Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2014 at 5:15 AM ^

...and to be honest, if he's worried about alcohol and girls over football. This really isn't a big deal for me.

I want the kid at Michigan. But I don't want a headache or a cancer or a kid who's more concerned about the party life.

Not saying that's who or what he is...he's 17. But we clamored over two other 5 star DL with maturity issues in Slocum and Campbell and neither did much at Michigan. Hell, Harrison too. All 3 are known for more off the field (fuck lion, hood sliding, wanker wanking) than anything on the field.

Is he going to have an Alan Branch impact...or those 3?

M-Dog

February 2nd, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^

Conversely, he needs to realize that Michigan is not all work either.  There are no shortages of parties and so on, especially for star football players.  

Plus, if he's that good, he'll be in the NFL in three years and he can buy his own parties.

gwkrlghl

February 1st, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^

At this point the rumblings certainly seem to indicate Malik himself leans to MSU while his parents remain solidly pro-Michigan. We'll see what wins out soon

M-Dog

February 2nd, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^

No matter where he goes, every recruit should be blessed with parents like his.  They are actively looking out for him and his future.  They are doing their job.  They are not being his friends, they are being his parents.  
 
Even though I am a die-hard fan of Michigan as an institution (not just sports), I have told my kids that they can go to any school they want to . . . but it has to be for a good reason.  It can't be just for the parties or the beach or to follow a girlfriend/boyfriend to school.  That's not a good enough reason.
 

AdAstra

February 2nd, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^

As I was reading the piece, I kept thinking the same thing - how fortunate he is to have parents like that. Reading between the lines on a lot of Sam's other recruits, I don't think many are as lucky to have parents like Malik's.

I remember being 17, and I definitely wouldn't blame him for choosing MSU because he likes the atmosphere. Every kid looking at colleges should feel the same love and excitement for his or her future university campus, town, and events.

In the end, if he does pick MSU, I wish him all the best and hope he keeps his head on straight while he's up there (probably with the help of his parents and family).

PizzaHaus

February 1st, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^

The Sparty sluts got to him. I can't even say I blame him

"While the Green and White’s memorable season certainly served as an added lure, his appreciation for the social scene in East Lansing apparently has been the bigger hook."

rockydude

February 1st, 2014 at 11:50 PM ^

The feeling you get from Sam's article is definitely what we have been hearing, that Malik really likes that party atmosphere at MSU, while his parents really think much more highly of the UM academics.

The travel issue makes it sound that although he likes FSU, they will probably be on the outside looking in. I'm not sure where OSU will fit, as a result of the travel aspect for his grandparents.

A good article by Sam, but I still don't have any more idea where he will go than I did before I read it, which is to say, none. He'd certainly be a welcome addition though. Maybe Lawrence Marshall can break the tie in our favor ?

Webber's Pimp

February 1st, 2014 at 11:43 PM ^

I didn't like the article. Seems like we're fighting against the tide. The quotes are meant to be reassuring but if he needs this much convincing I just don't see it happening. It bothers me that Malik doesn't seem to appreciate the difference in academics. Very shortsighted on his part...

NOLA Wolverine

February 1st, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^

All of the UMich graduates working next to Spartan graduates begrudgingly shrug their shoulders at you. We could go into ROI disparities between even "lesser" schools and UMich for some people working next to said "lesser" school employees, but that would just get too depressing. 

floridagoblue

February 11th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^

Instead of relying on your honesty, how about we rely on facts?  The 2013 football media guide has 113 players listed. There are 16 that are general studies majors and 12 that are in kinesiology. 16 + 12 = 28. 28/113 = 24.8% (rounded to nearest tenth percent). Most usually means greater than 50%. Less than 25% doesn't seem like most to me. 

snarling wolverine

February 2nd, 2014 at 1:20 AM ^

MSU isn't a terrible school, or anything, but if the difference in prestige between the two schools is "slight," then why does virtually everyone who gets admitted to both choose U-M?  Why do MSU grads have to explain forever to people why they ended up at MSU and not U-M, whereas no one ever asks a U-M grad why he/she didn't go to State?  

You're trying too hard to be contrarian.  

 

 

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2014 at 5:26 AM ^

...and better resources.

I'm just saying.

You act like if there are twins, no one is gonna routinely choose one over the other because she's hotter and makes more money.

Michigan and MSU aren't twins...but you get my point. People don't make decisions off of one criteria.

In a lot of cases around the nation people chose the lesser academic academic school (which is still strong) because it offers something things the better school doesn't. Do you think kids haven't turned down M.I.T. to attend Stanford, Duke or Michigan?

WFBlue

February 2nd, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^

that the quality of a college education and the effect on a person's success (whatever your definition) is directly related to the students attitude and effort both in school and upon graduation.  I know many people who are wildly successful in their given field who have graduated from little known or unranked institutions as well as the opposite.  

That said, the rankings and reputations do have an affect on getting into grad school, job prospects (at least for the first or second job), etc.  My view is that the most important difference between UofM and MSU is the average attitude and effort of the student sitting next to you in class.  Forget the rankings on USnews etc, just look at the required SAT/ACT, gpa requirements and the like.  Students attending Michigan have demonstrated a better attitude, effort level and potentially maturity (I am staying away from intellect) during their high school years.  A student at either school with the right attitude will succeed, and the opposite is true.  That said, there are probably more high achievers at Michigan than at State;  the same is true at Harvard versus Michigan.

I believe these SAT statistics are recent and accurate (25% -75%) and they speak for themselves:

Michigan  

Reading:    610-700

Math:         650-760

Writing:      620-720

MSU

Reading:  430-580

Math:       540-680

Writing:   460-580

bringthewood

February 2nd, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^

MSU is much closer to GVSU than U of M in terms of accepted and enrolled student stats.  MSU is a good state school that is not recognized nationally.  Not to say that anyone from MSU can't outperform a person from M in the job market (becasue some do obviously) but the two really are not in the same class.  MSU acceptance rates are 73% and Michigan is less than 40%.  GVSU?  About 80%.  Look at ACT's, GPA's etc and you will see a huge difference.

Visit here http://www.parchment.com/c/college/college-2-Michigan-State-University.html and look at the peer colleges and then visit the Michigan page and look at peer colleges.

 

MichiganExile

February 2nd, 2014 at 1:29 AM ^

It is possible to make the statement that Michigan is significantly better without stating that MSU is a terrible school. A student can get a fantastic degree at MSU and go on to all sorts of success. 

The rankings put Michigan ahead by a significant margin though and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence as well. Just as an example here in Seattle I've made plenty of friends with other alums and have met dozens more that work for companies like Amazon or Microsoft, and that doesn't even touch on the large number of Michigan alums working in academia. I have met two MSU grads total on the entire west coast. Considering the size of classes MSU and Michigan put out there has to be something that accounts for the greater number of Michigan grads in large metropolitan areas - they are the ones primarily getting the better jobs. So yeah, I'd say the Michigan degree is better. 

HarBooYa

February 2nd, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^

There are literally hundreds of Michigan grads (and an internal UofM group) and you would be hard pressed to find a Spartan. Michigan grads do better and have a better chance than msu grads with similar degrees. Fact.



This is not anecdotal, it's fact born out by university job placement departments from time eternal.



Show me the major Fortune 500 company that has such a disproportionate array of msu grads working for it. You can't.

turd ferguson

February 2nd, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^

As usual, I agree with this guy. Living out of country and out of state (and working briefly in college admissions), you really start to notice it. Michigan regularly gets into conversations about the country's top universities. MSU definitely doesn't. In fact, I think the only non-sports references I've ever heard to MSU have been about its riots and party school image. MSU is better than a lot of other schools, but the UM-MSU gap is vast, and it's probably getting vaster with how well UM has handled the cuts in state funding.

mGrowOld

February 2nd, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^

I would strongly disagree.  I've lived in Utah, Nevada, California and for the past 25 years here in Ohio and I can safely say that the people I've encountered in business know and respect the academics offered at Michigan and virtually none even know that MSU isn't simply a big in-state "directional school".  MSU carries zero educational "cred" outside of the mitten.

I know in Michigan some people like to hold State up as some sort of Academic equal but it's just not so.  Sorry State people on the board - you may have us in football (temporarily) but please don't even try the academic arguement.  Unless you're referring to something only State offers like Hotel Management or Animal Husbandry degrees.

Mgobowl

February 2nd, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^

in my experience living in NEO (much shorter than your 25) I have had to correct a number of people that say, "oh, you went to Michigan State, right?" For some reason there are people that don't know there is a University of Michigan and a Michigan State University. Perhaps it is because Ohio only has Ohio State and the next closest large university is Cincinnati and by default they think UoM is the only major state school in Michigan. 

Is it a slap in the face to MSU or UoM? I guess that depends on whether you are a Michigan alum or not. 

HarBooYa

February 2nd, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^

I've looked at your posts throughout here and it seems to me MSU's Rose Bowl run has really left an impression on you. Great season, but your Rose Bowl run does not mean your students automatically become gifted and talented program candidates. It's okay though, msu admittedly has wonderful people (except when they seduced by their temporary success on the athletic field) and successful grads (in particular nurses, farmers, teachers, and packaging experts of which my relatives are legion)....but again...the schools academically are not in the same stratosphere.



Agh...must stop replying to your one liners.