I think that winning the first game against Western will be pretty important. It would be a nice way to begin the Hoke era, and a great confidence gainer heading into the Notre Dame game.
We are going to be an unproven, somewhat young team that is in transition. Getting everything clicking before ND comes to town will be huge.
Michigan State, no question. It's where we get into the real meat of our schedule and we have lost 3 in a row against them. If our boys take this game I think it really sets the tone for the rest of the season and will give them a HUGE boost of confidence. Notre Dame would be a good win but I don't think it's make or break because it's out of conference.
Easy, the next one ......
Agreed.
At least until we're 14-0. Then we can let off the gas a bit.
I find it tough to call an out of conference game the most important. Plus, it's the second game in a new regime, I can't really say it's do or die. I'll give the most important title to msu given the last three years, and that it's our first true b1g test.
ND could set a tone for the season, so I understand what the OP is saying. But if we beat MSU on the road, this team will have tons of momentum moving into the second half of the season.
I agree that MSU is the key game of the season (besides OSU). While I have expressed in this forum my blinding hatred for all things Notre Dame, we have pretty much owned them the last 5 years and they are not in the B1G conference so a loss to the Domers isn't as damaging.
The MSU game is the 7th game of the season and kicks off the second half of our schedule. We have lost 3 in a row to Sparty (I can't believe I had to type those words in my lifetime!) and it is imperative that we end that streak ASAP. MSU is not only in our conference, but in our division, making that a key game by default. Finally, Michigan has owned Sparty re: in-state recruiting for 2012 but a lot of that positive recruiting momentum could be lost if we lose again to MSU.
Having said all of that, I don't have a high level of confidence that UM will be able to beat MSU in East Lansing this year. I think we will have to wait until 2012 to see the series turn back to its "natural state."
Sure, we've won 4 of the last five, but two of those were two coaching staffs ago, the other two were down to the wire wins, and the one loss was a miserable pummeling in the cold, cold rain that gave birth to "CATCH THE DAMN BALL!"
But yea I still think MSU is bigger, mostly for our psyche as you say. I think Notre Dame will be a pretty good team this year too, but since MSU is something of a favorite to win the division I certainly think a win there would be huge
MSU, in my opinion, is the most important game of the year.
Even when we kind of suck, we manage to beat ND. Tate did it; Denard broke records doing it. I don't think a win over ND will mean as much.
MSU, however, has deflated our seasons in recent years.
In 2009, Michigan started 4-0, we cracked the top-25, Tate made the cover of SI and was talked about for the Heisman. MSU was in a slump, but used the rivalry game to bounce back and carry momentum for the rest of the season. Our only win after the MSU game was against Delaware State.
Last year, MSU against ruined our unbeaten record by beating us 34-17 at home and the game wasn't even as close as the score indicates. We never looked like we were going to win that game. It sparked a 3-game losing streak with our only wins coming against Illinois and Purdue after that.
Beating ND will be nice, but beating MSU will be the what gives this team the momentum it needs to have a decent season. Espeically since it's in EL.
Minnesota.
The brown jug (bar) would not be the same without the brown jug (trophy). Nick sheridans legacy will forever remaining for getting that bad boy before a 2 year break with the gophers.
If I was Brady Hoke, I wouldn't even have the brown jug on the sideline because they beat us about once every 20 years
Sparty must go down. Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison have, as Saint Dantonio would say, dominated instate recruiting this year. They've done it with on the strength of the Michigan Man meme, Mattison's resume, and Hoke's charisma. They've done it with the "promise" that Michigan is "headed in the right direction." This season, though, they have to prove it on the field.
A victory over Sparty spoils their delusions of competence. It shuts them up for at least a year, or at least makes their never-ending bragging ring hollow. Most of all, since MSU is not a national brand in football, it erodes their main recruiting base: instate talent.
Michigan's fate insn't tied to that of Sparty, but Sparty's fate is tied to that of Michigan. Sparty thrives when Michigan is down, and sucks when Michigan is at an elite level. The elite level is probably at least a year away, but shutting up Sparty would accelerate the process in the perception of instate recruits.
Most of all, beating MSU would put them right back where they belong: significantly lower than Michigan on the food chain.
you nailed it here. msu def biggest game due to all the 'lil bro factors.
I want to beat state and osu and neb as much as everyone else, but I think a successful season is going to be had by beating teams that you should beat and based on the last few years, we should not beat MSU. NW, on the other hand, should be good but not great and they really should be the 5th win of the year, leaving purdue, iowa, or Illinois for bowl eligible win number 6 or 7.
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<br>A win vs MSU would be great after so many years, but I think that KEY games should be tossup games, almost even, which... sigh. I think we are another year off from being at a realistic level to beating our big rivals.
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MSU is not unbeatable. They lose three starters off their OL, IIRC, and our DL has the potential to be the best in the Big Ten next year. Everytime that Cousins got pressured last year, he made very poor decisions/throws. Woolfolk + Avery will make for a better secondary and the linebackers will hopefully be at least in position to make a tackle and prevent a long run to the end zone.
The biggest question is how much can Denard improve in the passing game between now and then? If he throws three picks, two being in the end zone, then we won't win, any other situation gives us a very good chance at a win.
Every game is... but Sparty is by far the most meaningful this season.
Everyone says MSU and I don't disagree with OSU, but I think it is ND. that is the first big game of the year, and a big win there sets Hoke up for a nice little run and shows people that this team can compete with a good team despite the coaching change.
It's always OSU. This is Michigan. Let's not lose persective. There are games that might have some extra meaning that they may not in other years, but nothing supplants the game. Ever. (Except maybe a national championship game. Maybe.)
1) tsio 2) msu 3) nebraska 4) iowa 5) northwestern 6) minnesota 7) illinois 8) purdue 9) nd 10) wmu 11) sdsu 12) emu
All B1G games first .. then the non conference.
Go Blue !
I like your "win the big ten" mentality. But...
1) tsio 2) msu 3) neb 4) ND 5) Iowa 6) northwestern 7) Illinois 8) sdsu 9) purdue 10) minn 11) wmu 12) emu
Notre Dame is just that important to me. Neb edged it bc of how tough they are and how nice it would be to beat them the first time here. And I have to promote sdsu for obvious embarrassing reasons if we lost that game.
The OP mentioned other than ohio so it has to be Sparty. I hate seeing my stupid neighbors proud to wear their spartan gear again...
Denard, please help me to say...get off my block!!!!
Jan 1st. Rose bowl. National stage. Denard Robinson. Gotta come up big.
Rose Bowl is on the 2nd this year but that would be nice!
it's tsio. I live outside Columbus and I'm tired of taking crap from ignorant fans around here. The favorite comeback to my comments on the Tat 5 is "at least we beat Michigan". I know I'd rather lose with quality players than win with cheaters.
I'm most Interested in the Western game to see Denard in live game action in the new offense.
OSU, and in my opinion - it's not even close.
They will be "down" this year, and it will be especially embarassing if we cannot beat them. Sparty would be second.
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MSU hands down, Michigan can't lose 4 straight to them, losing to them again would just be brutal.
I think the most meaningful game is, as always, tsio. But I think the most important game is easily ND. Without a win here we have no momentum and the players have no confidence. A win in the first night game in Big House history, under all the hype and scrutiny will do wonders for the players.
I think the most meaningful game is, as always, tsio. But I think the most important game is easily ND. Without a win here we have no momentum and the players have no confidence. A win in the first night game in Big House history, under all the hype and scrutiny will do wonders for the players.