Brandon's Blog: The Politics of Bowling
12/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Brandon
Dec. 3, 2010
University of Michigan director of athletics Dave Brandon will regularly offer his view on different topics related to U-M and intercollegiate sports. All of his posts, along with links to related content, will be available on his page, mgoblue.com/brandon, and he is also on Twitter at @DaveBrandonAD.
In this day and age of TMZ type of news and rumors, something will catch the attention of each and every individual. Some of it is confounding and some of it just plain fun.
In the last few weeks, I have to admit, I have been watching, listening and enjoying the "what bowl game are we going to" rumors. And now as Michigan's AD, I'm finding that these prognostications have to be followed closely. The plethora of bowl matchups listed on the web and through traditional media creates a cottage industry of politics as schools try to improve their standing in the eyes of the selection committees and maybe even some of the pollsters.
From schools looking for admittance into a title game, a BCS bowl or just moving up the ladder, presidents, ADs and coaches have to be able to make a pitch for their team.
The Big Ten has three teams in the top 10 rankings of the BCS, and eight of the 11 conference schools are going to find themselves playing in a postseason contest -- only the third time in conference history (2003, 2007 and 2010) eight teams have qualified for a bowl appearance.
During last night's Michigan Football Bust, it was that excitement and anticipation our football staff and our school want to have everyone feel each and every year.
We have one more game to play, and this postseason contest can be the first in new string of consecutive bowl appearances.
