Back to back losses to Sparty

Submitted by WolverineHistorian on
Even though there were many, MANY horrible things about last season, I think the worst one for me was seeing Sparty win at the Big House for the first time in 18 years. I'd love nothing more than to return the favor this year. History is on our side. We haven't lost back to back games to MSU since the 1960's when they beat us 3 straight times from 1965-67. In MSU's last 8 attempts to beat Michigan a second straight year, they never came within 2 touchdowns... 2002: Lost 49-3 2000: Lost 14-0 1996: Lost 45-29 1994: Lost 40-20 1991: Lost 45-28 1988: Lost 17-3 1985: Lost 31-0 1979: Lost 21-7 1970: Lost 34-20 Another interesting stat. RichRod lost to MSU in his first season. Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller and even Bo Schembechler also lost to MSU in their first seasons. (Granted, Carr and Moeller's games had controversial finishes.) All 3 coaches beat Sparty in their second season and finished their coaching careers against them with excellent records: Bo won 17 of the next 20, Moeller won 3 of the next 4 and Carr won 10 of the next 12. Hopefully RichRod continues this dominance as well as winning the second game. Maybe this will calm some people's nerves. Not mine, unfortunately. This Saturday's game scares me to death regardless of our history. But I know some people like stats so I thought I'd post them.
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TTUwolverine

September 28th, 2009 at 1:04 AM ^

State similar to us in the sense that both teams have great offenses and terrible defenses. They will put up points, and with D-Rob in the game the whole time, I don't know if we will be able to consistently match them. We'll need big games from the running backs, and a mistake-free day from D-Rob.

Joined: 04/13/2009

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The Other Brian

September 28th, 2009 at 1:37 AM ^

I'm not sure where this "MSU has a great offense" thing is coming from. They haven't been able to run the ball against anybody they've played yet, their passing game has potential but is being handcuffed by Dantonio continuing to shuffle his QBs, and a bunch of the yards and points they had against Wisconsin came in garbage time after they fell behind by 3 touchdowns. I mean, I'm not saying our defense is going to stonewall them, since I don't think our defense can stonewall anybody...but Notre Dame's offense was much better than MSU's, and we outscored them. MSU's offense is pedestrian.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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TTUwolverine

September 28th, 2009 at 1:59 AM ^

But the question remains whether or not our offense will put up 35 points with D-Rob taking 80% of the snaps. I think that State is more than capaple of putting that many points on our defense, regardless of whether or not it is reasonable to call them "great" just yet. To put it in perspective, I would say that their offense as a whole is better than everyone we've played with the exception of Notre Dame.

Joined: 04/13/2009

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Jinxed

September 28th, 2009 at 6:25 AM ^

Actually.. I think this team is comparable to the 1996 team.. I could see us going to the Outback bowl just like that team did.. the problem is that Lloyd's second game vs MSU was at the big house.. By the way.. that 1996 team was ranked #21 when they beat the #2 undefeated Buckeyes in Columbus.. that was a John Cooper team though..

Joined: 09/15/2009

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griesecheeks

September 28th, 2009 at 4:17 AM ^

i don't see this game being any different than our games to date. we either put up enough points to win a shootout AGAIN, or we lose. wouldn't be surprised to see this end up similar to the Wisc-MSU game. i think our D is going to give up around 30 points, again. 34-31 UM if Tate can play at least effectively enough so that there's a threat of a passing game. 31-24 MSU if tate doesn't play. i think our backs will get decent yardage, but eventually MSU will load up and stop it, and I just don't think DRob or Sheridan will be able to make enough plays to win.

Joined: 09/06/2008

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RONick

September 28th, 2009 at 5:34 AM ^

Maybe I am just hyped and drinking the kool-aid, but I see this game as one that could be a major stepping stone for this defense. This will be the least foreign offense our defense has had to deal with to date (neither a spread nor a pistol). I think that MSU's inability to run the ball consistently bodes very well for Michigan as well. IF the defense can be focused with a good game plan, I see no reason to think that we cannot slow down the MSU receivers a bit and give DROB and the O a great chance to win the game.

Joined: 02/04/2009

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foreverbluemaize

September 28th, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^

I hate to say this and please read the whole post before you neg me but I was actually hoping they would win against Wiscy. with a win against the Badgers it takes a little pressure off of them to win. They come into the game agains us with a .500 record and do not have as many regular season losses this year as they had all of last year. Now being 1-3 (and having dropped all 3 of them in a row no less) the pressure is on for them to win. You can be assured that we will get their best game, as we are their #1 rival and now they are that much more hungry for a win. I have had this game circled in my mental calendar as a tough one for a while now with TF banged up it may be even tougher.

Joined: 02/03/2009

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