ijohnb

October 24th, 2013 at 9:36 AM ^

this is late, but still worthy of discussion for those who have not had a chance to really process it.  Personally, I really like the variety.  SMU, Arkansas, Utah, Oregon State, UNLV.  I know that it is kind a traditional to play to directionals at the Big House to allow them the big stage for a weekend, but these teams are teams that I like to watch play, and don't get to see that often.  I know that it will make me enjoy September college football a little more than I have lately.  A lot of non-conference games can feel quite "routine" and it is hard to get that fired up for them.  These games are going to bring some much needed unfamiliarity to the early season.

LSAClassOf2000

October 24th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^

This is something I thought about when the schedules were released - the variety and the lack of regimented feel to the OOC schedule in the coming years actually is rather refreshing. I would rather the game with Florida be part of a home-and-home as I like the idea of including the SEC and power conference games more often, but you can't win every battle.

I suppose my feelings in summary would be this - we're only going to have the three slots from 2016 onwards, so we should make those games count and schedule potentially entertaining matchups. 

dahblue

October 24th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^

Looks like only 1 game next year where tickets can be sold for (at least) face value - Penn State.  Does Brandon's new dynamic pricing work in reverse?

YaterSalad

October 24th, 2013 at 10:19 AM ^

I know this has been talked about well beyond the horse being dead, but seeing it laid out side by side for future schedules ... I am so irritated at the Big doing the away MSU / OSU in the same year follows by then home the same year.

Don't get me wrong ... The home years set up for a monster run towards a National Championship. But the away years could swing us all the way to Gator Bowl territory.

Wolverine Devotee

October 24th, 2013 at 10:26 AM ^

Probably gonna take a beating for this but.....Michigan should schedule app state. Past 2014.

Maybe a home and home. 

Yes, I know their stadium does not hold much. But they will be an FBS team in the Sun Belt pretty soon so I'm guessing they have to expand to meet NCAA requirements. 

The road game would be a huge stretch so maybe play the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

We are forever linked to them. Might as well play them and beat the snot out of them. 

EastCoast Esq.

October 24th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^

Until we can consistently play OK on the road (see UConn / PSU), I'd rather not set up a powderpuff game with a team that we are supposed to whomp.

I understand the logic, but I simply don't trust this team to not play down to its competition at this point.

ijohnb

October 24th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^

have some fun with it.  It maybe the biggest upset in the history of sports (Sorry Buster Douglas), and I really don't see any reason not to memorialize it.  Play em every 5 or so years.

TRAILofVICTORY

October 24th, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^

App State to open next year seems like such a lose-lose. Crush them and it shows just how terrible that loss was, not to mention it reminds everyone of what I think everyone here would like to forget. 

Tater

October 24th, 2013 at 11:05 AM ^

They need to do a home and home against Hawaii and schedule the away game late in the year as a vacation.  I think it would help recruiting if they did home and homes in FL, CA and TX, too. 

umbig11

October 24th, 2013 at 11:11 AM ^

Now that game will generate excitement. However, it is likely to be played in Dallas, Atlanta, or Miami Sun Life stadium. That is a great stage, but lacks the home and home.

umbig11

October 24th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^

Why not bring in Kentucky, Louisville, WVU, or a home and home with Tennessee. All within driving distance and a home and home with Tennessee in two massive stadiums just makes sense to me. I wouldn't mind Missouri on the schedule either.

Soulfire21

October 24th, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^

I think matchups against Mizzou, Tennessee, or Kentucky would be quite palatable (even home and homes). 

I would like to see Michigan take on the Big 12 a bit more as well because, for one, it is two incredibly different styles of football, and two, there are no bowl tie-ins between the Big Ten and Big 12 anymore starting in 2014 (I believe, could be wrong).  Oklahoma, Texas are probably longshots, but Kansas State, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and TCU would also present some intriguing matchups I think.

I Have A Gnarly Face

October 24th, 2013 at 12:35 PM ^

I like the OOC scheduling. I didn't know until now that we're playing Arkansas twice. Unsure if that was announced prior to the release of this schedule. Also, I'm assuming the game versus Florida will be played in Dallas.

Tkriz

October 24th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^

Our non conference scheduling is disappointing. Seems like we're going after the b list (Arkansas, Oregon St, etc) Those schools may be saying the same about us? We need to get back to the 80s and 90s scheduling....Fla St, Oregon, Miami, etc.

Moonlight Graham

October 24th, 2013 at 3:04 PM ^

I've really enjoyed the UTL games and hope they continue. I heard an interview with DB where he focused on playing future UTL games against their "big Big Ten brand" opponents, which makes sense in 2016 (Wisconsin) and 2018 (Nebraska). But he also said he'd like to start doing it every year. So...

2014 - 9/20 v. Utah or 10/11 (brrrr?) v. Penn State

2015 - Oregon St., BYU or Northwestern (HC)

2016 - 10/1 v. Wisconsin

2017 - No UTL because of neutral site v. Florida? (Good, cause there's no other good candidates except MSU which isn't going to happen)

2018 - 9/22 Nebraska

2019 - ??