2007 College Football Season Talk

[Guest jaytan]

Athletics knock down Minnesota's academics by a big margin. At least they did when I went there. We had this school called the General College, which was basically a community college on campus. All the hockey, football and basketball players could go there for two years and still play for the Gophers and make money even if they wouldn't normally be able to be admitted to the university.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

This is a very interesting school to add to the Big Ten. Besides the fact it makes no sense to me, and will never happen are besides the point, but some interesting stuff right here...

If you're thinking contiguous states -- West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Louisville or Missouri -- start thinking outside the box. Way outside.

Texas is known to be displeased in the Big 12, both because of a low revenue stream and a dearth of big-market, high-academic-profile schools such as itself. I would bet anything that if Delany and the Big Ten presidents can't court Notre Dame in a third try, UT would be a great fallback position. Six million TV sets in the state of Texas.

And former Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg's recent move to the Big Ten Network only adds to the intrigue. He knows about Texas' TV clout better than anyone.

Now read this one....

After unsuccessfully courting the Pac-10] The Longhorns next turned to the Big Ten.

Having added Penn State in 1990, the Big Ten was now made of universities that, in the view of UT officials, matched UT's profile - large state schools with strong academic reputations. Berdahl liked the fact that 10 conference members belonged to the American Association of Universities.

Yet, distance remained a disadvantage. Iowa, the closest Big Ten school to Austin, was 856 miles away Â but the appeal of having 10 of 12 schools in the same time zone was seen as a plus.

But after adding Penn State in 1990, Big Ten officials had put a four-year moratorium on expansion. Although admitting interest, Big Ten bosses ultimately rejected UT's overtures.

Edited July 31, 2007 by mannysBETTER3434

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

Texas would be crazy...but I think Nebraska is more realistic. I'm hearing a lot of support from Nebraska, mostly from Nebraskans.

[BlakChamber 8]

Texas would be pretty sweet. Hell, I'm completely on board for Texas. I'd get to see a lot more of MSU if they were part of the Big 10.

[Guest jaytan]

No way in hell would I want to add Texas. That makes absolutely no sense. You've seen how bad it is for the Wings to play teams so far away from them all season, imagine what that would be like for Texas in all of their athletics? And it would seriously harm all of their Big 12/Southwest Conference rivalries. We need to add a team from the Midwest.... Nebraska sounds intriguing.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

Isnt it a rule that any school added to the Big Ten must be in a state that borders another state with a Big Ten School?

[BlakChamber 8]

Isnt it a rule that any school added to the Big Ten must be in a state that borders another state with a Big Ten School?

Yes. Although I bet they'd be willing to bend the rules for a school like Texas.

The one problem with Texas is their fans. Legions of white trash that couldn't get into the school unless they were pushing a broom. Considering that's a good description of UM's fanbase as well, the Big 10 doesn't need two schools like that

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

BIG TEN NETWORK and ESPN GAMEPLAN question:

If anyone has any info on the new Big ten network can you share it with us? I subscribe to ESPN gameplan and I noticed the flyer in the mail lists all conferences EXCEPT the Big Ten, and there are quite obviously missing pictures of any Big Ten teams in their flyer - usually have at least UM and OSU on there...

The BigTenNetwork site just says they have some kind of contract with Directv, but not sure which states, etc.

I need to cancel this by Aug 26th if the Big Ten is not aired through ESPN anymore. However, the losers at DirecTV cannot even tell me what the situation is - they have a contract with the Big Ten network - but it *might* just be for the Big Ten states. They cannot guarantee me that the Big Ten will be included this year in the ESPN package - which is the only reason I pay for it in the first place.

Any info?

Sorry if this was discussed above - I cannot read all 3 pages right now...

thx

[betterREDthandead 58]

I never thought of Nebraska or Texas as a choice....no way in hell the Big 12 would let one of its marquee schools leave. Texas just doesn't fit the Midwestern geography, and for that reason alone, I'd be uncomfortable with it. Besides, would Texas leave behind the rivalries with Oklahoma and A&M? One or the other - most likely the A&M rivalry - would suffer greatly.

Nebraska on the other hand doesn't have such rivalries....with OU, mostly, because they've both been so good. But that's like Michigan/Penn State - always a good game, but the history and hatred isn't there.

Incidentally, I'd love to see Nebraska in the Big Ten. Then Michigan would have a yearly shot at those bastards to pay back the championship they stole in '97 and the Alamo Bowl they stole in '05.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/foot...h.ap/index.html

Mike Hart gets all defensive and opens his mouth, as per usual.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

As usual? Mike Hart has opened his mouth twice in his career. After OSU he should have kept his mouth shut, but the guy was full of thousands of emotions. The recent comments I agree with 100%. Jim Harabaugh lost all my respect. He back stabbed Michigan, his alma mater just because Carr didn't hire him. If Bo was alive Harabaugh would have been eaten alive by him even though he's his mentour. Someone on the U-M side had to stand up, and speak...Hart did the right thing. The funniest thing about this is that Harabaugh ripped on U-M academics, and weeks later let U-M QB Jason Forcier transfer to Stanford.

It's funny how things change so quick..just months ago Harabaugh was my No. 1 guy to replace Carr. Now he's miles from that.

Edited August 3, 2007 by mannysBETTER3434

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

As usual? Mike Hart has opened his mouth twice in his career. After OSU he should have kept his mouth shut, but the guy was full of thousands of emotions. The recent comments I agree with 100%. Jim Harabaugh lost all my respect. He back stabbed Michigan, his alma mater just because Carr didn't hire him. If Bo was alive Harabaugh would have been eaten alive by him even though he's his mentour. Someone on the U-M side had to stand up, and speak...Hart did the right thing. The funniest thing about this is that Harabaugh ripped on U-M academics, and weeks later let U-M QB Jason Forcier transfer to Stanford.

It's funny how things change so quick..just months ago Harabaugh was my No. 1 guy to replace Carr. Now he's miles from that.

What Harbaugh said is most likely true about Michigan......and every other D-1 school with any semblance of a football team. By the way, I seem to remember this happening months ago, dont know why it's a story now.

EDIT: I dont like Mike Hart, I dont like his face. That's why added as per usual. I just dont like him, so when he does anything a Buckeye fan would find annoying, it's magnified.

Edited August 3, 2007 by Hockeytown Red Wings

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

That is true. Majority of schools do it. If you are a major team you have to do it. This did happen months ago, but it's the first time someone has responded to Harabaugh's comments. I bet Jim wished he would have kept his mouth shut. He had a great U-M career. He gaurenteed victory over OSU, and backed it up. He had a solid NFL career, and literally erased all that according to U-M fans because of two sentences...it's really to bad.

[BlakChamber 8]

I think its funny that so many of the Weasel fans are getting upset when what Harbaugh is absolutely true. And while its true that almost every school does it, the difference between say, Texas Tech admitting dumb athletes and UM is that Texas Tech doesn't try to hold themselves as one of the best academic schools as well. I'd imagine that plenty of Weasel athletes are a lot like the UM fan base. They couldn't get into the school unless they were pushing a broom. But, if you can't disprove something bad that's being said about you, the next best thing to do is attack whoever says it.

My favorite line was Hart saying Harbaugh wasn't a "Michigan Man." I love the whole Michigan Man thing, it epitomizes the arrogance and elitist attitude of the whole school. As if being a Michigan Man was the highest honor one can achieve in life. Please. Of course, Lloyd calling someone else arrogant and elitist is pretty funny. Pot. Meet kettle.

And Mike, keep your trap shut until you can do what Harbaugh did. Win a bowl game and beat the Buckeyes.

[timothy1997 0]

anyone else think that a school like Pitt or Cincinnati would be a good fit for the Big Ten??

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

anyone else think that a school like Pitt or Cincinnati would be a good fit for the Big Ten??

Pitt, yes. Cincy, no.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I think its funny that so many of the Weasel fans are getting upset when what Harbaugh is absolutely true. And while its true that almost every school does it, the difference between say, Texas Tech admitting dumb athletes and UM is that Texas Tech doesn't try to hold themselves as one of the best academic schools as well. I'd imagine that plenty of Weasel athletes are a lot like the UM fan base. They couldn't get into the school unless they were pushing a broom. But, if you can't disprove something bad that's being said about you, the next best thing to do is attack whoever says it.

My favorite line was Hart saying Harbaugh wasn't a "Michigan Man." I love the whole Michigan Man thing, it epitomizes the arrogance and elitist attitude of the whole school. As if being a Michigan Man was the highest honor one can achieve in life. Please. Of course, Lloyd calling someone else arrogant and elitist is pretty funny. Pot. Meet kettle.

And Mike, keep your trap shut until you can do what Harbaugh did. Win a bowl game and beat the Buckeyes.

I like it. Anyone that puts Michigan into place is good in my book.

[Guest jaytan]

Harbaugh's right. Hart's right. Who cares?

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

I think its funny that so many of the Weasel fans are getting upset when what Harbaugh is absolutely true. And while its true that almost every school does it, the difference between say, Texas Tech admitting dumb athletes and UM is that Texas Tech doesn't try to hold themselves as one of the best academic schools as well. I'd imagine that plenty of Weasel athletes are a lot like the UM fan base. They couldn't get into the school unless they were pushing a broom. But, if you can't disprove something bad that's being said about you, the next best thing to do is attack whoever says it.

My favorite line was Hart saying Harbaugh wasn't a "Michigan Man." I love the whole Michigan Man thing, it epitomizes the arrogance and elitist attitude of the whole school. As if being a Michigan Man was the highest honor one can achieve in life. Please. Of course, Lloyd calling someone else arrogant and elitist is pretty funny. Pot. Meet kettle.

And Mike, keep your trap shut until you can do what Harbaugh did. Win a bowl game and beat the Buckeyes.

Speaking of pushing a broom.... how many credits is that at MSU?. You rip on Michigan Men for being arrogant, but it's okay for you? Yeah Harabaugh is right, but thats not the point. The point is he back stabbed his school, and thats not right. Yeah U-M allows kids who shouldn't be on the team according to grades, but what school doesn't besides MSU . Every school does except a handful such as Northwestern, Standord, ect.

[BlakChamber 8]

Speaking of pushing a broom.... how many credits is that at MSU?. You rip on Michigan Men for being arrogant, but it's okay for you? Yeah Harabaugh is right, but thats not the point. The point is he back stabbed his school, and thats not right. Yeah U-M allows kids who shouldn't be on the team according to grades, but what school doesn't besides MSU . Every school does except a handful such as Northwestern, Standord, ect.

First off, this isn't about MSU. I never claimed MSU doesn't have dumb kids on their team or that they don't make sure those take easy classes, nor would I ever claim that. Pretty much every school with a big athletics program does. Would this be any different if Harbaugh came out and said that it's Ohio State that pushes kids with bad grades into easy programs? No. He'd still be telling the truth about college athletics. If anything, all the weasel fans would love it. A Michigan Man bashing the Buckeyes for having a bunch of morons on their team? There'd be one hell of a circle jerk about that in Ann Arbor. But the minute Harbaugh dares to speak out against UM, and tell the truth about it, he gets his Michigan Man card revoked. What a crock.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

First off, this isn't about MSU. I never claimed MSU doesn't have dumb kids on their team or that they don't make sure those take easy classes, nor would I ever claim that. Pretty much every school with a big athletics program does. Would this be any different if Harbaugh came out and said that it's Ohio State that pushes kids with bad grades into easy programs? No. He'd still be telling the truth about college athletics. If anything, all the weasel fans would love it. A Michigan Man bashing the Buckeyes for having a bunch of morons on their team? There'd be one hell of a circle jerk about that in Ann Arbor. But the minute Harbaugh dares to speak out against UM, and tell the truth about it, he gets his Michigan Man card revoked. What a crock.

Yeah you're right U-M fans would go crazy if he said that about OSU, but he didn't. He back stabbed his alma mater. Wouldn't you be mad if someone like Mateen Cleaves ripped on Tom Izzo, or MSU academics?? If I had it my way Jim Harabaugh, and Mike Hart would have kept both their mouths shut to start with.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

2007 USA Today Coaches' Preseason Poll

1. USC (45) - 11-2 - 1,481

2. LSU (4) - 11-2 - 1,372

3. Florida (9) - 13-1 - 1,278

4. Texas - 10-3 - 1,231

5. Michigan (2) - 11-2 - 1,218

6. West Virginia - 11-2 - 1,205

7. Wisconsin - 12-1 - 1,114

8. Oklahoma - 11-3 - 1,026

9. Virginia Tech - 10-3 - 1,005

10. Ohio State - 12-1 - 919

11. Louisville - 12-1 - 836

12. California - 10-3 - 763

13. Georgia - 9-4 - 604

14. Auburn - 11-2 - 595

15. Tennessee - 9-4 - 583

16. Rutgers - 11-2 - 466

17. UCLA - 7-6 - 454

18. Penn State - 9-4 - 440

19. Nebraska - 9-5 - 388

20. Arkansas - 10-4 - 360

21. Florida State - 7-6 - 301

22. TCU - 11-2 - 233

23. Boise State - 13-0 - 222

24. Hawaii - 11-3 - 214

25. Texas A&M - 9-4 - 209

Sweet, my school is 22nd. Wouldn't put them any higher than that. Our defense is sick enough to carry the team right now. We have a very solid RB who was picked conference pre-season player of the year, hopefully he can be solid early on while we groom a new QB. If those two things fall into place early and whoever TCU's new QB is and can get going soon after, we should be ranked all season I think.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Yeah you're right U-M fans would go crazy if he said that about OSU, but he didn't. He back stabbed his alma mater. Wouldn't you be mad if someone like Mateen Cleaves ripped on Tom Izzo, or MSU academics?? If I had it my way Jim Harabaugh, and Mike Hart would have kept both their mouths shut to start with.

Dead on. If Harbaugh wanted to make a statement about Stanford vs. college athletics in general, why didn't he use any school but his own? Or why even name names? And why, when Jamie Morris called him up, didn't he clarify instead of stubbornly restating his exact words? Sure, there'd be a "circle jerk" in Ann Arbor if someone said that stuff about Ohio State....but you can't tell me there's not a circle jerk in East Lansing right now over this. You can't tell me Mateen Cleaves wouldn't get the same treatment from State fans if he were to badmouth Tom Izzo.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

As usual? Mike Hart has opened his mouth twice in his career. After OSU he should have kept his mouth shut, but the guy was full of thousands of emotions. The recent comments I agree with 100%. Jim Harabaugh lost all my respect. He back stabbed Michigan, his alma mater just because Carr didn't hire him. If Bo was alive Harabaugh would have been eaten alive by him even though he's his mentour. Someone on the U-M side had to stand up, and speak...Hart did the right thing. The funniest thing about this is that Harabaugh ripped on U-M academics, and weeks later let U-M QB Jason Forcier transfer to Stanford.

It's funny how things change so quick..just months ago Harabaugh was my No. 1 guy to replace Carr. Now he's miles from that.

I actually agree with what he said - it's the truth, just noone wants to awknowledge that. I actually went to Michigan at the same time as him - actually knew him - and it's true all the football players were in 'sports communications". It's a widepread problem not just to Michigan but the whole NCAA - actually college sports - NCAA basketball is 10x worse - they're a joke. I don't see it as backstabbling at all - although I do question why he is bringing all this up now (yes the job thing - but Carr isn't going anywhere yet). He'll always be a Michigan guy even if he is saying something unpopular with the University.

p.s. noone answered my question about the Big 10 network? Maybe noone knows anything yet? I guess I'm in jeapordy of seeing NO Big Ten games if they are excluded from the espn gameplan.

Edited August 6, 2007 by RockyMountainWingGal