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+------ Thread: 2026 Opener v Michigan (/thread-1012972.html)
Pages: 1 2
2026 Opener v Michigan - SilentStryk09 - 07-25-2025 08:47 AM
....is apparently being played in Frankfurt? How does this make sense for anybody involved?
https://www.on3.com/news/michigan-western-michigan-to-open-2026-season-in-frankfurt-germany/
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Wheres_Waldo? - 07-25-2025 08:51 AM
it must make dollars
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Motown Bronco - 07-25-2025 09:05 AM
On the upside, a bit of an 'equalizer', with jet lag, strange environment, and no home crowd (although let's be honest, it'll likely still be a hugely pro-UM crowd, lol).
I know UM is the intended marquee player here but it'll be some nice exposure for our program.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - ColinApocalypse - 07-25-2025 09:13 AM
Strange, but also kind of exciting. Having this game in a relatively neutral location is a bonus for us. And it's a nice little overseas trip.
This will be the first game between two FBS opponents in Germany. WMU is the first MAC school to play an international regular season game. Pretty neat!
It would be awesome and surreal to go see a WMU football game in Germany.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - VitoHESgottaWMU69 - 07-25-2025 09:55 AM
This makes no sense. So a 15 hour flight to get our butts kicked?
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Motown Bronco - 07-25-2025 10:00 AM
(07-25-2025 09:55 AM)VitoHESgottaWMU69 Wrote: This makes no sense. So a 15 hour flight to get our butts kicked?
Actually I feel like that's a reason why this isn't such a bad idea. We're not risking anything here.
It's going to be an "L" no matter where it's played, so why not be part of something that's a cool experience for the players. Like a mini-bowl game in some respects.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - flushtheherd - 07-25-2025 10:33 AM
I think this is a great recruiting tool for WMU... travel over-seas game one to play Michigan... thats huge.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - wmubroncopilot - 07-25-2025 11:24 AM
Rather play them there than in AA. Loss either way, presumably, but assuming its not a big money loser for whatever reason I’d rather have this as a cool event
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Nacho - 07-25-2025 11:26 AM
I hope the band gets to go.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - MajorHoople - 07-25-2025 01:34 PM
(07-25-2025 08:47 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote: ....is apparently being played in Frankfurt? How does this make sense for anybody involved?
https://www.on3.com/news/michigan-western-michigan-to-open-2026-season-in-frankfurt-germany/
Apparently this, along with NIL-Pay to Play and Transfer Portal, is where CFB is headed.
Not in favor.
I'm becoming more of a NFL fan than CFB and never thought I'd say that.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Dirty Ernie - 07-25-2025 02:23 PM
Took me a minute, but ima say I like this a lot.
I’m visualizing this as totally a preseason style game. Not so much intra-state underdog v. behemoth but more you try to test and execute your stuff, try to solidify your untested O-line, give your new QB some exposure to the real world etc.
So then the pluses. AD and admin. demonstrate a willingness to be bold and take some risks. You know the game will be well promoted, and put our brand out there for the world to see, ha ha. We have an avenue to score some future dates with maybe a wider variety of opponents.
For the players, a chance for high level exposure, put a new line in their resume, earn some respect, earn a position, all stuff that means something in the new pay/transfer system. And yes, might help recruit some talent.
There is an opportunity to do a lot of cool stuff with this. I hope we don’t blow the chance to maximize this.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - MajorHoople - 07-25-2025 02:37 PM
You mean we're not getting enough "exposure" with November weeknight MACtion games?
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Dirty Ernie - 07-25-2025 02:41 PM
(07-25-2025 02:37 PM)MajorHoople Wrote: You mean we're not getting enough "exposure" with November weeknight MACtion games?
Got a point there.
2026 Opener v Michigan - Flashboski - 07-25-2025 04:10 PM
(07-25-2025 11:26 AM)Nacho Wrote: I hope the band gets to go.
I can see the headline now….”WMU gets $3 million to play UM overseas, ultimately loses money on the trip after traveling their 857 member band to the game”
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - VitoHESgottaWMU69 - 07-25-2025 04:29 PM
(07-25-2025 04:10 PM)Flashboski Wrote:(07-25-2025 11:26 AM)Nacho Wrote: I hope the band gets to go.
I can see the headline now….”WMU gets $3 million to play UM overseas, ultimately loses money on the trip after traveling their 857 member band to the game”
Great post my friend.
But hey it's a great exposure for the 6-7 Bronco!! Let's lose more money!!!
Bring back PJ.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Dirty Ernie - 07-25-2025 04:35 PM
Stadium in Frankfurt is an enclosed facility with a retractable roof. Looks pretty cool. It has hosted World Cup events. Good food.
Oddly enough it is named Wald Stadion. Weird eh?
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - wmubroncopilot - 07-25-2025 04:40 PM
(07-25-2025 01:34 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:(07-25-2025 08:47 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote: ....is apparently being played in Frankfurt? How does this make sense for anybody involved?
https://www.on3.com/news/michigan-western-michigan-to-open-2026-season-in-frankfurt-germany/
Apparently this, along with NIL-Pay to Play and Transfer Portal, is where CFB is headed.
Not in favor.
I'm becoming more of a NFL fan than CFB and never thought I'd say that.
I mean, college basketball teams including WMU have been making overseas trips preseason since long before the things you mention. NIL and pay to play aside, I’m failing to see how this specifically is some harbinger of a bad direction for the game.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - bronconick - 07-25-2025 04:55 PM
I'm just wondering why the Germans want to watch a 49-3 snoozefest. I've been making fun of the NFL for sending the Giants, Jags and Browns to London repeatedly there as punishment for the War of 1812. Brazil got Packers-Eagles which didn't actually suck for a change.
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - VitoHESgottaWMU69 - 07-25-2025 06:49 PM
Looks like a majority of the fanbase hates it.
https://x.com/WMU_Football/status/1948755324493512748?t=e-FqWJRwXqnsORfb_PI1eg&s=19
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1331891312279298&set=a.453181363483635&type=3
RE: 2026 Opener v Michigan - Motown Bronco - 07-25-2025 07:40 PM
Per Tony Paul: "The financials aren't final yet, but both teams will share in the revenues to cover all travel expenses. It’ll be net-positive, financially."