Big Ten Network strikes gold?
The Big Ten Network made its deput on the couple of cable providers that carry it on Thursday night. On Saturday, they struck gold with their first televised conference game with what some are touting as the biggest upset ever in college football. Appalachian State became the first I-AA* ever to beat a I-A team ranked in the AP-poll when they marched into the Big House in Ann Arbor and knocked of the fifth ranked Michigan Wolverines in what appears to have been a very exciting game from the highlights. Appalachian State, being the two-time defending I-AA champions, is of course no ordinary I-AA team.
After Michigan drew first blood, ASU rallied and led 31-20 until late in the third quarter, when Michigan scored a touchdown. They went for two, but failed. Then with five minutes left, Michigan's Mike Hart scampered for a 54-yard touchdown, which combined with another failed two-point conversion gave Michigan a 32-31 lead. Plus, on the very next play from scrimage, ASU through an interception. Nearly three minutes later, Michigan lined up for a field goal to salt away their victory. But it was blocked. ASU's quarterback Armanti Edwards atoned for his interception by rushing for 18 yards, and then completing 4 passes for 55 yards to give the Mountaineers a first-and-goal at the Michigan 5 with only 30 seconds left. ASU chose to kick a field goal immediately, which gave them a 34-31 lead but which also left Michigan with 26 seconds to work with. Michigan QB Chad Henne completed a 46 yard pass to the ASU 20 with 6 seconds remaining, just enough time to set up the game winning field goal. But Appalachian State blocked this field goal to secure the most amazing upset.
Now, under normal circumstances, such an amazing finish is what a television network absolutely wants. The NFL Network will broadcast 8 games in the final 6 weeks of the season, and if they could guarantee that they would have endings like today's ASU-Michigan game, the NFL Network would be declaring success.
However, can the Big Ten Network really use this spectacular game in an example of the great games that a viewer can find on the Big Ten Network? "Tune in next week on the Big Ten Network to see Eastern Illinois upset Purdue and Western Illinois knock off Illinois." It is unfortunate confluence of events for the conference and their network.
*--The NCAA tried to sneak in some sort of new names for I-A (Bowl Subdivision) and I-AA (Championship Subdivision) last year in time for the I-AA playoffs, but I will ignore their effort. Hm, since Grambling and Southern forego the I-AA playoffs every year in order to play the Bayou Classic, are they part of the Championship Subdivision?
After Michigan drew first blood, ASU rallied and led 31-20 until late in the third quarter, when Michigan scored a touchdown. They went for two, but failed. Then with five minutes left, Michigan's Mike Hart scampered for a 54-yard touchdown, which combined with another failed two-point conversion gave Michigan a 32-31 lead. Plus, on the very next play from scrimage, ASU through an interception. Nearly three minutes later, Michigan lined up for a field goal to salt away their victory. But it was blocked. ASU's quarterback Armanti Edwards atoned for his interception by rushing for 18 yards, and then completing 4 passes for 55 yards to give the Mountaineers a first-and-goal at the Michigan 5 with only 30 seconds left. ASU chose to kick a field goal immediately, which gave them a 34-31 lead but which also left Michigan with 26 seconds to work with. Michigan QB Chad Henne completed a 46 yard pass to the ASU 20 with 6 seconds remaining, just enough time to set up the game winning field goal. But Appalachian State blocked this field goal to secure the most amazing upset.
Now, under normal circumstances, such an amazing finish is what a television network absolutely wants. The NFL Network will broadcast 8 games in the final 6 weeks of the season, and if they could guarantee that they would have endings like today's ASU-Michigan game, the NFL Network would be declaring success.
However, can the Big Ten Network really use this spectacular game in an example of the great games that a viewer can find on the Big Ten Network? "Tune in next week on the Big Ten Network to see Eastern Illinois upset Purdue and Western Illinois knock off Illinois." It is unfortunate confluence of events for the conference and their network.
*--The NCAA tried to sneak in some sort of new names for I-A (Bowl Subdivision) and I-AA (Championship Subdivision) last year in time for the I-AA playoffs, but I will ignore their effort. Hm, since Grambling and Southern forego the I-AA playoffs every year in order to play the Bayou Classic, are they part of the Championship Subdivision?
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