"The Game" in October?
CBS Sports Gary Danielson was just talking to WFAN's(NY sports) Mike Francessa. He said that he has talked to people in the Big 10 without being specific as to who. He said that they plan on moving Michigan-Ohio to the middle of the season (October). He didn't say when this will happen. The reason being they don't want to ever see them play in back to back weeks should both teams go to the new championship game. He said the Big 10 didn't want to hit Michigan and Ohio fans all at once with the changes in the conference and that's why they're delaying a little in doing this.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^
Michigan Tradition >>>>>>>>> Dave Brandon and Gary Danielson
December 9th, 2011 at 5:39 PM ^
What does this mean? Brandon didn't want to move the Game.
December 9th, 2011 at 7:30 PM ^
i seem to recall brandon alluding to moving the game when they set the divisions. he just got a lot of fan backlash. then the issue was revisitied and the game stayed, iirc.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:23 PM ^
He spoke about this at a function over the summer. He said that he absolutely did not want to move the Game, but at the same time, as an AD, he couldn't just lash out at the league office. He has to be on good terms with them. There is protocol that he has to respect. But at the same time, he made sure word leaked out to the fans, who were free to voice their opinion.
I think this is the truth. If he been in favor of moving the Game, I don't think he would have said anything before the announcement. When you have an unpopular announcement to make (and everyone knew moving the Game would be unpopular), you don't let it slowly leak out - you make sure it drops as planned, buried in the middle of a bunch of other announcements.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
Fuck that. Put us in the same division then.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:08 PM ^
Exactly. The other thing that does is give Nebraska and PSU true rivals that share the same type of historic success. Iowa would be a good cross-divisional rival for Nebraska, but they don't share the same tradition, IMO.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^
And I really wish they would've pushed for this harder at the beginning...part of me still wishes there is some chance of this happening.
Being in different divisions makes absolutely zero sense.
December 9th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
but many potential $. it's obvious to me that trumps tradition for brandon, which really surprises me considering he was a player.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:04 PM ^
The thing is, rarely would UM and OSU play in a rematch as it is. Someone went back and found that if there were a B10CG the past 15 years, then Michigan and OSU would have had exactly one re-match in it. There's no reason to worry about a back-to-back game because:
A: It will rarely happen, and
B: When it does, it will be novel enough that it will actually be a positive.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
Putting us in two divisions was probably the most insane decision made with chosing the two divisons. NO! Part of what made the Red River Rivalry was that the winner might be going to the conference title game while the loser stays home. Absolutely not a fan of this, or anyone in the B10 considering such a move.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
I could not agree more. To "go on," so to speak, you should have to win your block first, which means beating your biggest rival, your conference-mate, your neighbor state, etc. . If we don't beat OSU, we shouldn't get to play them again in the championship game; vice versa obviously, as it cheapens the regular season matchup, and also, most importantly, because it alters irreparably an iconic annual event fundamentally. I'm pro-change, usually, but not here. Same divisions. Last game of year. It would almost always have drama especially if division records were first tiebreaker. (Well, if the Big Ten used intelligent tiebreakers).
Random: I actually own the "Save the Game" shirt that was relevant for roughly 6 days last year. I feel like it may have to get broken out again some day, which worries me. I wonder how many Brian and UGP sold.
December 9th, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
Boot Penn State out of the Big Ten, and return to 11 teams with one division. And besides, Penn State was sneaked in without asking the ADs. Bo was quite pissed, too.
Penn State, by their collective actions (or lack of them) deserve it.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:31 PM ^
Not as impactful of a game, but it's also what makes the Iron Bowl great. 1 chance and that's it till next year
December 10th, 2011 at 3:27 AM ^
Do you think that principle is what diminished the OK/NE rivalry?
December 10th, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^
as NU-OU only played twice every 4 years.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:45 PM ^
..., IF that is the case (consider who is reporting it), to say the considerate thing to the nation and suggest the ruination of the tradition of two schools at once. I would vote "no" on this one.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
The same things were being said when they came out with the divisional alignments, I really hope it doesn't happen, but it's no use even thinking about it right now. What will be, will be
December 9th, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
This won't happen.
December 9th, 2011 at 6:20 PM ^
Ding, ding, ding. Why would anyone in the Big Ten be leaking information to the biggest SEC honk in the world? And why would it first leak out on a show that talks about college football for about 5 hours a year?
December 9th, 2011 at 4:47 PM ^
I believe this to be the wishes of many within the B1G. Heads will roll if it happens.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^
Fuck that.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
Can somebody please explain why it is so much worse for UM and Ohio to play in back-to-back weeks than any other combination? Isn't it just as likely that Wisconsin and Nebraska play at the end of some season two weeks in a row? I suppose the philosophy of the B1G schedules is now going to be to determine who the good and bad teams are (3 years in advance when the schedules are made) and match them up against each other in the final week.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
I believe the way the schedules are put together no other alternate-division teams play the last week of the regular season, just us.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:29 PM ^
Was a cross divisional game the last week. As long as OSU-UM is the last weekend of the regular season, there will always be one other cross divisional match-up that weekend too.
December 9th, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^
watching the game after Thanksgiving as it was.
We don't know, because we haven't had a full on game since 2006, but I definitely thought the meaning of the game is diminished by us being in separate divisions.
Then again, watching the video of the players reactions, that game meant a hell of a lot to RVB and Will Heininger. So maybe my perception was just skewed. Heck, ask those guys - would they rather have played OSU in October, or for that last game on Senior Day.
December 10th, 2011 at 1:54 AM ^
Course, there's very little danger of that one ever being a rematch in the B1GCG.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^
Danielson = Drew Sharp.
No one would listen to/read their crap unless they said something controversial. I sort of hate myself right now because our participation in this discussion essentially gives that prick what he wants. He wants people to talk about his show.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^
I understand the tactics of it, if it is true. Implement change incrementally so that no one change is big enough to get the whole population against it. That said, it is an awful idea- but the only thing against it is tradition. Nowadays how powerful is tradition really? It is to us, but we won't stop going to games or buying jerseys (especially in Ohio where the sales of said jerseys are turning the tide on the rivalry). If they think it will make more money then they will push for it. It is going to be up to whether Dave Brandon gets enough pressure to fight on behalf of Michigan fans and traditions instead of against them.
If this is put forward it will be tough to stop, and it will rely on OSU and Michigan fans getting as up in arms (probably moreso) than they did last time. They are just trying to sneak changes by piece by piece until MIchigan Stadium looks and feels like every other team and Michigan tradition as as unique and valued as Wonder bread. Great brand, but no substance.
December 9th, 2011 at 7:37 PM ^
true statement
December 9th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^
I don't know guys... Danielson was right about that gimmicy spread stuff.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:54 PM ^
IIRC when, after the dustup about moving The Game last year, the powers that be said Michigan-ohio would be the last game of the schedule at least until they move to a nine game conference schedule (~2015?). They left the door wide open to move it mid season. My guess is they make the attempt again. Let's hope it doesn't happen.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
I'm not a big Danielson fan, but why would he just make this up? To piss off the two biggest fanbases in the Big 10? Not likely. This makes me a little worried.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:47 PM ^
so he can go on NY radio and sound like he knows a lot...not saying it isn't true but he is prone to that type of behavior
December 9th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
Danielson also suggested that the SEC championship game will be moved to October so it won't be played back to back with the national championship game between the same schools.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
I was wondering when this particular piece of shit would hit the fan. It's not just fanbases in the Big Ten that are motivated by petty jealousy of Michigan and, to a lesser extent, Ohio State. It's the leadership of several Big Ten athletic departments (I'm looking at you, Barry Alvarez).
To say it won't happen, I'm afraid, is not fully grasping just how the Big Ten athletic directors think. If this schedule change ever came up for a vote in a Big Ten meeting, I wouldn't be surprised if it passed 9-3 or 10-2. I think Michigan and Ohio State need to be prepared to abandon the Big Ten rather then let themselves get walked over by the minor programs that make up too much of this conference.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:04 PM ^
Brandon and his counterpart at OSU were totally in favor of putting us in separate divisions and playing midseason until the fan uproar forced him and the league to cave on the less important of those two things.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^
This is not true. I don't know how Gene Smith felt, but Brandon was not in favor of the plan and made sure it leaked.
December 9th, 2011 at 8:41 PM ^
Brandon repeatedly talked about how awesome it would be to play OSU in the title game and how that could only happen if they were in separate divisions. He was totally in favor of splitting up the two teams. That or he got pushed around by everyone else in the league which isn't any better IMO.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:18 PM ^
I'm not sure how he really felt about the divisional split, but he was not in favor of moving the Game.
December 9th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^
Gary Danielson is a professional SEC troll and cheerleader one step less powerful than PAWWWLLL Finebaum.
On the credibility scale, BKFinest > Gary Danielson.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
This is what has been coming all along. It really doesn't make sense to play OSU at the end of the year if we are in separate divisions (the games against MSU and Nebraska are frankly more important now and a rematch a week later would take a lot of luster off both M/OSU games, especially for a national audience). The plan all along was to put us in separate divisions and move The Game to midseason. When the decisions were being made/leaked everybody bitched about the timing (which is really the secondary issue to being in separate divisions) and were placated when the date of The Game wasn't changed.
December 9th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
like a shell game. We were distracted enough by moving the game, that they were able to land the separate divisions softly by keeping the game on the last weekend. The separate division decision is the harder one to change, so get that one landed first, lay low for a while, and then do the other. Especially after the fan base wakes up and realizes the Michigan - Nebraska, and the Ohio State - Wisconsin games now mean more Big Ten Championship wise.
That said, I think the ramp in schedule to the game this year was perfectly done. Our entire team had really come along by the time we finished off Nebraska. (Then again it allowed Ohio State to get Posey back as well.)
Anyway, it is going to happen, and we will be looking forward to that Michigan - Nebraska game and all the Big Ten Title implications on the last Saturday at some point in the future.
December 10th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^
December 9th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
Usually the colder weather suspends the smell of shit that Ohio usually puts on the field
December 9th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
That will never happen. I will be making a social visit to Indianapolis and Mr. Delaney's office if he thinks that the little 8 is bigger than Michigan Ohio.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:12 PM ^
Are you going to call him from Indianapolis?
Otherwise you might want to go to Chicago.
December 9th, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^
Get off I-90 at Cumberland Ave. (IL-171). It's about 1/2 west on Higgins, if I remember correctly. Look for Bo Pelini shouting, "DAMNIT, JIM! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT MICHIGAN!"
December 9th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
We left the Big10 once before
right?..
December 9th, 2011 at 5:14 PM ^
I think it would be a lot of fun to play on back-to-back weeks for the players, the fans and anyone associated with either school, especially the loser of the first game!
The sane Buckeye fan I sat next to this year (section 7, row 96. Yup, top row.) and I actually talked about this and we were in agreement. So if there is anything Michigan and Ohio State fans can agree upon it's that game, it's importance, and it's place on the schedule.
Good luck to the suits trying to mess with it because it will not play well in Ann Arbor or Columbus.