We've all heard the talk about Michigan's big win on Saturday against UConn. Everybody seems to be talking about it. However, some of the faithful aren't convinced.
However, some people are cautiously optimistic.
This raises an interesting question, because last season Michigan started 4-0 only to miss a bowl game, winning only one of their remaining games. So, heartbreak is familiar to Michigan fans in the Rich Rodriguez era.
But, the team looked good Saturday. Most of the units were able to do their job well. But some questions remain about what is carrying the team. Denard Robinson had a record breaking performance against UConn, but can he continue to turn in those kinds of numbers every game, and will the other units give him the backup he needs? Only time will tell, but the next game against Notre Dame should be interesting.
Showing posts with label Notre Dame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Notre Dame. Show all posts
06 September 2010
18 August 2010
BYU Thinking of Leaving MWC, Going Independent
According to a report on ESPN today, BYU is considering leaving the MWC and going independent in football, playing in all other sports in the WAC. While this doesn't effect the Big Ten directly, it is very likely BYU going independent would reduce the chance of Notre Dame joining a conference, because it would no longer be the only non-service football independent.
15 August 2010
Big Ten Expansion: Odds and Ends
The last in a series looking at possible expansion candidates for the Big Ten. This is a collection of schools that have been mentioned only in passing, or are pipe dreams in some way. It should become fairly obvious why.
Cornell
Pro: I know, I know, it makes no sense. It all probably started as a joke or from extreme boredom last year in this blog post before expansion was even a major concern. Still, a Big Ten-Cornell marriage has some attractive features. In many ways it is a better fit with the Big Ten than it is with the Ivy League. It is a land grant school, with public colleges. It also has a medium sized student body. Academically there would be no question that it fits well with the Big Ten. It has a large library system, and would have the third largest endowment in the Big Ten. Has a pretty large draw in the state of New York, especially in New York City. Has had a successful basketball team in the last few years.
Cons: There are some big ones. It hasn't emphasized sports for 60 years, and doesn't give out athletic scholarships. Has a tiny football stadium, and doesn't get many fans to show up. It is only Division 1-AA, as opposed to all Big Ten Schools which are 1-A. There is a rule that a school has to average 15,000 fans per home game every other year in order to jump up to 1-A, which Cornell hasn't done.
Notre Dame
Pros: At first this might seem like a logical fit, and fairly likely, but all signs point that it isn't that likely. It has had a long history of football success, and is nationally known academically. Has a large, supportive alumni base, with a gigantic endowment, and a long history with Big Ten schools.
Cons: Has a large, supportive alumni base that has always known it as an Independent, and doesn't seem to want that to change. Has struggled in recent years to remain relevant in football. Not a member of the AAU, and doesn't focus as much on research as other Big Ten schools. Not as prominent internationally.
Vanderbilt
Pros: Would be a presence in the South, in a rapidly growing state. Good at basketball and baseball. Doesn't quite fit in the SEC, and might like a change.
Cons: Culturally very different from other Big Ten schools. In some ways it would be a good match with a school like Northwestern, but is not in the same mold.
These schools are mostly pipe dreams, and aren't very likely. However, don't rule any of them out.
Cornell
Pro: I know, I know, it makes no sense. It all probably started as a joke or from extreme boredom last year in this blog post before expansion was even a major concern. Still, a Big Ten-Cornell marriage has some attractive features. In many ways it is a better fit with the Big Ten than it is with the Ivy League. It is a land grant school, with public colleges. It also has a medium sized student body. Academically there would be no question that it fits well with the Big Ten. It has a large library system, and would have the third largest endowment in the Big Ten. Has a pretty large draw in the state of New York, especially in New York City. Has had a successful basketball team in the last few years.
Cons: There are some big ones. It hasn't emphasized sports for 60 years, and doesn't give out athletic scholarships. Has a tiny football stadium, and doesn't get many fans to show up. It is only Division 1-AA, as opposed to all Big Ten Schools which are 1-A. There is a rule that a school has to average 15,000 fans per home game every other year in order to jump up to 1-A, which Cornell hasn't done.
Notre Dame
Pros: At first this might seem like a logical fit, and fairly likely, but all signs point that it isn't that likely. It has had a long history of football success, and is nationally known academically. Has a large, supportive alumni base, with a gigantic endowment, and a long history with Big Ten schools.
Cons: Has a large, supportive alumni base that has always known it as an Independent, and doesn't seem to want that to change. Has struggled in recent years to remain relevant in football. Not a member of the AAU, and doesn't focus as much on research as other Big Ten schools. Not as prominent internationally.
Vanderbilt
Pros: Would be a presence in the South, in a rapidly growing state. Good at basketball and baseball. Doesn't quite fit in the SEC, and might like a change.
Cons: Culturally very different from other Big Ten schools. In some ways it would be a good match with a school like Northwestern, but is not in the same mold.
These schools are mostly pipe dreams, and aren't very likely. However, don't rule any of them out.
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