Hurricane Joaquin Blows Away Michigan-Maryland Pregame Show

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Now that water has been discovered on Mars, Michigan may have to play its Big Ten conference opener against Maryland there.

Wolverines tight ends Coach Jay Harbaugh was being flip.

“We’ll play anywhere. We’ll play on the moon. We’ll play on Mars. They found water there, so maybe that’s our next spot,” Harbaugh said after the Big Ten Network postponed pregame coverage of the game because of the looming threat of Hurricane Joaquin.

“Given the threat of a hurricane hitting a large part of the Eastern seaboard this weekend, BTN has decided to postpone the planned broadcast Saturday of its football studio shows from outside Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium,” a statement from the Big Ten Network read. “Safety concerns for crew and fans and the uncertainty surrounding the storm’s path led to the network’s decision. BTN will reschedule the visit for a later date.”

The Big Ten Network had planned to broadcast its 10:30 a.m. and evening editions of the pregame show outside Byrd Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

The game against the University of Maryland at Byrd Stadium is still on, though.

On Wednesday afternoon, forecasters were unable to say for certain if Joaquin would hit land. The best prediction so far is that the hurricane, upgraded Wednesday from a tropical storm, may hit Virginia and Maryland late in the weekend, then hit other states as it heads north along the Eastern seaboard.

If the game can’t be played at Byrd Stadium, it’s unclear what options might be considered. Both teams have full schedules.

“We’re kind of a weather-proof team,” Harbaugh said Wednesday, according to The Detroit News, adding the team is focused on the game and the hurricane is “not something we’re really concerned about.”

Big Ten officials say they’re closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates when appropriate.

“The safety of game participants and fans is paramount,” the spokesman said in an email to The Detroit News Wednesday afternoon. “While there is no timetable by which decisions must be made prior to the game, there are established protocols to address game postponements, suspensions and/or game rescheduling.”

Michigan’s offensive coordinator, Tim Drevano, said the Wolverines haven’t changed their preparation strategy to include wet-ball drills because the offense is versatile enough to play in any kind of weather.

“You don’t change your game plan,” Drevno told the newspaper. “You go with your game plan you originally want to do and stay with it. I’ve been in situations you change everything because of the weather and it really messes with your mindset.”

Michigan is scheduled to fly to Maryland Friday at mid-day.

» Photo via Wikimedia/Creative Commons