May 23, 2007
Michigan-Notre Dame series in jeopardy?
The Blue-Gray Sky senses a disturbance in the force, as Michigan AD Bill Martin gave a hint that the Wolverines might ditch the UM-Notre Dame series after the contract expires in 2011.
While Martin certainly didn't cast off the series, its certainly a small shot across the bow to put Notre Dame on notice - give Michigan scheduling concessions or (maybe, possibly) else.
"It's the highest-rated television preseason game in college football," Martin said. "Those are the two winningest programs in college football history. It's the game that all of our fans want and all of the Notre Dame fans want. It's hard to drop that series. They don't want to drop it, I don't want to drop it; I want to simply fine-tune it a little bit. We've been talking about taking off an odd number of years so we can accomplish that (schedule maneuvering), but then that doesn't do what they want,"
In other words, Michigan doesn't want to have Ohio State and Notre Dame as home games in the same season. They want to "spread the wealth" for season tickets, as it were. But the Irish aren't likely to go for it because moving the game to an off-year would mean playing Michigan and USC at home in the same season. (And traveling to both every other year, for that matter).
Pat at BGS senses this is a 'first of three conversations' point - a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, if you will.
Comments:
IrishJT said:
posted on May 23, 2007 2:55 PM — 65.83.54.4 — link — abuse?
What ND wants, ND gets!!!! Look for another 10 year contract to extend into 2021 and for the Big 10 teams to continue to whine about how Notre Dame should join their conference.
Also, GatorDumbass...the Irish will continue to play, year-in-and-year-out, one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Let's compare to our "National Champs", shall we? (mind you, Florida played Southern Miss, Central Florida, & D-II Powerhouse Western Carolina last year, not to mention perennial doormats Kentucky, South Carolina & Vandy).
Notre Dame vs. Florida vs. Tougher?
Georgia Tech Western Kentucky Irish
Penn State Troy Irish
Michigan Tennessee Irish
Mich State Ole Miss Irish
Purdue Auburn Gators
UCLA LSU Gators
Boston College Kentucky Irish
Southern Cal Georgia Irish
Navy Vandy Irish
Air Force So. Carolina Gators
Duke Florida Atlantic Irish
Stanford Florida State GatorsCan you seriously argue that Notre Dame plays a WEAKER schedule than Florida? If so, grab your ankles and pull really, really hard. Your head MIGHT pop out of your arse.
We had these conversations last year and every year...you lose!
IrishJT said:
posted on May 23, 2007 3:23 PM — 65.83.54.4 — link — abuse?
Notre Dame vs Florida Tougher Sched?
-------------------------------------------------
Georgia Tech Western Kentucky Irish
Penn State Troy Irish
Michigan Tennessee Irish
Mich State Ole Miss Irish
Purdue Auburn Gators
UCLA LSU Gators
Boston College Kentucky Irish
Southern Cal Georgia Irish
Navy Vandy Irish
Air Force So. Carolina Gators
Duke Florida Atlantic Irish
Stanford Florida State GatorsBetter display of my previous post.
FanoftheGame said:
posted on May 23, 2007 3:28 PM — 198.211.223.194 — link — abuse?
It's time to learn another song. It gets a little old, hearing the same old song about how good Notre Ame is, even if they aren't very good at all. I can agree that the Irish did play a few top caliber teams last season. But I can't recall them winning any of those games, or even being competitive in their bowl game. The Irish do have a rich football history, but thats about all that seems to be left of Notre Ame football. I personally, would like to see the Irish back near the top again. At least then, other teams will get due credit for beating a decent team. For now, beating the Irish isn't that much of an accomplishment for a top tier team.
IrishJT said:
posted on May 23, 2007 3:39 PM — 65.83.54.4 — link — abuse?
GatorHippy,
Glad to know you are a one-dimensional thinker. I like a guy who only lives in a world of wins and losses. That's not a bad way to live. However, in addition to that world, some of us actually like to improve our station in life. Often times creating a financial situation that inures to our benefit does just that. So "what ND wants, ND gets" did NOT apply to the thirteen 60 minutes of football the Irish played very well last season...or any future or past season. It applied to the FACT that when Notre Dame football wants to buy, sell, lease, salvage, breach, purchase, leverage, bargain, bartyr, redeem or otherwise tell someone what they want...ND gets it!!!!!!GatorMatt said:
posted on May 23, 2007 3:40 PM — 68.101.73.231 — link — abuse?
IrishJT,
I'll admit, Florida's schedule this year doesn't look too tough with Troy and Western Kentucky, but are you honestly going to say that Michigan State(4-8), Air Force(4-8), Stanford(1-11), and Duke(0-12) are better opponents than SEC schools? You really need to pull your head out of your a$$, b/c I guarantee you are the only one that feels this way.
IrishJT said:
posted on May 23, 2007 3:48 PM — 65.83.54.4 — link — abuse?
...an even better version. The following compares each week of the season, ND vs Florida, and then denotes which team has the TOUGHER opponent.
ND vs Georgia Tech
Florida vs Western KentuckyTougher Game: Irish
ND vs Penn State
Florida vs TroyTougher Game: Irish
ND vs Michigan
Florida vs TennesseeTougher Game: Irish
ND vs Mich State
Florida vs Ole MissTougher Game: Irish
ND vs Purdue
Florida vs AuburnTougher Game: Gators
ND vs UCLA
Florida vs LSUTougher Game: Gators
ND vs Boston College
Florida vs KentuckyTougher Game: Irish
ND vs Southern Cal
Florida vs GeorgiaTougher Game: Irish
ND vs Navy
Florida vs VandyTougher Game: Irish
That's 8 weeks for the Irish, 4 for Florida. Can Florida fans honestly say that Notre Dame has a WEAKER schedule than Notre Dame? If so, please justify.
ND vs Air Force
Florida vs So. CarolinaTougher Game: Gators
ND vs Duke
Florida vs Florida AtlanticTougher Game: Irish
ND vs Stanford
Florida vs Florida StateTougher Game: Gators
gatorhippy said:
posted on May 23, 2007 3:55 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?
Irish JT (#7):
Ummm...
I'm a little confused by this...
"That's 8 weeks for the Irish, 4 for Florida. Can Florida fans honestly say that Notre Dame has a WEAKER schedule than Notre Dame?"
So is Notre Dame playing Notre Dame this season?
Or is it more like ND vs. Bizzaro ND?
Just wondering...
Bryan said:
posted on May 23, 2007 4:12 PM — 152.50.3.3 — link — abuse?
I hate to get involved in this, but I think one could easily call for a 'push' on some of those matchups.
Mich/Tenn - push
Navy/Vandy - push
BC/Kent - pushand for what it's worth, I think FAU could give Duke all they could handle.
FanoftheGame said:
posted on May 23, 2007 4:23 PM — 198.211.223.194 — link — abuse?
Post #6
You make a great point JT. However, if we are to believe all of what you said, then when can we expect the Irish to "want" to start winning football games? And when, if ever, is Notre Ame going to want to be a competitive top tier team?
If it really is just a matter of the Irish wanting these things, then I guess the reat of the country would be accurate in questioning Notre Ame's desire. Everyone knows that you need more than great athletes to win football games. Without heart and desire success on the field will never come. Thanks, now we know what the Irish are lacking.NDfan08 said:
posted on May 23, 2007 4:23 PM — 129.188.69.145 — link — abuse?
IrishJT, we get your point, sort of. I'm an ND student, so don't go overboard with your comparisons and embarrass all of us Domers.
No, the Irish haven't performed well in the "big games" (OSU '06 Fiesta Bowl, Michigan '07, USC '07, LSU '07 Sugar Bowl). And no, it honestly doesn't look like they'll come close to a national title until they focus on improving the defense instead of 4-man races for the starting QB job. I'll admit it. Anyone who thinks otherwise is either braindead or extremely biased towards the Irish (i.e. many of my classmates). But, there's no denying the fact that the Irish schedule opponents looking for a challenge. No one knew that Purdue and Tennessee were going to be such huge disappointments in 2005...
FanoftheGame said:
posted on May 23, 2007 4:24 PM — 198.211.223.194 — link — abuse?
Post #6
You make a great point JT. However, if we are to believe all of what you said, then when can we expect the Irish to "want" to start winning football games? And when, if ever, is Notre Ame going to want to be a competitive top tier team?
If it really is just a matter of the Irish wanting these things, then I guess the rest of the country would be accurate in questioning Notre Ame's desire. Everyone knows that you need more than great athletes to win football games. Without heart and desire success on the field will never come. Thanks, now we know what the Irish are lacking.TrojanHorse said:
posted on May 23, 2007 4:49 PM — 132.228.195.207 — link — abuse?
there was some mention somewhere in one of those links of maybe moving the SC game... uhmm I don't think so
USC isn't likely to switch years with ND even if ND gave SC 2 in a row at home.. why.. SC likes to give the season tix holders one marquee game at a minimum each year.. ND in even years, UCLA in odd years.. I think Michigan is trying to do the same thing.. season tix holders for UM get a great deal the year they have OSU and ND at home.. and lousy games (in theory) the years that they play ND and OSU on the road.. I could sympathize with UM fans on this.. I hate SC's schedule this year at home.. other than UCLA there is absoulutely nothing worth crowing about.. if ND and UCLA were in the same season.. I could only imagine the possibilities on how bad a home schedule would be without one of those two teams.. Ditto for UM fans
VolMike98 said:
posted on May 23, 2007 5:03 PM — 68.252.111.192 — link — abuse?
IrishJT, it is pointless to compare weeks of every game. you have to compare the top teams against the other top teams, not week by week. So Notre Dame's schedule was
Georgia Tech
Penn State
Michigan
Wolverines
Michigan State
Purdue
Stanford
UCLA
Navy
North Carolina
Air Force
Army
USCFlorida's schedule was
Sat Sep 2 Southern Mississippi Gainesville, FL
Sat Sep 9 Central Florida Gainesville, FL
Sat Sep 16 at Tennessee Knoxville, TN
Sat Sep 23 Kentucky Gainesville, FL
Sat Sep 30 Alabama Gainesville, FL
Sat Oct 7 Louisiana State Gainesville, FL
Sat Oct 14 at Auburn Auburn, AL
Sat Oct 28 vs Georgia Jacksonville, FL
Sat Nov 4 at Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
Sat Nov 11 South Carolina Gainesville, FL
Sat Nov 18 Western Carolina Gainesville, FL
Sat Nov 25 at Florida State Tallahassee, FLSo Notre Dames top teams in order
USC
Michigan
Penn State
Georgia Tech
UCLA
Navy
Purdue
Michigan State
Air Force
North Carolina
Army
StanfordFlorida's hardest games in order were
LSU
Arkansas
Auburn
Tennessee
Georgia
South Carolina
Alabama
Florida State
Southern Mississippi
Vanderbilt
Central Florida
Western CarolinaFirst off we can eliminate the last 3 games because both teams will win them so easily they do not even count. You do not compare saying Army is better than Central Florida therefore you have a tougher schedule....you just don't, it proves nothing.
The first game match off would be USC and LSU
This game is a push because USC and LSU finished with the same record and both won their respective BCS bowls.The second game would be Michigan vs. Arkansas, we will give this one to Michigan for making it to a BCS bowl. Edge to Notre Dame
The third game would be Penn State vs. Auburn
Auburn finished the season ranked much higher than PSU therefore Edge to FloridaNext is Tennessee vs Georgia Tech. Easily a win for Florida
Next is UCLA Georgia, another easy win for Florida because UGA finished ranked, won their bowl game and had a better record. Edge Florida
Next is Navy South Carolina, we will call this a draw even though I think South Carolina would win this game easily. Draw
Next is Alabama Purdue, after all the elite teams Alabama played down to the wire they are better than Purdue. Edge Florida
NExt is Florida State Michigan State. FSU was a bowl team, edge Florida easily.
Next is Southern Miss Air Force. Southern Miss was a conference champion and a bowl winner, Air Force was nothing, so once again Edge Florida.
By dropping off the last 3 teams for both sides since neither stands a chance of winning the final results of head to head team match ups. Florida has the edge on 6 games. Notre Dame has the edge on 1 game, and a push on 2 games. Florida therefore has a much harder schedule EASILY. You can not compare week by weak because then it is unfairly balanced, that is why you have to do it my way. What week you play a team should not determine how hard of a game it is. That is why Florida has a MUCH harder schedule, and the Irish are consistently overrated.
posted on May 23, 2007 5:39 PM — 152.163.100.70 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta said:
Who cares if the series ends? They've only played 34 times over the years, not exactly a series with longevity. But they have played virtually every year since the 1980s. If it happens, Notre Dame will have succesfully killed off the only regional power that it was playing, being that they apparently like to duck competition in their own back yard. I wonder why ND is so scared of Big Ten Powers like Ohio state and Michigan.
If Notre Dame is looking to kill off a rivalry, maybe they should commit a mercy-killing of the Navy series. Is there really any sense in continuing to play when one team has won 43 in a row?
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on May 23, 2007 7:24 PM — 63.19.124.145 — link — abuse?
Make no mistake about it folks, the Notre Dame, Michigan series is big money, big ratings (and that's big recruiting through tv) and low travel cost for both teams. They will do what they have to in order to keep this high profile series going.
So Cal USMC said:
posted on May 23, 2007 7:30 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
I believe Notre Dame/Charlie Wies has come out and said that he wants to schedule a less demanding line-up in the years to come, isnt that right?
They might make some consessions here.
Michigan should ask UCLA to help em out... if UCLA-USC makes a switch... USC-Notre Dame can make a switch... Notre Dame Michigan can make a switch. Wait, why doesnt Ohio St/Big TEN just make a switch and put them on alternating year with ND?So Cal USMC said:
posted on May 23, 2007 7:55 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
War Eagle, youre being silly... no one should even be thinking of canceling the Navy-Notre Dame series.
The Media loves to build up ND's schedule in the pre-season... and the fans (ND haters, mainly) love to denigrate it whenever possible.
In reality, they have a schedule similar to any other major team out there on any given year. Recently they generally face about 4 BTEN teams, 3 PAC teams, a couple of ACC and/or SEC teams and then the 3 service academies. From year-to-year the SOS fluctuates, just like with any other team.BlueGold95 said:
posted on May 23, 2007 10:38 PM — 24.7.238.54 — link — abuse?
How did this discussion degrade into a comparison of UF and ND schedules? So Cal USMC, I believe it is the Irish AD who has talked about making the ND schedule easier. It hasn't been Weis, but perhaps we can call that good cop / bad cop. The plan is to have only four true road games in the future; I'm not sure about the planned opponents.
I would miss the UM game, for sure, but if ND were able to pick up a solid team every year in that slot, it's not that big a deal. My only hope is that ND plays a solid enough schedule to justify its independence. Contrary to what ND "haters" say, the Irish play as tough a schedule (note: not "tougher") than conference teams year-in and year-out.
Danrish said:
posted on May 23, 2007 10:39 PM — 71.222.167.211 — link — abuse?
Michigan taught Notre Dame how to play football. Notre Dame taught Michigan how to win National Championships, produce Heisman Trophy winners/All-Americans, and how to get lucrative TV contracts. I think ND and Michigan want to drop each other in order to put Eastern Michigan State Tech/Voc. on the schedule.
Dr Phil said:
posted on May 24, 2007 6:25 AM — 68.90.179.209 — link — abuse?
IrishJT Although you are an enthusiastic supporter and I am symathetic unprejudiced legally qualified professional.I'm compeled to offer you a staightfoward observation and that this indispensable information should help with oblivious habitual inclination.Certain conditions exist presently and the thoughtless implications and unreasonable persistence although perplexing and puzzling does lead to the assumption of incomprehensible maladjustments. These unrestrained unconventional transparent opinionated vague ideas are characeristicly ill defined.These unfortunate explanations although clearly expressed are totally detached and devoid of intelligence.This peppetual highly irregular ingenuousnes deviation signifies the long established impending hysteria designed to provoke and irritate.This adequate hypothesis and disclosure in conjunction with missing information has its obvious limits.Therefore hindrances must be passed and you must conform and accept and overcome the exceedlingly difficult menacing aspect of the understood truth and relinquish your aberrant expectancy.
ND Aint What It used to be BUBBASEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 24, 2007 7:59 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
I'm glad FSU is set up well. UM and UF are both one away, one home. Plus, Clemson is a rivalry I enjoy along with NCST and they also are set up one home, one away.
Why wouldn't the Big 10 work with Michigan and switch the OSU game?
NDMike said:
posted on May 24, 2007 11:50 AM — 209.221.240.193 — link — abuse?
Michigan is just scared that Notre Dame will beat them too many times and take over the top spot for the winningest school in College Football. If this is an article about ND Mich then how did so many Florida/FSU Fans end up putting in their 2 cents??? Another Side Note is that if Lloyd (2 loss Carr) keeps losing to both ND and Ohio State in the same seasons then he'll lose his job and I've heard he has been pushing for UM to stop playing ND....
RyanND said:
posted on May 24, 2007 1:24 PM — 136.182.158.153 — link — abuse?
You know what would put an end to all the criticism about Notre Dame's schedule? Joining a conference. The Big Ten has made multiple offers in the past... no one would say a word about the Irish if they played Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio State every year while keeping USC on the slate. Heck, even the Big East (ND's conference in every other sport) is coming around, so there's another possibility.
Regardless of who they join, ND NEEDS to get out of that dumb contract with NBC. As a student, it's absolute torture having "TV timeout!" called on the field after every kickoff return. I can only imagine what that's like on TV.
Catfish said:
posted on May 24, 2007 3:30 PM — 69.18.98.134 — link — abuse?
Foolish,foolish people. It wasnt very long ago that Florida was losing to Kentucky. Every team has its ups and downs. Its part of college football. LSU went 14 yrs in a row losing to Alabama. Now which team is the better team? Alabama's a tier 2 team and LSU is a tier 1. Does anyone remember USC pre-Carroll years? They were barely .500.
So quit being so short sighted and shallow minded. Teams rise and fall. I assure you that Florida has many more bad years in its history than good years.
posted on May 24, 2007 4:48 PM — link — abuse?
This is a Michigan-Notre Dame thread. Let's keep it that way.
There are plenty of Florida/SEC threads out there right now. Take the SEC talk over there, please.
Regan said:
posted on May 24, 2007 4:49 PM — 192.24.243.21 — link — abuse?
Notre Dame WILL eventually lose it's Independent status.
Notre Dame will NOT join the Big Ten; the Big Ten Conference will have to join Notre Dame.
Sorry, had to throw something stupid into the mix, there is WAY too much objective analysis on this thread :-)OU Fan said:
posted on May 24, 2007 5:29 PM — 84.146.43.219 — link — abuse?
Kevin Donahue post 32, I agree 100%. This is a MICHIGAN-NOTRE DAME thread. It seems that regarless of a blog title, the main topic of discussion for every blog is about how tough the SEC is, or how tough the Florida Gators are even though their all time bowl record is 16-18, or how great Bama is going to be next season even though they lost to the Oklahoma State Cowboys last season and that they will have a new coach. It is all very repetitive and its staring to become OLD. Gamecock2007, why are defending the Flordia Gators? How bout them Clemson Tigers! GO SOONERS!
SC Football Fan said:
posted on May 24, 2007 5:57 PM — 67.115.24.30 — link — abuse?
I think it would be stupid for Michigan to end the UM - Notre Dame series. These two schools have huge football programs, alumni to keep happy and a ton of fans. Can't they just work out the scheduling? Or leave it alone.
So Cal USMC said:
posted on May 24, 2007 6:12 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
Ya cant blame either side on this one...
Where the hell is Ohio State and the Big TEN on this ?! Why doesnt Ohio State-Michigan switch seasons? Thats the simpliest solution.
Coach Bielema/Wisconsin must be enjoying this...
- http://www.fanblogs.com/wisconsin/006957.php
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 24, 2007 8:03 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
USMC # 36:
I completely agree. I dont understand why OSU and the Big 10 Conference mix things up.
The only thing I can think of is, if you're OSU how would you benefit? If Michigan dropped the ND game that might actually be BETTER for OSU. After all, that game gets Michigan a TON of exposure (playing ND gets any team exposure). After Michigan killed ND in their own backyard people didnt just talk about that win the following week, they talked about it for the entire SEASON. I'm guessing that added signature win doesnt HURT Michigan's recruiting. So I could see how it would be to OSU's advantage not to help with the scheduling so that Michigan possibly drops ND.
Just food for thought.
Any opinions on that USMC since we seem to be the only two raising that question?
BlueGold95 said:
posted on May 24, 2007 10:36 PM — 24.7.238.54 — link — abuse?
RE #36,38: my guess is that neither UM nor OSU wants to consider the consecutive away games (or year off) that it would take to rearrange the schedule. I don't blame them for that.
I'm not sure that the folks posting comments about "dump this series" are really college football fans. Really. As an Irish fan, I cannot imagine ever saying that FSU and UF should dump their series. Or UGA/GTech. Etc. I want more good games, not fewer.
Zac said:
posted on May 24, 2007 10:58 PM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
KHue, Post 32: Interesting comment. GatorMat was the 1st to open his mouth, but he said nothing regarding ND Vs FL. It was IrishJT who started it, not to mention couldn’t get it right on the 1st or 2nd try; he had to do it 3 times.
DrPhil, Post 26: I think I understood that last line.
Face it folks, and many of you have said it already; this is a money game, for both teams. I can't imagine them canceling it, especially now when MI is on a role. And, like it or not, ND does tend to get what they want. They have a large fan base; they bring a crowd to bowl games. Even during those lousy years between Holtz & Weiss, NBC stuck with them, and they still drew a crowd. That all adds up to one thing: A big pay-day every time they play.
So, if ND wants to join a conference, whether it's going all-in for the Big East, switching to the Big 10, or something I haven't thought of, they'll do it, if there's money in it. Why do you think they've been playing Air Force & Navy? They have big fan bases, big draws, and can get big TV ratings too = More Money. I've said it before. Air Force is wasted in the Mountain W. If PA St joined the Big East (a better fit geographically), ND and IA St could join the Big 10 (They'd be 12, but again, a better fit geographically), and Air Force could join the Big 12.
By the way, those of you giving FL a hard time over they're playing Troy, Troy at least went to and won their bowl game. They're expected to do even better this year. Gators, don't take the men of Troy lightly. Forget not what almost happened at FSU last season. What would be nice to see, would be the Gators visiting Troy St in 2008. We know they've got the scales, but do they have the sand???
Regan said:
posted on May 25, 2007 1:14 AM — 152.163.100.70 — link — abuse?
They should keep the series. It's a good, strong natural out-of-conference rivalry, something that has been diminishing for years in College Football.
Remember Florida/Miami, Pitt/Penn State, Texas/Arkansas, or Clemson/Georgia? Geez, even annual Oklahoma/Nebraska isn't on the slate anymore...
Feel free to add your own :-)
I know there's people here who miss some of these. Michigan-ND is a good rivalry.
There's no reason to mess with it...
posted on May 25, 2007 8:27 AM — link — abuse?
@Zac - see post #34. I don't much care who starts it. It's pointless. Good threads get locked down & die because we can't have a rational conversation about the topic. It's like the politicians who answer the question by talking about something different! ;)
gamecock2007 said:
posted on May 25, 2007 1:57 PM — 216.116.252.50 — link — abuse?
OU Fan post 34 -- I'm hardly "defending" the Florida Gators against anything other than the ridiculous idea that Notre Dame had a tougher schedule. It's called being an objective football fan instead of a homer. Or having some conference pride, something I'm sure a Big XII fan doesn't understand -- take your choice.
And I would remind everyone that the first mention of an SEC team came not from an SEC fan, but from IrishJT. Once that comment got started, hell yeah we're going to take up for our conference. It seems that the lack of wanting to discuss the SEC has a lot more to do with a nation-wide inferiority complex than keeping the discussion held to the Big Ten. Which reminds me...um, when exactly did OU enter the Big Ten?
"how tough the Florida Gators are even though their all time bowl record is 16-18"
I guess that matters if you care nothing about the present. History is the last resort of fans who think their program has no future.
"how great Bama is going to be next season even though they lost to the Oklahoma State Cowboys last season"
You will only hear this from Alabama fans. I assure you, the rest of us in the SEC don't take them any more seriously than you do.
"How bout them Clemson Tigers!"
Um, the ones we beat in November, shortly before they got their butts handed to them by Kentucky in their bowl game? How bout them?
Coffee Colored Angel said:
posted on May 25, 2007 3:03 PM — 63.241.202.8 — link — abuse?
By definition, half of each conference is the bottom half; half of each conference are the losers.
For every Michigan, there's an Illinois. For every Texas, there's a Baylor. For each USC, there's a Stanford.
Nationally-competitive teams buy wins with their bowl winnings subsidies.
M GO BLUE said:
posted on May 25, 2007 4:27 PM — 216.46.213.153 — link — abuse?
NDmike #28.......buddy we TORCHED your team last season.......in your small replica of the Big House.
We have a 19-14 record vs ND, c'mon we ain't scared of you.
Let me tell what you should be scared of - 111,000 Michigan fans and 110,000 penn st fans.......who was responsible for scheduling two away games this season at the two largest stadiums in
America?????????
M GO BLUE said:
posted on May 25, 2007 4:45 PM — 216.46.213.153 — link — abuse?
Listen up peaple, us fans of the Wolverines and Buckeyes live to see our teams play each year, and there is no way that we would play two consecutive games in the horseshoe....and likewise for the Buckeyes.
"It's the highest-rated television preseason game in college football," Michigan AD..........That's not what I want to hear....I don't care about ND.....DUDE WE HAVE DROPPED 3 CONSECUTIVE GAMES TO THE BUCKEYE'S.......TELL US HOW YOU PLAN TO DESTROY THE BUCKEYE'S FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS???????????????????????????????????
Mr Martin, if you are not going to make the Buckeye game the most important part of your job.............leave.
Tomcat said:
posted on May 26, 2007 12:57 AM — 68.90.181.49 — link — abuse?
#39 Bluegold 95 Good post I would agree with the statement concerning{ so-called fans wanting to drop the game}.Most CFB fans like the big time Games.Both these schools have the fans,traditions and Alumi base for this series to continue.These type of games keep teams like ND in the national spotlight, generate revenue and are fun to watch.
The way I look at it the Big-Ten/11 and the
Pac-10 conferences have their schedules made years in advance and until N.D. joins a conference, {which is never going to happen} Notre Dame is so tough that they will play back to back games on the road.That being said then Michigan is so tough they can play back to back on the road too right? Are these A. D. s getting scared of back to back loses or something?
Whats up with that? If your tough you can whip anybody anywhere.If you think your the best then prove it dont be scared.
Hookem-HornsRyan FL said:
posted on May 26, 2007 8:24 AM — 65.35.172.192 — link — abuse?
The only reason why ND lost so many bowl games in a row. Two names Davie, Willingham. Davie could recruit, but could not coach. Ty could not recruit nor coach. Ty was golfing more, then time spent in the film room. The reason why Charlie lost 2 bowl games. The secondary plus Ty's recruiting of '03 n '04. Its going 2 take Charlie 2 more years for a shot at the NC. Another thing when Ty was coaching he dropped FSU for BYU. To weaken the schedule ( Irony ND lost 2 BYU ). Weis is not in favor of weakening the schedule. The ND alumni wants 2 strengthen the schedule again. An want ND alumni wants it gets. Why do you think Ty was fired so quickly. Any ways 2 get back 2 the topic. It would hurt college football if Michigan n Notre Dame discontinued their rivalry game. That's ( Rivalry's) what makes college football. Don't get me wrong that rivalry can not touch OSU n Mich. Nor USC n ND. But it is a great game 2 watch year in and year out.
hrposon said:
posted on May 26, 2007 2:45 PM — 70.116.117.177 — link — abuse?
I commend Michigan for scheduling a tough non-conference opponent like Notre Dame in today's BCS era. Notre Dame has to try and schedule the best teams it can because of their unique situation. An NCAA playoff of the top 8 conferences for the National Championship will resolve this issue.
Michigan will continue to play ND for the money and ND will have join the Big East or just play the best schedule they can for the TV dollars. Notre Dame isn't going to win any more National Championships as it's academic requirements are too high.
Michigan can then base it's national championship aspirations on beating their only real Big 10 opponent, OSU.OU Fan said:
posted on May 26, 2007 6:01 PM — 84.146.26.108 — link — abuse?
gamecock2007 post 46, dude I've been utilizing this website for about 2 to 2 and a half years now, and I ASSURE you that since I've been a participant, I have always rooted for the Big 12. When its bowl time, I always pull for any Big 12 team except for Texas. Ask Tomcat, me and him see eye to eye when it comes to the Big 12 conference, but I hate Texas and he hates OU and therefore they are the only team that I love to see lose and him vice versa. You say that I have no conference pride, but yet I was some what defending OU's in state rival, the Oklahoma State Cowboys when I was talking about Bama. I will tell you that I DO NOT like the Cowboys, but I do not dislike them as much as I do the Longhorns. And Florida was a good team this year, I agree, they were national champions and the SEC was stout this year during bowl time, but to me man, Notre Dame has the tougher schedule year in and year out. I'm not an Irish fan, but I'm stating what I believe to be true. And I don't care what stats you try to pull on me. And you say the SEC does not take the Tide that serious, but to me your Gamecocks had better be ready for the Tide. I'm still NOT VERY IMPRESSED with South Carolina, so I guess we'll see what happens this season. OH and most importanly, I always root for the Clemson Tigers when they play South Carolina. I just don't really like South Carolina, nothing personal and plus I have a friend who is a Clemson fan. And NO, OU is not in the Big 10, but then again Florida is neither. BOOMER SOONER!!
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GatorMatt said:
posted on May 23, 2007 2:14 PM — 128.227.178.143 — link — abuse?Notre Dame should be happy. Now they only have to play one decent team during the entire season. This will land them in the National Championship game every year, regardless of their 3 loss record