Michigan Football and Non-Conference Play

Today the Michigan Athletic Department announced that Michigan will host San Diego St at the Big House in 2011. This rounds out the non-conference opponents for Michigan and guarentees eight home games in 2011. The Aztecs are coached by former Michigan assistant Brady Hoke and have only played against Michigan once before. The Wolverines will host Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and Notre Dame as well next season. This season, Michigan hosts UConn, UMass, and Bowling Green, as well as traveling to Notre Dame.

Now, everyone has heard the complaints before. Michigan never plays anyone different. Michigan never plays anyone big. Ohio State goes out and schedules a home and home versus Texas, and USC. We play two of the directional Michigan schools every year. Sometimes we change it up with a different MAC school. And almost year in and year out, there's the Golden Domers. There was a lot of speculation as to who Michigan would play in the first game after all of the renovations, and it was announced that it would be a BCS team...unfortunately that team is UConn. Sure, we aren't MSU, who now has a deal to play directional Michigan schools every year for the next 100 years (not exactly true...but might as well be). I am just sick and tired of watching Michigan take the apparent easy way out.

Many people suggest that without Michigan playing the "lower" schools, many of these schools athletic programs would be financially screwed. This may be partially true, but they can find other teams. Western Michigan played Florida State a few years ago. Believe it or not, you are allowed to leave the state. Play USF. Play Eastern Carolina. Play UTEP. Heck...play a home and home with them. I remember as recent as 15 years ago, home and homes with Colorado (apologies for the video...it still hurts me too), Syracuse, and traveling to Hawaii. We hosted Colorado, Baylor, AND Notre Dame all during the undefeated season of 1997. We had home and homes with Washington and Oregon. All of these games would be great.

Michigan needs to stop scheduling weak teams. We are 1-1 against FCS teams, including one of the most embarassing losses at Michigan Stadium, let alone in all of collegiate sport. In that same season, we lost to Toledo. Yes...Toledo. I didn't even know Toledo had anything other than the Mud Hens and Tony Pacos. If the University of Michigan Football Team wants to earn back some respect in the sports world, they need to beat some good teams. Heck, they need to play some good teams. Go play Ole Miss. Go play Texas A&M. Play somebody interesting.

In the end, I'm a fan of playing San Diego State. Like I said, it is always nice to play somebody different. I do think Michigan should go out an play some new teams, preferably from a BCS conference. No matter who they play though, they need to start winning games. I think all of us fans can agree on that.