U of M thread (in the Lions Forum) :)

[nhwbrooklyn]

I mean maybe Hollis (MSU's athletic director) wanted to match up with lowly Indiana.. its a distinct advantage in an 8 game big ten 'regular' season. It's not a sexy match up but leagues are won by one game quite often.

I did notice MSU is lined up to play OSU and Iowa for both 2011 and 2012 so any advantage in schedule won't really be apparent for a while.

EDIT: Oh Iowa is in the same division... guess its OSU and Wisconsin for both 2011 and 2012. Close enough.

[WingsFan]

Here's a crazy thought... maybe they were considering it more from a Basketball standpoint? Did they mention how the basketball schedule would be arranged?

Yea, its a crazy though all right! How many times do I have to say football drives the bu$? Basketball is nothing but the hood ordainment.

[WingsFan]

and something to watch till the NHL playoffs come :-)

[flash50]

So, the Maize and Blue get to play Ohio St, Iowa, MSU, Nebraska plus Notre Dame every year and Tressels get UM, PSU, and Wisconsin. Yeah, that seems
about right with the way everything else is going. Maybe I shouldn't count the Blue as a tough one for the Buckeyes.

[SeattleLionsFan]

I really can't wait for UM/NU to play every year...that will become a great rivalry (if UM gets good again)

[DanO]

Agree SLF.

GO LIONS "10" !!!!!!!!!!

[froot loops]

Who knew that we had a rivalry with Indiana?

Rosenberg had a column saying it was insulting to MSU but well deserved because they couldn't really make it a rivalry with PSU. That is probably true, but the road is much easier at first glance for both MSU and to a lesser extent Iowa. Iowa's new guaranteed rival is Purdue, at least they show signs of life. Michigan has to play OSU every year and Nebraska gets to play PSU every year.

[Desert Lion]

Maybe each year Mich and Neb can play for the Ole 97 Championship Trophy. Honestly, that would be a great story.

[Mainevent]

But the conference record is the primary determinant in who makes the championship game.

It's division record, isn't it, not overall conference record? So The Game won't have an impact on who goes to the championship game.

[Desert Lion]

I would think main that the overall conference record counts as to go to the Conf. Championship. They are playing 8 games and all will count.

[froot loops]

Early rumors were that it would have been just the division games, but that doesn't seem to be the case. It sounds like all eight conference games matter.

[Mainevent]

Ok, that makes it a lot better. Though, UM plays OSU each year while MSU gets Indiana? Not exactly an even playing field outside the division.

[froot loops]

No sir

[Mainevent]

So, just spent a little time digging and apparently the SEC has the same issues, unbalanced scheds outside of the divison, but overall record in the league determines the championship game by division.

[Desert Lion]

Just wait and see when Indiana starts challenging Penn State and OSU for the division title. Uhha. Thought so. Bet you never considered that. lol...I couldn't even type that with a straight face.