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Date Title Body
You're joking, right?

Not only did someone paint the Spartan statue in maize and blue just last spring, the actual statue had to be replaced in 2005 with a new statue, because the terra cotta statue (standing since 1945) could no longer withstand the damage of being painted by UM fans and refinished over and over again.

Not to mention the MSU marching band now has a 24-hour watch over the statue during UM week; because UM fans have painted the statue so many times in the past.

You have got to be joking if you think painting the block M once is even close to as bad as what UM fans have done to the Spartan statue over the years.

Conversely

Out of all the inappropriate or disrespectful reactions that could have been had, rushing the ball for a TD to expand the lead at the end of the game, then answering the media's questions about the stake-plant don't even crack the top 200 for me...

Stripes

I'm pretty sure they used to refer to themselves as 'The Three Stripes Company", I used to have a t-shirt that had that slogan on it.

Relatively speaking, I actually quite like portions of these. For example, I love that the coloring is much closer to a true maize, as opposed to the highlighter color that the apparel has been trending towards. Though I'm not a fan of the striping, I think it looks way better in the more toned down version presented here, especially when compared to the bumble bees.

come on boys

I know you've got better than this.

These would be eaten alive by the Izzone. I want a good playing environment, so I need you to work harder!

I think the best signs are the ones that only 1/2 of people understand. It needs to be confusing to some people. Something like;

 

"Hey, Abel, let's go for a walk..."

Come on now, admit it

If MSU didn't lose again, you would still discredit their season somehow. Fact is, the last 2 times MSU has beaten UM, they've produced two 11 win seasons, a B1G title, a division title/BCG berth, and the B1G's only significant win over an SEC team in, what, 10 years?

The win prior to those, MSU had a losing record coming into the game due to an elongated QB battle, and used the UM win as a base for a bowl berth.

The win prior to that, MSU played @PSU the final game of the season for a share of the B1G championship.

The "UM is MSU's Super Bowl" meme is tired and invalid. Wise up and pay attention.

I agree with mostly everything you say

With a couple added points of clarity.

OL is definitely the issue on offense, as far as identifying talent, but they were able to identify a kid very late in the cycle who has paid huge dividends for them; RS-FR Jack Conklin (walk-on or grey-shirt). This could mean that they've been identifying the talent, they just haven't been able to coach it, which brings me to the second point...

Bollman is technically the TE coach/co-OC. He isn't technically the OL coach. That having been said, I'm guessing he's teaching Staten/Warner/Dantonio a thing or two about how to coach an OL. If he is, they could be learning these things for the long haul, ultimately having a better OL coaching staff as a result. If that's the case: lookout. That would be trouble if they can consistently put together a solid to above-average line. If they ever get premier recruits on the OL and put together a dominant OL, well, then they could be destined for something.

We'll see

MSU loses:
DT Tyler Hoover
DT Micajeh Reynolds
Losses, definitely, but they rotate 4-5+ DT's as it is, and have Kittredge, who arguably would have been their best DT, barely playing b/c he missed some games early.

MIKE Max Bullough
SAM Denicos Allen
These will probably be the biggest losses. Bullough is especially a stud and will be tough to replace.

SS Isaiah Lewis
BC Darqueze Dennard
Lewis will be replaced by the better of RJ Williamson, who filled in quite well for Drummond last year, and Demetrious Cox, the 4* out of PA that has been talked about heavily.
Dennard will be trickier to replace, but it's hard to doubt Dantonio replacing CB's. One of Darian Hicks, Jermaine Edmondson, or Ezra Robinson will replace the FC spot when Waynes moves to BC.

MSU does lose talent after this year, but have replaced many great players on D, and seems capable to.

The issues arise on offense, where MSU has to replace 3 starters on the OL, and Bennie Fowler, who was excellent today. Treadwell leaves at LG, France at RG, and Fonoti at RT. Travis Jackson and Jack Allen will probably split up C and one of the G positions, as they both play heavily at C and have both subbed in at G. The biggest question marks will be the other G spot and RT. Will be interesting to see if Jack Conklin (RS-FR starting at LT) was a fluke, or if the staff really can identify and develop talent like that. Also, a developed Cook could be really good. Will be interesting to see.

Will he?

I don't know if Trout will get his chance. He seems to be having a season similar to Bosch's, just is more talented than Bosch so his descent isn't as obvious and his peak was higher.

I hope

I really hope Ondre is okay. Neck injuries are always a terrifying ordeal. I'm glad it sounds like it wasn't too serious.

As for tRCMB, everything I've read has echoed these comments. When it comes to serious issues like this, they seem able to set aside the cretinism.

So many geniuses on one board...

Yet nobody notices the date difference?

This completely disregards any advancements or improvements MSU has made over the past decade...

Which Ohio

Which Ohio again?

Mostly Jokes

Most of the posts you're referring to are seemingly jokes. Additionally, there are multiple posters who are not actual Spartan fans.

Yep

Just like Chris Allen and Korie Lucious, right?

Let's at least represent the story fairly

The decision to not prosecute was made by a UM grad who has been plenty firm with rulings on players before (was the same person who led the Rather Hall charges, which were fairly harsh).

Additionally, the victim's story had multiple incongruencies each time she told the story.

Funny you mention that

Valenti was posed almost this exact question during his show, and he openly stated that UM's football program is way better than MSU's, and that it would take many years of continued success for MSU to be in the same conversation. He only stated that MSU has been a better team the past 4 years, which has been accurate, just like UM had a better basketball team in 2011.

I thought so too, until...

Did you hear the crosstalk? I was sure that it was contrived anger and that this was all precreated, except two things tipped me off.

One) During the rant, T-Fos seemed to genuinely ask Valenti to calm down, in almost a whisper voice that seemed like it wasn't meant to be caught on-air. By itself, I would simply say that it was an incredible acting job, except for factor number

Two) During their crosstalk, they were both yelling at each other. Caputo actually said that Valenti should "shut your d*** pie-hole". It was almost personal, with Valenti almost discrediting Caputo as a journalist, and Caputo spouting back about Valenti not "looking at the facts". If it was contrived (and it's definitely plausible that the station would try to utilize Valenti to boost the ratings of Caputo's pathetic radio presence) then it is the single most convincing performance that I've heard out of either of the two, particularly Caputo.

props

Props to mgobloggers here, giving credit when it's due. This course would be wicked awesome... wish I was still a student...

Haha

Such a terrible misconception...

Correct me if I'm wrong

Sorry if I'm mistaken, but isn't UM devoid of a communications program? The generally accepted career path for radio careers?

It doesn't matter...

It's derived from an underlying philosophy that most UM fans who don't have a natural allegiance to the school (i.e. - attendance) are simply bandwagon fans that only root for UM due to them historically being a winning program. It is an attempt to associate these fans with the likes of Yankee fans across the nation that simply want to take the 'easy route' and root for the winningest organization.

In a sense, it's a backhanded compliment, stating that rooting for UM is the easiest route because they always win.

I think it was first aimed at those outside of the state who root for UM without attending, as it is to be expected that kids growing up within the state would likely choose a school to root for. However, it has since spread not only to non-attending UM fans within the state, but as a blanket reference to UM fans in general.

It is only semi-derogatory and hardly harmful. I view it as on par with referring to the MSU community as 'Sparty', and believe it much less offensive than referring to MSU/East Lansing as 'East Landfill'.

Hard to argue with this.

It doesn't help that there is seemingly a large number of people on there who seemingly don't care about sports at all and are simply there to blow smoke. I wish MSU had a site with good sports analysis and insight....

Pfft

I don't know who you're talking to, but MSU fans do not think that MSU is an elite football power. That is absurd to claim that this is the common perception.

The truest form

The truest form of a Walmart Wolverine is Mr. William McAllister, talk-show personality on 97.1 The Ticket. He is self stated a UM football fan and an MSU basketball fan. If there were a nickname for it, he would also qualify as the equivalent for MSU bball.

MSU fans use the term Walmart Wolverine way too much, and, having seen that it irritates some Michigan fans/grads, some of us tend to use it way more.

Really?

Are you serious? Listen to your own arguments. Below are the QB's;

- Maxwell: RS-Jr. Rivals 4* recruit who has had 3 solid seasons learning the system and learning from a great leader in Cousins. Has been rumored to be developing very well. Had beaten out Joe Boisture (very highly touted recruit in the 2010 class) prior to Boisture having to retire due to injury.

 

- Budamyr: RS-Jr. Rivals 3* recruit who has been in and out of development due to some serious nerve issues in his throwing arm. Seemingly no better than a 50/50 chance at being healthy.

- Phillips: RS-Sr. Rivals 4* recruit who came in quite highly touted as a dual-threat QB. Beat out Budamyr as a RS-Fr in 2009, when Budamyr was a true freshman. Was seemingly progressing well, until he tore his right ACL. In all, he ended up tearing his right ACL twice, and has experienced multiple setbacks to his recovery. There is serious doubt whether Phillips will be healthy for fall camp, and him being healthy by then is viewed as a best-case scenario. Even if he is healthy, there is even more doubt about how effective he might be as a running QB when he hasn't had full use of his right leg for so long.

- Brennan: RS-So. Rivals 3* recruit who came in and ended up being Wilson's backup in 2011 as a RS-Fr b/c there was nobody else available. Has limited game experience, and has reportedly had an average progression thus far.

- Stave: RS-Fr. Walk-on player who enrolled early and will be in his second Spring session. There have been rumors that if came to a head-to-head competition, Stave would beat out Brennan for the starting job. I firmly believe that starting a RS-Fr walk-on is a near disaster situation. Even the coaches weren't confident enough to extend the kid a scholarship, and yet he is progressing faster than Brennan?

- Houston. True Fr. Rivals 3* recruit who is considered the most highly regarded recruit at the QB position. Was unable to enroll early, so will not hit campus until August. It is highly unlikely that Houston is able to start in 2012, but the QB situation is so dire that it can't be ruled out, and in the poll linked above he is voted as the far and away 2nd most likely starter (behind Stave).

 

So, per your own statement, which of Wisconsin's QBs is a "garbage time QB with similar rankings"? For my money, it appears that there is only Phillips, who has had extensive injury issues. So how is Wisconsin's QB situation better?

Ridiculous

This is an absolutely absurd statement.

We aren't discussing transfers or CC players with O'Brien and Wilson. These are players who have completed their bachelor degrees and are going elsewhere to pursue a graduate degree in their field that their original school doesn't offer.

Is there potential for abuse? Absolutely. But it would be pretty awful to insinuate such a thing with literally no evidence whatsoever.

In the case of O'Brien, the kid finished his bachelor degree program in just 3 years on campus. That isn't the MO of a slacker or a student unwilling to put the work in.

You want to investigate Auburn for Cam Newton and Nick Fairley? I can't argue.

You want to investigate Alabama b/c Saban is an unobstructed DB? I'm not stopping you.

You want to investigate Oregon for paying well connected recruiters to deliver some highly touted players? I'm on board.

You want to investigate OSU b/c Urban Meyer has got to be doing something wrong, or has a magical Jafar-like staff? I'll enjoy watching.

Even if you want to investigate Wisconsin for a handful of other reasons, it's fine with me. But this is not the area where they are doing anything unethical at all.

Eh

I don't think MSU has actually pursued him at all. Actually, I think the rumors are predicated on somebody inside the O'Brien camp listing a few schools that they thought O'Brien might approach about the situation. This likely was simply a mix of schools that have a major that applies to him and have also had some on-field success (with the exception of Vanderbilt, who was probably included due to O'Brien's relationship with their coach).

Also, as O'Brien will be pursuing a graduate degree (after graduating this spring), he would not have to sit out and would be immediately eligible.

Wrong, it does apply.

You are factually incorrect on a couple points.

1. The school you transfer to has to offer a graduate degree, within your field of study, that your current school does not offer.

2. While O'Brien did just finish his sophomore season of athletic eligibility, that does not affect his academic status/progress. In actuality, O'Brien will graduate with a bachelors degree this spring. He is completing his 3rd year on campus (RS-So season), and I believe he enrolled early at Maryland and likely had multiple AP credits coming in as a freshman. Therefore, as he is graduating with a degree, this rule most definitely does apply.

In fairness

It's only a small difference, but most of Maxwell's completions last year were probably to the backup WR's who were put in for cleanup time.

Agreed

Agree with you on the 2nd half of your post. I would like someone to post the actual quote, in it's entirety, that qualified as complaining by Dantonio.

From what I had read, Dantonio didn't bring up the alleged 'gentelmen's agreement', nor did he complain about any direct issues with Meyer. I'm not disclaiming that it happened, I just want to know the full, unedited story...

Unfortunately

This does work both ways however, as Northfleet would likely have committed to MSU had his grades been order during the beginning of his recruitment.

Furthermore, just to play devil's advocate, Burbridge's quote to the Detroit News doesn't really scream "I wanted to go to UM!" When asked why he didn't choose UM he said, "I'm not a real fan of Michigan..."

Just saying that I found it interesting.

You mean like

You mean like when we approved our addition? Er...no...wait...MSU did that first...that's right.

What are you referencing?

With regards to the turf, what are you referencing? They just got new turf this year, and it takes a couple years to fully take hold...

You do realize

You do realize, of course, that not every student at MSU was rejected by UM, right?

Additional Info

For reference, the LED strip connecting the two north screens is diagrammed at 10' tall.

They didn't mention the expanding 'U2-like' video wall. If there was one, it would likely be between the two scoreboards on the north end. However, while the main components will be completed from 3/2012 - 7/2012, there are some aspects of it that will not be completed until 2013. There are some speculating that this additional construction period will be for the north facade improvements as well as, maybe, an additional 'expanding' function to the portion of the LED strip connecting the two north scoreboards. This is speculative and based on older rumors as much as the current proposal.

Additionally, this will include an improvement to the facade of the north end of the stadium. When it was originally approved for proposal in December, it included some seat additions.

Impossible

This would be impossible. Arnett is already enrolled and has already moved into his dorm on campus.

Additionally, it doesn't make much sense of the comments that originally started the rumor, which discussed a 4* recruit who had already committed, therefore not a transfer.

not that it matters...

But as an MSU alum, I can say Morris is the most jealous I've been of a UM recruit in recent memory. I'm no talent expert, but in my novice opinion Morris has every tool needed to succeed as early as year 1. I watched his highlight tape, and the kid was making professional throws as a sophomore. Add on top of that the fact that he's a southpaw? If I had to put money on it, I'd say he has a shot (with hard work, obviously) to be the next 'Andrew Luck' as far as eventual draft hype goes.

I thought this too, but...

I was of the same opinion until I thought about it a little more in depth.

At the beginning of the 2011 season, everyone said that the UM defense couldn't amount to anything. Players who were thought to be overrated, busts, or just bad players came out and were able to show their ability much better than expected. Players improved in the football basics and played very sound football.

I mean, I'm not a UM fan, but did insiders really know Kovacs could be as good of a player/leader as he was? If you did, then maybe my argument is invalid, but it seems to me that this coaching staff was able to do a phenomenal job of making due.

Note: I considered making the following statement a separate comment so this whole thing wouldn't go down in negative point flamage...

I think UM fans will get the opportunity to learn some aspects of building a team (NOTICE I did NOT say build a program, I'm not delusional). Over the last couple years, MSU has had to learn that there might be uncertainty at a couple positions, but to have faith the coaches would figure it out. Take Marcus Rush (class of 2010 DE, rivals rated as average 3-star player), for example. 1 year ago, not even the slappiest MSU slappy knew that Rush had more potential than a 2 year practice player with average hopes of cracking the 2-deep by his senior season. He redshirted, and this year came on quite strong, ultimately making the Football Writers Association's Freshman All-America team.

You might not have cared much about that, but I think it's something that UM will get to experience in 2012. Players that you weren't expecting will come out of nowhere and turn into solid contributors, maybe even studs.

UM has had it easy for the last...forever. You've known exactly who was coming up through the pipeline b/c you've had many good players. Now, players are going to surprise you. But have faith in your coaches, they're really good.

Additional info regarding MSU in 2012

 

Sorry for the depth on a topic many of you might not care to know too much about, but I figured accuracy and clarity were worth a few extra sentences.
  • Sonntag will definitely be a loss, but much more as the holder than as a receiver. In fact, losing him at WR will be negligible, at most.
  • MSU had 3 starting TE's in 2011. Brian Linthicum, Garrett Celek, and Dion Sims. Sims was actually the 2nd leading receiver of the 3. It would be more fair to say that MSU is losing 2 of their top 3 TE's. That having been said, this position group could find itself in trouble as MSU likes to utilize at least 2 TE's. There has been chatter about potential juco additions to help out here, or switching one of the many athletic DE's on the roster (2 redshirted DE's worked out at TE during bowl practices).
  • Andrew Maxwell, next year's starting QB, will be a RS-Jr, was the backup for 3 years and is the presumed starter for 2012 and 2013. Thus far he has been impressive when on the field and has turned some heads on the practice field as well. He is considered at least as physically talented as Cousins, and likely more skilled at reading/attacking defenses. That having been said, anyone who minimizes losing Cousins as a leader and flat out winner should be smacked in the face. It's near impossible for non-coaches to know whether an untested player has the 'it' factor until he plays.
  • The WR group definitely will have talent, but a lack of experience makes it anyone's guess how well they perform. Tony Lippett is a two-way contributor that has yet to be assigned one way or the other. The vast majority of his snaps last year were at CB, due to injury there. Additionally, Kieth Mumphery (will be a RS-So) and Andre Sims Jr. (will be a RS-Fr) are considered more likely 'next options' at WR than Fowler. Regardless, there are many question marks here. In trying to glean a positive in this situation, it is interesting to note that Maxwell will have worked with most of these potential WR's (other than Arnett and Burbridge) on the 2nd team offense for all of the 2011 season, and with some of them in 2010 also. So despite the lack of on field experience here, there will at least be some solid familiarity between the QB and several WR's. A small step, but a step nonetheless.
  • Baker actually wasn't the starter by midseason, and was not as good performance-wise as Bell from day 1. In fact, in every game other than those against Youngstown State and UM, Bell had more rushing yards. Add in the game against Florida Atlantic, and you have the 3 games that Baker had a better YPC. Add OSU to those 3, and you have the 4 games that Bell didn't outgain Baker by at least 1 YPC, most of the rest being by 2 YPC or more. Losing Baker will hurt, but not nearly as much as losing Bell would have. If MSU were forced to list 1 starter, Bell would be it, without a shadow of a doubt.
  • In actuality, there are two starting DT's lost, as Kevin Pickelman won the starting job by the CMU game (4th game of the season). Additionally, as I'm assuming this post used MSU's depth chart for the bowl game, Blake Pacheco was not Worthy's backup throughout the season. Anthony Rashad White, who started the bowl game in place of Pickelman, was Worthy's backup.
  • Andrew Maxwell, next year's starting QB, will be a RS-Jr, was the backup for 3 years and is the presumed starter for 2012 and 2013. Thus far he has been impressive when on the field and has turned some heads on the practice field as well. He is considered at least as physically talented as Cousins, and likely more skilled at reading/attacking defenses. That having been said, anyone who minimizes losing Cousins as a leader and flat out winner should be smacked in the face. It's near impossible for non-coaches to know whether an untested player has the 'it' factor until he plays.
  • Trenton Robinson's replacement will be either a RS-So or a Jr. It is still largely up in the air, but Kurtis Drummond currently leads, and will be a RS-So.
  • Not sure how/if this fits into your information, but Skylar Burkland started at RT for the first 3 games of the year, and was widely considered MSU's best O-Lineman to that point. However, he was injured for the season against ND. His recovery is on schedule, but there are always question marks surrounding any player's return from a serious injury. Additionally, I have absolutely how/where he would fit into the OL in 2012, as the returning starters had performed quite well in the last several games of the season as well as against Georgia. But if he returns to form, he will upgrade the OL in some capacity.

For what it's worth (and I know it likely won't be worth much), I anticipate the same tenacity out of MSU's defense from day 1 next year. Conversely, I expect the offense to steadily grow together, making it approximately equivalent to the 2011 offense by the UM game. 

 

Edit: On the whole though, great research and great idea.

Haha, really?

If that is true, it's the most dumb yet kinda funny thing ever. I've been watching, though, and didn't see it. Did I miss it? Or is it a regional thing?

Wouldn't shock me though. ESPN/ABC's distaste for MSU/UM has reared it's ugly head before, in having Matt Millen as a commentator for MSU-UM game last year...

Haha, really?

If that is true, it's the most dumb yet kinda funny thing ever. I've been watching, though, and didn't see it. Did I miss it? Or is it a regional thing?

I do what I can.

I would like to say, though, that there are many more civilized people on tRCMB than is typically believed/portrayed by many.

I think, really, both sides feels like the other side 'started it', and neither wants to 'be the bigger man', at least that's how it seems to someone with many friends on both sides. To me, it speaks to an idea that a poster from tRCMB had regarding a name for our rivalry/game; The Sibling Rivalry. Because, as civilized as it might start off, it gets petty reeeeeal quick, and I've witnessed this happen on both sides.

Just want to empathize

Greetings from tRCMB! Just wanted to stop by and empathize with you guys on the near-nightly Dukie suckfest that occurs on ESPN. It's irritating, at the least, everytime MSU plays them.

Also, I can't wait for MSU-UM in bball this year. I'll be honest and say that I didn't much care about the game for the past 10'ish years, but I am glad to say that you have officially 'caught our eye', for lack of a better phrase. I truly hope that the strides the UM program has taken under Beilein will lead to us having 2 legitimately elite programs in this state.

Go GREEN, and .... *cough* .... go blue....

Wrong

It isn't that he isn't interested. It's that he wants everyone to stop focusing on this, and I agree. We aren't little brother, let's stop acting like it.

I'm not sure

Seriously who cares about all of this. PLEASE STOP acting in the very same manner that makes them our little brother. I swear we're developing shadows of an inferiority complex.

 

For the record, they aren't last in the B1G academically, I think they're 9th or something...

haha

I LOL'd!!

Wrong. Vernon is not Tom's brother.

Among several errors, Vernon Gholston is not Tom's brother. Way to discredit your entire argument (which may all be valid!) by stating a factual inaccuracy.

Anyone want to re-do all this 'research' and post the actual results?

+1

+1

HAHA

Look at the UM weenies crying! You lost the game boys! Why don't you put your pull-ups back on and keep trying not to wet your pants!

Bo would be throwing up if he saw you pathetic excuses for UM people. I remember back when UM was a respectable oponent who whooped MSU's ass every year. What happened? Where did those fans go? The fans who used to applaud Lloyd for not suspending players for Gholstonesque play. Has the entire fanbase been wussified?

Real smart

They dumped it on the offensive coordinator, Dan Roushar, intentionally. It had very little to do with UM, and much more to do with MSU breaking the 200 rushing yards mark.

Come on guys, let's at least do research before taking pathetic jabs.

Absolutely

I completely agree that the school to the south is much more beatable than MSU was, depending on the weather. If it's snowy and cold, I'm not sure how well Denard will fail. And if we know anything, it's that as Denard goes, so goes the offense. Fortunately, that game will be in A2, and I like Hoke's mentality and the team being pumped up to provide an edge intangibles-wise.