Hypothetical situation...

Say we run the table up until ohio, so regardless of the ohio game results we go to the B1G Championship game. We all know that there is no way that Denard would ever willingly sit out a game, but does anyone here think that IF we go up big on ohio at half, and IF or WHEN ohio starts taking cheap-shots does Hoke pull Denard and put in Bellomy? Mind you, the outcome of that game has no bearing on the teams ultimate goal (B1G Championship) although it is a rivalry and Coach Hoke understands that. Is he willing to play the Leaders champion (read Wisconsin or maybe Purdue again) without Denard? You know that ohio would love to put Denard out for the year because, well they have nothing else to play for and they are evil...

If we're up big, maybe.

But remember, the outcome of the game is inconsequential. The Championship game is what matters, therefore do we pull Denard?

2ndComingOfBo wrote:

But remember, the outcome of the game is inconsequential. The Championship game is what matters, therefore do we pull Denard?

The outcome vs. Ohio is never inconsequential.

fishgoblue22 wrote:

...The outcome vs. Ohio is never inconsequential...

Indeed!

I know that game means a lot to US but my scenario is where a win or a loss has no bearing on a B1G title appearence.

That's too many if's. And I can't even think that far ahead right now.

If you want to worry about a bunch of thug players trying to do physical harm to Denard or any other of the good guys, look no further than MSU, who we happen to be playing in 2 weeks. MSU had over 100 yards in unsportsmanlike penalities this past weekend against....Indiana! And I'm sure everyone remembers William Gholston trying to rip Denard's head off (literally) in last year's game.

Denard has to survive the late hits and cheap shots from MSU first before we can even think about the rest of the season. You know Sparty will go there and their jackass of a coach won't do a thing to stop it.

Touche...

What means a lot to US, means a lot to HOKE too.

He knows what the Michigan faithful want. Hell, he WAS one of US as a kid growing up as a Michigan fan.

We all know the Big Ten Championship is the ultimate goal, but the Ohio State game doesn't take a backseat. That game sits right up front with B1G 'ship, like it could in this '56 Olds:

Nice

While not avoiding the hypothetical question, my thoughts are preceeded by the issues mentioned about the MSU game. The enormous number of personal fouls called against this team of thugs in the games so far this year is not only apalling but worrisome for anyone playing them in the future. In the Indiana game a TV announcer stated the large number of personal fouls is unusual for a Dantonio coached team! What a crock of STUFF! The announcer has no knowledge of the history of this coach's teams. After watching Gohlston's behavior in last year's Michigan/MSU and the fourth quarter hit on Denard, I worry about him and his fellow thugs' mayhem under direction of their coach in the game in a week and a half!! I hope the O line can legally protect Denard from the criminals

MSU will get dirtier and dirtier as the game goes on and they realize they will be on the wrong end.

Refs need to be on high alert. (like that'll stop them.)

fishgoblue22 wrote:

2ndComingOfBo wrote:

But remember, the outcome of the game is inconsequential. The Championship game is what matters, therefore do we pull Denard?

The outcome vs. Ohio is never inconsequential.

Agree with the latter. Only time I'd have considered it inconsequential, per se, was during the Cooper years,
or (to be objective) the RichRod years, when the conclusion was foregone virtually every season.