For anybody who held grudging respect for Captain Kirk (Freep Warning)

Submitted by Maximinus Thrax on

These quotes so perfectly encapsulate the Sparty mindset and their inability to accept their position as the number 2 team in Michigan (at least from the perspective of the local and national buzz they create) that they almost seem fake.  It's the Freep, so maybe they are.  Nonetheless, they are truly delicious.

 

"Or they'll root for me every game but one," said Cousins, a fifth-year senior and third-year starter. "That's when you start to realize who is with you and who is not with you.

"It's like saying ... I'm for you, but I'm not for your wife and kids. The bottom line is you're either for Michigan State and for Kirk or you're not. There is no in-between. I think this game is a perfect example of that, and that's why it's so personal."

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20111014/SPORTS07/110140447/Michigan-State-QB-Kirk-Cousins-Showdown-U-M-personal-

Michael Scarn

October 14th, 2011 at 9:58 AM ^

Nah man, didn't you hear? They're pulling in 4 and 5 stars left and right.  Can't keep talented kids like that from California, Florida and Texas off the field for long.  Highly rated recruits from out of state don't go to State to ride the pine.  Then again, they really don't go to State much at all.  

smotheringD

October 14th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^

I like Kirk Cousins a lot and see no problem with his quote.  He's telling it like it is.  The rest of the year a lot of Michigan fans will tolerate MSU because they have friends, relatives, co-workers or even customers that are green.  In fact, I sold MSU $500,000 of air pollution control equipment and made a nice chunk of change.

But this week, you've got to pick sides.  I respect him for going all in for Sparty.  That's what so great about the rivalry.  They really want to kick our ass, and we theirs.

It's going to be a great war.

Go Blue!

bjk

October 14th, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^

the same thing you're hearing.

If someone came up to Denard and said "I love your playing but I hope Michigan gets killed," he would presumably come back with something like "It's not about me, I'm here for my team-mates -- go Blue," which sounds to me like (the Wolverine counterpart to) where Cousins was going.

It also sounds to me like he forgot the KISS principle and let his public speaking chops lead him into the dark forest of obscure analogies, etc.; but well within the bounds of not-bulletin-board material. (Harbaugh guarantee of victory, OSU '86, anyone?)

b_jodi

October 14th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^

A lot of people say they'll support MSU in every game but one. I, personally, hope they lose every single game. Why? Because I don't want to hurt Kirk's feelings.

griff32

October 14th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^

The qoute is a direct reflection of the coach he has had up there. They are obsessed with Michigan, because their coach is. In my opinion is a little unhealthy, and causes the non obssesed to wonder what the hell is this kid thinking.

jamiemac

October 14th, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^

It might be a new article. but didnt Cousins say this like over the summer or even last year?

These arent new sentiments from him. And I give these comments and the ensuing hullabaloo over them a big fucking YAWN

Lets play the game already, yo

bronxblue

October 14th, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^

I'm actually not bothered by this all that much - the kid loves his school and takes it seriously.  We act like it is juvenille for him to be so passionate, yet you'll see grown men on Saturday screaming at college kids for screwing up something on the field, calling for them to be benched, kicked off the team, or worse.  So whatever - it's a rivalry game and maybe Kirk buys into it more than others, but I could care less. 

And not to be an ass or anything, but it's not like UM hasn't had some dumb talkers in the past.

nav1llus

October 14th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^

It's been said before, but it's worth reiterating how MSU truly brings the inferiority complex upon themselves.  It is not Michigan (or its fans) that make Spartans feel like the second-rate institution in this state, it is just an inevitable facet of their own behavior. 

MSU, like many "State" schools, tries to 1-up their rivals by trying to adopt the elements of their counterpart.  The prime example of this is schools calling themselves "THE university in ________".   Further, academically, MSU fosters programs to directly compete with those established by UM.  They then advertise these to the public with direct comparison about their 'numbers' versus ours. 

In many other areas as well, we (as Michigan fans) are frequently not the ones forcing a comparison of schools. The Spartans are bringing it on themselves. Further, talk about setting oneself up for failure: it is immensely challenging to overcome a competitor by walking in their footsteps.  Spartans have created an atmosphere of inferiority due to their (self inflicted, persistent) comparison with the established forerunner.

To say it differently, Spartans are second rate because they want only what Michigan already has.  They do not appreciate the natural strengths and weaknesses of two invididuals/programs, they only want what 'big brother' holds - and more of it.  Further, they seem incapable of pursuing interests aside from those where UM has gone before.

If MSU (+fans) were to embrace the qualities that set them apart from UM, like certain strengths in teaching, some science, environmental fields, (and aesthetics - women?), they would not feel nearly as bad about their self-imposed rivalry.  True, there will be inevitable overlap and comparison of certain things, like football and basketball, but that will be far from the deep-seeded spite held by most Spartans. 

This is also the reason why there is such a disparity in viewpoints between the two fanbases about this rivalry.  UM, as an institution, desires very little that lives in MSU.  On the flip side, MSU wants seemingly everything UM holds - academically, athletically, in both titles and accomplishments... just like a little brother.

 

TL;DR: If MSU didn't seek only to take from UM, but instead forged their own path, they might not bring such an air of inferiority about themselves.

Thoughts?

 



EDIT: Err, Sorry. I meant this as a reply, but as my thoutghts coalesced into text, it got too long.  So then i was going to try and post it as a new topic on MGoBoard for peer review, but I guess I don't have enough points to post there or something.  Sorry for the hijack.