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MEDIA SCOPE - November 23
by David Hershorin

Michigan vs. Ohio State - ABC at Noon
Brent Musburger, Gary Danielson, Jack Arute

What a game! We were privy to one of the classics in this rivalry. It's too bad Brent wasn't on his game. But Gary and Jack carried him like Maurice Clarett carried the Buckeyes. The end result was a charged effort that fell slightly short for such a huge tilt.

The introductory sequence revolved around the match up's history, focusing on the 24-24-2 record of the preceding 50 years. Even more poignant was the graphic displaying Michigan's 6-0 record when Ohio State was undefeated with a Top 10 ranking. So much for that streak, as OSU purged ghostly cobwebs to emerge focused on Tempe. So why wasn't Brent focused? Mostly little things…He made a stretch of a comparison when he likened the Buckeye's two-way player WR/CB Gamble to Charles Woodsen. The positions they share are their only similarity. Woodsen's quality of play is light years beyond Gamble's. The potential is there. But why hype people when the action on the field amply carries the broadcast? Typical Musburger. When, like Saturday, he is off his mark, it makes listening to music while viewing an attractive audio alternative. Gary and Jack, though, came across as having much to add. Arute's sideline update of freshman phenom Maurice Clarett's shoulder-nerve injury utilized both a medical book diagram and a team doctor to breakdown how it might impact his playing time. Danielson rightfully harped early and often about the Wolverine's success and the Buckeye's failure on third down conversions. He even practiced what has become an "announcer's perogotive" - to point out a streak or trend, so it can end soon after it is told. In this case it was Michigan's field goal efficiency. It was 40% until Gary told us it was just before their first FG try, which, of course, they made…along with their next two tries.

Yet the broadcast had other production weak-points to make it sub-par for the quality ABC has established this year. Too often pivotal replays played second fiddle to network promos (often not even sports-oriented). It alienates core football fans by interrupting any continuity established. It's about the football, not the network, folks. Strong was the quick replay of the Buckeye scoreboard before kickoff. Some student scoreboard operators had jokingly put up fake numbers reflecting a huge OSU win. Ohio State head coach Tressel saw this but couldn't get it taken off before some Michigan players saw and relayed it to their teammates, evidently providing spark which carried the Wolverines far into the fourth quarter. Well-placed information that kept us glued to our seats 'til the end. The mixed bag of broadcast quality can be hard to grade. But without any major glitches, we'll give the entire team (announcing and production) a B-, hoping their personal season low causes an upswing for this upcoming busy holiday weekend. Hey, ABC/ESPN…can't you guys use Brent for an NBA game or something?

 

 
 

Editor: Dave Hershorin