In retrospect: Do you wish OSU had beat MSU, or no?
So, now that the regular season is over, do you wish OSU had beat MSU, or that things stay just as they happened?
For me personally, OSU is the real rival and enemy. Their schadenfreude at losing in Columbus, and not having a shot at the NC, and having Meyer's string of conference victories broken, is sweet enough. It is hard choosing between OSU and MSU. How could you want either team to win? But for me, not living in Michigan, not dealing with Sparty regularly, and not wanting OSU to even have the opportunity at another NC, trumps hatred for Sparty. Maybe it is personal, because I have in-laws who are OSU fans.
Nonetheless, I think that the Spartans are likely to be beaten sometime in the next month. And I believe that with Harbaugh's recruiting acumen, we will right the ship in terms of MSU quickly. OSU will be a harder nut to crack, and at this point, I am happy for anyone to beat them.
p.s. Some think that if OSU had beaten MSU, Michigan might have snuck up and beat OSU. I personally think that is delusional, and that OSU would have been prepared for Michigan regardless of the outcome the week prior.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:03 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^
Since we didn't beat OSU, who cares? If we hadn't snatched defeat from the jaws of victory versus MSU, I might answer differently.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:22 AM ^
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December 2nd, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^
...but I think the "Harbaugh Effect" trumps win-loss records this year and gives Michigan a tangible advantage from a recruiting perspective.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
OSU has been pretty much competing for NC's every year for the last 20 years (minus a few seasons). It was UM who derailed several of their undefeated seasons in the 90's. MSU knocked them off a few times too.
Point is, OSU is always going to be good. MSU on the other hand, has only been good for the last 5 years. So I'd much rather MSU lose. OSU's profile couldn't possible get any bigger.
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^
We also are in heavy competition with OSU for recruits on a national stage. If either team gets into the playoffs it is not good for us. But I personally hate OSU the most, and was delighted to see them fall. On top of it, an undefeated OSU playing for a second NC in a row would have been too much to take.
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:45 PM ^
They've won 11 or more games 5 out of the last 6 years. It's not like they're now emerging as a successful program or something.
December 2nd, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^
Just like Harbaugh says. We were better than last year. Now we need to get even better for next year.
December 2nd, 2015 at 1:47 PM ^
Agreed. Second-best option would have been meteorite.
There mere possibility that Sparty might win an NC is enough to make me want to hurt myself. Better OSU to win back-to-back than deal with the oceanic gloating that would ensue if Sparty somehow pulls it off.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
I thought you said...
In retrospect: Do you wish we had beat OSU and MSU, or no?
I was like
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
With the same "wtf" reaction.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^
Kim, is that you???
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:25 PM ^
BIG UPS
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^
OSU will always be "the enemy," but having an uppity Sparty is not cool. Imagine their epic trolling if they make the playoff and win it all this year. OSU lost to Sparty because they were thinking about Michigan. Normally, I would love this. But not when Sparty has a chance to win it all.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^
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December 2nd, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
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December 2nd, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
Plus, we showed that we could beat MSU. OSU is the only nut left to crack, so to speak.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:18 PM ^
It is true.
If you were to replay this year's Michigan-MSU game 10 times, we would win 8 or 9 times.
If you were to replay this year's Michigan-Ohio State game, we would not win once.
We are already more than competitive with MSU. We are not yet with OSU.
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^
Injuries matter. state was banged up. One could say if they have everyone healthy they win 8 of 9 times. But we're just making up scenarios anyways. And the mentality that OSU in the shittershoe and rain sucked- but OSU in ann arbor was a defending NC juggernaut.. doesn't hold water.
December 2nd, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^
One could say that, and one would be wrong.
December 2nd, 2015 at 2:58 PM ^
If you were to replay this year's Michigan-MSU game 10 times, we would win 8 or 9 times.
Did you watch the game? Saying we win 8 or 9 times is pure idiocy
December 4th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
"If you were to replay this year's Michigan-MSU game 10 times, we would win 8 or 9 times."
This is true if games are played in a vacuum.
It really is time to face it ... MSU is a damn fine program and as long as D'antoni is there they will be a highly competitive outfit. He built it on the backs of 2 and 3* guys, with the occassional 4*. Now he's replenishing with mostly 4* and a sprinkling of 3* guys ...
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^
I would take two more losses (to Indiana and Minnesota) if we could have that win against Sparty. It was definitely a good year and I love Harbaugh, but losing to our rivals in gut-wrenching fashion sucked.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:09 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^
Don't invest any faith in Kirk Ferentz.
They played no one all year and are going to get rolled on Saturday.
The B1G East representative is always going to kick the B1G West winner's ass until these divisions happen
| Lakes Division | Plains Division |
| Michigan | Michigan State |
| Ohio State | Penn State |
| Wisconsin | Nebraska |
| Minnesota | Iowa |
| Rutgers | Maryland |
| Indiana | Purdue |
| Illinois | Northwestern |
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:22 AM ^
They are.
There's literally nothing wrong with this setup. Most B1G trophy games are preserved, including the most important one.
Only the Purdue Cannon, the Bits of Broken Chair and Old Brass Spittoon wouldn't be played every single year.
With the 9 game schedule coming, you'd still play two other crossover games in addition to the protected game.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
This is wrong: Michigan and MSU being in separate divisions. We should always be in the same one. I want to be in the same division as PSU, too. Your proposal would have them playing us less than half the time, since that would be a non-protected series.
I'm not sure why this is such an issue. No one seems to be discussing realignment in the SEC or Pac-12. If the East is better than the West, so be it.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^
Most important trophy = $5 bits of broken chair
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
...the SEC East was VASTLY superior to the SEC West. Not so much now.
You can't organize divisions based on who's good right now, because that changes. Geography is the only constant.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^
TING!!
Stick to geography and natural rivalries.
"Competetive Balance" is a fool's errand.
Hello SEC East circa 1990's and 2015 Iowa.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^
The teams side-by-side are protected crossovers so that would happen.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^
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December 2nd, 2015 at 11:52 AM ^
Thank you.
If youv'e followed CFB for more that just a decade you've seen these teams be really bad:
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Iowa
Miami, FL
FSU
Baylor
Kansas State
Oklahoma State
TCU
Oregon
Stanford
Ole Miss
Miss State
. . . and some others that did not come to top of mind just yet.
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
I don't disagree with you, but let's remember that OSU was supposed to roll MSU. Crazier things have happened.
December 2nd, 2015 at 11:56 AM ^
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December 2nd, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^
like to see AWAY games with MD, Rutgers, and Northwestern on the schedule every year.
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^
It helps our recruiting too. A lot.
The current Big Ten East and West divisions are perfect for Michigan.
Let's not kill ourselves trying to solve someone else's "problem".
December 2nd, 2015 at 12:44 PM ^
The Hawkeyes defense is legitimate. I mean Iowa shutdown Nebraska's offense, something that MSU couldn't do. Regardless of whether Cook plays, the Hawkeye defense with their quarters coverage will handle the MSU passing game and they will pressure the Spartans. Whether they move the ball effectively is another story. But Canzerri is an effective back and Beatherd doesn't make mistakes in the passing game. Iowa will succeed depending on their ability to turn the ball over and make MSU one-dimensional.
If MSU forces Iowa to become one-dimensional, then Sparty wins. But I just can't believe that MSU has slipped through the season without their secondary being challenged. The game will come down to Iowa's Oline to keep Sparty's Dline in check.