Who (ONE TEAM ONLY) do you want scheduled for future non-con games?
Recalling the recent ranting and teeth-gnashing about dropping Arkansas in lieu of Notre Dame, I am curious if the AD actually questions the fan base about whom they would like to see in non-con matchups (considering this is the one sport most driven by fan-derived revenue, this seems like a reasonable notion). As such, who would be your top pick (only one) for a future out of conference opponent (regular season) that IS NOT currently on the schedule - and why? Hopefully, someone in the dept will view these suggestions and perhaps take some action (home and home is best).
Personally, I will go with LSU since 1) has never played UM, 2) traditionally a good FB team and 3) would love to take down another "premier" SEC program.
EDIT: This is also meant to be a challenge to the board. You need to pick just one team to add to the schedule (just throwing out a list of teams defeats the purpose - justify why this one team is worth adding over the others).
August 25th, 2017 at 7:55 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 7:57 AM ^
I want a larger Harbaugh vs his protégés series but filling their stadium with maize and blue would be fun and I enjoy the LSJUMB
August 25th, 2017 at 7:58 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:00 AM ^
Let's schedule Michigan State for an additional non-conference tilt so we can beat them twice every year.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:03 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:04 AM ^
From a personal and overall perspective.
Personally, I live in ATL area and am a GT graduate, so I could invade Athens for a game and root against the Dwags.
Overall, it's another trip in addition to the future ones already booked that you can sell to recruits, and JH and company can get some recruiting done in the rich state of Georgia.
Oh, and probably (most importantly) leave Athens with a big DUB.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:05 AM ^
I want USC in the Big House. Mainly because my seats are across from the visitors cheerleaders and band. (That fight song is one I love to hate).
August 25th, 2017 at 8:05 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:08 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:08 AM ^
Penn St
August 25th, 2017 at 8:10 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:15 AM ^
I think the key to a good schedule isn't the marquee home and home game, it's the one off games at home. While I don't see schools like Miami and FSU doing that anymore, some decent Power 5 schools will. Others would do a two for one.
I'd like to see WVU come in, although it's too late for it to be a grudge match. If I can mention a few more; WSU, KSU, TCU. I think more than one of them would be agreeable.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:16 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:18 AM ^
The Victors vs. Boomer Sooner
August 25th, 2017 at 8:26 AM ^
on Sept 12th 2026 at the Big House
August 25th, 2017 at 8:18 AM ^
In order of preference: Georgia, USC, LSU.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^
on Sept 10, 2022 at the Big House
August 25th, 2017 at 8:28 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:29 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:34 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 8:35 AM ^
University of Miami. That would be a nice home and home and give Michigan some nice Florida (sun) exposure.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:41 AM ^
Pittsburgh and Kentucky would be competitive matchups. On a home and home basis, their location makes it an easier drive than Tennessee or Georgia. Personally, I would favor a contest with William & Mary.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:51 AM ^
They suck
August 25th, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 9:01 AM ^
For purely selfish reasons, I'll say Wake Forest. I live 10 minutes from campus and would love to play them. Plus they're a middling P5 team, so it wouldn't be as awful as scheduling a G5 team (or some of the dumpster fires the SEC schedules), but should still be an easy win.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:02 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 9:04 AM ^
I would love it if Rutgers were a non-conference game.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 9:20 AM ^
I wish Notre Dame was on our schedule every year, and a home n away against Texas would be fun
August 25th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^
UCLA seems like ideal matchup - like Michigan they're an old school, elite (snobby) athletic program from a prestigious (snobby) high academic school. They played when I was a freshman and lost what turned out to be the first in a series of early season/season-ruining jaunts to west coast Pac-12 schools back in the day. But it was a fun game and I remember thinking that these teams should always play each other. Honorable mention: Virginia, for similar reasons but also for that 1995 Kickoff Classic (they kind of stink lately though)
August 25th, 2017 at 9:24 AM ^
play Rutgers as a NON-conference game.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:25 AM ^
(There are others, but nobody else is taking seriously OP's "Only One" instructions?)
August 25th, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^
but it should have been set up as "We toaught you how to play football once, now you need a refresher course."
August 25th, 2017 at 9:43 AM ^
I want to see OSU at the beginning of the year. Given the trend of their team being younger than ours (I know we're young this year), I'd like to get them before they gain a year of experience for The Game. I love that we play them at the end of the season and how important that matchup always ends up being, but dammit I'd like their constant turnover to bite them against our traditionally more mature team. Did no research to see if they are normally younger than us. Maybe is stoopid.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:43 AM ^
Duke
August 25th, 2017 at 7:10 PM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 9:45 AM ^
Stanford. Shaw v. Harbaugh. Two old school pro-style teams.
Runners up:
UCLA since I went there for Law School. When we play in them in them in LA (Pasadenia) in a few years, I plan to head out there for the game. More of that. Plus we are in a lot of recruiting battles with them, so humbling them could help win some more of those west coast recruits.
USF since I live in Clearwater, FL, so it is close enough to go.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:49 AM ^
LSU with Alabama a close second.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:50 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 9:55 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 9:55 AM ^
August 25th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
I would love to go to that game at Texas, too bad we have to wait another decade before then
As for ones we don't have already booked, I'd love to see Tennessee, LSU and i wished the Florida one was H&H or even just away. I'd love to have a reason to see a game in the swamp, plus neutral site games are dumb
August 25th, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^
We have a bad record against them and this is a good time to turn that around. Same with ND. I think the modern day series (77 on, not really that modern.....) is close to a push.
August 25th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
I'm confused. Any one non-con team? Then ND. Other than ND? Then Stanford.
August 25th, 2017 at 10:09 AM ^
It would be pretty cool (to me) to have Texas come to AA, then go down there for a game another year. I think the atmosphere around that would be ridiculous.
August 25th, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
Pretty sure we have a series scheduled with Texas, but I don't think it's happening for another 7-8 years. But I definitely agree, especially if Texas is back on it's feet by then and if Michigan is still a title contender by then, it'll make for a great series.
August 25th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
UNC since I go there.