Magnum P.I.

December 5th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^

Since 1970, Michigan has made 15 Rose Bowls. Sparty? Well Sparty would've doubled their appearances during that span had they not blown it this weekend. They'll always have 1988! Dantonio still needs to get over that hump to earn a spot as an MSU Trustee after he retires. 

Willis Ward

December 5th, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^

Could MSU's athletic director represent his team's fan base any more accurately than this?:

 

As for rival Michigan getting into a BCS bowl, Hollis said: "I don't really understand the BCS and the process that's used. It's really complicated."

 

Um, you have to win your conference or be in the top 14. That's it. You did neither. Yes, if you had been in the top 14 you would have been left out and Michigan would have been picked ahead of you. But that's not what happened, Sparty. The voters and computers think we're better than you. And I think they're right. But it's funny that MSU's fans, and even their wonderful and dreamy 5th year senior dear leader quarterback (btw, drew sharp had the stones to say that MSU is "saying all the right things" about Michigan going instead of them - way to not let facts get in the way of your story) are showing their insecurities about Michigan being chosen over them because of money and politics. Hard to argue with that and it no doubt would be true because we're Michigan, and you're not. But you weren't eligible because the voters and the computers think we're better than you. Stop making Boise state's argument for them. They've got beef. As does K State. But you don't.

 

Maybe don't get blown out by Notre Dame and Nebraska next time. Believe it or not "head to head" doesn't mean everything – or else Iowa State would be bitching about how they should be ranked ahead of Ok State. It's about a body of work. And people just don't like your body as much as ours. Sorry. I know missing out on the rose bowl for the 25th straight year is hard. But you'll survive. Hell, Northwestern has been there since you last were. If they can do it with a bunch of nerds surely your collection of past and future convicts will surely make it happen some day.

 

But if your athletic director doesn't understand (the guy that is paid to understand) then I shouldn't expect you to understand, brah.

 

Sparty on, little brother.

 

Love,

The Skunk Bears

Magnus

December 5th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves if we think our football team is better than a squad we've lost four consecutive games to and who beat us by two touchdowns this season.

I think Michigan has had a better season than MSU, but the scoreboard says they're better than us.

JohnCorbin

December 5th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^

I know the score was 28-14, but that was a one score game.  They were more physical than us that game, and I hope that doesn't happen next year.  I don't think Sparty takes 5 losing Cousins, Martin, Cunningham, and Worthy.



I've been loving all Sparty's facebook statuses and comments on my wall.  Whenever a spartan tells me, "Wow, John, you're team couldn't have had an easier opponent.  Good luck against a CUPCAKE in the sugarbowl!"

I usually respond, "Thanks!  And, it's your, not you're!"

jblaze

December 5th, 2011 at 12:36 PM ^

have bragging rights. That's true. However, in the football landscape, independent (actually significantly biased) voters and a computer ranked Michigan ahead of MSU.

What defines better in this scenario? A head-to-head win or a ranking? I don't know and don't like rankings, but it is what it is.

sheepdog

December 5th, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^

I don't like it, but its proabably true that they are an overall better team this year.  Maybe it was the Cousins comment?  If thats the case, ok.

My point was to highlight that we are all under the same rules...bad or not.

Furthermore, after thinking about it, maybe Cousins is just mad because they WERE the Big 10 (co)champs last year and STILL got snubbed by the BCS.  Now thats funny, I don't care who you are.

Willis Ward

December 5th, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^

Sure.  And the scoreboard argument always works.  But I would rather lose to Sparty and make the BCS than beat them and not go to the BCS.  OSU may be a different story - although even that is because of the last 8 years.  Maybe ND too - because some of those loses to them in the 80s during my formative years as a michigan fan still hurts.  But even after beating us 4 years in a row MSU feels like a fly on the ass of a water buffalo.  They are annoying but I am much more concerned with the Lion (OSU to continue with this awful analogy) stalking me than the fly we have to swat at with our tail.  However, for the fly, circling our poop means the world to them.  If they can bite our ass it makes their season.  I'm gonna stop with the Serengeti stuff now.

The programs simply have a different set of goals and standards to measure their success.  And I'm pointing to a different scoreboard - the one that shows Michigan on top of them at the end of the season.

Anyway, my real point is that Spartans are complaining about a scenario that didn't even happen.  The Sugar didn't "choose" Michigan over MSU.  The voters and the computers did.  So, obviously, many people think we are better than them, no matter what happened in a trash tornado on the red cedar in October.

(I realize that for some Michigan fans the Sparty game means more than ND and for some even more than OSU - but while I grew up in Michigan and went to UM I haven't lived there for 11 years, so I don't have any annoying MSU fans to rub my face in losing to them.  So the rivalry has taken what, I believe, is MSU's rightful place as being the 3rd - sometimes 4th, like this year with a major bowl game - most important rivalry to me).

Bosch

December 5th, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^

But I would rather lose to Sparty and make the BCS than beat them and not go to the BCS.

I would have much rather had Michigan beat MSU (and OSU) and play in the inaugeral B1G Championship Game for the chance to play in the Rose Bowl. Yeah, they lost, and Michigan is going to a BCS game but Sparty controlled their own destiny. I don't like to get in the habit of telling people that their opinion is wrong..... With that said, your opinion is dead wrong.

Willis Ward

December 5th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^

I think you missed my point...and that is probably my fault.

What I am trying to say is that beating MSU doesn't make or break our season.  MSU has a one game season and that is why it is so hard for them to handle having won that game but still being left out of the big boy bowls.  While I admit that I hate losing them I've always found beating them to be by far the least satisfying of all our rivals.  I get the most joy our of beating OSU and the most pain out of losing to ND.  Sparty is just kind of also there to me.  I realize many people don't feel that way, especially those that have to live next door to Spartans and hear about it all off season.  But as a program, even after the last 4 years, they just don't hold a candle to OSU or ND.  Or us, obviously.  They are annoying.  Nothing more.

M-Wolverine

December 5th, 2011 at 7:31 PM ^

That going to the Rose, or a BCS game, while losing to the Sparties is better than winning the game but not having a successful season. And you are right. Not sure how what you said could be interpreted as "wouldn't trade places with them."

EJG

December 5th, 2011 at 12:34 PM ^

MSU is not our measuring stick.  We are their's.  That is why you never hear them mention their losses to ND, Nebraska and Wisconsin being a factor in why they were left out of the BCS.  Good luck against Georgia Sparties.  Should be a really boring game.

sheepdog

December 5th, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^

Its about $$$ - and Sparty, you no make as much as Michigan.

Furthermore, its pretty obvious that the BCS rankings are mainly calculated on how many times you've lost and when you lost.  Doesn't have as much to do with how good teams are head-to head. 

Example: when Houston was ranked 6th (or 7th or something), did ANYONE really believe that they were better than everyone in the country except the first 5 teams?  No, of course not, but they hadn't lost, so they were ranked high.

On to you Sparty, you controlled your own destiny to the Rose Bowl but spartied yourself into the kicker.  Even if you didn't return the kick, Wisky couldn't have stopped you from marching right down the field, and right into the Rose Bowl.

So don't be so bitter, just be better. Don't lose three times.  We ALL play in the same system, and you knew what you have to do.  You didn't do it, so please only blame yourself, not the system. 

Im really sorry youve missed your opportunity because it will be only harder in the years to come.  You should have won while you could, while Michigan is still making its way back, and Ohio State had a bad year.

 

Magnus

December 5th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^

When I saw "AD" I assumed that this thread would be about their athletic director.

It's definitely the fault of the Detroit News, but I can't help laughing at MSU.  And I think it's funny that MSU's players (well, Kirk Cousins) are complaining that they were punished for lowing a game while everyone else was at home sitting on their butts.

You know what solves that problem, Kirk?  WINNING.  You might be ranked higher if you hadn't been trounced by Notre Dame and Nebraska.

thisisme08

December 5th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

I got the "Wolverines sit at home and recieve benefits just like their fanbase does (ie unemployment?)" text last night from a Sparty. 

Simply put I told him A. you could have won/moot point, B. It was happening anyways so dont get butt hurt and C. Playoff

My Facebook was blowin up w/ spartys bitching about Michigan last night, literally this is why the little brother comment works for you even if you have beaten us 4 years in a row!

notYOURmom

December 5th, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^

If the agency bought the space directly from DetNews, then I'd lay this at DetNews' door.
<br>
<br>But commonly internet stuff goes through a separate agency that pushes the ad to relevant websites. Think about the oddball ads that sometimes pop up on this very website: Brian is not to blame, he just rents that corner of the page to a company that puts ads there.
<br>
<br>Any way you slice it though, it is friggin hilarious.

julesh

December 5th, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^

In my somewhat limited experience, local media sites, like your local TV station or newspaper, have their own online sales department and don't outsource it to Google or any other company. They already have ad sales teams, so selling online ads doesn't require additional staff, and the salespeople don't have to worry about their commissions getting cut into with the move to online media.

The blame most likely lies with DetNews, but doesn't take away from how funny it is.

Rwbill

December 5th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^

I am actually on the can at work right now and you guys are making me laugh out loud from behind door #3. Now I have to wait for everyone else to leave before I come out.

SGRWebster

December 5th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^

was classic.  Essentially he said that they would gladly have changed places (to have had the chance to play for the championship.)  Sour grapes.  Dantonio just can't be happy. 

harmon98

December 5th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^

Look on the bright side Sparty.

The Outback Steakhouse is slated to have Toastmaster General Kirk Cousins opine at length on the privelege of enjoying the world famous Blooming Onion at the next Outback franchise junket. After said speech Dantonio will lean into the Outback's Regional Directors ear and whisper, "Special."