2012 at 9:34 AM | I've seen Bama installed as (Score:1)
Cold War
Joined: 01/15/2012
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I've seen Bama installed as about a ten point favorite. That sounds high to me.

April 12th, 2012 at 9:48 AM | I heard some site had it at (Score:2)
BrownJuggernaut
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I heard some site had it at 14.5. As a gambler, I'd jump on that in an instant. I have no doubt that Hoke will have Team 133 ready to go in Dallas.

Avatar is a reference to this. Go Blue!

April 12th, 2012 at 11:04 AM | I was drunk (Score:1)
treyanastasio
Joined: 02/18/2011
MGoPoints: 77

over Christmas and game my Uncle 21 points. Whoops. Oh well. 

April 12th, 2012 at 10:44 AM | FWIW   Michigan vs Alabama (Score:2)
death by trident
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FWIW

 

Michigan vs Alabama Line Opens Early with Tide -10 Point Spread Favorite: It’s been three weeks since Alabama players hoisted the crystal football as BCS champions, and already oddsmakers at some sports shops are looking ahead to the 2012 season. Fans of the Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines are looking ahead too; eagerly anticipating their early season (Sept. 1) head-to-head matchup in the “Cowboys Stadium Kickoff Classic” at Arlington, Texas. Oddsmakers, always happy to facilitate betting demands, have lined the Crimson Tide as early -10 point spread favorites

http://www.pokeringreek.com/2012/02/michigan-vs-alabama-line-opens-early-with-tide-10-point-spread-favorite/ 

My guess is that the line will close as September 1st gets closer.  People will be betting Alabama and we should see it down to one score.

April 12th, 2012 at 10:08 AM | That list is a joke.  If (Score:3 Normal)
WolverineHistorian
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That list is a joke.  If THOSE are the best non-conference games to look forward to, wake me in October. 

MIAMI / NOTRE DAME: Both teams have a combined 60 losses in the last 5 seasons.  Moving this game to Soldier Field doesn't suddenly make it relevant.  This game would be a must see if it were 1989, not today.

NOTRE DAME / OKLAHOMA: The only reason to watch this is to see Notre Dame losing 31-0...in the second quarter. 

NEBRASKA / UCLA:  Any opponent vs. UCLA is not a must see. 

BOISE STATE /  MSU:  This game would have been more interesting the last 2 seasons.  With our luck, this will be the one time Boise doesn't pull off the upset. 

CAL / OSU: Cal has gone back to sucking lately.  They're not a major opponent but I predict Buckeye fans pounding their chests after beating them. 

Go Blue!  Always!

http://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian

April 12th, 2012 at 11:21 AM | Boise/MSU will probably come (Score:1)
Lionsfan
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Boise/MSU will probably come down to offense. Namely, which team can replace it's starting QB the best

If you're doing nothing, how do you know when you're finished?

StraightDave owes me a steak dinner

April 12th, 2012 at 12:19 PM | I don't know who the new Boise (Score:2)
BlueinTC
Joined: 07/26/2011
MGoPoints: 207

QB will be but wasn't Kellen Moore what made them so good.  I have a feeling this one could be easy for MSU, even though they are replacing Cousins, the rest of the team is decent while the rest of Boise was ehhh.

April 12th, 2012 at 1:53 PM | Well unlike many of you... (Score:1)
Section 1
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I am a firm believer in rooting for "The Conference" in ooc matchups.

I just was never really convinced that Sparty was truly a member of the conference...

 

 

August 16th, 2012 at 6:59 AM | The Bama game worries me (Score:1)
Philosophyofbeer
Joined: 08/16/2012
MGoPoints: 1

Here is why:

1. Alabama is big and fast
2. Alabama is big and fast
3. UM Offensive line is still small and smells of Dickrod
4. UM defense had every weakness exposed during VT game--Saban is a good analyst of film and a smart coach (ego maniac too but that's another topic).
5. UM Defense made great strides last year and Mattison is a genius but they looked awful during the spring game
6. Alabama will be out headhunting for Robinson. I fear a season ruining injury in this game and thus the season going to crap. It feels like 2007 all over again.
7. Robinson cannot throw a ball up and hope he'll get lucky like he did against ND. I fear two or more interceptions in this game. Alabama's defense is probably the best Robinson has ever played against.
8. Michigan has been terrible on the road.

Now IF Michigan wins I will agree that the demons of the Richrod debacle have been exorcised, Michigan's karma has been corrected and natural order has been restored to the Big Ten, Michigan deserves to be ranked number one, Hoke should be canonized like Lloyd, Bo, Yost, and Crisler, Michigan will go undefeated, and Robinson will win the Heisman.

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