Brandon on WJR 8/26 (Subj: Realignment)
Dave Brandon was on WJR this morning on the Frank Beckmann show. Happened a few hours ago, but I haven't seen it posted yet, and not everyone on this board can get AM 760.
Here's the highlights that I remember:
- DB DOES want MSU and OSU to play UM each year.
- DB does NOT want Michigan to play OSU at the end of the year going into a championship game. He said no coach or TV person wants to see the same two teams match up in consecutive weeks.
- The conference's primary means for determining which schools go into which divisions is based on each programs performance.... # of wins, conference titles, bowl appearances, etc. Geography is NOT a consideration.
- The year that Penn State came into the conference is as far back as the conference is looking when evaluating programs.
- The top 4 teams are OSU, UM, Nebraska, and PSU.
- UM and OSU are NOT going to be in the same division.
Reading into what he said, it looks like MSU will probably be in our division and OSU will be a protected match-up scheduled some time before the last regular season game. He said he's fighting very hard to have us play those two schools each year and I can't see them giving UM two protected teams on the schedule, thus MSU in the same division.
He did stress several times that the divisions will be formed based on past performance (dating back to PSU's entry into the conference) more than anything else; and he reiterated that geography is a non-factor.
Dave Brandon's a straight shooter and doesn't mince words. He did add that Coach Rod's future is not determined by a "number" (of wins). He's the AD and he has access to far more metrics than win / loss stats. Those metrics (and he listed a bunch) are what DB looks at.
August 26th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
He did stress several times that the divisions will be formed based on past performance (dating back to PSU's entry into the conference) more than anything else;
Worked out well for the Big12 and ACC afterall...
...
...
Oh wait no, it fucking didn't.
August 26th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
Call the regents and scream bloody murder. MSC reports to them. DB reports to MSC.
They don't give a flying *uck about Facebook. This is th only thing that might help.
August 26th, 2010 at 2:36 PM ^
Dear Big Ten:
August 26th, 2010 at 2:42 PM ^
Thanks for selling out the greatest rivalry in all of sports for a few extra bucks....I seriously hate Nebraska now because if they didn't join we wouldn't have divisions.
August 26th, 2010 at 2:50 PM ^
Someone should put the bat signal out for Sub-commandante Wayne to start burning shit down at the Big Ten offices.
Seriously, this is an open plea to Ohio State fans: summon all your considerable drunken hooligan rage and turn it towards frightening the Big Ten into cancelling this bullshit. Turn your powers to the service of good.
August 26th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
Man our rivalry is fucked. It's going to be so lame to see Michigan and Ohio State in mid-october.
August 26th, 2010 at 4:23 PM ^
I tried posting this in another thread that seems to have been disappeared. But, re. Brandon and The Game:
People need to understand where Brandon is coming from and then maybe this will make more sense.
Brandon is a former CEO from the corporate world and a strategic genius.
Reading between the lines of what Brandon has said, what it looks like is the decision has been made by higher powers and there's really nothing he can do about it.
So, at that point, what sense does it make for him to piss and moan about it? From a standpoint of posturing, doing so in the end will make him appear powerless. Furthermore it would just soke the outrage of fans that already exists. It would accomplish nothing.
It makes much more sense from a strategic standpoint for him to align himself with the decision and try and spin it positively, if there's really nothing that can be done.
This has to be what's going on here. I mean, do people on this board really think that Brandon, given his pedigree under Bo, has no understanding of The Game? That's what people seem to be suggesting, which, to me is preposterous. What I outlined above has to be what's going on here.
August 26th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Doesn't that not make him appear more powerless, because that's what he is?
How does pissing off the Big Ten for a decision they're going to make anyway prove worse than piss off his fanbase by making them think he LOVES the idea.
Pissing and Moaning at least shows one who is willing to fight for what he believes in. And not just go along like a good little soldier.
But all of that is silly. He couldn't be more clear with his statements. He's not hemming and hawing over it. He's full blown for it. Image is reality, either way.
August 26th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
How the fuck do you know that Dave Brandon is a "strategic genius"? Where's the evidence of this?
August 26th, 2010 at 11:41 PM ^
with "Quisling"?
August 28th, 2010 at 12:41 AM ^
So, at that point, what sense does it make for him to piss and moan about it? From a standpoint of posturing, doing so in the end will make him appear powerless. Furthermore it would just soke the outrage of fans that already exists. It would accomplish nothing.
Better to be thought powerless than a traitor.
August 27th, 2010 at 12:03 AM ^
Fuck that man. That really pisses me off. Put them in the same damn division. It's not that hard. Yeah, yeah, yeah, UM/OSU shouldn't get special treatment. Bullshit. The rivalry is one of the biggest in the nation if not the BIGGEST. I think we get an exception. There's a reason it's so special. It's because for a long time it was seen as pretty much a conference championship game before there was conference championship games. Whether it actually was according to numbers and data doesn't matter. It was seen that way and when two teams already hate each other's guts and you add that on top of it, it makes for an even bigger rivalry than those that are already considered big but only have the former component (ND/USC, Auburn/Alabama, etc.)
By the way, send at least a damn email. I'm going to call and bitch them out and yeah it might not do any good but i'd rather try than not. I'm sure they've gotten enough hated feedback but some more never hurt.
President Mary Sue Coleman: [email protected]
Michigan Football: [email protected], [email protected]
President Gordon Gee: [email protected]
AD Gene Smith: [email protected]
Definitely here -> [email protected]