national champs baby
2011 Michigan football team
UM-MSU, a comparison of (weddings and funerals) what motivates players
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Some here may already know that MSU players get tattoos and claim (this past summer) that 2011 is setting up "for another ass whoopin" on Michigan (according to Jerel Worthy in response to Morgan Trent).
Some may also know that this summer MSU captain & QB Kirk Cousins had his brother collect magazine articles that didn't use the word "repeat" in picking the Spartans to win the Big Ten, because that ommission "logically" shows a lack of respect for the Spartans. He also took offense to people attending weddings in MI and introducing themselves to him as fans of the University of MIchigan. He afterwards told the media this:
“So being at those weddings was about all the motivation I needed to get back to work, and prove to all those people why they shouldn’t be a Michigan fan.”
Is he grasping for things about Michigan to hate on? I'm not sure, but the detnews added this quote today (http://www.detnews.com/article/20111013/SPORTS0202/110130344/1132/sports0202/It’s-all-or-nothing-now-for-Michigan-State-seniors ) by Cousins:
"It's very personal when you have friends that tell you they're going to root for you every game but one," said quarterback Kirk Cousins, a Holland native. "It's kind of like saying, 'I like you but I don't like your wife and kids.' You might as well say you don't like me. So it's a similar deal and it's very personal."
In contrast, mlive.com published an article (http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/mark-huyge-michigan-lineman-michigan-state-deceased-friend/ ) about how a recent death of a friend, Mike Kirby, motivates RT Mark Huyge.
Michigan State week holds special significance for Huyge because he has never beaten the in-state rival that never recruited him. As a senior, this is his last shot. Huyge said he is feeling sentimental this week not only because of his disdain for the Spartans, but also because of Kirby. The final game he ever saw in person was last year’s Michigan-Michigan State game, when Huyge took him into the locker room at Michigan Stadium to introduce him to players who hadn’t met him at the marina. Kirby died Aug. 20 in an accident at the marina. As for Mark, he sent along a letter that his mother, Kim, delivered to the congregation {at the funeral]. It dedicated the Michigan football season -- which has begun in grand, undefeated fashion -- to Kirby, and closed like this: “Every year, Mike would say to me, ‘Mark, this year we have to do whatever it takes to beat Michigan State, even if it means that I have to go down on that field myself to get the job done,’” Cathy Kirby read over the phone, choking up with tears. “Well, Kirby, this is the year that we will get it done because I know you will be right there with me.” Mark Huyge is playing for Mike Kirby this season. Especially this week.
There are so many things that can motivate the players for the game this Saturday, but I just thought it was worth sharing this comparison of the motivation of MSU's leader and of one of our own.
I think MSU is set up to take a fall. My pick: UM 31, MSU 21.
