Game Ball
This may seem mundane, well it is, but at least it's not another Tate/Denard thread.
I noticed during the spring game and fall practice this year that Michigan is using a different ball from years past. Whereas before they would use Wilson 1001, it seems that they are now using the Wilson GST. I was under the impression that the 1001s were really high quality and retailed for around 100 dollars, whereas I've seen GSTs in regular sporting good stores for a much cheaper price. Can anyone shed any light on this?
August 24th, 2009 at 7:22 PM ^
but both balls are ~$75 on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Official-NCAA-Leather-Football/dp/B000VZGB…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009KMXVK
August 24th, 2009 at 7:25 PM ^
I'll take 75 bucks and a ball anyday.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:26 PM ^
that they used balls with inverted dimples (concave instead of convex). Does anyone know how long that lasted? Was it just a short fad?
August 24th, 2009 at 7:36 PM ^
during my namesake's reign of terror
August 24th, 2009 at 8:45 PM ^
That lasted well into the Lloyd years, but I don't think they were using them by the end. A friend "acquired" a Michigan game ball at the Alamo Bowl and I seem to remember the dimples weren't inverted.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:55 PM ^
Maybe I am a non-informative football fan, but am I the only one who is wondering how the hell you know this?
August 24th, 2009 at 9:39 PM ^
It was fairly common sideline reporter fodder for the entirety of the time Michigan used the reverse-dimple balls. You couldn't go through a season of television broadcasts without hearing about it at least 5 times.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:35 PM ^
I thought they used Adidas balls now.
EDIT: Just saw pics from media day. Statement redacted.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:29 AM ^
Yeah, Adidas is the official uniform supplier, but I think they have different agreements for equipment. I mean, who the heck has ever heard of an Adidas game ball for a big game?
August 24th, 2009 at 7:31 PM ^
It seems that Tate prefers the Wilson 1001, which is supposedly superior for passing accuracy. Denard likes the Wilson GST, which is lighter and easier to run for touchowns. Sheridan is OK with either, since he has experience with both. RR says he actually plans on using 3 different types of footballs in the Western Michigan game.
August 24th, 2009 at 9:15 PM ^
Then it makes sense for Tate and Denard to switch footballs - give Denard more accuracy and Tate more speed. Or would that make things even more difficult?
August 24th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^
A few years back the Wilson 1001 football had painted on stripes and regular laces. The Wilson GST football has the "pebbled" laces and sewn on stripes for better grip. The Wilson website looks as though both footballs are now the same, but that used to be the difference. I don't know about pricing differences.
http://www.wilson.com/wilson/football/balls.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=101…