Michigan To Play Florida In 2017, In Dallas
Just about all of the luster has gone out of the idea of playing a football game in Dallas after Michigan got pounded by Alabama to not make any money, to the point where actually getting the band there required Dave Brandon to squeeze half of the cost of that out of donors.
So guess what, guys!
Gators will open 2017 season against Michigan in Arlington, Texas. Game scheduled for Sept. 2
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) December 19, 2013
I'd say this further proves that Dave Brandon charged his family for Thanksgiving dinner, but like playing a canned version of the Victors against the #1 basketball team in the country, money isn't actually a good explanation. These games are kind of inexplicable when OSU and MSU are locking down quality home and homes.
This leaves… I don't actually know. With dynamic pricing shoving marquee prices into the stratosphere and Michigan charging extra for premium opponents, a home and home is at least a financial push compared to these one-off neutral site games, and then you have a nice thing to show your season ticket holders instead of a six-game home schedule featuring Cincinnati and Air Force as your nonconference draws. If Florida won't agree to it, maybe someone else would.
The only thing I've got is that this gives Dave Brandon a chance to hang around his idol some more.
FWIW, this completes the unerring accuracy of that list the BTN leaked a few months ago.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:30 PM ^
Damn I was all excited about this when I thought it was a home and home. Playing in Florida would be great for all those Florida recruits we're getting lately. Not to mention its a marquee opponent.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:32 PM ^
All the people whining about this need to realize that the alternative to this was not a home and home with Florida -- it was either a neutral site game like this or playing baby seal U at home. In any case, it will be a hugely marketed game by the national media and will be a great showcase for the program against a traditional SEC power.
December 19th, 2013 at 7:40 PM ^
Unless we start hosting Sparty after dark, I don't see a good night game candidate on the horizon now that Florida is off the table. Arkansas doesn't have the same appeal. Neither does Oregon State.
December 19th, 2013 at 8:05 PM ^
December 25th, 2013 at 12:48 PM ^
December 19th, 2013 at 8:29 PM ^
You're complaining about a primetime game against a solid opponent?
Cynical bunch around here.
December 19th, 2013 at 10:49 PM ^
FIrst you were complaining because a future home schedule sucked. Now you're complaining because we're playing a Mount Rushmore program. How the hell can you not get excited about playing the Gators in a stadium like that?
December 20th, 2013 at 12:29 AM ^
Both teams should be improvng. Better than playing a home and way series with UCONN.
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