"Because they're Michigan and you are NOT"
First post by the way, so if I F it up...sorry.
So I was listening to 107.3 in Grand Rapids this morning as they have the local sports guys on until 9:00AM and I like to hear their thoughts on this weekends games.
They had Jerry Palm on from CollegeBCS.com (who by the way had pegged M to be in a BCS bowl before the season started) and were asking the typical stuff about the BCS, who will be 1-2, do you have to be in the top 14, etc... Well Ray Bentley (i think that is the name) who is a Sparty Slappy asked the question about how is it fair that Michigan would trump the loser of the Big Ten Title Game. Clearly he is preparing for the meltdown when Sparty loses. Well Jerry's response is money:
"You know many are going to hate to hear this but THEY ARE MICHIGAN AND YOU ARE NOT."
I totallly fist pumped when I heard that. He then followed up with "MICHIGAN IS MICHIGAN."
The questions went in a different direction from there...
Go Blue!
November 28th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^
It won't be the same number of losses. No one is saying that Iowa should go a BCS game ahead of us because they beat us. Or Iowa State playing for the National title instead of Okie State. If everyone in the "Leaders" was 4-4, and the 2nd place team in the "Legends" was 7-1, (and the 8-0 team beats the 4-4 team to makes them 4-5 in conference) should the team with the worse record go just because they were in the Championship Game? Those things are not locked in any order, because schedules can vary wildly. The truth of the matter is if they win the game, they will have as many losses as Michigan, and WILL go to a better Bowl game/win title/etc. If they lose, they'll be another 3 loss team. Head to head never trumps overall record. It's always been that way. Not sure why it's so hard to understand now.
Now, in 1999, they had a complaint....
November 28th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
Is the system, not Michigan. How do you think Oregon feels if they lose to UCLA and miss a BCS bowl while Stanford gets an autobid?
Also, Sparty, you don't like the situation you're in? We will trade you places. We are not afraid to play in a big game because we will lose and our instate rival will pass us. We embrace the challenge. What you do has no impact on how we view or play football.
November 28th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
Yeah some Spartans are pathetic. Even Valenti was crying 2 weeks ago before the Nebraska game saying stuff like, Man I hope Michigan loses its last 2 games so MSU doesn't get passed up after losing in the B1G championship game...
It's like, what kind of attitude is that? As a fan I would expect my team to win the championship. It's like they are admitting they will lose and are pissed off about it because they know a 2 loss Michigan team will pass them up. Get over it! Maybe you shouldn't have lost to an inferior ND and Nebraska team.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
This is completely in line with the David Mayo (another hack) article in the Grand Rapids Press yesterday talking about the "tough spot" the Spartans are in, just preparing their fanbase for the eventual Dantonio head explosion that will happen if (when) they lose to the Badgers on Saturday night.
Maybe it's not fair, but that's the way it is: the BCS has its rules and after #1 vs. #2, it's all about creating interesting matchups and, more importantly, $$$$$$$$$$.
And it's not like this hasn't happened before. Remember in 2001 when Nebraska got to play for the national championship despite not even winning its division? Playing a conference championship game can be a blessing or a curse. The Big 12 made statements to the effect of "we won't miss it."
Agree with other posters: focus on what you can control, Sparty. Take care of business, and you can earn your resounding defeat at the hands of Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
Wouldn't it be great to see a "This is Michigan State" football video -- 1 BCS bowl appearance in 45 years, no bowl wins in 10 years, 49-7, with clips of Braylon in OT, CMU's onside kick and game-winning field goal, and Mike Hart's Little Brother blast. Go Badgers!
November 28th, 2011 at 2:46 PM ^
MGoVideo this...it must happen.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
Sparty's obsession with Michigan is overpowering them, and will ultimately cause them to lose this Saturday. personally, I think our chances of getting a BCS bowl are pretty slim but it would be the icing on the cake of this AWESOME season. GO BLUE!!!
November 28th, 2011 at 11:15 AM ^
Couple of reasons
For one, while sparty only has two losses on their scheule, they were both blowouts that were over by the 3rd quarter. Add to this the fact that Michigan BEAT both of those teams, including a blowout against Nebraska
Also, sparty has a horrendous bowl record in the past decade, which doesn't make them a very attractive candidate.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^
MSU grad here and I am new to this board. I was on "tailgate" but it is so bad that for any real football info I actually came here. First off, I am really impressed with UM this year and they are about two years ahead of where I thought they would be. Robinson is actually starting to resemble a real QB. That being said, UM takes a step back next year due to the schedule (every big game is on the road except MSU).
At the end of the day, all MSU has to do is win against UW. Unlike many of the MSU "fans" out there, personally I think that there is no better place to be...in total control of your own destiny...Should MSU lose, they are at the mercy of the BCS and will probably be passed over by UM due to fan following and money (advertising, etc.) if UM can get into the top 14 in the BCS rankings. I don't like it, but that is the reality. As I tell my MSU bretheran...string together 8-10 years of 9 and 10 win seasons in a row then people will take notice. Until then we have nothing to talk about since every team in the B1G has been to a Rose Bowl (except Indiana and Minn) since MSU last went on 1/1/88.
Here is where I differ from a lot fo you on here. You can bang your chest all you want about ND, but remember that it took basically a miracle to beat a "bad" ND team at home. MSU played them the next week on the road with ND's entire season at stake. When you combine that with Cousins playing like he was a freshman in HS and Rousher calling one of the worst games of his life, they had no chance. Nebraska...Score says it all...again on the road. MSU went to Iowa and took care of business and not to mention that little game in East Lansing. My point is that if you want to talk about teams that MSU lost to and UM beat, you need to talk about the teams that UM lost to that MSU beat. This on top of the fact that you don't play UW this year.
I know I am going to get flamed and killed for this post, but I just wanted you to know that like UM's fan base, not all MSU fans are homer idiots and can be objective.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^
November 28th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
I think your post is pretty spot on, however, my retort is that the ND game for UM and the UW game for Sparty are pretty much the same in that they were won at the end with huge plays.
Also, I don't think you're trying to flame here, but the "UM doesn't play UW" argument, which Sparties have been really trying to use as an argument, could just as easily apply to last year when MSU didn't play the Tat 5...
Otherwise, well reasoned.
November 28th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^
Every Michigan person would trade places (Big Ten positioning wise) with MSU right now. Because they get a chance to play for the Big Ten title this weekend. We would relish the opportunity to play a game for the trophy and to go to the Rose Bowl. And we wouldn't care who passed up who if we lost, because the goal isn't to back into a BCS bowl with a 10-3 record...it's to win the conference and go to the Rose Bowl. I'd think after more than 20 years, the chance to go to the Rose Bowl would be all that matters for Spartans. Michigan isn't excited to go to the Sugar or whatever because it might be better than MSU's bowl game, or because it's better than the Rose; but because we feel like we earned a shot at it by winning big games down the stretch. Win a big game against a team you've punked the last couple of years, and you win the big prize. Lose, and what's to complain about?
November 28th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^
With MSU playing Wisconsin in Indianapolis, I wondered, "What golf tournament is on tv, the first weekend in December?"
November 28th, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^
I had to post because while driving to the airport on Sunday morning, I was listening to 97.1. Some guy named Pat something or other was pulling the same Sparty line about MSu getting screwed over a BCS game. Well Sparty, then go on the field and EARN IT. You have a chance to play in the Rose Bowl, so show up and play.
On another note, this same brainiac also said something about how Dantonio should win B1G coach of the year over Hoke because his team beat Michigan in a head to head. No mention that he lost almost no one to graduation last year (LB or two) and essentially finished with the same numbers. How about turning around the worst defense in the B1G to one of the best in the nation with the same players? Doesn't count for anything?
Second dumb thing he kept hounding on was that he felt that the MSU-UM rivalry was more important to Michigan than the Ohio rivarly. It was at this point I realized he was beyond all hope of rational thought.
Sparty deserves the little brother moniker.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:52 PM ^
That's Pat Caputo. He's a notorious Sparty and essentially popularized the "Walmart Wolverine" thing. He's been bitter, like most Spartan fans, for years. Like even Dantonio, he's so emotional about it, he can't see the forest from the trees.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
"Because they're Michigan and you are not." Perfect!
This is going to be really killer if it does go down. Sparty having their dream season, beating Michigan, and then being passed over by the BCS BY Michigan! What's great is that they are constantly screwing themselves into a frenzy trying to explain to US that they are relevant. Now the completely objective BCS voters and bowl hosts will be the ones passing up on Sparty to take Michigan. It's the ultimate snub in their minds! Oh, please, please, please let this happen!
On a side note, I finally came upon the ultimate Sparty put-down this week when I told a buddy, "Even when State is good, their boring." Which is a crushing truth.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
"...they're boring."
And I was an English major, fergodsakes!
November 28th, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^
I'm no Sparty, but that "put down" is lousy. Did you have fun last year when we were "exciting" but losing?? Or did you have more fun under Lloyd when we had excellent defenses and a strong running game??
Not to mention their game against Wisconsin this year wasn't exactly boring. Nor are they probably bored as they gear up for the BTCG.
I hope you haven't used that at all - it's embarrassing.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
If this all happens and State fans put up 10-12 billboards to complain about the BCS:
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/21140/spartans-fans-resort-to-billboard-material
the BCS will lose a lot of respect for MSU.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
The BCS losing respect for MSU requires the BCS to respect MSU in the first place.
November 28th, 2011 at 2:19 PM ^
Speaking of no respect......Va Tech is 5th and NOBODY is talking about them.
November 28th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
I wonder if Texas Tech fans are complaining that Oklahoma will probably get a BCS bid and Texas Tech won't, despite the fact that Texas Tech beat Oklahoma in Norman.
Sound reasonable, Sparty?
November 28th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^
Little bit different here. TT is what 7-5? OU is 10-2? If you are going to go after a fan base or a school, at least make a reasonable arguement...
November 28th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
You're correct, it is just a little bit different. If Michigan State loses to Wisconsin, Michigan State will have three losses and Michigan just two.
Furthermore, Michigan losses are by just two scores (14 points) and one score (8 points). Michigan State's losses are by three scores (18 points) and three scores (17 points).
November 28th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^
1. Dantonio has done a very nice job at MSU with what he was given, so Sparty fans do have a right to be proud and feel entitled.
2. However, Hoke did an even better job with what he was given this year. His staff's first year, and even though the cupboard wasn't bare, it was obvious for weeks that Borges was struggling fitting the square parts into the round holes, but finally solved it down the stretch, long after the MSU game.
3. UM beat both opponents that beat MSU - ND and Nebby.
4. The MSU game was UM's worst, and UM has steadily improved every single week, to the point where any MSU fan claiming they'd once again convincingly win a rematch right now would be reaching.
5. UM's two losses were both close. Recall we were driving late for a tie when Denard threw pick six vs Sparty, and we got ref jobbed twice vs Iowa. On the other hand, Sparty was CRUSHED by mediocre Nebraska.
6. Most importantly, 3 losses, and close to four if not for a hail mary, is not much of a pedestal upon which to preach BCS worthiness.
November 28th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
I agree with parts of your post...but I do have to comment on some of it. Dantonio has done a great job of building the program after BW and JLS set it back 25 years. That said, Hoke should win the B10 COTY.
The UM-MSU may have been their worst game, however, maybe that had something to do with MSU being the best D UM faced all year. If you look at the game objectively, many of the mistakes were made due to the MSU D (though the 4th & 1 play call didn't help). I don't think you could reasonable make the arguement that had MSU played under control (a lot to ask, I been with this team for nearly 30 years) the game is out of control quickly. UM drives were extended due to RIGHTLY called PF's. Baker dropping the ball going around the corner for an 80 yd TD, Keyshawn Martin simply dropping the ball that at least would have been a huge gain (possibly a TD).
Remember the UW game was TIED when the hail mary pass was completed. The game goes to OT and anything can happen there. It was not a guaranteed loss as you stated.
I will say it again so nobody accuses me of being a homer sparty...UM will get the BCS bid if MSU loses, not because they earned it on the field, but because of money, fan following, increased advertisers, and ratings. That is the way the rules are written.
I will never complain about this...but I will complain about 2010 and 1999...but that is for another day.
November 28th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
I agree with parts of your post...but I do have to comment on some of it. Dantonio has done a great job of building the program after BW and JLS set it back 25 years. That said, Hoke should win the B10 COTY.
The UM-MSU may have been their worst game, however, maybe that had something to do with MSU being the best D UM faced all year. If you look at the game objectively, many of the mistakes were made due to the MSU D (though the 4th & 1 play call didn't help). I don't think you could reasonable make the arguement that had MSU played under control (a lot to ask, I been with this team for nearly 30 years) the game is out of control quickly. UM drives were extended due to RIGHTLY called PF's. Baker dropping the ball going around the corner for an 80 yd TD, Keyshawn Martin simply dropping the ball that at least would have been a huge gain (possibly a TD).
Remember the UW game was TIED when the hail mary pass was completed. The game goes to OT and anything can happen there. It was not a guaranteed loss as you stated.
I will say it again so nobody accuses me of being a homer sparty...UM will get the BCS bid if MSU loses, not because they earned it on the field, but because of money, fan following, increased advertisers, and ratings. That is the way the rules are written.
I will never complain about this...but I will complain about 2010 and 1999...but that is for another day.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
"I will say it again so nobody accuses me of being a homer sparty...UM will get the BCS bid if MSU loses, not because they earned it on the field, but because of money, fan following, increased advertisers, and ratings. That is the way the rules are written."
<br>
<br>Um, yeah - that doesn't sound anything like a Sparty homer. It's about the whole season, not 1 game. UM's victories in the B1G were all double digit margins (and yes, I am counting Fitzs TD). MSU got blown out in both losses, nearly lost at home to ... Wait for it... Minnesota, Played 1-AA YSU and a 1 win FAU team (who won their last game of the year) in non-conference. The reason Michigan will
<br>get a BCS game and not the loser of the B1G championship is because a 10-2 team playing its best football of the year is a great pick over a team coming off a loss in their biggest game of the year.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^
The loser of a conference championship game always gets screwed on bowl selection. That's the way this system is. They wind up with an extra loss, a season-ending loss at that.
That hurts them in the rankings. It also hurts them with bowl selection committees since a disillusioned fan base that has just traveled to a conference championship game and lost is not as likely to now travel to a "lesser" bowl game than the one they had their sights set on.
This is true for all conferences. This was not set up to shaft Michigan State, they're just the first ones to experience it in the B1G. Next year, it will be someone else.
So what? You have a shot at the Rose Bowl. That's all anyone can ask for. Ya pays your money, ya takes your chances.
November 29th, 2011 at 12:30 AM ^
by this? No one cares about sparty. Their campus sux, they cant sell out 80,000 seats on a good day, they are below average in academics. The basketball run is over and the hockey is laughable. I wish they would go to the Big East so we can forget about them.
We are college football, we are America's team. Of course the BCS wants us, we deliver. A collective sigh went out after we beat ohio.