Hypothetical Scenario: Should UM ever leave the Big Ten (again)?

Submitted by crg on
So, as many already know, Michigan parted with the Big Ten for 10 years back in the early 1900s, mainly because the conference was changing rules that ultimately made UM less competitive (http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/why-did-michigan-withdraw-big-ten-circa-1907). The independent experience was not very satisfying and UM rejoined the conference in 1917. Fast forward a century, we still seem to be having issues (according to many on this blog) with the conference (in football at least). So, as an excersise for the board, if Michigan did finally tell Delaney to get bent, where should they go? Try independent again or maybe negotiate a nice deal with the ACC (bringing in Notre Dame as a 16 team conference), or something else? This would probably never happen anyway, but it is interesting to consider.
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tbeindit

November 21st, 2017 at 8:38 AM ^

I would love to see Michigan go independent in football and play absolutely nobody save MSU, ND, and OSU. Would give you insanely high odds to make a NY6 bowl every year.

Joined: 01/27/2011

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KC Wolve

November 21st, 2017 at 9:01 AM ^

As someone who went to school in another conference I find it odd how much people complain about officiating here. The officiating in the Big 12 is fucking horrendous. I don’t watch many PAC games and I assume it is similar. College refs are bad across the board. I don’t believe they are worse in the BIG, you just watch more and when bad calls happen to your team you notice them more.

Joined: 10/09/2010

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KungFury

November 21st, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^

But they don’t. We seem to end up on the wrong side of every 50:50 call. I️ can’t remember the last time we won a game we should not have because of a bad call. But I️ can remember a lot of close games that we didn’t even have a chance because of officiating.

Joined: 04/01/2015

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gobluedore

November 21st, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^

The second the BIG10 officials said last years Game was proper officiated, leaving the BIG10 should’ve been on the table!!
I hope it never happens though!!

Joined: 01/11/2011

MGoPoints: 556

youn2948

November 21st, 2017 at 9:29 AM ^

The dollars say this will never happen.  Also there is the academic side.  I'm sure they'd be real happy if we were independant only for football.

 

Maybe we could just hire our own "independant" refs for football games.  So they weren't fanboys of the other team or haters of Harbaugh.

 

Or we could just hire a hitman for Delaney.

Joined: 05/28/2010

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SC Wolverine

November 21st, 2017 at 10:06 AM ^

At a minimum, Warde Manuel should be shaking his fist at the B1G headquarters over the way our football team is consistently jobbed at key moments.  I don't know about the conspiracy information, but the raw evidence is pretty rotten.  The DPJ touchdown is simply inexcusable.  The video review referees see the same thing that we do and they decide not to award what actually happened on the field.  Manuel should be screaming behind the scenes and using M's economic power to threaten.  

Joined: 08/18/2010

MGoPoints: 7778

jimt1023

November 21st, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^

You're supposed to make your own reason.  For example, in my hypothetical scenario, the year is 2020 and Michigan has finally returned to prominence with a promising, but young, offensive line and a redshirt freshman quarterback. 

Jim Harbaugh has been fired after several 10 and 11 win seasons, because Mgoblog posters claimed the Michigan fanbase expectations have been slipping and we should demand national championships from our teams every year.  Jim has been replaced by veteran head coach Brady Hoke, because we have run out of Michigan men willing to accept the head coaching job.  Brady has walked from his previous coaching location back to Ann Arbor because he likes to save money on moving.

Meanwhile, in B1G corporate, Delany issues an 11,000 page manifesto, known as the Delany doctrine.  The Delany doctrine dictates that all B1G teams must use play action on 3rd down regardless of the success of the running game prior to said 3rd down.  This infuriates Ace and Brian, who organize protests outside of Toys R Us’s now defunct corporate HQ. 

In the midst of this chaos, Michigan is upset by MSU, because Dantonio has invented a new blitz, known as the “Double A-Gap Blitz”, which is impossible for Michigan lineman to pick up. 

The Michigan fanbase discovers a recorded phone call between Delany, and several big ten officiating crews.  Apparently, Delany plans to use his $2 Trillion bonus to purchase David Brandon’s shitty mansion and offers the refs free stays in his guest room, in exchange for their promise to continue screwing Michigan over.  When asked what possible reason he could have for hating Michigan so much, Delany is only heard cackling into the receiver for 20 minutes until the recording ends.  Needless to say, this is enough for the Michigan fan base to decide it is time to leave the B1G.

As Michigan searches for its next conference, the hopes of a promising season are dashed as the offensive line continues getting pummeled with the impossible “Double A-Gap Blitz”.  Michigan enters the “Ohio” game 21 point underdogs, but with promising clothing sales across the state of Ohio.   

Joined: 04/14/2010

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blueohio86

November 21st, 2017 at 2:59 PM ^

I'd be against going Independent simply because teams without a conference championship have a harder time making the playoff. That said, the Big 12 would present the same issue. However, if we went to the Big 12 AND they added a championship game that would be the only thing I'd be ok with I think.

Joined: 07/23/2012

MGoPoints: 53

ricosuave

November 21st, 2017 at 5:23 PM ^

...in last year’s game, it would serve the BigTen12 right. That was just blatant. Oh, then there is the insanity of adding Rugers and Maryland. Maybe they could add Syracuse, they are a natural fit too...

Joined: 09/26/2015

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