Balas: Michigan's 2024 schedule will include USC, UO, UW
Chris Balas of On3 is reporting ($) that Michigan's 2024 schedule will include USC, Oregon, and Washington, alongside Texas and "protected rivals" OSU & MSU. Not sure how that achieves competitive balance among conference members, but Warde's inability to stand up for Michigan is something we've gotten used to.
Damn that is one hell of a tough schedule that Michigan will get. WOW!!!!
— Big Ten information. College football fan (@Genetics56) October 3, 2023
Oregon, USC, Texas at home and Michigan State, and road games with Ohio State and probably Washington.
Thus,
Oregon
USC
Texas
Michigan State
Ohio State
likely Washington
ITF EXTRA: Michigan football…
October 4th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
Different perspectives on fandom I guess.
For me, fandom is of course rooted in the desire for UM to win games, but the experience goes beyond just winning. I love the camaraderie (thanks to this place), the bantering and punditing, and overall the journey of going through a football season. I feel like that experience is going to be so much better in a drastically more competitive league.
I also enjoy wins against actual competition much more than wins against the dregs of the league. I remember almost every detail of last year's PSU and OSU games. And that enjoyment doesn't come without believing that the a loss is actually possible.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
Shadow -- exactly. I like exciting games as much as the next person, but I like WINS a lot more.
Hopefully the expanded playoff functions more like the NCAAB tourneys whereby a loss (or maybe two?) to a top team doesn't hurt so much.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:54 AM ^
Hopefully the expanded playoff functions more like the NCAAB tourneys whereby a loss (or maybe two?) to a top team doesn't hurt so much.
I mean, how would this not be the case? There are not going to be 12 undefeated teams or even 12 undefeated+1 loss teams. If UM goes 10-2 against that schedule, I feel like that's almost a guaranteed berth in a 12 team field
October 4th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
Yep. A 12-team playoff means we get to finally have exciting games. I'm glad we are spolied by Harbaugh where this is the case, but over half of the games Michigan plays each year have not been worth watching. I've already started to not bother for some of these, figuring I can watch a real college football game instead, and I'd learn what happened reading about it here. Now, Michigan is finally going to get to play more real college football games instead of these exhibitions, and that's a good thing.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
To be the best you gotta beat the best!
October 4th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Luckily its a 12 team playoff because I can't see them coming out unscathed with that schedule. Especially in a rebuild year.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Texas we set up ourselves, USC basically replaces Penn State. Washington won't have Penix and may be good not great. In terms of elite teams in the big ten schedule, we basically just add Oregon. Personally, I don't mind seeing Michigan play tough games, they're way more fun to watch than cupcakes. And with the 12 team playoff and this schedule I'd put money down that we'd make it even with two losses
October 4th, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^
There are two OOC games that probably won't change - which are: Fresno State (opener) and Arkansas State. That brings the total to eight games. I wonder who the other four will be.
As for the comments about - "how do you determine the two teams to face each other in the CCG - and unbalanced schedules" - I completely agree. The approach that will be proposed - pods, or something else - will be extremely subjective in nature. This will bring back old memories of "who goes to the Rose Bowl".
October 4th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
Most of the posters here couldn't wait to get Rutgers off the schedule. They had to be replaced with someone, who was hoping it would be Illinois?
OSU will probably get the same schedule just flipping USC for UCLA.
This type of scheduling will happen for a few years, and then the B1G will finally tell the three networks that their lust for primetime matchups during the regular season is killing the team's ability to make the post season.
Keep in mind, there is a push to breakup the stranglehold ESPN has on bowl/playoff games. If Fox/CBS/NBC finally get to cover some of the big bowl/playoff games, they will start to push for having a more balanced season schedule to insure more B1G teams make the playoff.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
cool
this will allow us to win 4 straight B1G titles and back to back national titles
<knocks on wood>
October 4th, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^
sweet, I get to drive up to Seattle and see a Michigan game finally
Good thing next year starts the expanded playoff
October 4th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
I'm just looking forward to some good games. Sounds awesome. I don't really care about cake walking to championships.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
This is exactly how I feel. Rather play the best teams and be competitive with the best teams. As long as we are competitive, I will take whatever the results are. What we have this year is several games that are the big guys beating up on the little guys.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
MSU should not be a protected rival. I see no reason to play them every year.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
The most heated rivalry in the BIG. Said to be the hardest hitting game of the year. You want to beat OSU but you hate to lose to MSU.
October 4th, 2023 at 5:08 PM ^
MSU needs to stop being a protected everything. If they want to talk, act, and live like trash it's time to throw them in a garbage bin. Let them see what the world being against them really is.
October 4th, 2023 at 5:28 PM ^
absolutely, if necessary alternate years of MSU/Minnesota to have one "protected trophy game" each year.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
Chris Balas caveat here (the guy has been wrong way more than he's been right, question his sources), but that's a touch schedule if true.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Yep. I'm dubious too. There have been no other 2024 schedule leaks from elsewhere.
Anyway, a mathematical exercise. There are 14 "eastern" (east of the Rockies) B1G teams and 4 "western" teams.
Assuming two things:
- All the western teams play each other
- there are 9 conference games in 2024.
That leaves room for 24 "eastern" vs "western" conference games in 2024. An average of under 2 per eastern team.
Why would Michigan play 3 of them? Why would any eastern school need to play more than 2?
October 4th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
Agreed.
Logically, UM would stick with SC and UCLA and PSU would get Oregon and UW. Then they swap in ‘25.
October 4th, 2023 at 12:44 PM ^
The BigTen and logic would never work here! 3 east teams that draw ratings to mix with the 4 west teams coming to the conference... Makes sense spread the wealth but the big ten and screwing michigan on the schedule is a long standing conference tradition that isn't changing soon.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Its a fair point but presumably the Big Ten/TV networks want to make a big showing and putting as many new teams against UM and OSU (and maybe to a lesser extent PSU) in the first year. So if they want at least 2 marquee match-ups for the Western teams against legacy Big Ten teams, a few of them would have to have 3 match-ups. So wonder if OSU/UM will have 3 vs. new teams and PSU will have 2
October 4th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
Because USC didn't join the BIG just to see Piscataway in October.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
UM owe UW a trip so it is right that they play at Seattle next year.
I am curious as to when they are releasing the 24 schedule. Needs to be soon for travel purposes.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:33 AM ^
Damn, my being a season ticket holder for 27 years is about to pay off in a big way!
I've dreamed of a home schedule like this since the early 2000's.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:33 AM ^
No Penn State?
October 4th, 2023 at 10:37 AM ^
Geez, will be fun to watch but I’m bracing for 9-3
October 4th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
What did people expect would happen? To all the people complaining about poor scheduling and a weak B10... Moving forward, just making a top 12 ranking would be a significant win because it's going to be brutal...
And then you have to play in a playoff....
And we still aren't paying players?!?
October 4th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
In the '24 season - if a team makes the playoff and is seeded 5 though 12 - AND - they reach the Championship Game - they could potentially play in 17 games.
Harbaugh has been an advocate of "revenue sharing" via the media agreement for a while. The question is - will the B1G, as a conference, act on that. If so, it might actually reduce some of the NIL impact.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:42 AM ^
The silver lining is that 4/5 will also be breaking in new quarterbacks. Unless staee keeps starting Noah Kim, which would actually be funny as hell.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
Won’t we be breaking in a new qb as well?
Edit: you said “also”. Reading is hard.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Michigan has historically struggled mightily on the west coast, losing a ridiculous number of Rose Bowls as well as plain ole regular season games against teams like UCLA, Oregon, and UW. That will have to change for M to stay competitive in the new-style Big Ten. I am optimistic M can do that but I am frankly more worried about the enervating effects of cross-country air travel (and M's history with that) than the quality of the actual opponents M will be facing.
October 4th, 2023 at 6:40 PM ^
Frankly, I’m fed up with Michigan’s tradition of crapping the bed on West Coast trips and bowl games, most notably the Rose Bowl.
That’s a stylistic and weather-related outcome. And it will have a similar effect on the West Coast newbs traveling east come late October/November presuming that the BIG doesn’t bend over backwards to help the former PAC-12 teams at the expense of Michigan and the other Midwestern/Eastern schools. I’m not holding my breath on that as they always find a way to tilt the the tables. But if so, Michigan better find a way to change their tendencies to better deal with the challenges of playing in different time zones and weather that are more conducive to the typical high-tempo, pass heavy Pac-12 attack style.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Awesome! Should be some interesting and competitive games in there.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
So, if we do well, will we play in the B1G or Pac-12 Championship Game?
October 4th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
We'll see what happens in reality, but only an idiot would be glad we play a much tougher schedule than our competitors. There's no upside to it.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Maybe it's my cockeyed optimism, but I don't see any reason why we woukdn't be better than all those teams next year. Maybe Texas is a tough game if Manning is legitimate, but the rest seem middling on paper without Williams, Nix, and Penix.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
Would be cooler if Williams’ last name was Willix
October 4th, 2023 at 1:08 PM ^
Isn't this the kind of logic that got you into a little trouble in Ukraine?
October 4th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
UM is losing a whole lot of production especially offensively. Potentially the entire OL leaves or 4 of them. Corum. JJ likely. Etc. Defense will lose some too. I don't think people have really studied the roster for next year and how many people are leaving who are keys.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:54 AM ^
Next season will be one of the few times I miss having my season tickets. What a home schedule.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
Get JJ & JH new contracts now.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
We we get to play only 6 current Big Ten Teams (and with MD, NE, Rutgers... maybe only three real Big Ten Teams) and 3 of 4 new teams.
I don't like it
October 4th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
That schedule is fucked. 8-4 would be on the table with a schedule like that. Thats just absurd.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
So, we complain when the schedule is too easy AND then when it's too difficult?
And, yes, let's just blame it on Warde...because why not?
October 4th, 2023 at 11:22 AM ^
Yeah, I really don't know what Warde can do about scheduling these games at some point - Michigan prides itself on being one of the big-deal teams in this league and that means you're going to play other big-name teams to help justify the huge paydays these schools are getting from TV deals. As Don Draper would say, "that's what the money's for" in terms of tough scheduling.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
So you can't see that we are going from one extreme to another. ECU, UNLV, and Boeling Green give the fans nothing. Then, the next year the Big Ten bends us over for a schedule that is going to be 10x harder than anything OSU, PSU, or anyone else have. Yes, I want our AD to stick up for Michigan.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
If true, and the way the B1G likes to screw..I mean schedule Michigan games, I anticipate all three of those newbies on the road or back to back west coast trips. Good thing the playoffs expand to 12 teams next year.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
Unfortunately this was going to be a likely outcome with the insane dissolution of divisions (nobody in their right mind wants to see UM play OSU potentially three times in a season).
The B1G scraped off the cream of the crop from the PAC. That approach effectively is bringing Ls with it to perennial B1G powers. Can the $EC say the same? The only plus side to this is that if a B1G team manages to escape unscathed through the conference CG they have a really solid track to a national championship due to being really battle-tested.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
If my understanding is accurate - the ACC did away with divisions this season (the current '23 campaign). And, the SEC is committed to do away with divisions next season - '24.
The rumors are - the B1G may also do away with divisions next season.
A conference championship means nothing regarding the playoffs - oh, I stand corrected - it may be that the Top 4 conference champions get a bye in the first (of four) weeks of the playoff.
FWIW - ESPN is the media provider for the CFP through the '25 season. So, there are two seasons when ESPN will have the 12 game playoff - after that - the media agreement is up for negotiation - and, my guess is - Fox will want a noticeable piece of the broadcast action.