2 UM games listed "must-see" 2012 weekly games - Yahoo Sports -Huguenin

Submitted by markinmsp on

Mike Huguenin of Yahoo! Sports lists his picks for the best game each week in 2012 season. UM is listed twice, after the opener against Ala; surprisingly (to me at least), the other game is not the Hoke-Meyer opening clash, but the UM-MSU game. Only one other B1G game is listed: MSU-Wisc, (but Wisc-Neb is listed as an "Also of note").

 link: Mark your calendars: College football season's must-see games

Week 1 - Alabama vs. Michigan in Arlington, Texas The reason: This is the best nonconference game of the season. Two of the most storied programs in history meet for just the fourth time; the three previous contests were in bowls, with the most recent coming in the Orange Bowl following the 1999 season. This will be the third time in five years that Alabama has opened the season in a neutral-site game; the other two were in Atlanta. A Michigan win would be a huge boost for the national perception of the Big Ten – and for Wolverines coach Brady Hoke.

Week 8 - Michigan State at Michigan The reason: Michigan State fans always will have a soft spot in their hearts for former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez; he was the losing coach in this rivalry in all three of his seasons in Ann Arbor, and the Spartans also won last season, giving them four consecutive victories over the hated Wolverines. That ties the Spartans' longest winning streak in the series. Last season's victory also helped Michigan State win the Big Ten Legends Division title, and the winner of this one likely takes the division this season.

LSAClassOf2000

August 9th, 2012 at 5:32 PM ^

Looking at the TV listings for the games to be played on Labor Day weekend, I would have to say that Michigan vs. Alabama will more than likely generate the most national interest certainly. I don't think many would question this, although North Texas at LSU is there too if anyone cares for senseless violence. 

He's probably right about Michigan vs. MSU too because of the state of this rivalry (i.e., MSU's four consecutive wins). That factoid has undoubtedly gotten around outside the Midwest by now, so I bet the national audience gets interested in this one. 



Likely good calls in each case for  those weeks, although as others have mentioned, I was under the impression that all Michigan games were must-watch, be it in person or otherwise. 

uminks

August 9th, 2012 at 5:55 PM ^

Even better would be to attend each game!

The MSU game is big for Hoke! Losing this game at home will make it difficult to win the Legends Division! There will probably be a lot of pressure on the team to win and I hope this pressure can be focused into big plays on the field and a big home blow out. I'm sick of losing to MSU, not as bad as the OSU streak but it has to end at home this season!

ChiCityWolverine

August 9th, 2012 at 5:56 PM ^

I understand the need to avoid featuring one team too much, but The Game in Columbus is going to be huge this year. Comical as the John L. Smith show may end up being, come November Michigan @ Ohio will be the biggest game of the weekend (as it should be).

The 2012 edition of The Game has the extra intrigue of Hoke-Meyer Part I and will be the final game of the year for Ohio. An overrated Arkansas serving as a sacrificial lamb for LSU to destroy won't come even close in hype or TV ratings.

WolverineHistorian

August 9th, 2012 at 5:59 PM ^

Up until I was 28 years old, a losing streak to Sparty in football was one game.  I know RichRod played a big hand in setting this historic losing streak we currently have to them but it's still hard to fully comprehend.  This rivalry needs to get back to normal. 

To see Michigan/MSU get national hype is also almost unheard of.  It's like the world is upside-down.

oriental andrew

August 9th, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^

This is true.  The last time Michigan lost more than 1 game in a row to msu was 1965-1967. Actually, 1950-1967 was a particularly brutal stretch for Michigan against the spartans.  Michigan suffered an 8 game winless streak from 1956-1963 (0-6-2), and went 3-13-2 over that time period, including 0-4 from 1959-1963.  Michigan also went 0-4 against the in-state rivals from 1934-1937. 

So this current 4 game losing streak is truly of historic proportions. 

HOWEVA, Michigan also has winning streaks of 14 (1916-1929), 10 (1938-1949), 8 (1970-1977), 6 (2002-2007), and 5 (1979-1983) games against the boys in green, and sports a 67-32-5 overall record.  So good for them.  They've had their once-a-generation-or-two win streak.  Time to get back to normal.

bluewave720

August 9th, 2012 at 7:45 PM ^

They are all MSU grads.  

I get grief all the time.  "4 in a row, hahaha."  Yet, the room looks at me as if I am totally insane when I remind them that we won the 6 consecutive games preceding MSU's current streak.

I know this is unpopular in these parts, but I really don't give a fuck if we beat OSU this year as long as we beat staee.  Michigan/OSU will correct itself over time.  But in re: to MSU, this shit needs to stop right now.  I really don't think I have ever been so fired up over one particular game.  

Chester Cheetah

August 9th, 2012 at 6:53 PM ^

40 years from now MSU fans will recall fondly of the days when they could win more than 2 games against the Wolverines in a row. Then they will look up at their shrine of Saint Dantonio and begin to weep, wishing those days were back.

Blue since birth

August 9th, 2012 at 7:35 PM ^

I hate to admit it...

I want the MSU game more than any other this year.

All of the little jabs and disrespect coming from their coaching staff. I expect it from fans and even players occasionally, but I've never seen such an openly classless coaching staff (at least not in the B1G).

Losing to Ohio year after year was gut wrenching. But it's been kind of like getting beat up by the neighborhood bully. Losing 4 in a row to MSU is like getting beat up by his little sister.

The dirty play last year during the trash tornado and the way they did Denard.

My head says OSU and starting 1-0 against Meyer should be the priority. But my heart wants to mercilessly crush Sparty more than anything.

orobs

August 9th, 2012 at 7:38 PM ^

With MSU being in our division, and OSU being ineligible, it really is the more important game this year.

 

However, long term, there is no way you can convince me that that beating MSU, who can't recruit a top 40 class after back to back 10 win seasons, is more important than beating Urban Meyer in his first year. 

uminks

August 9th, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^

The two teams I hate, MSU and ND! Ugh, I can't stand losing to MSU for 4 straight years. We need to beat those blankety blanks this year!

At least OSU has talent and these games are played tough with mutual respect between the teams. That's why in essence it becomes are most crucial game!  But listening to these East Lansing thugs, who I have no respect for, hooting it up by beating us the last four years is just truly dreadful. If these thugs come into our stadium and beat us again, I will be pissed. However, in the long run we are headed back to the days of our long winning streaks against MSU!

CLord

August 10th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^

Going from Must See to Must win, I concur.  The Gholston head twist could have done serious harm to Denard was unforgiveable.  I need to see that kid never beat UM again, not to mention the win streak. 

More broadly, if all other games play out as expected (i.e., we win most and maybe 1 random loss to say, at Nebraska or at ND),  these are my minimum requirements for a passable season:

1. We keep it close with Alabama. I fight off visions of a 49-7 crushing of a #7 Sparty in 2011.



2. We keep it close at with Ohio (game is at the Shoe).  Only because it’s at the Shoe, and I have a fear that, after working together for many years, Meyer will know Mattison’s schemes and how to exploit them.  I will be curious to see what he unveils in the first match up.

3. We beat Sparty.  That's the one game we cannot lose.  At home, senior Denard.  This is the must win.

MGoBender

August 9th, 2012 at 9:03 PM ^

For this year - and this year only - the MSU game is leaps and bounds more important.  It's at home, it's to break a streak, it's basically going to be for the B10 title.  It's the most important game of the year.

Anyone who dismisses Sparty and just Sparty needs to drop the ignorance and accept that they have a good team and it's a huge game we desperately need.

OSU?  Important as always.  But losing on the road to them is not nearly as bad as losing at home to MSU.

WingsNWolverines

August 9th, 2012 at 11:23 PM ^

How many days until Michigan plays State on your birthday again? TOO MANY. October 20th is when I turn 23 and it will be glorious to see us hand Sparty their first loss against us since 2007. Ugh. Just thinking about how it's been 5 years since we last beat them crawls inside my skin and drives me nuts. It's me even more sick knowing how amazing our comeback was against them in 2009 only to fall. Memories. Oh the horrible memories.

This is THE MOST important home game of the year for Michigan because it will ultimately decide who goes to the B10 title game. Even if State beats Ohio and we lose to Ohio but still beat State we win the head to head. This game should be one that every single one of our seniors and players should be dreaming about every night. Dreaming of Spartan blood spilled on on our field. I want Dantonio to be speechless after the game and refuse to speak to reporters and the Spartan fan base to once again feel the agony of losing to their big bro again. It's time to put green n white back in the shadows. I thirst for Spartan blood and I will be there.

We've dropped 3 straight to Iowa too and that needs to change this year also. When was the last time the Hawkeyes had a f*cking streak against us?!