Michigan State has added to its future schedules of non-conference opponents with a "Celebrate the State" series against Michigan Division FBS Mid-American Conference opponents. MSU will play CMU, EMU, and WMU each four times from 2011-2020, three times in Spartan Stadium and once on the road.MSU vs CMU: 2011, 2015, 2018 in East Lansing. 2012 in Mt. Pleasant.
MSU vs EMU: 2012, 2014, 2016 in East Lansing. 2018 or 2020 in Ypsilanti.
MSU vs WMU: 2013, 2017, 2019 in East Lansing. 2015 in Kalamazoo.
Love the press release - MSU last played in Ypsi vs EMU (Michigan State Normal College) in 1899 and in Kalamazoo vs Kalamazoo College in 1915.
The ES isn't fond of playing non-BCS teams, but at least we can keep the money in the state, and at least it is in Division 1-A/FBS. Scheduling the Michigan MAC also significantly reduces travel costs for the Spartan athletic budget (expect to see more of this in-state scheduling around the country as budgets continuously tighten). So, for three times in the next decade, MSU is willing to forgo the $3 million per game revenue of scheduling a home football game to instead play on the road vs the Michigan MAC (MSU would make another $75,000 or more per game from added attendance if it scheduled another BCS team at home - easier said than done). Indeed, it IS better to schedule the Michigan MAC instead of playing home games out of the FBS Division. But, it also demonstrates that the Spartans are willing to work with the scheduling gods... and, if so, the ES again beats the dead horse and sez again, let's play a Round Robin in the Big Ten.
It is nice to spread the wealth... but it would be an interesting sight to see Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mt. Pleasant half filled with Green and White (and the ES) in 2012.
MSU Non-Conference Opponents 2009-2020:
2009: MONTANA ST., CMU, @ Notre Dame, WMU
2010: WMU, @ Florida Atlantic, NOTRE DAME, NO. COLORADO
2011: CMU, YOUNGSTOWN ST., FLORIDA ATLANTIC, @ Notre Dame
2012: @ CMU, EMU, NOTRE DAME
2013: WMU, @ Notre Dame
2014: EMU, @ West Virginia
2015: @ WMU, CMU, WEST VIRGINIA
2016: EMU, @ Alabama, NOTRE DAME
2017: WMU, ALABAMA, @ Notre Dame
2018: @ EMU, CMU, NOTRE DAME
2019: WMU, @ Notre Dame
2020: @ EMU
What do you think? Would you rather travel to Ypsilanti or Mt. Pleasant than see MSU play Northern Colorado or Youngstown State in East Lansing? Comment below...
All risk, no reward. This is stupid. All the altruistic spin doesn't change that msu has nothing to gain and everything to lose.
ReplyDeleteI'd also say it is one less home game MSU loses in each of those 3 years for recruiting. Some of the kids Dantonio recruits are also interested in these schools. They may come to a game at Central/Western/Eastern against MSU and gain interest with the MAC school. I mean, if they can now attract big teams to play at their stadium, aren't they considered "on the rise"?
ReplyDeleteJust a thought. xaipe
I think that Dantonio needs to spend some time with Izzo, a proven winner who understands scheduling. No respect for MSU to schedule patsys.
ReplyDeleteI think this Celebrate The State Concept is Great! Michiganders love college football, it will really spur more tailgating activity and keep more ticket revenue in our Michigan Colleges!
ReplyDelete