Should Michigan schedule Boise in 2012 or 2013?

Submitted by StephenRKass on

ESPN is reporting that Boise State will be playing vs. Georgia in 2011 & Ole Miss in 2014.

I was intrigued by the idea of Michigan scheduling Boise to come to the Big House in 2012 or 2013. The schedule in 2012 is already a killer. However, it is pretty weak in home games, with Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State all being on the road. Adding Boise in 2012 would definitely be a reward for the home fans, instead of a MAC cupcake. Currently, there are three open slots in 2012, one of which I assume is a bye.

The only games I see scheduled for 2013 are home vs. ND & the return trip to UConn. Obviously there is room for Boise on the schedule.

Some on this board argue that there is no reward for Michigan in playing Boise State. I completely disagree.

  • A win against Boise would be regarded highly in terms of quality.
  • Boise is viewed as a high quality team, and a loss to them would be viewed very differently than a loss to Appy State, or Toledo, or the like.
  • A loss early on would not be completely crippling in end of the year rankings.
  • In terms of fan interest and TV interest, a Michigan - Boise State game would generate huge buzz. Be honest:  would you rather see Michigan play Eastern Michigan, Delaware State, UMass and assorted Baby Seal Universities, or Boise State?
  • I could even see it being a night game, early in the season when it isn't brutally cold.
  • Also, Boise is completely ready to play on the road with no return date.
  • By 2012, Michigan should be competitive with everyone and afraid of no-one. There is no reason to duck competition.
  • Lastly, I am sick of hearing BCS league teams saying Boise doesn't play anyone. Beating Boise is a way to clearly knock them out of the MNC consideration.

For you Boise haters, I want to hear from you reasons why you'd rather play Directional U or Baby Seal U than Boise State in the 2012 or 2013 non-con schedule

KBLOW

November 20th, 2010 at 11:52 AM ^

Reasons to play Baby Seal U?

 A Win.

A chance to play 2nd/3rd string extensively. 

I can plan something else that Sat and not even have to check my phone for score updates. 

Our schedule will be more like that of Boise St.

Syyk

November 20th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^

Not in 2012 with Alabama and Notre Dame on the schedule.  As much as I'd like to see Michigan only playing teams from power conferences, it's never going to happen in this current format and it puts us at a disadvantage if our schedule is that much tougher than the teams' we are going to be competing against for bowl bids.  Also, I like playing MAC schools, if only because it helps to support smaller football teams in the region. 

Voodlezang

November 20th, 2010 at 1:35 PM ^

I've read/heard that the main reason nobody wants to play at Boise is because their stadium holds around 40,000 people, which means less money for teams like Michigan visiting, who could almost triple the attendence at the Big House.  Personally, with how the past 2.5 years have been, I'm okay with a Baby Seal opponent to club.

wolpherine2000

November 20th, 2010 at 3:12 PM ^

...from a philosophical standpoint, but more practically no. Our program needs to reestablish itself with wins before we worry about quality wins. I wish I could say with confidence we won't still be rebuilding in 2013.