John U. Bacon’s book, Endzone: The Rise, Fall and Return Of Michigan Football, found by Land Grant Holy Land, Brandon pitched the idea. 

From LGHL: 

Speaking of bad ideas, in the throes of Big Ten divisional realignment, Dave Brandon proposed that the Ohio State/Michigan game be occasionally moved to October, or in some cases, not played at all. He also proposed that Ohio State and Michigan be in different Big Ten divisions.