MSU or OSU? What's best for Michigan Football

Submitted by HokelessRomantic on
Ok, so I'm arguing with one of my buddies who is clearly insane, but perhaps a different explanation of why it's better for Michigan if State wins this game vs OSU? My take is that OSU has no shot at the playoff even with a win tonight, but if Sparty wins, they certainly control their destiny. Why do I care? Well, OSU has established a dominance over M already, but we have still been able to recruit well in Ohio, so I'm less concerned about the gap widening with them as it's already pretty freaking wide. As for Sparty, more success for them directly impacts in-state recruiting and I think it's more important to manage that situation right now. Basically, I want what's best for UM, and to me, that means Sparty losing tonight and virtually eliminating them from the playoff picture. Am I not correct here?
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Tater

November 9th, 2014 at 12:45 AM ^

In sports kayfabe, I hate both teams but I respect OSU.  I have no respect for Sparty.  It is bad for football when they are too good.  

It is bad for Michigan when Sparty is good.  OSU will always be good.  There is no parallel universe in which it is good for Michigan when Sparty makes the playoff.  

Joined: 08/13/2008

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Bando Calrissian

November 8th, 2014 at 9:45 PM ^

Honestly, I just don't care anymore. Michigan State losing tonight doesn't appreciably change the positive trajectory Dantonio has up there, much less the well-oiled machine of the Hollis/Dantonio/Izzo trifecta in their Athletic Department. And the Buckeyes are going to Buckeye, either way.

Really, we're falling apart on our own. MSU or OSU winning or losing does nothing to change the poor player development, hilariously inept in-game coaching, poor effort, and completely toxic AD culture that got us to where we are.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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Lucky Socks

November 8th, 2014 at 10:58 PM ^

But we fired the AD we hate, and we're 2-0 since then (and playing marginally better...I know, I know, it's relative).  Plus our basketball team is established, and we have the talent and foundation for a quick turnaround with a good coaching hire.  

I agree that we're our own worst enemy, but I think we're already working on the remedy for that.  Therefore I think this OP has a fair question.  I'll take OSU tonight.  My Spartan brother sent me a video of a newspaper calling MSU one game away from being a national power, and flipped to the next page where Michigan and Northwestern were "desparate programs fighting for a bowl."  I'd love to point out that pride comes before that fall tomorrow.  Also, taking shit about Michigan on the eve of your biggest game in the program's recent history?  Classic Sparty.  

Joined: 01/18/2012

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aiglick

November 9th, 2014 at 12:21 AM ^

The game in Evanston last year was much better than this year. Holy cow did both teams look inept and clueless. If we play like we did today then Maryland is going to ream us in the Big House. At that point there's virtually no way we make a bowl since OSU apparently dominated the team that dominated us in their own place.

Michigan needs to improve and quickly. This shit is completely unacceptable given the incredible money and support lavished on this program.

Just speaking the truth and yeah I now it's a #hottake but dang that game was hilariously awful.

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HokelessRomantic

November 8th, 2014 at 9:44 PM ^

From anything that happens in this game. On the flip side, do you think michigan is in no way impacted if Sparty wins this game, gets to te playoff and wins the natty? I disagree my man, I think that's an absolute disaster for M recruiting and perception.

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Waves

November 8th, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^

If you live in Michigan you're surrounded by knuckle-dragging Sparty chest thumpers. I want them to lose. All the time. By as much as physically possible.

Joined: 11/11/2013

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schreibee

November 8th, 2014 at 10:47 PM ^

This viewpoint is SOO Sparty. I grew up not giving much of a good God Damn what Sparty did or said. Aside from Magic's 2 years there was never a period from the day Bo & Johnny Orr showed up until Izzo and then Dantonio showed up that we weren't better than msu in EVERYTHING! Well...we've got the right person running the hoops program now. Let's get the right guy in for football and let events return to the natural order of things. In other words - F**K ohio, rooting for them so u don't have to listen to your sparty copy guy or dog walker pop off is weak!

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Coldwater

November 8th, 2014 at 9:43 PM ^

What's best for Michigan is Hoke getting fired the Monday after The Ohio game.

Both teams tonight are light years ahead of U of M, so what happens is irrelevant

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OSUMC Wolverine

November 8th, 2014 at 9:44 PM ^

Watching MSU march up and down on OSU with manball....can you imagine Alabama style manball with 30lb/OL more and a 240lb back.  We are a bad team in a miserable conference.  MSU and OSU both would not even be in the conversation for winning the conference at this point in the season if in the Big12/SEC/Pac10.

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Gentleman Squirrels

November 8th, 2014 at 9:46 PM ^

I don't think it matters either way for Michigan. State has done well enough in the past few years that recruits know they're good. Even if they lose, losing to a good OSU team is better than the hilariously awful display we showed today against NW. Really the only way that we save in-state recruiting is we start winning again. Make the game against State (at least) competetive again. When the win gap between State and Michigan decreases, then recruits will automatically flock towards Michigan because we quite objectively are the better school.

As for out of state recruiting, OSU has control of ohio. There is no other school in ohio that they have to compete with for recruits and they've been good for years now. Really, there's nothing we can do there except (once again) start winning again and show that we can keep up with (and eventually surpass) them.

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flashOverride

November 8th, 2014 at 9:53 PM ^

I am very much of the "Ohio State is already established" way of thinking. They aren't going away no matter what. Not that MSU is either, at least not any time soon, but yes, the prestige a playoff appearance or, heaven forbid, a National Championship would bring them would be a disaster for Michigan. They need to lose.* 

I know it really doesn't matter as long as Hoke is around, but I'd prefer the next guy isn't dealing with a Mark Dantonio fresh off a National Championship.

*Any State fan who says I'm petty for this can go to hell. I'm thinking about what's best for Michigan's program. I'm doing my postgrad at MSU and work in Lansing, I overhear what you talk about, and you were saying the exact same thing when Beilein's squad was playing for the National Championship: it would be catastrophic for us if they won, so fuck them. Well, the feeling is reciprocated.

 

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victorsvaliant01

November 8th, 2014 at 10:02 PM ^

We are used to OSU dominating this conference and being on the national scene every season. This nouveau riche shit attitude of MSU is beyond sickening--they need to go the fuck back in their usual shithole ASAP. I HATE HATE HATE their alumni and fanbase.

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