About that Pre-game 'walk' by Sparty
Mates,
I finally saw a good view of that whole pre-game walk thing. I will try to embed it here. A few things of note.
1. Any of us who have played college sports will tell you that schedules for warm-ups and game are printed and posted. Sparty knew what it was doing when it came out late.
2. Dantini is actually IN FRONT of the walk at the start. Remember what he's seeing, about 5 Michigan guys doing their warm-ups right where he wants to go full prison league football.
3. They are wearing helmets. Now, maybe they do that every time (mgoblog sleuths, please investigate), but my gut tells me the helmets are in anticipation of a fight, a fight they wanted to start before the game.
Anyway, here's the link (I think). What do you all say?
XM
October 21st, 2018 at 12:41 PM ^
Idk man. It was fun to me. Pregame made it even better. Some people feed off tension, some get uncomfortable. Just like some players play better when trash talk is involved, some lose focus. I wouldn't worry about it.
October 21st, 2018 at 2:00 PM ^
ok snowflake.... this is so stupid, i have seen every um vs msu game since 1969. lived in michigan for a good part of those. msu has always and i do mean always been like this. the only difference is they have won a few and gotten more brazen. they took cheap shots the entire game and if michigan hadn't keeped their composure this would have turned into a brawl.
October 21st, 2018 at 3:26 PM ^
“Snowflake.” That is cute.
October 21st, 2018 at 8:15 PM ^
On 90% of issues, I’d probably get called a “snowflake” and I usually hate that term, but that’s exactly right here. MSU is only now being somewhat called to answer for enabling rapists, but you’re worried because your Sparty friends act like dicks about a football game? Did you post this from a drum circle?
October 22nd, 2018 at 8:03 AM ^
Okay, tough guy.
Look, the fact is that most State fans are thin-skinned. They talk shit all year when they win, and then they can't handle it when they lose. So when M wins it's either walk on eggshells or risk losing a friend.
I guess I could be like, "screw these people. Who needs friends who can't handle losing a football game." But then I'd probably end up a bitter old lonely asshole, calling people "snowflake" on a message board.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:19 AM ^
Most Michigan fans and players were tired of MSU antics. I never want to see anyone hurt on either side. But sometimes you have to stand up for yourself.
October 21st, 2018 at 11:06 AM ^
This team and program has been getting absolutely shit on by our rivals for a decade. MSU has been by far the nastiest about it. They're gonna be rude. Their players are gonna be chippy on the field every time. And D'antonio is always going to take the bait from reporters and throw shots across the bow at us in the media, especially if he wins. Our previous two coaches were wholly respectful, even veering toward unnecessarily apologetic and they got their asses kicked by these clowns. That shit isn't gonna fly any more. I love Harbaugh and the players for it. They didn't just take those losses last year and say oh well. They're pissed off about each and every one of them and have made it a mission to avenge them. Expect a similar type of mindset against Penn State and Ohio State. We may not win all of the rest of our games because this team isn't perfect, but it won't be for lack of wanting it this year. These guys are playing like their manhood is on the line every week.
October 21st, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^
Another shit take from the worst poster on the board. Go clutch pearls elsewhere you effing dork. You are a bad take factory running 24/7.
October 21st, 2018 at 5:05 PM ^
Nope. I close at 10 PM most nights. Thanks for your business, though.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:09 PM ^
I'm almost ready to agree with you; sparty definitely started it, with directly that kind of intent, but I still think retaliating and turfing the logo was a dumb move. Beat them on the field and be smart.
A few more years of wins like these and the chippiness will tone down pretty fast.
October 21st, 2018 at 11:13 PM ^
I agree. Turfing the logo was a bad look. With that said, he lost it for a bit but maintained enough composure to avoid attempting to kill any of the hand holders. He must have been livid. I'd have been livid and i'm tired and indifferent by nature.
October 21st, 2018 at 9:56 AM ^
I can't get over how great it is that they tried to start a fight, it blew up spectacularly in their faces, Harbaugh completely called them out for it and now they're crying about it
October 21st, 2018 at 10:10 AM ^
To be clear they aren't trying to start a fight, but they are prepared for one (no visible numbers, football helmets)- so who knows who did it if someone gets stepped on, close lined, or punched).
This is rather an attempt at emotional dominance pre-game. And Dantonio knew exactly what he was doing and that Michigan had the right to the field at that time. "Playing to win", even off the field.
Right now, Dantonio and MSU are right for each other. At such point as MSU decides it doesn't want a thug of a coach, maybe they will also be ready to accept responsibility for their own actions and attempt to foster a healthy environment. Until then of course this is what you are going to see. Dantonio is just not smart enough to realize that everyone has a smart phone in 2018. Lying to the media was enough to get even OSU to start an investigation into Urban. MSU isn't even at that base level of "lets pretend to have an honest and upright coach", so don't assume anything is going to happen on MSU's end from this incident.
October 21st, 2018 at 6:13 PM ^
You just said It in your post. No visible numbers and wearing helmets. They were trying to get Bush and whoever else was on the field ejected. They knew that was their only chance. They didn't want anyone in their team identifiable once the fight broke out. I saw a Michigan fan on the RCMB post a YouTube of the walkthrough before a ND game. None of them were wearing helmets.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
Don't forget that their coach, after having been embarrassed on the field is now lying that he was there and cheering it one. What a piece of shit.
October 21st, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^
There are images of the Spartans NOT wearing helmets, in the past, during the walk through. And one of the Spartans said in an interview after the game that some teams do move out of the way and some don't.
Pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cu1PciBWgAUSrem.jpg
MSU senior safety Khari Willis said he has seen a few opposing players on the field before when the Spartans arrive for the walk. “Most of them, I guess when they’re asked to move, they moved," Willis said. "Some people didn’t move. I don’t know, it was a little chirping and stuff that happened from there. Some other teams respect it and move out the way, and some teams don’t. I think it was just talking more than anything.”
October 21st, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
I think it was the DetNews that had 2 articles last night, one from the perspective of each school. On the MSU one Lewerke even admitted they "might have been a little late" getting to the field yesterday. As close to an admission as you will see.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^
In past games where there's also opposing players warming up, does MSU do that walk-through also not during their designated time their scheduled to be on the field?
October 21st, 2018 at 10:02 AM ^
After the game we went out to eat and I turned on the radio to hear the postgame. I had it on 760 by mistake but all they were talking about was the sparty injuries....
October 21st, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
Yeah, after the game it became news that Lewerke was a “game-time decision.” Uh huh... sure..
October 21st, 2018 at 10:22 AM ^
Now there’s the BS!
October 21st, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
Yes no worries of that last year when we played with quarterback number 2 and our guys out this year.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:28 PM ^
Sparty did have injuries and they don’t have a lot of depth. If Sparty is heathy I think they get up over 100 yards total of offense in that game. Maybe even 110.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:04 AM ^
Absolutely agree on all three points.
Sparty was trying to start some shit, no doubt about it.
FYI: I just googled and watched 2 other Sparty pre game walks, in neither one were they wearing helmets.
No worries either way because Sparty got their butts kicked good and proper yesterday.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:04 AM ^
Anyone notice after the last play Cesar Ruiz and an MSU d lineman patting each other on the helmet? This stuff is so over blown. Dantoni has to play it up to keep the chip working.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
Yeah, I noticed a handful of players exchanging actual pleasantries after the game. Many of these kids played against each other through HS a d hit camps together. Animosity? Respect? Bad blood? Indifference? Yup - this game has it all, every year. I am just happy to see the good guys getting their reward for their effort.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
Yeah, I noticed a handful of players exchanging actual pleasantries after the game. Many of these kids played against each other through HS a d hit camps together. Animosity? Respect? Bad blood? Indifference? Yup - this game has it all, every year. I am just happy to see the good guys getting their reward for their effort.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:07 AM ^
Looks like Dantonio is right on this one. What Harbaugh said is BS. Dantonio wasn't 5 yards behind the MSU players smiling. He was more like 2-3 yards behind them smiling. /s
October 21st, 2018 at 1:07 PM ^
It’s not lying because he was focused on the 5 yards part!
October 21st, 2018 at 10:13 AM ^
Sparty spins and projects at every turn. Their Schtick is simple, antagonize to get reaction and point the finger and call in the outrage patrol where they use their local media to drive home the message. Little Bro will never go away because that’s exactly the way they want it!
October 21st, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^
MSU typically wears their helmets during these field walks. Probably intended to evoke the Spartans of old. MSU goes out of their way to promote a facsimile to the Ancient Spartans ethos.
Hopefully, not the pederasty, leaving weak babies out to die, and murdering-your-slaves parts.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
“Hopefully, not the pederasty...”
But don’t hold your breath.
October 21st, 2018 at 11:10 AM ^
No, but the rape is definitely a shared value.
October 21st, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^
The initiation in to the military life in Sparta was a rough one - Funny how they leave that out of any movie glorifying Sparta
October 21st, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
Can’tonio is incredibly petty and has a problem telling the truth. Did Lewerke practice last week? Can’tonio said no. Warner said yes. Lewerke punted.
October 21st, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
actually when they asked lewerke he said" coach said i didn't" what kinda fucking answer is that? even his own players have to cover up his lies.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:27 AM ^
3) All photos I can find of it before yesterday they don't have helmets on but I'm not 100% sure
It was really weird cause (I think it was) Khaleke Hudson was the first guy they encountered and they just unlinked arms and walked by him no issue.
The whole thing was just really odd.
edit: this is the walk before last years Notre Dame game. No helmets.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
note the time on the ND scoreboard in the background: 9:59, and they are walking fast b/c they know they only have a minute to get it done. not 10:05 as a number of opposing players are out in the field, after the 10:00 cut off, and sizing up the opponent.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
No way they do their f’ing walk late next home game. Watch for it.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
More yards during their walk then what they put up against our defense.
I believe it was done to start something and they sure as hell weren’t man enough to finish on the field.
Dantonio is a smug little prick. Glad little brother was put down.
October 21st, 2018 at 11:03 AM ^
SICK BURN
October 21st, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
It's petty, it's silly, and I love it.
To say they wore helmets because they were anticipating an actual fight makes zero sense to me, and seems like a very silly gut feeling. There was some jawing, so what, happens every year with MSU and OSU.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:56 PM ^
maybe you haven't been in enough fights/shoving matches on fields and ice rinks? i'm not saying its a 'for sure', but it is a thing that goes through your mind if you think its go-time with someone else. and this was definitely a premeditated pot stirring by dantini.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^
Did some research. The pregame walk is a tradition. They do it every game. What they don't do ever walk is what they did vs Michigan and what they have done twice, evidenced so far, vs Michigan.
They normally don't have their helmets on for the walk. They also don't usually cover up entirely for their walk.
Look at how casual they look on their pregame walk vs Notre Dame in 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06iJYMpIhw4
They also came out how they did yesterday in 2013. There is picture evidence on Google. I came across it but lost it. If someone can find it that would be great. Anyway, it's a dead horse, but we now all know further, just how far Dantonio goes with childish antics.
October 21st, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
Zapruder film confirms, Mork was on the grassy knoll smirking.
October 21st, 2018 at 7:28 PM ^
Good one...
October 21st, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^
I say Dantonio has no class as a coach, and will do anything to try to get an edge in the game against Michigan. This could have been dangerous, and needs to be looked into.
October 21st, 2018 at 11:00 AM ^
My favorite line from yesterday: MSU’s pre-game walk gained more yards than their offense did in the game!
October 21st, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
It's pretty obvious what happened. Dantonio timed the walk so that there would be a few Michigan guys out there, so that his guys could metaphorically 'clean up' the field with the walk and assert their dominance over Michigan. One of their big narratives is that Michigan is arrogant but 'all show' and will wilt when faced with the tougher, more aggressive Spartans. (Heck, judging by this forum last week a lot of people on here bought that narrative too).This exercise was designed to reiterate that point and put Michigan on the mental defensive from the start.
Michigan guys stood and Bush's defacing of their logo threw it right back at them that Michigan is right there with them when it comes to aggro and that there's nothing genteel about Michigan football. It was the right thing to do, because it was a show of defiance and pride which set the tone that Michigan is more than willing and able to slug it out with the Spartans.