Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wolverine Wednesday: Decisions

Brady Hoke spoke and reporters listened.  Here are some of the topics I think you might be interested in:

  • Devin Gardner is ok, there were reports his arm was in a sling boarding the team bus after the game.

  • Marvin Robinson didn't make the trip, but will be ready for Purdue.

Are you at all disappointed that the series is going to take a long break?
“Well, they’ve got to do what’s right for Notre Dame … obviously we enjoy and cherish the rivalry because there’s so much history there. But we’ll move forward.”


Have you talked to Denard about his interceptions?
“Believe me, he’s had a conversation with his coach.”

What do you say to him?
“Decisions.”

That’s it?
“What else are you going to say?”
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My take on ND moving off the schedule.

For some reason, I felt this might be coming for a few years.  Not sure why but I figured Michigan or ND would ask out of the contract at some point.  If you remember there was a lot of talk about the Big 10 playing 9 conferences games, then there was that short lived PAC 12 partnership with the Big Ten.  Both of those would have been reasons for the Wolverines to rip up the contract. 

That didn't happen and ND has this new agreement with the ACC (they are going to date but not going to get married) where they are going to play 8 5 ACC teams a year.   ND prefers to play Navy, Stanford and USC then play the Wolverines every year.   Many say the reason is due to recruiting and ND getting to play in California.

I have always thought Michigan played too many rivalry games a year.   If you consider ND, MSU, Penn State, new comer Nebraska and OSU. That is a ton of rivalry games compared to other major programs.   On the other hand, I will miss the yearly match-up with the Irish.  Let's be honest this isn't your Daddy's ND anymore but the games always carried weight and was a national match up.  I won't miss watching Michigan play on NBC/the ND Network.   They must add at least 5 more TV breaks a game.   

This might open the door for Michigan and ND to play in a bowl game.  Maybe the Orange Bowl that could have an an ACC/ND + a Big Ten tie in.   I think Michigan should add an ACC team to fill in the schedule.   Bring in Virgina, BC, Duke or Maryland to the Big House.

3 comments:

Voice of Reason said...

I think those are good points, and I'm sure Dave Brandon will fill those slots with the best available teams which may be a toss up at this point. This maybe "last minute-esque" for some major schools to be receiving a phone call from another major university asking for a game only a few years out.

dude1984 said...

I am indifferent about ND opting out. Now I'd like to see the B1G go to a 9 game in conference schedule. For the 3 OOC games, I was about SEC, Pac 12, and a recognizable non AQ team.

I am still pro SEC: Auburn, Florida, or Georgia, please, and a recognizable non AQ team: Houston, BYU, or Hawaii (HI would have to be week 1 on Thursday). I'd replace Pac 12 with Big 12, KSU or TX Tech until Oklahoma or TCU can be had.

dude1984 said...

I forgot to list Mizzou as another SEC I'd like to see Brandon try to schedule.