UConn controls site of 2013 football game against Michigan, Pac-12 opponent could be announced soon
The Michigan football team still intends to play a previously contracted true road game at Connecticut in 2013.
In front of a whopping 40,000 people.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon told reporters Monday that the school has every intention of playing the Huskies at Rentschler Field, which has a capacity of roughly 40,000.
"We have a contract with UConn to go to their campus and play that game," Brandon said. "That contract is one we're absolutely going to honor as we do all our contracts.
"That's all I can tell you about it right now."
Michigan linebacker Obi Ezeh hauls down UConn running back Robbie Frey in Michigan's 30-10 win in September 2010.
AnnArbor.com file photo
That game, a 30-10 Michigan win, brought in 113,090 fans -- nearly three times the capacity of Rentschler Field.
"Certainly there are ways to make that game bigger, in terms of venue, and we'll have conversations in that regard," Brandon acknowledged." But right now, UConn's in control of that decision."
Michigan's other non-conference games in 2013 are home dates with Central Michigan (Aug. 31), Notre Dame (Sept. 7) and Akron (Sept. 14).
Also on Monday, Brandon said he expects Michigan to secure a non-league game against a Pac-12 opponent soon.
In accordance with the new Big Ten-Pac-12 scheduling alliance, all football members must begin scheduling non-conference games with a Pac-12 school prior to 2017.
In December, Brandon told AnnArbor.com he felt Michigan could secure an arrangement with a Pac-12 school prior to 2017, and he reaffirmed that stance Monday -- explaining that he believes the school could have something to announce on that front "soon."
Who, exactly?
"Nice try," he replied.
Michigan currently has two open weeks on its 2014 schedule. The Wolverines' present non-league games in 2014 are vs. Appalachian State and at Notre Dame.
As far as the 2012 campaign goes, Brandon said he's very satisfied with how the lineup shakes out -- despite the fact that the Wolverines will play one of the more difficult non-conference slates in the country, with a neutral site game against defending national champion Alabama and a road game at Notre Dame highlighting the bill.
"Our schedule this year is one that will test our team every week," he said. "That's a challenge and there are some programs that don't want to be tested every week. But that's not Michigan. It's not me, it's not our coaches and I don't think it's our kids either. I think they're looking forward to the challenge of playing Alabama.
"I feel good about it, and as we look at scheduling going forward, we're looking to match up against teams that are going to challenge us and keep us playing at our best."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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