CFP rooting interests

Submitted by trueblue262 on

A question for the Mgocommunity in regards to the College Football Playoffs , 

Who do we want to win?  Specifically in the MSU vs ALA matchup? I would think we want the Big Ten to beat an SEC team any day of the week. But to have MSU and OSU do it back to back years??? I'm thinking Roll Tide!  Please persuade me to think different if it means better for 'The Team'

 

Go Blue

BlueinOK

December 7th, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^

I want to see Bama over MSU and Clemson over Oklahoma. In the championship, I'll be cheering for Clemson. If OU wins insteand of Clemson, I'll be happy with OU winning it all. Just don't want to see MSU win at all. And I want to see Bama blow it in the championship. 

Baugh So Har

December 7th, 2015 at 3:31 PM ^

Ideally, Oklahoma beats Alabama on January 11. Until then, Roll Tide. That snarky fuck, Mark Dantonio, has my rispekt. Wouldn't be surprised to see them play up or down to whatever level of competition Bama brings, as they have all season.

Perkis-Size Me

December 7th, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^

As long as MSU loses, I really don't care for anything other than a good game.

But ideally, a slobber knocker dogfight between Oklahoma and Alabama, but if it's Alabama-Clemson, that's fine with me too.

Just no MSU. Saban has to take care of business this year. If Alabama falls to MSU, I have a bad feeling that MSU wins it all.




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UM Fan from Sydney

December 7th, 2015 at 3:36 PM ^

If anyone is rooting for MSU to win anything in this playoff, said anyone needs to be checked. MSU's winning a conference title hurts Michigan. Imagine what a national title would do. Also, couple that with OSU and MSU winning back-to-back national titles...come on. A real Michigan fan can't possibly think that is a good thing. The best thing that could happen for Michigan and college football in general is Clemson to win this, but Oklahoma would be alright, too.

westwardwolverine

December 7th, 2015 at 3:38 PM ^

Alabama 10000000000000000000000000000 Sparty 0

Don't care about the other game, but whoever wins, would prefer them to win over Saban. 

LSAClassOf2000

December 7th, 2015 at 3:41 PM ^

I was never much on the "root for the conference" line of thought only because in doing so I could be cheering on situations which in fact might be detrimental - even in a secondary way - to Michigan, whether it is in perception or recruiting or whatnot. To that end, I am pretty sure that most Michigan fans would not mind seeing a good game in which the Tide are the victors. 

UM Fan from Sydney

December 7th, 2015 at 3:56 PM ^

I rarely root for conference foes either. The only time I do is when it directly affects Michigan. Strength of schedule does not (to me) directly affect Michigan. Wins take care of everything. An example is OSU and MSU this year. OSU's winning that game directly affected Michigan, which is why I was hoping they beat MSU. I never want OSU to win anything, let alone a national title. Same goes for MSU.

Stuck in Ohio

December 7th, 2015 at 3:47 PM ^

Root for MSU ever. I respect what they have accomplished but goddamit I've NEVER NEVER EVER rooted for them in my life.....even if doing so would help UM. I just can't do it.

StephenRKass

December 7th, 2015 at 4:17 PM ^

This is both complicated, and yet very simple.

  1. First of all, I root for Michigan. I will never root for another team. We have no rooting interests in this game. I root for Michigan to be in the playoffs next year.
  2. Second, since Michigan isn't in the NC playoff, I want what is best for Michigan. In this case, I believe that would be an MSU loss. But that still is not "rooting."
  3. Third, last year, I wanted OSU to make it to the final game, and lose to Bama. This year, I'd rather see MSU lose sooner. Don't want to risk the possibility of them winning it all.
  4. Fourth, I have a modified "Big 10" rooting interest. If Iowa was in the game, I'd root for Iowa. If Wisconsin was in the game, I'd root for Wisconsin. Same with Northwestern. Same with most teams in the Big 10. The reasoning goes back to number 2:  a Big10 win in this case would be "what's best for Michigan."
  5. Fifth, it is slightly more complicated with OSU, MSU, and PSU. I guess I could conceivably want them to beat another team, if that team was ND, or if that team was Bama trying for their 3rd consecutive NC, or if they were playing against a totally despicable team, or against each other. If I was pretty confident that they were ranked 2 or 3, and would be crushed by number 1 in the final game, I could live with them winning the semifinal. But in general, because we are recruiting for the same people, it is better for Michigan (see number two above) that MSU, OSU, and PSU lose in the NC playoff.

Mr. Elbel

December 7th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

Yeah clearly you root for Bama to win and then Clemson or OU to win the national title. As far as which one, I'm torn between whether I want the ACC to get another recent championship win and risk people thinking that they're somehow better than the B1G and keeping the lowly Big 12 right where they are in national perception (all offense, no defense, can't win it all) or spreading the love and rooting for OU to win.

ontarioblue

December 7th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

You want people on a Michigan blog to cheer for MSU? You do understand the concept of rivalry? There is no way in hell would root for MSU or OSU ever. Nice try Sparty troll.

club2230

December 7th, 2015 at 4:23 PM ^

I'm of the mindset that this year's CFP will have no impact on Michigan.  Sure MSU winning could lead to some lost recruits, but the overall status of the programs on a national level won't change much, so any affect will be minimal.  Michigan is Michigan now with Harbaugh at the helm.  Harbaugh will get his guys and Dantonio will get his guys.  

Personally I'm rooting for either Clemson or Oklahoma.

Saint_in_Blue

December 7th, 2015 at 4:29 PM ^

If Clemson wins the CFP, that would be 3 straight Champions from the B1G/ACC.........long regarded as the worst of the P5 conferences (minus the Big East when they existed as a power conference). Hmm......

alum96

December 7th, 2015 at 4:37 PM ^

MSU winning?  Are u f8*** kiddng me - this is thhe same logic that said OSU winning it all would be great for Michigan.

What parallel universe am I in.  Iowa winning it all - cool.  MSU or OSU (or ND?) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WolverineHistorian

December 7th, 2015 at 4:38 PM ^

I will never root for any rival. When they play each other, I only root for whatever scenario helps us. If we are out of the equation, it pretty much comes to a coin toss.

Don't get me wrong. I'm no fan of Alabama. Saban gets the best players money can buy, just like Pete Carroll did at USC. I'm tired of their hype, tired of the Saban love, tired of their fans and tired of the media pleasuring themselves that has anything to do with them.

BUT....of course I will root for them against Sparty. Just like I rooted for them against OSU last year and just like I rooted for them against Notre Dame three years ago.

It's all about rooting for the lesser of two evils. You're not exactly happy about it but it's for the greater good. Go Tide on New Years Eve!!! But after that game, Bama can go f*ck themselves.

gwkrlghl

December 7th, 2015 at 5:03 PM ^

My dad (Michigan fan) said he'd be pulling for MSU for "Big Ten pride". I'm so disappointed in him. I thought I raised him better.

(I was the first M fan in my fully converted family)

HerbieGreen

December 7th, 2015 at 8:31 PM ^

I remember when I was a kid my dad (MSU grad) convinced me to root for UM in the Rose Bowl because it was "good for the Big Ten". UM would lose every damn time, usually in embarrassing fashion.

At least with MSU you could root for a team that often comes through in big games on a national level. But I question the probability that wpuld end up being good for UM

AmayzNblue

December 7th, 2015 at 10:38 PM ^

Good thing your dad convinced you to root for a flash in the pan. Bet it was hard growing up under all those losing seasons and watching John L Smith hit himself during press conferences. Enjoy your 15 minutes, they're almost up




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UMChick77

December 7th, 2015 at 9:16 PM ^

The only B1G team I'm rooting for is Iowa. I dislike bama as the next person but Sparty needs to lose and lose badly. As for OSU vs ND? I'm hoping for a meteor strike. Multiple if possible.

JTGoBlue

December 7th, 2015 at 10:19 PM ^

No, they are a rival and a win here will not directly benefit Michigan (eg., we all wanted OSU to beat State). Also, it is becoming almost unbearable to watch them gloat and whine about disrespect after what is arguably the greatest string of luck in the history of college football. Yes, you make your luck, but still...truly amazing.




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Jacoby

December 7th, 2015 at 10:39 PM ^

I hate Sparty, but I'm one of the few here who would rather they beat Alabama. I live in SEC country, and I pull for the big ten, especially against the SEC.




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doggdetroit

December 8th, 2015 at 12:35 AM ^

I think this answer is largely predicated on where Michigan fans grew up, where they went to school, where they currently live, and what level of interaction with MSU (or OSU) fans they have or have had.



Contrary to my name, I am a New Jersey native. I did not go to Michigan (I went to Georgetown) and never lived in Michigan. That doesn't mean I don't have any ties to Michigan. My sister went to UM, as did my dad (who grew up in Detroit), as did my grandfather. The majority of my dad's side of the family either went to Michigan or count themselves as Michigan fans (like myself). The only family member on this side who isn't a Michigan fan is my uncle who is an MSU fan. He is also the only MSU fan I have ever known or interacted with. 



I wouldn't say I'm rooting for MSU, since I only root for one team. But MSU winning the playoff is better for the B1G, which Michigan is a part of. Perception matters and as a Michigan fan you should want Michigan to be a part of a strong conference. Yes, a 13-0 Michigan will make the playoff, but Michigan has gone undefeated in the regular season just twice in 67 years. It's a very rare occurence and counting on Michigan to go undefeated in order to get into the playoff isn't sound logic. Last year, it took an epic beatdown of Wisconsin for a 12-1 OSU to get into the playoff. Had OSU won 24-20, TCU or Baylor gets in because the perception of the B1G was awful. That perception has changed for the better following OSU's win. It will strengthen if MSU wins. It will definitely weaken if MSU gets blown out.



I also don't see a NC drastically affecting MSU's program. During MSU's rise, Michigan has outrecruited MSU every year with the exception of last season due to the coaching transition from Hoke to Harbaugh. Had Hoke stayed, Michigan would have signed a higher rated class. Fresh off a Cotton Bowl victory, MSU is poised to sign its best class ever. Michigan will sign a better class in year 1 of Harbaugh. Michigan will always outrecruit MSU. The only way this changes is if MSU dominates the series for the next 40 years, like Michigan did from the late 60s up until the Dantonio era. That isn't going to happen. Did Michigan's basketball recruiting fortunes change after the title game appearance? Not really. Beilein's best class remains the class of McGary, Stauskas, and Robinson, signed prior to that season.



I'll add one more piece to this. I lived in Jacksonville, FL for three years after college. Down there, If your team isn't in the SEC, your team sucks. Until OSU beat Alabama, the B1G and Michigan were routinely mocked by SEC fans. My impression is that very few people on this blog have lived in SEC country or interacted with many SEC fans. Personally, I will never root for an SEC team, ever. 

Jimmyisgod

December 8th, 2015 at 9:10 AM ^

MSU winning a National Title would be awful and would really help their program going forward, but it wouldn't really effect our program save for maybe losing soome recruits to them more often.  It's more about us as fans in reagards to bragging rights, MSU making the playoffs is enough for them to be over the top all off season.

Let me ask a question.  Do people want MSU to fall back more than they want us to rise up?  If you had to pick one?  Sure, I'd think it was awesome if they went 0-12 next season, or even 8-4, but they have a great coach, I hate to break it to people, but they are not returning to the Same Old Spartans as long as Danotnio is there, in fact I'd be willing to bet this isn't the only playoff they make in the next 6 years.  So I just have to root for Michigan to elevate to their level and I think we can do it.

Harbaugh's task isn't to return Michigan to its past glory, it's to elevate Michigan to a higher level than it's been at.  As much as the 97' National Title was great, Carr had way too many 8-1 or 9-3 seasons, I want Urban Meyer levels of excellence here, I want 10-2 to be a down year.  Dantonio has MSU at a level right now that we haven't been at since WW2, that's simply a fact, the run he is having is better than Bo's best 5 or 6 year run because of the wins against elite teams, Dantonio is 7-1 in his last 8 games vs top 7 teams, I can't quite wrap my head around that, I'm not sure any coach has ever done that before.

As far as these playoffs, Alabama has to win and I think they will, but it will be a fairly close game and if it goes down to the last possession you'd be crazy to bet against Sparty.

SpaceDad

December 8th, 2015 at 9:30 AM ^

Michigan's seven-year hiatus has had a profound affect on many Michigan fans. People are actually rooting for Alabama? That's crazy to me, but I guess that is how many of you feel. I can't even do it. I'd like to see Michigan State win. If the Spartans lose it will not break my heart, but I refuse to root for Alabama.