Big Ten Football Scheduling

Submitted by ijohnb on
This is not a "pick up ND and have a conference championship game thread," but I do not like that there are two weeks of very exciting, heavily viewed football that the Big Ten is not involved in at all. (except for a strange Illinois beatdown). Thanksgiving weekend is a college football showcase with very competitive games and the Big Ten is no where to be found. Start late, institute a buy week if permissible, anything, but get a few games sprinkled in when the whole country has nothing else to do but eat and watch sports. I think it would shine some much needed light on the conference and possibly help with recruiting, etc. Any similar sentiments out there?
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jay_mgoblue09

November 29th, 2009 at 8:48 AM ^

Next year the Big 10 has a mandatory Bye week and everyone is moving their schedule back 1 week. Michigan/Ohio State is going to be during Thanksgiving weekend next year.

Joined: 11/11/2009

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Mirasola

November 29th, 2009 at 9:05 AM ^

Where did you hear this from? I just don't see that being a good idea with all the out of state students that go home for that weekend. I would hate to have to choose between going home and going to the OSU game over Thanksgiving weekend. (I would choose OSU)

Joined: 09/18/2009

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Lordfoul

November 29th, 2009 at 3:03 PM ^

Doing Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor would be sweet. Pretty much any of the places I lived (except the Burlodge) had kitchens that could handle it. Any roomies staying over the break would love the free food too I imagine, and there would possibly be extra rooms for family if some go out of town. Damn I miss Ann Arbor!

Joined: 07/01/2008

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pz

November 29th, 2009 at 9:19 AM ^

that it hurts Michigan's student section pretty seriously for The Game. I'd be in favor of adding a bye week (Thanksgiving for schools affected by heavy student travel over break) and pushing back The Game to Championship Game weekend.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3765

genericmichiganfan

November 29th, 2009 at 1:06 PM ^

It's not going to be that much colder if you wait a week. Besides, Michigan weather is so random that it could be a snowstorm one week and 60 degree weather the next. Sometimes in October we get some really crappy and cold weather. Sack it up and put on an extra layer of clothing. If you're not from Michigan I can understand not wanting it to be cold, but if you're from here it shouldn't be too tough to combat it with an extra layer or two of clothes.

Joined: 02/16/2009

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ijohnb

November 29th, 2009 at 9:21 AM ^

All of the games that I saw this weekend had unbelievable crowds. (except for Stanford which by the way is a pretty lame atmosphere, I know Ivy league and all, but it sounded like a golf tourney)

Joined: 09/21/2009

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ijohnb

November 29th, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^

maybe the "ford" at the end of the name threw me, but I have no other explanation. And yes, in cold weather, Cinci was rockin on Friday, much the same way that numerous cold weather climates will on this NFL Sunday in outdoor stadiums. And would the difference between November 19 and November 26 make all that much difference Blue in Lansing. (And please don't respond with a smash as to the Ivy League mistake, I already admitted culpability)

Joined: 09/21/2009

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Tater

November 29th, 2009 at 9:26 AM ^

I live near Tampa and went to the USF basketball game on Friday. There were nine students in the midcourt student section. I know this would never happen at UM, but it did make me realize how many kids go home for the holidays. That being said, I am sure that the student section will find a way to be full for the OSU game in two years. If UM continues to grow like we think they will, and Tressel gets his head out of his ass when it comes to utilizing Pryor, the 2011 game could be between two undefeated teams playing for a slot in the National Championship game. I think that may be enough to help most students find a way back to Ann Arbor by Saturday.

Joined: 08/13/2008

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ijohnb

November 29th, 2009 at 9:29 AM ^

meaning that except for out of state students, all will have no trouble making it back. Thanksgiving is important, family and all, but I think it is telling to watch those SEC games on Thanksgiving weekend and see how amped up the atmosphere is. The order of things down there goes 1)college football, 2)college football, 3)college football, 4)thanksgiving. I really think it is time the Big Ten join that mentality, I believe that the lack of interest after mid-november does effect the way recruits view the conference.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

Mirasola

November 29th, 2009 at 9:32 AM ^

"It's doubtful the annual Michigan-Ohio State rivalry will shift to Thanksgiving or into December, but if two schools want to shift their schedule, they have that option."

Joined: 09/18/2009

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