Michigan to open Big Ten football schedule against MSU in 2015-16; adds Wisconsin
The Michigan football team opened Big Ten play against the league's last-place team in 2009 and 2010, and against the last-place team in the Legends Division in 2011.
Those teams went a combined 4-20 in conference games, and Michigan beat each of them.
Things are about to get a lot tougher -- and interesting.
Michigan will open Big Ten play against in-state rival Michigan State in the 2015 and 2016 football seasons.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Those games both occur on the first Saturday in October, which leaves open the possibility one -- or both -- could be played at night.
Spartans athletic director Mark Hollis said last week he has no hesitation in scheduling a prime-time game between the rivals. Michigan's Dave Brandon has been more reluctant, citing the possibility for rowdy fans.
The game's late spot on the schedule had also been a sticking point, because of the cold. That won't be in the equation for two consecutive years, it appears.
The Wolverines still will close the 2015 and 2016 seasons against Ohio State, meaning their Big Ten schedule is bookended by its two biggest rivals.
Michigan also add a third heavyweight to its schedule in Wisconsin, which it hasn't faced since falling 48-28 to the Badgers in 2010.
As they add Wisconsin, a perennial contender for the Big Ten title, the Wolverines lose Indiana, Purdue and Penn State from both seasons. That could stiffen their road to the league championship game, since the Hoosiers and Boilermakers have struggled in recent years.
Michigan’s 2015 Big Ten schedule:
Oct. 3 -- at Michigan State
Oct. 10 -- Wisconsin
Oct. 17 -- Minnesota
Oct. 24 -- at Illinois
Oct. 31 -- OFF
Nov. 7 -- Nebraska
Nov. 14 -- at Northwestern
Nov. 21 -- at Iowa
Nov. 28 -- Ohio State
Michigan’s 2016 Big Ten schedule
Oct. 1 -- Michigan State
Oct. 8 -- at Minnesota
Oct. 15 -- Northwestern
Oct. 22 -- OFF
Oct. 29 -- at Wisconsin
Nov. 5 -- Illinois
Nov. 12 -- at Nebraska
Nov. 19 -- Iowa
Nov. 26 -- at Ohio State
Comments
SEC Fan
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
I really like this. Start and end the year with two good rivalries! his is very good for football and I hope other schools adopt this.
garrisondyer
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
Glad to see Wisconsin back on the schedule. I've missed playing them. Although I have some pretty thick Badger blood running through my veins, I always seem to get a kick out of watching the Maize and Blue beat them, since I get to brag to my cousins and bring it up anytime I'm home with my parents. I root for them above any other Big Ten team aside from Michigan, so it's really fun to see them play my Wolverines.
Mick
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
Shoulda switched the Illini and Wisc games as far as home and away to balance it out. The schedule is kinda screwy in that We don't play Ind & Purdue in the same year two years in a row. I guess they figured taking off PSU and adding Wisc is fair. MSU's built-in rivalry game is Ind and ours is that school in ohio, oh yeah that's fair, whatever, at least we'll be far into the Hoke Era by that point and it won't matter who we play, bring it on! Go Blue, This is Michigan Fergodsakes!!!
SEC Fan
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.
Actually, if you count the games, the schedule isn't complete so those games could still be added.
Blue Marker
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
Two basketball schools preserving their "football rivalry"....classic!
MRunner73
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
It will be good to play Sparty in the conference open in 2015 and 2016. Pretty sure those will both be night games. Who knows; Dantonio might be gone by then. Glad that Wisc is back. Given all of Hoke's guys will be playing by then, it will be interesting. A lot can happen in three years.
Blue Marker
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
DB has said no MSU night game, we'll see.
Hailmary
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.
It's called balance. That 2016 year could be a National Championship year considering the maturity of the players, (QB) that Brady has recruited and is recruiting. I see 2016 as the year that, "the chickens come home to roost". Shane Morris will be a senior in 2016.
SEC Fan
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
That's one bold prediction based upon 1 year with an extremely soft schedule. Good luck to you!
Adam Wellman
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.
2016 we have @Nebraska, @Wisky, and @OSU! That makes for a very tough run to any championship.
D21
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 7 p.m.
Maybe it is a good thing that they are off on Halloween 2015 otherwise AD Brandon might approve garish uni's for that Halloween. GO BLUE!
Jim
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
The off-balance schedule continues.... 2015 home schedule has: Wisconsin, Ohio St., Nebraska, and ND (presumably). Makes for a great season package... but then in 2016, it's MSU and then nobody! The Pac12 home and homes can't come fast enough... hopefully they line up the home game to help balance the schedule!
azwolverine
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
You're right about the unbalanced schedules from year to year, with 2015 looking like a much better home schedule. However, I personally think the home game against Iowa in 2016 is a pretty good ticket.