The Play That Shall Not Be Named - Sparty's Curse?

Submitted by Rufus X on
My social media feeds have been awash today with my Sparty acquaintences reliving the 1 year anniversary of last year's debacle. I got to thinking it was something of a turning point for both programs. I'm no Mathlete, but looking at both teams since 2010 before and after The Horror II:
 
Before The Debacle:
MSU 59-14 (0.808)
U-M 43-27 (0.614)
 
After The Debacle:
MSU 7-6 (0.538)
U-M 11-1 (0.917)
 
Small sample size caveat applis, but here's hoping that one of the worst days of my Michigan fandom will in a turn out to be East Lansing's curse for all eternity.
 
A wise, angry little troll once said "Pride cometh before the fall". Indeed, Mr. Dantoni. Indeed.
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father fisch

October 19th, 2016 at 4:02 PM ^

Close.  "Capitol" refers to the actual building where representatives meet and perform government business.  The capitol (building) resides in the location that is the capital (state or nation).  So whether you are referring to the Capitol in Lansing or in D.C., it is spelled the same.

Joined: 02/20/2015

MGoPoints: 4811

snarling wolverine

October 18th, 2016 at 4:41 PM ^

Calling it a "curse" implies that things are currently out of the ordinary.  I'd say MSU has returned to normal.

OTOH, our own curse began with Bo's death in November 2006 and appears to have finally been lifted.

 

Joined: 12/14/2011

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Honk if Ufer M…

October 18th, 2016 at 5:52 PM ^

I think, when it's 99 to nothing with time running out and we have a first down at their 15, we should line up for a punt, snap the ball and nobody move, just stand there and invite them to grab the ball and have this years gift, happily given this time.

Joined: 02/22/2015

MGoPoints: 591

MgoWood

October 18th, 2016 at 7:15 PM ^

The 2006 game obviously featured two teams undefeated in Columbus and with tOSU having a Heisman front runner and eventual winner. It started very badly with the passing of a legend. A seed was planted that day. 2016 has the potential to bring two undefeated teams in Columbus. Heisman hopefuls in Peppers andBarrett. If it were a curse so to speak, we win with the bringing back of #Harbaugh and chop down that buckeye tree that got planted in our way to the National Title. Go Blue!

Joined: 12/18/2014

MGoPoints: 3156

burtcomma

October 18th, 2016 at 8:17 PM ^

We will not refer to it as a c-word as we do not want to chance angering any player hating Gods. However, your observation about being in the wilderness starting with Bo's death in 2006 through the play that shall not be named appears to be dead right on.

May blue skies, B1G Championships, College football playoff spots, and National Championships return to the Big House forever!

Joined: 11/01/2009

MGoPoints: 5851

bacon

October 18th, 2016 at 4:42 PM ^

Not complaining about the sparty thread, but I can't wait until we play MSU this year and we can be done thinking about them until basketball season.

Joined: 01/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18646

Blueblood2991

October 18th, 2016 at 4:44 PM ^

Dantonio sold his soul to the devil years ago and has been the benefactor of the luckiest games I've ever seen (except for maybe Auburn).

The devil had to renege on the deal when the Spartans played Satan himself in the playoff.

Joined: 06/11/2015

MGoPoints: 14348

ypsituckyboy

October 18th, 2016 at 4:44 PM ^

The gods told Dantonio not to use his ill-gotten powers to win that game. He couldn't help himself, though. At the last minute, Dantonio put a curse upon Blake's hands, forcing him to bobble the ball. Now, the gods will punish him for 10 years - the number of seconds left on the clock.

Joined: 06/22/2009

MGoPoints: 30512

dragonchild

October 18th, 2016 at 6:49 PM ^

No soul-eating; the magic just ran out for them.  That was the first time in a LONG time they actually got the result they deserved for where they were at.  Everyone who was paying attention saw it coming a mile away.  Actually more like we saw it coming for miles and miles and miles and it just wouldn't happen between the refs handing them the Michigan game, Ohio State going all SLUDGEFART because weird wet stuff falling from the sky, Iowa going through their own Cinderella season (finally exposed by Stanford) to play in the B1G championship. . . just a whole mess of lucky breaks.

It was EXTREMELY annoying that it took so long.  They were legit before, which was annoying in its own way but when they obliterated Borges I couldn't argue with the result.  But to see them coast for well over half of last season on reputation and extraordinary luck all while sauntering around like they earned it all, eeugh.  The Play That Shall Not Be Named was by far the worst part of it.

They've been a hollow shell for pretty much all last season.  Probably by far the worst team that will ever qualify for the CFP.

Joined: 10/13/2011

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