Monday, August 6, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com sports@michigandaily.com 734-764-8585 Big Ten not Varsity about to expand gets a lot By JACK HERMAN Daily Sports Writer CHICAGO - Recent rumors of a Big Ten expansion provided plenty of fod- der for mes- NOTEBOOK sage boards and radio talk shows as fans and pundits discussed the possibility of a 12th team. But don't book your weekend road trip to Syracuse or Rutgers just yet. The conference has no plans to expand, Commissioner Jim Dela- ny said at Big Ten football media day last week. "From the quotes out there, you might think the Big Ten is about to expand when that is not the case," Delany said in an effort to clarify the remarks he made to The Des Moines Register that spurred the headlines. "What I said was every three to five years we look at expansion and we will continue to do so. ... It is not a front-burner issue." The Big Ten has not had any serious discussions about adding a 12th team since inviting Notre Dame a few years ago, Delany said. Penn State, the newest member, joined the conference in 1990. But if the Big Ten does expand, Delany said, it would pick a school based on institutional fit, reputa- tion, commitment to broad-based programs, integrity and, of course, marketing opportunities. The Big Ten would add a school only to bet- ter the conference, not to meet the requirements for a championship game, Delany added, a sentiment that coaches seemed to appreciate. "I suppose it would be good for revenue and media, but I think the consensus is that the Big Ten is healthy with 11 teams," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said. "Unless a team can come in and really add something, like Penn State, we're better off without expanding." AGREE TO DISAGREE: If there's one thing Big Ten coaches can agree on, it's that they want a bye week. If there's one thing they can't, it's how to get it. Without playing on Thanks- giving, there are just two ways to add a bye week in a 12-game schedule: starting the season early or finishing it late. Seem simple? Well, not quite. The Big Ten needs a change in NCAA rules if it wants to start the season early. And it needs to over- rule objections of two top coaches - Michigan's Lloyd Carr and Ohio State's Jim Tressel - if it wants to finish in December. "I think (the bye week) is an issue that everybody recognizes as important to the players," Carr said. "It's only fair to them, and there's no easy way to do it without extending the season." But Carr expects the stalemate can only continue for so long - whether he likes it or not. "If you keep the rule as itis, then you'd have to play in December, and I think that's probably going to happen at some point," Carr said. IT'S ONLY FIVE YARDS BUT ... : The decision to move kickoffs back five yards to the 30-yard line drew a wide variety of opinions at media day, ranging from those of a delighted speedster to a furious coach. Most coaches believe the extra distance will result in more kickoff returns, worrying some defensive- minded coaches. Others, such as Indiana's Bill Lynch see a plus. "We think it's going to be huge, because they got to kick it to (Hoo- sier Marcus Thigpen, one of the nation's top returners) now," Lynch said. "And if they don't - if they bloop kick or squib kick or some- thing like that - we're goingto get field position that way as well." The rule change also drew a loud lecture from Tiller. A former member of an NCAA committee on health and safety, Tiller said the play will only increase the risks of injury on what he called "the most violent play in football." "I'm old enough thatI don't have to agree with everything that goes on," Tiller said. "We move back five yards and create more G-forc- es when these kids run into each other. I'm not in favor of moving it back five yards. Not because I don't want excitement in the game, but I think about the health and safety of the players, first and foremost." 031 Call respect By DANIEL BROMWICH Daily Sports Editor CHICAGO - After an embar- rassing 7-5 season in 2005, cul- minating inN a dismal loss NOTEBOOK to Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl, the Michigan football team used the ensuing national disrespect as motivation throughout the offseason. The Wolverines' relatively low No. 15 preseason ranking added fuel to their fire, and the result was an 11-0 last year - a season in which Michigan reclaimed its place among the college football elite. But the Wolverines will have to look elsewhere for inspiration this season - they were ranked No. t in the Big Ten in the preseason rank- ings released Tuesday at Big Ten media day. "Expectations for us are very high," senior quarterback Chad Henne said. "We understand that as a team. But for us to be where we want to be, we need to play hard and execute. We still have to go play the season. (Preseason rankings) don't mean anything. You have to play out the season and see how it goes." Following Michigan in the rank- ings was Wisconsin, which finished last season 12-1 and beat Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. A depleted Ohio State team was third. All three squads were ranked highly in the USA Today/Coaches Poll as well. Michigan was voted No. 5 (and received two first-place votes), while the Badgers were No. 7 and the Buckeyes No. 10. The Big Ten was the only conference with three teams in the top 10. The Big Ten media also recog- nized one of Michigan's individual stars, naming senior running back Mike Hart the preseason offensive player of the year. "We have so much firepower on offense, I just want to see every- Senior running back Mike Hart was named the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year. one succeed," Hart said. "I hope ferent if it didn't have it." we go down to the (end-of-season) The Wolverines lead the all-time awards and just win every award series 19-14-1. down there. We have the potential ROSTER SHAKE-UPS: Carr indi- to do that. But we have to come out cated that Carson Butler, a tight here and win games together." end who started most Michigan's Ohio State linebacker James Lau- games last year, might be allowed rinaitis was named the preseason to return to the team this year. The defensive player of the year. Detroit native was dismissed from MICHIGAN-NOTRE DAME EXTEND the squad after his alleged involve- CONTRACT: Michigan and Notre ment in a St. Patrick's Day assault Dame have extended their con- in West Quad. Butler was found tract, and will continue to play one not guilty by an Ann Arbor court another every year until 2031, the on July 10, and Carr is considering two schools announced Monday. allowing him to return to the team. Recent reports indicated that the "I'm evaluating that situation two winningest programs in college right now," Carr said. "I want to football history would take a two- make sure that it's the right thing year hiatus, and each would attempt for our team, first of all, and for to fill the spot on the schedule with Carson, second of all. a different elite national team. But Butler committed numerous the contract extension refutes those infractions prior to this incident, reports, and the rivalry will contin- and those certainly played a part in ue unabated for the next 25 years. his dismissal from the team. "I think college football wouldn't Offensive lineman Justin Schifa- be the same without Michigan- no has given up football, according Notre Dame," senior tackle Jake to Carr. Linebacker Cobrani Mixon Long said. "They're always going transferred to Kent State. Defen- at it, it's always an exciting game, sive lineman James McKinney is two great coaches, great teams. ... I trying to overcome a medical issue think college football would be dif- and return to the Wolverines. TPE f'1fW INs-E CI)1}.ItS( CULlNC ~IU speclaiziml ill aubeTc cOmese cuistme "Scored 9out oo for food" Menyendiakan makanan Ann Arbor News Cinauyang terbaik Restaurant Review 116 S. 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