ESPN College Gameday - Will They Go to Ann Arbor for The Game, and How Should They Be Welcomed?
I think ESPN chickens out from coming to Ann Arbor for the OSU-Mich game this year. I think they know that they are going to get a very hostile treatment from the fans or perhaps the fans will boycott appearing at the College Gameday set altogether? They'll probably go to the Oregon/Oregon St game or Auburn/Bama game instead. They'll probably rationalize it as "for the safety of the crew". Anyway, that's my prediction.
If they do miraculously go to Ann Arbor for The Game, what would be the best way for the fans to treat them? It'll probably just be a bunch of booing for everyone except Desmond (although I wish he would stick up for Michigan with more intensity)... but I kind of like the idea of Michigan fans boycotting Gameday and not even showing up to the Gameday set. What do you all think?
Big Noon Kickoff should probably get somewhat negative treatment as well, as I heard that they were saying all sorts of stupid anti-Michigan stuff last Saturday.
Fuck ESPN.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:52 PM ^
the signs are going to be glorious
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:09 PM ^
Just saw this minutes ago presented by Kevin Negandhi as one of three lead stories on the ESPN Sportscenter opening teasers:
“PTI is coming back to weigh in: Is this the beginning of the end for Jim Harbaugh in Ann Arbor”
Mike Wilbon has been saying it’s ridiculous but he wants JH to leave to go coach the Bears. Let’s see what he says today.
EDIT: It was the second story, mentioned after tonight’s NFL game preview and before the World Series result. Pete Thamel interview actually seemed balanced until it was over when Kevin attributed our 33-3 record over the last 3 years to this “scheme ever since CS has been on staff". Wilbon said he should go to the NFL, “his time is up in college.” He should say screw it and leave. Tony Kornheiser said it should depend on the punishment and if M supports him and doesn’t have to leave if he doesn’t want to.
Fuck ESPN
They jumped the shark about 15 years ago
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:52 PM ^
I pay no attention to ESPN and couldn't care less about what any of the talking heads have to say about this or anything else. I don't understand why some get so worked up about it.
Assume they will show up. If so, I hope people are mature enough to treat them with courtesy.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:53 PM ^
All signs should be directed at urban f meyers...
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:39 PM ^
Should be directed at Thamel
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:16 PM ^
Fuck signs, let's throw shit at Thamel and see if it sticks.
November 2nd, 2023 at 7:45 PM ^
RGard is already warming up in the bullpen.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:53 PM ^
Urban has been one of the only talking heads defending us. But he’s also on Fox, so that kind of lines up with the broadcasters protecting investment approach.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:25 PM ^
Klatt, also a Fox representative, defended us. It's very clear that this is becoming an ESPN vs FOX battle now
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:42 PM ^
TING!!
Nobody really cares about it one way or the other.
They are just defending / attacking the other guy's turf.
When the "real" news constantly does this, how can we expect the sports/entertainment news to be any better?
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
Tar and feather Kirk?
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:55 PM ^
But he already is a chicken
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
Well Klatt just tweeted out about how ridiculous the coaches complaining about Michigan and wanting something done. Pretty sure Fox knows exactly what espn is doing and will protect their investment
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
Hope so.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
Where has my weekly What Klatt Said thread been?! Somebody post this!
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:20 PM ^
I wonder how much of Klatt's sentiment on Michigan comes from the fact that he still has to call at least two, maybe three games on Michigan this season. I doubt he wants to come off as "We need to bring the hammer down on these guys" because it would affect his perception in the booth as someone who has to call a game for that team.
He may have his own opinions in his heart of hearts, but I wonder how much of his impartialness up to this point is influenced by the fact that he still has games to call for Michigan.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:27 PM ^
Why would the "bring the hammer down" opinion be the default? Maybe he's reserving judgment because there are very few facts, and no actual sources, in the public record. Or maybe he actually knows that it's all a crock, but he doesn't want to alienate OSU's fans.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:28 PM ^
This..and I bet he has talked to some UM coaches and probably coaches on other teams and knows more of what is going on
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:52 PM ^
I’m not saying that’s what he’s thinking. It was just an expression. I have no idea what he’s thinking.
But it still does beg the question. Maybe he already has an opinion but he can’t sway one way or the other because he still has games to call on this team.
I’m not bashing him for that even if that is the case. It’s just something I’ve thought about. I don’t think it’s too far fetched a concept.
November 2nd, 2023 at 7:53 PM ^
I get your point Perk and it's valid, but Klatt has been pro-Michigan for a while now. I remember him saying on Michigan's run in 2021 saying Michigan was only missing that game changing QB and should maybe try switching to JJ. A lot of us were offended by it at the time, but he wasn't wrong.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
I feel as if Klatt has always given an accurate assessment year to year of Jim Harbaughs success, and he’s noticed a better team steadily year after year. Harbaugh changed the culture which was abysmal to leaders, and best once more. I think Klatt has personally recognized it and gives kudos to Himmy Harbaugh.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
Ignore them.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
The fans will act like wild Stalions😉
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:01 PM ^
Fuck ESPN. FUCK Gameday. Fuck Finebaum, Stephen A, all the crabs in East Lansing, and especially those whiny bitches in Columbus
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:47 PM ^
Finebaum, build a 30 foot high burning man and set em on fire before the game.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:01 PM ^
If they do come here, there should be a full boycott and it needs to be advertised everywhere.
National broadcast and nobody there.
Everyone should head over to the Fox set.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:27 PM ^
I don't think boycott, I think just ruin their broadcast. If they're dumb enough to come to Ann Arbor after fanning the flames of this media madness, then they're gonna have a bad time.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
If they don't come, and they publicly say (or leak) that it's because they fear for their safety, I will be incredibly insulted and outraged, unless there was something (like this thread for example) that begins to threaten violence against them.
Do not threaten (or commit) violence.
I don't like the idea of a boycott. It would be all OSU fans there then. And it would just make us look lame.
Boo anytime Reece or Herbie talk. I don't even know what Pat has said so if he's been a meanie then boo him too. I actually like Herbie but he's a Buckeye so, dem's da breaks.
And just bring savage signs. ESPN will probably try to steal them (yeah, I said steal signs) so you may have to be clever about getting it past their screener. I actually don't know if they have a screener but it seems like they probably do.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:34 PM ^
Pat has predicted OSU will go undefeated this regular season. That's reason enough to boo him.
With respect to sign-gate, I believe Pat has suggested on Gameday it's serious. I haven't listened to his show, so no clue what he's said there.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:59 PM ^
It would make a better point to NOT boo Herbstreit, given his moderate take on this story. I've more respect for an honest Buckeye than a dishonest hack like Reece Davis.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
I miss the days of marshmallows in the stands.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:27 PM ^
Frozen ones. Tape the bag to your stomach to get them in and then go nuts. That’s why the camera people have plexi shields.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
It would be pretty great if they came and no Michigan fans showed up. I'd feel a bit bad for Des, but it would be hilarious. Also, if both teams are undefeated, they will come.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
This is how they should be welcomed...
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:07 PM ^
I can't imagine Gameday will go to Ann Arbor--it's too big of a risk to the brand, especially when the posters (and fans) will spell out exactly how ridiculous their own reporters have been. I can already hear chants over the tv speakers such as, "F-U, Es-pen."
If they somehow do end up on campus, I'd be willing to be that Paul Thamel will be nowhere near that set or Ann Arbor, in general.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
He may have no other choice. The clown will be clowned.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:55 PM ^
If they don't show for a match of two of the top 3 in their own rankings, they will just be demonstrating how biased they are against leagues they do not own the rights for.
November 2nd, 2023 at 7:59 PM ^
They are already showing bias. On their home page they have a Heisman top 5 tracker. They have excluded a player with the second highest odds in Vegas.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:17 PM ^
It wouldn’t surprise me if ESPN intentionally avoided coming to Ann Arbor, even if it’s the biggest game of the year.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:21 PM ^
Don't show up. Go to the fox one
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:24 PM ^
If I'm the person at UM that has to approve it, I'd tell them no thanks we have Big Noon from Fox here
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^
I suspect they'll start to change their time in a week or so if UM beats PSU. At that point UM is going to be undefeated heading to The Game and you'd be stupid to not show up unless they just completely chicken out and attend something like the Apple Cup or some G5 game (which would be good exposure for those teams so I'm fine with it) just to save themselves the booing.
I do expect Rece Davis to suddenly have cell phone issues and be unable to get texts from Ryan Day he is supposed to read on air and treat like breaking news either way.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:36 PM ^
I'm inclined to believe one of the above comments. Tell them to sit on it, we'll let Fox come. ESPN can feel free to head down south that weekend.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:29 PM ^
They’ll hand pick the few dozen people behind them on screen and vet the signs. No casual viewer would notice, I’d bet.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:31 PM ^
Michigan - Ohio State will be a 1 vs 2 matchup, Espn GameDay will be in Ann Arbor for sure. I don't care if it makes us look "lame" as someone else pointed out we should absolutely boycott and go over to Big Noon Fox. Let Espn GameDay be full of OSU fans they deserve each other. OSU is getting their ass kicked regardless.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:51 PM ^
They may want to come but someone has to give them permission to use their property for their set up. UofM probably won’t. I hope Pioneer and AAGO doesn’t. If that is the case where would they set up?
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:31 PM ^
It might be the last Apple Cup, so Seattle could be in play if UW's still undefeated.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:36 PM ^
If both teams are undefeated they'll be there. Personally, I don't think being overtly hostile to them would be a good look, but I could certainly appreciate some signs dunking on Pete Thamel. Something like: "Sources say: Pete Thamel is a hack".
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:37 PM ^
Need to get students to chant “ soft as butter “