OT- Rivalry Psychological Dissonance Advice
Delete if not board-worthy, but I figure this is actually something many of you also grapple with.
I've always been 100% anti-MSU and OSU in re sports not only head-to-head, but also because any success either program achieves can have a major impact upon Michigan on the recruiting trail. Logic being, the weaker our rivals are, the less likely they are to take prized recruits from us. The more prized recruits that Go Blue, the more likely we are to win national championships. Contested rivalries are fun, but national championships are more fun, so in my world, an 0-12 OSU and MSU is ideal. Simple logic I've always lived by, and it's been easy since my father, myself and all my siblings have Michigan degrees.
But now suddenly my god-daughter has chosen to attend MSU in the fall, and my anti-MSU zen is in full disarray. Half my brain will continue reveling at every MSU loss, but the other half wishes happiness for her, and can't help but imagine her disappointment, all clad in Green as she attends MSU losses.
It used to be saying "State sucks" was easy. Now I always think of her and feel guilty.
What a mess. What to do. Is part of me actually wanting to start rooting for Sparty except when they play us? NEVER! Or? Help me out doc!
During your time at UM, you obviously did not learn about "anecdotal evidence", the perils of "N=1" studies, or the statistical problems of "outliers," did you? :-D
Individuals deserve to be judged individually.
Emoticons also deserve to be judged individually. The one at the end of FauxMo's reply ( :-D ) suggested that his comment was tongue-in-cheek.
As a 28 year old millennial myself I can make those kinds of statements about my own generation...
Sorry to trigger your defensive reaction of our generation.
But I'll concede that perhaps the phrase "your typical millennial" was un called for and played on a stereotype. For that I recant and humbly beg your forgiveness. I submit "that millennial" as a revision, and you know what I mean when I say "that millennial".
Do I still get a participation trophy?
individually. 5 people say your full of green shite.
So be it. I'll take solace in my two degrees from UM and just chalk this up as the echo chamber being unable to comprehend that some MSU grads aren't evil.
I used to be capable of rooting for Sparty when the results of their games didn't affect Michigan. Most of my family are either Sparties or Chips after all and I'm literally the only one on either side of my family to go to UofM.
That said... with what's going on with their program, I can't in good conscience root for them even passively anymore.
So Go Blue and Fire Up Chips!
I received degrees from both U of M and CMU, so I cheer for both of them (it makes it difficult on the rare occasions when they play each other.....but I want Michigan to win in those instances). GO BLUE! and FIRE UP CHIPS!
Same for me. I always root for CMU unless they are actually playing Michigan.
Learn and sing the words to the MSU fight song, and sing repeatedly until you puke. You will then be purged, and will not suffer any inclination to root for MSU again under any circumstances.
I agree with this. You can't have a great rivalry without a great rival. (If they self-destruct, pretty soon someone else with be your great rival.) One of life's more subtle pleasures is mutual respect between reasonable people with different tastes. It beats the hell out of "Eat s___!" "F___ you!" chants.
It is also completely consistent with mocking the disfunctional subcultures of our rivals' fan bases (appreciating that we have idiots too), and savoring the schadenfreud when they go down.
Brother in law and one niece are Sparty. Holidays were hell (until last year) and it always started after a few adult beverages. I took the high road last year - guess what? Football didnt even come up in the conversation. Not going to be so nice this year!
I see what you did there.
My oldest daughter and my father are both MSU graduates. Your god daughter is going for an education, and while MSU comes in behind Michigan in almost any academic comparison that can be made, MSU is still superior to most of the colleges and universities in the country, and certainly better than any in state colleges here in Oklahoma. One of many things that the Big Ten has going for it, is academics. My father had an excellent career in engineering and my daughter went on to another university for her Ph D, and has an excellent job.
She wasn't a Spartan fan until she enrolled at State, and I don't think we've ever been together to watch a Michigan-Michigan State game together since that time. We have texted each other during a few games but nothing from either side obnoxious or gloating.
I did attend with her the 38-0 spanking Alabama put on MSU. Tickets were part of my Christmas present to her. I won't lie, I was not upset at seeing Sparty humiliated on the field, but I didn't convey that to my daughter. In a situation like that, there wasn't really a lot to say or do other than to tip your hat to the Alabama football team for a great game.
I have one word for you: compartmentalize.
No mercy.
Sweep the leg?