Could Penn State become a rivalry game for us?
This was briefly discussed when speculation broke that Penn State may be the UTL game next year, but I wanted to pose the question: "Could Penn State become a rivalry game for us?"
Starting next year, Penn State and Michigan will be in the same division. This means from a competitive standpoint, they could be a divisional threat in a few years (I can't imagine the program being down for very long once the sanctions expire).
WIth Notre Dame off the schedule for a while, it seems like Penn State could be a team that fills the void left by the Irish. Looking at the following qualifiers...
- IF Penn State recovers as a program and becomes one of the teams we compete with every year to win our division, and
- IF both teams showcase high profile players, and
- IF the games are exciting games year in and year out
...would that be enough to slowly turn Penn State into a rivalry game? They clearly get up for the games whenever we play them, but most shools do.
What do you guys think?
EDIT: Meant to post this on the board... my bad.
October 12th, 2013 at 2:36 AM ^
I think so. Things were headed in that direction a little bit before the Dark Ages of 2008-10 and the realignment put a damper on things. But like you pointed out, there's no third rival on the schedule anymore, and no regular OOC opponent to take that spot.
The most critical thing might be the fact that we play them at home in the years we play MSU and OSU on the road. Therefore, they become the marquee home game every other year, and being the anchor of our home schedule in those years means that our desire to beat them in those years will only increase.
October 12th, 2013 at 5:09 AM ^
invent a trophy? Maybe call it The Grant Land Trophy, or even slightly shorten it to the Grantland Trophy, maybe shaped like a bowl of rice?
Just trying to help here...
October 12th, 2013 at 9:15 AM ^
No need to invent a trophy. We can just use The Ruxin.
http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/tumblr_msmz093iiM1s0nfeqo1_400.gif
October 12th, 2013 at 8:24 AM ^
Playing every year against a divisional opponent with a great tradition, a big (full) stadium, and a solid fan base should develop into an important rivalry. Three strong rivals within our division will make for great games in the near future.
October 12th, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^
A true rivalry should be less lopsided than our series. It would be even more so if we hadn't missed their 3 and win teams in 2003-4. It'll be an important game because we're in the same division, but I think that's all it should be. It's unfortunate how our schedule works out. PSU is going to be the most attractive home game some seasons, so it's probably going to be pushed as a bigger game than it is.
October 12th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^
If I am counting right we are at 11-6 Michigan (64%). Lets Compare to other rivalrys
Minnesota All Time 73–24–3 Michigan (73%)
Michigan State All Time 68–32–5 Michigan (64%)
Notre Dame All Time 24–16–1 Michigan (58%)
Ohio All Time 58-44-6 Michigan (54%)
So with those numbers there it isn't extremely one sided, just very young. (I didn't round any of the numbers so they are all within one percent.)
October 12th, 2013 at 11:07 AM ^
We play for a trophy, but does anyone consider Minnesota a big rival? Maybe they were long ago. We aren't creating rivalries based on what happened during the RR years. Sure, if Penn St can maintain that winning percentage and win a fair share of division titles, then maybe it will become a rivalry game for us. I can't see it reaching the level of the OSU and MSu games.
October 12th, 2013 at 4:08 PM ^
Maybe it was in 1902, but I have trouble remembering those games. Shit happens to one's memory with age.
October 12th, 2013 at 10:01 AM ^
October 12th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^
there were some damn good PSU/U-M games in that seven-year span.
Each team finished in the Top 20 each of those seven years.
Each team also had an undefeated team that won (or should have at least split) a MNC while having one of their season's defining game against the other (PSU @ U-M 1994, U-M @ PSU 1997).
Some legitimate dislike between some players and fans.
------------
Since 1999 it hasn't been the same. PSU stumbled around on-the-field for most of the early 2000s. Then U-M stumbled once PSU righted itself. Then you-know-what happened once U-M righted itself.
Since 1999, only in 2002 have (a) U-M and PSU played, and (b) both teams finished in the Top 20.
But the potential to return to the 1993-1999 era does remain, IMO.
October 12th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
The '93, '94, and '99 Penn State-Michigan games in particular were incredibly good. In '93, Michigan got a big goal line stand and a Derrick Alexander punt return TD to win in Happy Valley. The '94 game was a shootout between two great offenses (UM had T. Collins, Wheatley, Biakabatuka, Toomer, Hayes, Riemersma, Runyan, et al., Penn State had K. Collins, Ki-Jana Carter, Bobby Engram, and others). And the '99 game was indescribably awesome.
October 12th, 2013 at 10:06 AM ^
Even though Penn State is going through tough times right now this is a natural rivalry. Two great programs playing every year, I think we will see some exciting match ups in the very near future. I love that the B1G is going to a nine game schedule. As always I agree with Bo, "TO HELL WITH NOTRE DAME"
October 12th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
October 12th, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^
Aren't we playing them under the lights next year presumably? I think with more night games and being in the same division yes. To them, I think we are already their most-hated rival. So while it pains me to acknowledge them I think it's a decent fit. I would put them at 3rd behind Ohio and Sparty obvs. Plus that loss in basketball still stings a little. That was just horse shit.
October 12th, 2013 at 2:34 PM ^
October 12th, 2013 at 5:48 PM ^
Penn State? They're in the Big Ten Conference? Whatever.
No, thanks. We have great rivals from, uh, our conference. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwstern, Iowa, Illinois. Hostory that dates back to the Western Conference.
Just because some cable tv executives figured out how to monetize Pennsylvania, New York and Washington, DC, doesn't change my fandom.