Michigan Rugby has almost finalized its game schedule for this fall. The Wolverines currently have a nine game slate including five Big Ten matchups, three non-conference matchups, and one game at the Big Ten Championships in November. The club will attempt to schedule one additional non conference game to bring the total up to 10. Of course, all plans are subject to change given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
To view Michigan’s full fall schedule, visit our homepage. Below, I’ve provided an overview of each matchup this fall. Before I begin, be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates. We post game selections on our Instagram page, and during games you can follow along with the action on our Twitter.
UMRFC kicks off its 2020 season at home against Purdue on Saturday, August 29. Purdue had a bad season last year, failing to win a game in Big Ten play. Michigan is 4-1 against Purdue since Big Ten Rugby was founded in 2012, but the Wolverines lost in 2018, the last time that the two teams faced off.
After the opener, Michigan has back-to-back non-conference games: Bowling Green hosts Michigan on Saturday, September 5 before Cincinnati travels to Ann Arbor to play under the lights on Friday, September 11. Bowling Green and Cincinnati both play at the D1AA level, but should not be treated lightly. Bowling Green won the D1AA national championship in 2018, while Cincinnati dominated many of its competitors in 2019.
Michigan Rugby will fill its first bye week of 2020 with its annual Olde Boys Weekend, including the Olde Boys game on Saturday, September 19. After the bye, the team will travel to Bloomington on September 26 for what may be its toughest test of the season. Indiana ended the 2019-2020 season ranked 16th in the nation after winning the Big Ten title, and thrashed Michigan 68-5 last November.
UMRFC does not currently have a game scheduled for Friday, October 2. In the coming weeks, the Wolverines will look to fill that spot with a non conference opponent.
The third annual Battle for the Mitten is scheduled for Friday, October 9 against rival Michigan State. Last fall, Michigan beat the Spartans for the first time in three years in a thriller in Ann Arbor. This year’s event will take place in Lansing. We’ll release more information in the coming months.
MRugby gets a bye during this year’s Fall Break, the weekend of October 17. The following Saturday (October 24), the Wolverines will embark on the longest road trip of the season, traveling to Champaign to take on Illinois. The Fighting Illini crushed Michigan in last year’s Big Ten bronze medal match, but the Maize and Blue were exhausted after already playing two games in the previous seven days. This year’s matchup should be close.
Michigan plays Notre Dame on Friday, October 30 in South Bend. The Wolverines haven’t beaten Notre Dame in an A-side XVs game since 2015. On Saturday, November 7, Ohio State will come up to Ann Arbor for the regular season finale. That will be Parent’s Weekend for both Michigan Rugby and the entire university.
The fall season will come to a close on Saturday, November 14 with the Big Ten Championships. Just like last year, all Big Ten teams will congregate at a neutral site (TBD). Based on the regular season standings, teams will break off into pairs and play championship, third place, and fifth place contests.
I’ll update this website throughout the season with game recaps and Big Ten standings. Go Blue!
