What M-Bama Signifies
So obviously David Brandon has been publicly supportive of RichRod and everything, but I think his actions speak much louder than his words when it comes to his faith in RR to get the job done. He has scheduled a prime-time Big House night game under the lights against Brian Kelley's ND in 2011 and a season-opening neutral site game against Alabama and Saban for 2012, on top of our Big Ten schedule which is tough every year.
To me, this is a sign that Brandon really thinks RR's gonna have things rolling soon, otherwise he wouldn't open M up to such national exposure only to get wrecked in front of the whole nation. It looks like he thinks the team is going to get very good, good enough to show off on the national stage.
Just a thought, on that note, get pumped for M-Bama...
I think it's a huge paycheck and a guaranteed national TV game. Sometimes, a spade is just a spade.
Agreed, if Jerry Jones truly overpaid, sometimes you have to do things you may not want to do. If playing this game in Dallas means that it will be easier to keep the non-revenue sports afloat, then you have to do it, no matter what. I think this is why he is such an awesome AD, he is innovative in how he makes $$$, especially in these rough times.
Dave Brandon isn't an idiot.
All I think it is a money grab and joining the recent trend of neutral site game OOC games. Nothing wrong with that. Better than playing a baby seal.
It could also give a schedule that's easily the toughest in the nation. It'll be curious to see how division alignments in the new Big Ten affect our strength of schedule.
Strenght of Schedule is a huge factor. Michigan should have one of the toughest schedules each year. With a schedule like this year's, the BCS probably won't look too favorably on out of conf wins against BGSU, UMASS, UConn and a likely weak ND team. Let's hope it doesnt come down to it (it probably won't). I mean really...Umass?
In general, the polls care about high-profile teams winning their games. Strength of schedule typically doesn't matter that much IMO.
I hope our strength of schedule is important at the end of the year.
It means we're going balls to the walls. That season is going to be epic.
I also think it will be huge on the recruiting front. Maybe its about money, maybe its about playing good games to get recruits and make the team better. I hope its about both!
Does this mean our balls are going to more than one wall in succession or that each ball is headed in a different direction and impacting separate walls simultaneously?
A Senior Denard Robinson? Epic indeed.
I think what it really signifies is that it's a huge spotlight on Michigan. Regardless of who is coaching at the time all of college football will be watching these two games when very few other games are even on television and even if they are this will undoubtedly be the biggest matchup of the evening. That's big for the high school recruits to know that they will play under the lights with all of America watching.
"Regardless of who is coaching at the time"
I didn't know Saban was on the proverbial hot seat.
I didn't know he pledged allegiance at every stop of the way only to bolt.
Things are never set in stone with Nicky.
We'll likely end up with 6 home games (since ND is away), but getting a chance to play Alabama is worth it. I kinda wish it was a home-and-home, though, so they could come to the Big House.
Hey Bama, You better make your extra points this time hehehehe
I think its something Michigan had to do regardless of the coach. I don't necessarily think it is a matter of Dave Brandon feeling good enough about RichRod to finally schedule a big dog. This is mostly about the $ and getting Michigan in front of a big time audience for a high-profile, early-season out of conference game. To be honest, they've needed it . I've been getting really jealous of Ohio State these last few years when they play the likes of Texas and USC.
Since RR's arrival we have played pretty weak teams in OOC. I mean we play UConn and UMAss this year for cryin' out loud. We're going in the wrong direction. The best football is being played out west and down south. I'd rather play Boise St., TCU or Houston than any of the teams back east. Or they should even bring back the Pac-10 games the Colorado series. Granted, Michigan's schedule is tough enough (plus Nebraska will be a member of the Big 10 come 2012) but Michigan should never shy away from taking on top oppenents no matter what.
RR better have the team flying high come 2012 (if he is still around). A poor showing against a powerhouse like the Crimson Tide could be bad for the program.
On a related note, its about time Alabama or any SEC team for that matter added someone tough to their OOC schedule. I can't stand the SEC and the media's mega-raging huge boner for them. I fucking hate Alabama. It should bode well for M though, they always seem to beat the SEC in bowl games.
Michigan in front of a big time audience for a high-profile, early-season out of conference game
This used to be Notre Dame (the audience numbers are still very good) except ND has been rebuilding since my childhood.
RR better have the team flying high come 2012
The dilithium seems to be working.
its about time Alabama or any SEC team for that matter added someone tough to their OOC schedule. I can't stand the SEC and the media's mega-raging huge boner for them.
Well played sir, well played. I can never understand the SEC and their early season scheduling myself OOC...Alabama has slotted in state powers San Jose State and Georgia State this year...I give them credit for the Penn State game
Dilithium is still in its testing phase.
So playing a team that just went 8-4 and beat an SEC team in a bowl is going in the wrong direction? Must have been going in the wrong direction when we played a 13-0 Utah team that beat Bama in a bowl game also. Supposedly, Michigan has the toughest OOC schedule of any Big 10 team this year and we are going in the wrong direction?
OSU- The U, Marshall, Ohio, EMU Wisconsin- UNLV, San Jose St, Arizona St, Austin Peay PSU- Bama, Youngstown St, Kent St, Temple Iowa- Zona, Eastern Ill, Iowa St, Ball St MSU- ND, WMU, Florida Atlantic, No. Colorado NW- Vandy, Ill St, Rice, CMU Purdue- ND, W. Ill, Ball St, Toledo Ill- Mizzou, N. Ill, S. Ill, Fresno St Ind- W. Kentucky, Towson, Akron, Ark St Minn- USC, S Dakota St, Middle Tenn, N Ill
August 8th, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^
Utah was legit - you were definitely on base there. And to tell you the truth, UConn scares the hell out of me. They ran all over the Irish at home when Charlie Weis' job was on the line. Michigan has to win that game.
The rest of the Big Ten's OOC sched is not too ambitious. But again ,look at Ohio State - they're playing the U (who is probably back on track). Minnesota is playing Southern Cal. Those are big games.
Michigan's OOC used to be a little beefier. In 2002 Michigan played ND and Washington. In 2003 and 2006 they played ND and Oregon.
OSU has been scheduling USC, Texas and now Miami. We've been scheduling Central, Eastern, SDSU, No. Illinois, Delaware State, UMass and of course [The Horror]. Of course OSU was also feasting on cupcakes in those years but that's understandable if you're playing the two top teams in your other OOC games. And unfortunately, for much of the past 10 years ND has been the big OOC matchup for us and as you know has not always been good.
When I heard we scheduled UMass I thought "My God, we're turning into a Big East team!"
Alabama is a welcome challenge. Lets beat ND that year too.
I agree with the OP. I actually linked the mgoblog article on a friend's facebook wall with the statement that this was a huge vote of confidence. I can't imagine National exposure is good if you get spanked. I mean OSU got plenty of national exposure in the 07 and 08 BCS championship games and that was not of the good variety.
Just to play Devil's advocate, has Brandon made any statements related to RR and 'Bama? I mean, isn't it awfully presumptive to link the two? Maybe David Brandon just sees a gigantic paycheck.
I tend to agree with this. I think it's more of a business decision than any implied statement of support for RR.
Texas should be one of the top priorities along with Florida and the exposure here in Dallas will help with the solid talant that Texas has to offer.
Only good things can come of telling the local Texas boys to come on down to Jerry world and watch from the sidelines. See first hand what Michigan is all about.
Is there any substance to the Bama game or is it still speculation at this point? I piped in on the last post, on this subject, because I live in Arlington and would love to see this game played here.
For some reason I had it in my head that this was a possibility but far from a reality. Anyone have a link or source that says this is gonna happen?
I would check out the main page for one
I hate being "that" guy. Thanks for the slap in the face to wake me up. I mistakenly clicked on the board instead of the main page the last two times I have gotten on and sure enough missed out.
FACE PALM!
Man, we could be playing OSU, Bama, ND, MSU, PSU, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska. Bring it on!
Alabama fans seem to think they will be loaded in 2012. This is a post from the Bama Scout free board...
"As for Bama in 2012...we will still be LOADED. We will have an experienced QB...either AJ or Sims (whoever starts in 2011 will still be around in 2012). Fluker and Kouandjio, two former 5 star recruits, could potentially be manning both OT positions...the LB corp we're signing in '11 (DePriest, Brown, Calloway, and (HOPEFULLY) Clowney will just be hitting their stride in 2012. Milliner and Fulton will be manning the CB spots...one safety spot manned by 5 star recruit from the '11 class Clinton-Dix.
Whew...Bama may take a VERY slight step back in 2011 while we break in a new QB, but 2012 looks ripe for another NC run IMO. Of course, last year we were also breaking in a new QB and that worked out pretty well. The biggest question is who will be our #1 RB in 2012...I'm assuming TR will leave early after the '11 season (though the thought of him staying would be really nice)...that's where one of the 5 star RBs we're recruiting for the '11 class come into play...either Brown or Crowell. We'll also need to develope that "go to" Julio Jones type WR as well...but talent is in the pipeline.
From top to bottom, 2012 could be the MOST talented, veteran team to date under Saban at Bama. But there's just not going to be huge down years with the kind of talent Bama is bringing in. Guys learn under the best coaching staff in the nation, leave early for NFL glory, and are replaced in the pipeline by guys just as talented, if not moreso. I don't see a Bama team starting outside the top 10 in any pre-season polls for years to come. Granted, teams still have to gel, leadership has to develope, etc, but the talent, without doubt, will be there."
I love adding a silent "e" to random words. It makes me feel sophisticated.
/sarcasm
I think Bama fans need to remember that their head coach is Nick Saban, who has a history of leaving for a new job whenever one appears. He'd leave for the NFL in a heartbeat if the right situation arose, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was sought after this season, especially if Alabama competes for another MNC.
Scheduling and landing big non-conference games, especially vs the SEC, is critical for getting the top recruits to come up north. WELL DONE BRANDON.
to, the entire football program. All of Brandon's moves seem to have a deeply held confidence behind them. To me, this is DB saying, "Without fretting over small details, I know our program can and should be a consistent super power. Coaches, administrators, everyone: I'll get you everything you need, go handle the details and make it happen."
His style is right on as much as it is exciting to watch.
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2010/8/8/1612269/alabama-vs-michigan-in-201…
Cant wait for michigan to prove them wrong
What's up with all the MGoBlog hate going on over there? I expected general SEC rowdiness about Michigan's perceived suckitude, but I didn't know there was also bad blood between bloggers.
Haters gonna hate, I guess.
^^^^^^^This^^^^^^
... I want to see Nasty Nick do the "head asplode" when we roll the Tide.
the best. The shoe is on the other foot after 40 years of great success. We will be up to the challenge. Go Blue!
wearing a shirt with this message.
I just read the Alabama comments on this. Look I know I'm a huge Michigan fan and can sometimes be a little bias when comes to my Maize and Blue, but give me a break!! They have no idea how loaded this team will be in 2012!! I believe RR will still be coaching here and will have his best team ever going into the 2012 season. Mark it down; a run for the National Title will be happening in 2012.
This game signifies the start of some people overestimating the implications of the game.
August 9th, 2010 at 12:28 AM ^
i think that it's just another sign that dave brandon is awesome