2024 Schedule Analysis: Milan Big Reds

By Frank Vajcner

It’s time to cross many railroad tracks for a look at Milan. Despite a 4-6 record, the Big Reds returned to the playoffs thanks to their strength of schedule in 2023. Will 2024 be any tougher?

2024 Schedule:

Aug 30: Ypsi Lincoln

Sept 6: @ Jefferson

Sept 13: @ New Boston Huron

Sept 20: Grosse Ile

Sept 27: @ SMCC

Oct 4: @ Flat Rock

Oct 11: Riverview

Oct 18: Airport

Oct 25: Eaton Rapids

Gut-Check Game: Jesse Hoskins may have a case for his squad having the most brutal stretch of any blog team, as the Big Reds have back-to-back road trips to SMCC and Flat Rock, followed by a visit from Riverview, all in Weeks 5-7. Navarre Field has been a house of horrors for the Big Reds, as they have only won there three times since joining the Huron League in 2000. It won’t be any easier, given that the Falcons are widely considered to be in the thick of the conference race.

The following week brings another trip to Flat Rock. The Rams defeated the Big Reds not once, but twice last season, with the latter being a 42-0 shellacking in the playoffs. In fact, the Rams have outscored the Big Reds 146-49 in the last three meetings. In regards to Riverview, the Pirates have won the last four meetings, all by double digits. 

It’s also worth noting that Milan went 0-3 in the same stretch last season, while getting outscored 146-49. You can also make a case for a Week 3 trip to New Boston Huron, as four of the last five meetings in the regular season have been decided by one score. The Big Reds will be looking to avenge a 20-17 loss from last season.

Trap Game: There are two look-ahead spots. The first road trip of the season takes the Big Reds to Marc Cisco Field to face what should be an improved Jefferson squad in Week 2. A Week 4 visit from Grosse Ile could also be a land mine, as not only the Red Devils seem to perform better in even-numbered years, but this game comes before the three-game stretch from hell.

Snoozer: Eaton Rapids went 1-8 last season, and got outscored 392-68. The Greyhounds have not had a winning season since 2014, and have not won more than two games in a season since 2016.

Non-Conference Challenge: Milan’s non-conference slate doesn’t bring any sizzle. In addition to Eaton Rapids, the Big Reds will welcome Ypsi Lincoln to open the season. The Railsplitters went 2-7 last season, and were defeated by the Big Reds 7-3.

Fun Facts: This will be the first meeting with Eaton Rapids on the gridiron…The last time Milan faced a Capital Area Athletic Conference team was when they opened the season against Ionia in 2007…Milan and Ypsi Lincoln will meet for the 59th time in football. Both schools were conference rivals when Milan was in the SEC until 1999.

Thoughts from Frank: What buoyed Milan’s strength of schedule last season was playing both Lincoln (Division 2) and Ann Arbor Skyline (Division 1) in the out-of-conference. Lincoln will still provide 55 playoff points with a win, but Eaton Rapids (Division 4) will only 45 points with a win.  Neither figures to provide much in terms of bonus points, so the Big Reds will need both to get wins, as well as steal a win in Huron League play, if they want to return to the postseason