2007 TSUN News

[osugrad21]

Link

Many instate football recruits resisting U-M's pull

Two of top 10 players from Michigan have committed to U-M
Sunday, February 04, 2007BY JOHN HEUSER
News Sports Reporter

Growing up, Darris Sawtelle wanted to play football at one of two universities: Michigan or Tennessee.
The grandson of Darris McCord, an All-American at Tennessee and a 13-year pro with the Detroit Lions, Sawtelle always had a soft spot for the Volunteers. But Michigan was his backyard school, a "great'' place, according to Sawtelle.

Continued..

 

[HineyBuck]

Word from Boone, North Carolina is that the defending I-AA National Champions, Appalachian State, are in negotiations to open their 2007 season in Ann Arbor. I'm told to expect an announcement soon.

 

[HailToMichigan]

Word from Boone, North Carolina is that the defending I-AA National Champions, Appalachian State, are in negotiations to open their 2007 season in Ann Arbor. I'm told to expect an announcement soon.

Confirmed in the Free Press that App. State will open Michigan's season in Ann Arbor. The hell. I hate when I-A teams play I-AA, and I hate even more when my teams do it. At least Appalachian State is the I-AA national champs. And our I-AA opponent beat your I-AA opponent

What I can't confirm with a link, but I've heard, is that Vandy wanted a home-and-home, but Michigan didn't want to commit, and there were talks with Hawaii but they didn't want to travel that far (boo-hoo). I also hear that once the contract with Notre Dame runs out in 2010, Michigan may play a home-and-home with Georgia. Now that would be fun.

 

[jwinslow]

Confirmed in the Free Press that App. State will open Michigan's season in Ann Arbor. The hell. I hate when I-A teams play I-AA, and I hate even more when my teams do it. At least Appalachian State is the I-AA national champs. And our I-AA opponent beat your I-AA opponent

It's too bad that OSU & UM are tossing away their reputation for never playing I-AA opponents.

I also hear that once the contract with Notre Dame runs out in 2010, Michigan may play a home-and-home with Georgia. Now that would be fun.

Too bad you couldn't start that in 05... then Weis really wouldn't have any form of marquee win.

Also interesting that an SEC team is willing to play OOS... that's extremely rare.

 

[HailToMichigan]

It's too bad that OSU & UM are tossing away their reputation for never playing I-AA opponents.

Agreed :(

I can at least see how OSU playing Youngstown State makes sense - the obvious Tressel link. Probably fun as a one-shot novelty. I would rather not play at all than play Appalachian State. Of course, forgoing a home game means forgoing money. Can't have that *sigh*

I do hope the Georgia thing comes to fruition. I can't remember Michigan playing an SEC opponent outside a bowl game. Last season's Vandy game is the first I can think of.

 

[HineyBuck]

App State gave LSU a good game two years ago. Not saying they will beat Michigan, but they will score on Michigan. If they catch a couple breaks, and Michigan plays flat, it could be interesting. This team will be a legitimate contender for a three-peat in I-AA.

http://www.goasu.com/article/10427/

Mountaineers to Open 2007 Football Season at Michigan
by Appalachian Sports Information

February 16, 2007 - BOONE, N.C. ? Appalachian State University will open its run at a third-straight NCAA Division I football national championship in one of the world?s most recognizable sporting venues, as it will face college football?s all-time winningest program, Michigan, on Sept. 1 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

http://www.goasu.com/article/10427

 

[808 Buck]

I expect a little more confidence out of a Michigan Man :

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770213016

Michigan fans can now exhale. The potential addition of Hawaii for the Wolverines last date, but first game, could have been devastating.

Consider that the Warriors could be BETTER this year with Heisman Trophy candidate Colt Brennan returning at quarterback, and it's probably wise that U-M took a pass on this one.

I'm not so sure Hawaii will be better this year. They lose three starting OL, their two best pass rushers, and their top two RB's. Yes, Brennan returns, and all of the top receivers come back, but UH has some question marks. By the way, this is not an attempt to get you UM people all excited. I was just a little surprised at the writer's view of the potential matchup. As I re-read this guy's blog, I think he meant to say that "not for the Wolverines last date, but first game..." Either way, the implication is that he expects some growing pains defensively, particulary in the secondary. Guess it doesn't really matter, as UM has set its schedule.

 

[Wingate1217]

Hawaii filled their open date this year with my son's team (Charleston Southern University). Contracts were signed Thursday. They will probably get their collected asses handed to them but at least they get to stay a couple of days on the island....

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I can at least see how OSU playing Youngstown State makes sense - the obvious Tressel link. Probably fun as a one-shot novelty.

It's not a "one-shot novelty"...they'll play three times by 2010. YSU is expected to make the jump to I-A within the next few years.

...and there were talks with Hawaii but they didn't want to travel that far (boo-hoo).

Michigan has come out here to Oahu as late as 1998. However, Hawaii is not a cakewalk anymore and Big Ten teams who have made the trek after Big Ten season have not fared well. In fact, since their last home loss to a Big Ten team (34-18 to Wisconsin in late 2000), they've won three of four against Big Ten teams at home: beat Northwestern (49-41) and Michigan State (41-38) late in 2004 and Purdue 42-35 in late 2006, and lost to Wisconsin 41-24 in late 2005. It would be a very dangerous game for Michigan if they went out to Oahu right after The Game.

 

[jwinslow]

It's not a "one-shot novelty"...they'll play three times by 2010. YSU is expected to make the jump to I-A within the next few years.

which makes scheduling the game for 07 even more disappointing...

 

[808 Buck]

Hawaii filled there open date this year with my son's team (Charleston Southern University). Contracts were signed Thursday. They will probably get their collected asses handed to them but at least they get to stay a couple of days on the island....

Wow, did not know that, as UH has not released its schedule yet. There were many here expecting USC, not CSU, when the Michigan talks broke off. This will be a tough sell to the general public, as UH's athletic director has been throwing around "bigger" names. I am more than a little surprised at this. Best of luck to your son. We now return to news from the school up north.

 

[Flocka]

Hawaii filled there open date this year with my son's team (Charleston Southern University). Contracts were signed Thursday. They will probably get their collected asses handed to them but at least they get to stay a couple of days on the island....

I heard that too. I have a bunch of friends who go to Charleston Southern.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

which makes scheduling the game for 07 even more disappointing...

The game for 2007 was set before YSU knew for sure about moving up to I-A. You know, I'm starting to get tired of people whining about scheduling in-state I-AA teams, especially teams of YSU's caliber, now that we have the 12th regular game and that there are no more "penalties" for playing I-AA teams.

 

[jwinslow]

The game for 2007 was set before YSU knew for sure about moving up to I-A.

When was it set up? (earliest I found on BP was Feb 06) There has been talk about YSU going to I-A "soon" for a while.

You know, I'm starting to get tired of people whining about scheduling in-state I-AA teams, especially teams of YSU's caliber, now that we have the 12th regular game and that there are no more "penalties" for playing I-AA teams.

I'd rather OSU not pull a SEC (I-AA opponent), whether or not there is a penalty. If OSU is indeed losing their rep for never playing I-AA opponents then that only strengthens my feelings on the subject.

A few days before Ohio State played San Diego State last season, All-American linebacker A.J. Hawk made the point that the Buckeyes would not look past the Aztecs. "We know we still have a big test," Hawk said. "We don't schedule I-AA teams here. We play great teams every week.

 

[BUCKYLE]

When was it set up? (earliest I found on BP was Feb 06) There has been talk about YSU going to I-A "soon" for a while.I'd rather OSU not pull a SEC (I-AA opponent), whether or not there is a penalty. If OSU is indeed losing their rep for never playing I-AA opponents then that only strengthens my feelings on the subject.

A few days before Ohio State played San Diego State last season, All-American linebacker A.J. Hawk made the point that the Buckeyes would not look past the Aztecs. "We know we still have a big test," Hawk said. "We don't schedule I-AA teams here. We play great teams every week.

As long as it doesn't become a pattern, I'm O.k. with this. Not really happy, but at least its YSU. If this becomes a regular thing, I'll get upset about it.