Would You Rather Beat MSU or OSU This Season?

Submitted by OaklandInPlay on

Being that this is the first season under the Harbaugh regime, it would wise to temper our expectations. However, it's pretty safe money that we won't lose both games at home with Rudock under center. Assuming we beat at least one them, which one do you prefer? OSU or MSU?

Hail85

July 9th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^

He would be their fourth string because he, in no way, fits the QB profile in thier system.  He seems to be as good of a pocket passer/game manager if you take away their running ability.  He won't be expected to create yardage with his legs here.

Trebor

July 9th, 2015 at 9:03 AM ^

Awfully confident that we won't lose both games. What makes you think it's 'safe money' that we beat either of them, even if both games are at home?

As to the question, OSU each and every day.

ijohnb

July 9th, 2015 at 9:04 AM ^

Michigan State.  We need a decisive win over State.  We are not contending for a national championship and I really don't care about playing spolier to OSU right now. We badly need to swing the tide with MSU.  I think it is seriously becoming a mental thing right now where there is not a whole lot of belief that we can beat State.  That needs to stop with authority this year.

rainingmaize

July 9th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^

About 99% of the time, I would say OSU, even more so if they are supposed to be a candidate for an undefeated season. However, OSU and a National Championship are the ultimate end games for Harbaugh, neither of which we are supposed to be anywhere close to. We aren't expected to beat them this year, and everyone knows that. MSU is more realistic, and one win would be enough to both shut up those in denial Sparty's, and restablish dominance in our own state. Plus MSU couldn't care if we go 11-1, if that one loss was to them, they wouldn't shut up for another year.

Jevy

July 9th, 2015 at 9:05 AM ^

Alright, I know everyone will give me shit for this but we always lose to OSU, what is one more year going to make? I wanna beat State so bad and shut their mouths and let them know we are back. To them all that matters is the past 7 years and won't bring up history, but in basketball all they want to talk about is history!!! I'm sorry I just want them to know their place,....starting this year. GO BLUE!!!!

Everyone Murders

July 9th, 2015 at 9:12 AM ^

It's not as clear-cut to me, but I'd go with OSU for a few reasons:

  • It's the end of the season, so a win there shows that after a full season of Harbaugh the team is really turning the corner. I always want to see the team getting better with each game played (consistent with Harbaugh's mantra of getting better each day).
     
  • National prestige - I think the program gets much more attention nationally from beating OSU than MSU.  For those of us who've moved out of the state, it's surprising how many people remain generally unaware of MSU.
     
  • There's a decent possibility that beating OSU would scuttle their two-peat aspirations.  Buckeye tears are delicious (based on some sadly distant memories).

Spartan tears are delicious too, and I would love to see that program take a step back now that Pat Narduzzi is at Pitt.  A loss to them is always difficult to stomach.  But beating OSU? - I'll take that one, thanks-ver-much.

Kermits Blue Key

July 9th, 2015 at 9:13 AM ^

There is no rather. We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. Here, in the streets, in competition: A man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy. We need to beat them both.

M Gulo Gulo

July 9th, 2015 at 9:15 AM ^

OSU all day! It is THE Game!!

MSU will whine and complain no matter what just like a *insert smaller sibling reference here*. Don't know many teams that are so insecure with themselves they need to gloat to the point of putting the score of a game against a 5-7 team on their bowl game ring.

OSU may be a bunch of ass hats but there is a mutual respect. We would not be who we are without them as they would not be who they are without us. Ruining their perfect season would be oh so sweet...plus the Harbaugh meyer handshake at the end could be glorious similar to the Harbaugh  Schwartz...then again that might be a more dantonio raction...

poseidon7902

July 9th, 2015 at 9:20 AM ^

Sadly, the MSU fans have gotten to the point of being more moronic than OSU fans, and that's a hard feat to accomplish.  This is driven by the fact that they have pretty much abused us in any way shape or form in the last 7 years.  it needs to stop.  Put Sparty right back where they were before.  A team that regularly imploded around game 5 of the season and finished out in the middle to bottom of the B1G.  That being said, in a perfect scenario would be for us to beat MSU and MSU to beat OSU.  I don't want the pressure of beating an undefeated OSU team.  It'll be fun to spoil their season, but realistically speaking MSU is the closer option this year.  

BLHoke

July 9th, 2015 at 9:23 AM ^

The answer is always your biggest rival. That answer is amplified exponentially when you've only managed to beat them once in the last decade and they're coming off of back to back seasons where first, they were undefeated... And then, they win the first playoff outright and your team had a legitimate shot to upset them in both games.

SWPro

July 9th, 2015 at 9:23 AM ^

If we win a close game OSU. If the win is a blowout MSU. I deal with more irrational MSU fans on a day to day basis. If we win close I'll just "we would have won at home" or "you only won because of call X". Won't get that from the OSU people I work with. If we smash MSU there will be no discussion.

Surveillance Doe

July 9th, 2015 at 9:27 AM ^

Even putting all emotions and, especially, hatred aside, the correct answer should still be Ohio State. Unfortunately, Urban has done enough to justify some of the "legend" talk he gets. He just took care of Saban on the way to winning a national title, and it's completely rational for people to rank him as the best coach in college football right now. Having Harbaugh come in and demonstrate that he is superior head-to-head right off the bat would be huge for the momentum of the program, and there's no better way to get inside someone's head than to never let them beat you. Beatin Brutus would be massive this year.

Basically, beating Sparty says we're a player in the B1G; beating Brutus says we're a player nationally.

Davymac97.

July 9th, 2015 at 9:24 AM ^

I've asked the same thing to friends and family.

I'm going with the unpopular answer, MSU.

Reasoning:  My hatred for MSU has grown very signifcantly over the years.  I'm sick of Dantonio and the smug ass look on his face and his petty jabs.  I'm sick of spartan fans constantly rubbing their recent record against us in our face and mocking us for being excited about Harbaugh.  I'm sick of being looked at as the second tier program in the state.

Beating MSU in Harbaugh's first year would send a strong message to MSU - "Hey Jolly green giants, the good times are over".   Reestablishing our dominance over MSU I believe is the first step in our return to a power program.

Also, please don't get me wrong, I LOATHE Ohio State.  However, strictly speaking for this year, If I could only choose one, I'd much rather beat MSU seeing as OSU is coming off a national title.  Of course I want Michigan to destroy them both.

Anyone feel the same way?

blockm97

July 9th, 2015 at 9:24 AM ^

OSU is a national rivalry.  There are very few CFB rivalries that compare.  10 years ago it was widely regarded as the best rivalry in CFB.  Then we quit holding up our end of the bargain and the rivarly has suffered.  The point is this;  we have something special with OSU.  If we can start beating them again The Game will be quickly and noticeably be elevated above MSU by everyone.  

My pick:  OSU without a second thought.

modabomb

July 9th, 2015 at 9:29 AM ^

I don't think we're going to beat either, contrary to what OP states, despite playing both at home, and Harbaugh, because both teams have great QBs and coaches, and are in waaaaay more stable situations. Plus, they're set up to manhandle us in the trenches. With that being said, I'd take an MSU win over an OSU win because I've interacted with both Spartans fans and OSU fans plenty over the last few years, and the OSU fans have been infinitely more respectful and respectable. OSU's still a bigger rival, but the need to cram Sparty's newfound arrogance right back into their faces trumps that this year.

Jeff09

July 9th, 2015 at 9:45 AM ^

Not so fast re: your comment about the trenches. I think our d line is going to give run games absolute hell this year. Our o line will be much much better than anything we've seen in the past years just given the coaching improvement and experience. I'm much more worried about skill positions right now

modabomb

July 9th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^

I think we should be competent on the o-line and good on the d-line (so much depth!). My concern isn't that they'll be a weakness for us but that they'll be overwhelming strengths for the other two. Perhaps MSU won't "manhandle" us but both they and OSU will have clear advantages. But I think you're right about the skill positions being a more pressing concern.

alum96

July 9th, 2015 at 10:36 AM ^

Try to be a bit realistic.  OSU manhandled the same MSU D line that dominated us.  And yes it wasnt a blow out until the 2nd half blah blah but OSU did whatever they wanted vs MSU's D all game long.  That was with an OL that was completely rebuilt on the fly and gets lost in the OSU QB spectacle - their OL surged like you rarely see in 1 year.  Then again - while QB got all the attention in the playoffs the OL handled Bama beautifully.   Then Oregon.

Their DL has Bosa - Id' say the DTs are a wash.  But we dont have anything within 3 iterations of Bosa.

As for MSU they have a returning All American center and a 1st round draft pick at LT along with two 5th year seniors and a very good sophomore as their starting 5.  Their DL features a NFL draft pick end, a potential draft pick at DT and another decent DT.  All 3 are 5th year Srs.  The only question is their other DE.  Who might be Lawrence Thomas if they swing him out wide rather than DT.

Games are owned in the trenches and outside of DTs we dont have anything other than a wash with the info we have now.  Maybe Drevno pulls the same stunt OSU did last year with incredible 3 month development on the OL but thats a conversation for Nov.   I do remember when we pulled down this 2012 OL class the board talk was this was the line that would lead us to a NC in 15/16.  It wasnt aboout the QB - it was about how epic this line would be.  Great lines mean a ton.

I think the right coach is finally in line for the Oline to be back to old Michigan standards down the road but who knows how far down the road.  Meanwhile the units for those 2 teams are considered team strengths.  We are in hope phase.

youn2948

July 9th, 2015 at 9:30 AM ^

Like to beat them most, moves the needle.  Let MSU be MSU.  Luckily I'm not in MI anymore to encounter MSU fans so they really don't bother me very much anymore.