David Brandon Needs to Fix University of Michigan Football

Dave Brandon has got to do whatever it takes to turn the University of Michigan program around.

Football is the bread and butter of this institution. Forget about the highly rated academics...Harvard, California, MIT, etc. They are all highly rated academic schools that are not football powerhouses and they don't have the brand name that brings in the big bucks that Michigan has (no offense).

If Michigan becomes an also-ran in football, it will fall back into the ranks of good academic teams but with no other special athletic or name appeal.

Michigan makes big bucks because it can sell all sorts of items with its name on them to alumni who are proud of their team that shows up on TV on Saturdays and wins football games. If that stops, then so does the discretionary funds that fans spend on "all things Michigan."

Michigan, along with Ohio State University, was instrumental in helping the Big Ten in getting those big TV contracts that makes everyone money.

Not because of its academics, but because of winning football games.

Of course, now that we have Nebraska that helps, but it may have the same initial effect that Penn State University had when it came into the Big Ten. It's the Michigan vs. OSU rivalry that is the heart and soul of the Big Ten. That is what the Big Ten is selling, that is what people think of when they hear the Big Ten—not Nebraska or PSU.

If Michigan doesn't turn this thing around soon, there will be a new generation of players who won't remember when Michigan was a good football team.

Recruiting younger top-notch players would be harder and revenue would potentially be compromised. Not only would it affect Michigan, but other things financially connected with the school, including the conference.

Brandon's got to give us and the Big Ten a winner, and this is his last shot at it, or Mary Sue Coleman and the regents will be evaluating him at the end of the season just like Rich Rodriguez. So he's got to bring in the best available coaches. PERIOD!!! And that means paying them. Cha-ching!!!