I think the other endzone is more dangerous with that railing being just off the back right of the endzone. Player and fan injuries could ensue.
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OT: Only one endzone to be used for NU/UI
The setup allows players to score a touchdown and complete the famed Wrigley Leap in one continuous motion.
I cant believe people arent seeing this for what it is. This is the NCAA's answer to the NHL's "you pickem" All Star game promotion. Delany saw all the positive press hockey was getting for using schoolyard techniques for a modern game and wanted some of that for himself.
So obvious really.
This should not be any sort of surprise in the least. Someone had to saw, "let's play a game at Wrigley" and somebody else had to, I mean had to, say "ok, this is what it would look like, are you cool with this fit?". It would defy logic if that discussion did not take place. It would be like your builder finishing your house and then asking if it is ok that your living room now extends into your neighbor's garage so he could keep the square footage shown on the plan.
Are they going to do "laces or spaces" to determine who gets the ball first and who gets first pick?
Once you've delved into "loser walks" rules, is that really such a bad idea?
I call all-time quarterback. Is the rush going to be on three Mississippis or five?
Call your own penalties as well?
I don't know, but I do know that they're requiring blitzing guys to yell out "BLITZ" before they cross the line of scrimmage.
Yeah but they only get one blitz per a set of downs
Ah, the days of backyard football. Thanks for the laughs this morning guys. I can remember all that vividly.
Do they have to count to "five apple" before they can blitz?
We're counting apples, not Mississippis.
to Evanston. This is becoming a bad joke.
were you saying something?
I was a little distracted just then.
It's never a good sign when fears of an embarassing field situation causes you to consider moving a game TO Evanston.
Hey Nice Avatar. What's that article of clothing on her upper back??
Me likes!!!
I Randy Mossed the neighbor kid Timmy for the game winning TD. Man was this a good idea!
That makes it a little better but still. There shouldn't be a risk like this anyways.
did NOT think this out well at all. Why didn't they just put the field like it was back in the day when they did it? It looks like they switched the orientation of the field
With the added seats over the years, bringing the fans closer to the foul lines, it would have been just as tight a fit to do it that way (i.e., when the Bears played at Wrigley).
This is a colossal fuck-up on the part of all parties involved in planning this debacle. I suppose you have to give them some credit for realizing this today, and not, say, tomorrow, 15 minutes before kickoff. Actually, no, no credit is deserved. This is just an all-around fucking disaster .
Uhhhh... am I missing something? How the hell would that work?
Yeah, literally every time possession is changed, they will need to switch to the other side of the field. It just seems like more work than anything.
How does a pick 6 work? Run to the 50 and turn around and come back? That would at least be comical.
That's what I was thinking...
...that we'll see one of those highlights that will live forever in college football, where a guy picks up a fumble and returns it the wrong way?
Roy Riegels hopes those chances are good.
He thinks the same as Roy Riegals
A pick six or a punt return are not really concerns for running all the way out of the back of the endzone and hitting the wall. Basically they will just do like they do when the quarter ends, but do it on every change of possession.
for a free detector trial
Why do you think players run all those shuttle drills in practice?
Specifically to prepare for an instance in which administrative idiocy has nullified half the field.
There's not much danger in you running full steam into the back of the end zone on a pick six, so no you'd just run to the dangerzone in that instance.
Edit: this should be played whenever a team is heading in the wrong direction.
since there will be fans literally in the east endzone in folding chairs.
Now, Granny might get trucked, but that's a risk that just has to be taken.
If it's an airball,then you can just put it right back up and run into the house.
Are they playing "Make It, Take It" rules?
It could be like in video games where when you get a pick there is a slight pause while the screen flips. Only this way they pause and then position everyone exactly how they are on the other side of the field.
This could work.
You were not all the way to the 40!
Offensive possessions will all just go in the same direction. Fumble and interception returns are fine to use the Endzone of Death since they don't use the back of the endzone in any way.
is so named because Nick Sheridan visited it so often
Wow. I'm glad this all was planned out so well in, you know, advance.
What are you talking about?!?!?! It was planned out perfectly:
Priority #1: $ for Wrigley
Priority #2: $ for N'Western and Illinois
Priority #3: $ for the City of Chicago
Priority #4: $ for the buisinesses in Wrigleyville
Priority #5: Integrity for the NCAA and Big 10
Priority #6: Football
Agree with your analysis of the thought process. Somewhere along the line, the basic background work wasn't done ..."hmmm it's been a long time since FB has been played there and with all of our rules about distances and separation I wonder how we should configure the field inside the stadium. Let's get a set of plans, a ruler, and do some drawings and see if it is even doable."
This is not a proud moment for Northwestern, Illinois or the Big Ten bureaucracy...basically no one checked! Everyone assumed someone else had done the background work.
Would this be a "legal" game by the rules of FB? If the field isn't regulation for play - and this sort of swapping back and forth seem very irregular, would the game count? Have there been HS or other college games where one part of the field was crappy (e.g. standing water) and so both teams played towards the opposite end. Anyone know of any other examples of this?
The closest I can come to answering that question is Rule 1-2-8-b: "Any markers or obstructions within the playing enclosure but outside the limit lines constituting a hazard shall be reported to game management by the referee. Final determination of corrective action shall be the responsibility of game management." That last sentence almost gives a blank check to "game management" (the Big Ten office) to come up with a solution.
In the end, though, that's pretty weak. There are several game rules that will be violated during this game, and the rule book states that "game conduct rules" (including allowing teams to choose their direction after the coin flip, and mandating switching sides at the end of a quarter) may not be altered. I think that if I were an official assigned to the game, I would try very hard to decline the assignment. It's a lose-lose situation.
Both teams have a very good argument that this isn't a "real" NCAA football game, because the officials have been instructed not to follow the NCAA football rules.
You ask how this happened. It's obvious--somebody measured the field and said, "no problem--we have 120 yards. That's all we need."
.
OMG this is beyond funny. I'm going to be at the game on Saturday but rest assured the NU game is going to getting DVR'd in my house. WTF are they going to do on turnovers? Blow the whistle mid-play or just have everyone turn around once they hit the 50?
Sounds like a halfcourt basketball game to me.
It really is amazing no one saw this coming but it seems like a good solution. I think they are avoiding red zone possessions where you get passes in the corners and back of the endzone where that wall would be a problem. Any significant turnover return would probably be fine since the back of the endzone wouldn't come into play.
It will be very weird to see each offense going the same direction all game.
would beg to differ.
Agreed.
And to be fair, at halftime the fans from the West endzone should have to switch seats with the fans from the East endzone.
It's too bad they made such a giant cluster of this event. Way to go planning committee!
Incidentally, I like your avatar
I'm beginning to think they didn't plan this out very well. Their approximate thought process, "Let's make sure the field fits in as tight as possible. We don't want any of that space going to waste."
Followed by, "What's that about player safety? Don't worry, they were pads don't they?"
/s
Da Bears actually played several seasons at Wrigley! It was back in the 1960's. I remember that some pretty good Bears teams, featuring Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers, played games at Wrigley. Did they change some part of the configuration there? Or did the NFL just not care so much back then?
so it must have been easier for them to stop. :)
Bears' field ran from North to South; the N'W/Illini field runs East to West.
I think they had to change it because of additions to the bleachers that come in further than it did in 1970.
Probably for the best, but man this whole thing has become such an embarrassing debacle.
This is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen in college football planning. Whoever lead this planning from each side should be fired. Its ridiculous and both athletic departments should be embarrassed. I'd be flipping out if Michigan were involved in this joke of a situation.
I would not want that level of incompetence working for me or my school.
It's just plain sad.
Too bad no one knew the level of incompetence within our compliance department before it was too late.
FU compliance department and Alex Herron...
You do know that the definition of an "embarrassing debacle" is when YOU or someone you care about screws up badly. I think this falls more into the category of hillarious FUBAR.
I wonder if the brainiacs who came up with this whole thing are still employed??
Reese Bobby had a hand in it.
+1 for the avatar. Miss him something terrible.
i'll be all-time QB!
Ha! Awesome. I forgot that phrase. All time q.
They should just make it like middle school when we only had half a court to play basketball on with takebacks. Those were the days.
Fail
They should make each yard 2.8 feet. That would add to the back of the end zone a total of . . . Mathlete? Little help here?
They could just use 1/2 of the field and play 7-on-7 instead.
This makes playing a basketball game on the deck of an aircraft carrier look like a model of conservative prudence.
This makes that stupid bowl in SF (Poinsettia) where the 2 teams share a sideline seem like a cool idea.
It might even be worse:
As a result of a coin toss held by the conference office Friday morning, Illinois will occupy the west team bench in the first half and Northwestern will occupy the west team bench in the second half and for all overtime periods.
The teams have to switch which side of the field they stand on? What a joke.
have to switch something I guess. At least the coaches get to share each other's spittle on the microphones for the headsets.
they're also sharing sideline space. they talk about the "west team bench" (which they will switch at halftime) and east / west endzones, i think that means they'll be on the same side.
didn't the lions and their opponents share sidelines when they played at tiger stadium? or was it when the bears played in milwaukee in the 70s?
It was Milwaukee where they shared the same sideline. I'm pretty sure that continued all the way up until they stopped playing games in Milwaukee after the 1994 season.
(can't edit the original, for some reason)
yes. the packers in milwaukee, not the bears. obviously.
You're thinking of the Emerald Bowl. The Poinsettia bowl is in San Diego
Big Ten commissioner James E. Delany said in the statement. "Both Illinois and Northwestern did significant due diligence over the past 18 months, but after seeing the actual layout of the field, all parties felt that it was appropriate to adjust the rules to further enhance the safety of our student-athletes. Wrigley Field is one of the most historic venues in the country, and playing the Illinois-Northwestern game at this facility will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for student-athletes, coaches and fans."
I'll say. It's a once-in-a-lifetime clusterfuck. Like, say, the Chicago Cubs. Another in the century-long comedy of errors that is Northwestern football and Wrigley Field. Personally, I think that they should put a couple of kegs on the field, get the players to go shirts-and-skins, and play 7-on-7 flag football. Northwestern football fans are unlikely to know the difference. Illinois fans are unlikely to care. Cubs fans will be happy to see some guys finally making some decent throws.
Costanza's "opposite" rule would have worked instead of 18 months of "due dilligence."
What I think is interesting is that neither team will be at an advantage or disadvantage due to the wind, particularly in the kicking game. Plus, with both teams on the same sideline this is going to look like a weird pick-up game but with better equipment.
.
It's not indoors.
No decorating.
Is it "4-Mississippi" on the rush, too? One blitz every four downs?
Two completions for a first down
...from darth delaney's statement:
"Both Illinois and Northwestern did significant due diligence over the past 18 months,"
really, jim? do you really believe that? really?
this had better show up in "this week in schadenfreude," that's all i have to say.
Damn computer...
They did plenty of due diligence. They confirmed the neutral site game would pay more than a home game AND someone told them a field would fit--after all, it fit 60 years ago or whenever a game was last played there.
...for when he has to throw off.
Landmines and fire pits to the field a la Mutant League Football
what a great game that was. Shoving guys off into space after the whistle, trick plays featuring real bombs, and of course killing the ref after he's been bribed by the other team. Now I've got to go dig that game out.
The fans in the east endzone are going to be treated like the UM fans in the prison-high school seating bleachers at Purdue.
Now this has become truly odd! This venu was obviously a bad idea, and it makes the Big Ten look awful for allowing it.
Look at all of the coverage surrounding this game (articles, GameDay), when if they played in Evanston, nobody would care.
The Game Day part is the best part, in my opinion. Not only is this a disaster, it's a disaster that's receiving a ton of attention.
in the "At what time do Kirk & Chris switch places" pool
I agree, College Gameday wouldn't have come within 100 miles of NU/UI if this game was played in Evanston. I am intrigued because this will be the first time in my life I get to see football played at one of the most historic venues in sports history. I'm not going to lie I'll be watching at 330 and the game at yankee stadium later on
With all the time NW had to plan this game, how do you mess it up?
The Illinois team is probably saying WTF?
....i didn't go to northwestern for architecture school, like i almost did.
has anyone ever taken a tape measure to dyche field, to see if it's actually 100 yards long?
"If you run past the trash can and the light pole you're out of bounds"
Milk and cookies and Nate's house at halftime. Maybe some video games is Nate's Mom isn't there.
.
Upcoming press release from ESPN: "College Gameday to air3 1/2 hour feature on poor planning Saturday at 3:30 ET."
There is a way to fit a full field into Wrigley. It's been done. On many occasions. Yet they decided to try to jam the field in on this orientation instead. Awesome. At least it's becoming must see TV with these bizarre decisions on layout and rules.
There is a way to fit a full field into Wrigley. It's been done. On many occasions.
No, there isn't.
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Wrigley has added seats and moved the stands in closer to the foul line since the last time they hosted a football game. So yeah, Wrigley used to be able to fit a football field, but it's obviously too small now.
You are correct.
I still think it's a cool idea to play at Wrigley field. Yes, it's lame that they have to change sides of the field with each change of possession, but whatever. It's better that than to have a player injured by RUNNING INTO A WALL. (Remember that Houston player who broke his leg on the cart positioned too close to the field? Wall > cart.) It's much, much better that they are being safe, and if I were a player I'd be perfectly fine only playing offense one way if I had a chance to play in a unique environment like Wrigley field.
And yes, for people who are asking how it will work, they are going to have teams change sides of the field for each change of possession:
All offensive plays will head toward the west end zone, including all extra points and all overtime possessions.
So wow, everyone relax and just enjoy the game for what it is - a fun game in a unique setting, where people are trying to keep the kids safe.
There is no way this can work. What do they do if a fumble or INT is going to be taken for a score?
The returner won't be going full speed or getting hit out of the back in the endzone, so there's no risk of injury there.
I never really noticed it before, but Tecmo Bowl and Ninja Gaiden clearly used the same musical composer.
'Make it,take it" will also be in full effect
from the Big Ten:
"Ok guys, we'll use the big Oak tree as that endzone and how about the storm drain for this endzone. Safety on ball!"
at least they are doing something in the interest of the players for once
honestly, did no one look at a blue print or a layout of the field until they put it in place?
i can't believe anyone approved that in the first place
Although, there might be a marketing genius behind this. How else are you going to get the the nation to watch Illinois/Northwestern. ZZzzzz. If it's on, I'm gonna tune in for a few series for the laughs.
It has been proven beyond a doubt that we are smarter than Northwestern.
flag football or 7 on 7 and get it over with.
What a joke....that, or like others have said: make the field 10-15% smaller.
Rest in peace, Harry Carey.
The game should have been Minnesota-Indiana and then they would only need zero endzones.
ROASTED!
The only thing that would make this more of a disaster (read: even more hilarious) would be if it rained on Saturday and they had to deal with a mud pit on an uncrowned field.
I hadn't seen this one commented on, but it raises an interesting problem:
• All offensive plays will head toward the west end zone, including all extra points and all overtime possessions.
So, yeah. On a defensive touchdown, they will have to go all the way to the other end of the field just to kick the extra point.
• All kickoffs will be kicked toward the east end zone.
Losers walk!
This is bad news. I was really looking forward to watching players fly into the padded wall, Arena Football (or American Gladiators) style.
I can't wait to watch this game and all the hilarity that is sure to ensue. Great planning.They really thought this one out for sure.
Every year I run into the same issues as the folks that set up Wrigley Field. In my backyard I'm a little short in yardage as well, so I just go straight from the 20-yard line to the 50. No big deal, and really , few people even notice because they're mesmerized by the lights. Having attended many, many games over the years, without question there are plenty of people attending the game tomorrow that wouldn't even notice if the 30 and the 40 yard lines were missing.
For the math wizards, its 1/2-scale. **Note: with 40-yards "removed" from the middle of the field, of course.
And yes, this was before the block M was painted on. My neighbors here in OH love me.
phenomenal set-up. I am seething with jealousy.
I'm now a lot more interested in watching this game than I was before. Seriously. (It would kind of suck to have tickets in the "no-offense" endzone, though.)
If I were in the east endzone, I'd be trying to trade up on my tickets.
That's pretty embarrassing.
To be honest, I thought the subject line of this post meant that in overtime ("OT"), they would use only one endzone -- that is, they wouldn't switch sides.
Just read the ESPN article though for the correct reading. This is really, really strange. But it has to be the right choice given the safety concerns. Although, I wonder how much it would have cost for the single game to change the physical infrastructure enough to give some space behind the end zone?
And, as others have pointed out, it's not like the endzone they are using is actually so safe...
I would hate to be the people who sit in the endzone that is blocked off. The action will be going away from them the whole game.
Looks safe to me.
Love,
Brian Kelly
By the way, what I really love about this game is that it has totally obscured Notre Dame's game at Yankee Stadium tomorrow. That game has been completely forgotten by most people.
I think part of that is due to the fact that Wrigley is historic and Yankee Stadium is not. The other part is that Notre Dame sucks.
The decision to play only one direction really pisses me off. I was planning to watch this game just because I thought the wall of death would add an interesting strategic element. Now it is just another boring game that I will ignore. Shame on whoever planned this and then chickened out. It's not like this wasn't understood from the beginning. The stadium did not shrink. Pussies.
Actually, the playing surface has shrunk since the last time football was played at Wrigley. The bleachers now extend forward further than they used to - which is what created the whole problem.
All I know is it's going to be really hard for the NU kids to lake the posts. Traffic on Addison is murder around game time and it's a much longer walk to the beach. Plus somebody could get hurt when they try to pass them over the bleacher wall onto Sheffield.
Its 2 completions for a 1st down, right?
Ok, with like 150 comments, I'm certainly not gonna add anything new. But I just got home from a long, long day and saw this news about using only one endzone. It got my blood boiling, so I felt the need to rant.
This fucking bullshit must stop. Playing in unique locations to make a buck, or whatever other dumbass reason they can come up with. Does anyone wanna see, say, UM/MSU at Comerica Park? FUCK NO. This UI/NU thing is just DUMB. Wrigley Field Capacity = 41160. NU Stadium = 47130. The travel distance is negligible. Why the hell did NU agree to this??? What new version of crack has come out that people smoked and came up with this dumbfuck idea??? And now..... because of pure idiocy on the part of everyone involved.... they have to CHANGE THE FUCKING RULES OF FOOTBALL in order to play the game there!!! How goddamn dumb is this????? How long, in the interest of making a fucking extra buck, will it be before they decide to have season-opening games played in.... oh, i dunno.... Dubai?? (Although, for some reason, I must say this sounds like something Notre Dame would agree to.)
This dumbassitude makes me want to tear my fingernails out one by one. AaaaaaahhhH!!!!!!
Ok, rant done. Thanks for reading.
Oh wait...