When my dad called three weeks ago with the news that his coworker had tickets to the Michigan-Michigan State game for us, well, it is safe to say that it was the best news I had received all semester. Not only is Michigan State close to having their best season since 1999, but this year, with a bad Michigan team, Michigan State was finally poised to win at Michigan.
I had never traveled to Michigan’s stadium, although it is only twenty minutes from where I grew up, but was aware of the stories of small seats and no leg room. All of which I found out to be very true.
We arrived mid-morning to tailgate with my dad’s coworker and daughter. Their huge Michigan tent went up, a long with the HD satelite TV, a grill with food to feed 10 people although there were only 4 of us, and the best tailgating chair I have ever sat in. One of my best friends who goes to Michigan stopped by, and after a very enjoyable afternoon, we headed to the stadium.
After waiting for our turn to cross the street to get to the stadium (really, these Michigan people are not very smart when it comes to logistics of how they get people in), the first thing I noticed was the lack of a concourse at the ends of the stadium. Our seats were on the 20 yard line in the Michigan area, however I was very happy to see tons of Spartan fans all through the stadium.
The first half of the game was ruined by a drunk 30-something Michigan fan that sat behind us. He continued to heckle me for being a State fan and questioning my loyalty. When I tried to ignore him he poked my back, and leaned forward to put his face by mine. Of course none of his questions made sense. He was your typical drunk college football fan. Now, I know that all teams have these sort of fans, but this guy was awful. After Michigan scored to tie up the game at 14 late in the second quarter, I looked behind me to see his butt against my back and head. Angrily, I jumped out of my seat and exclaimed “that’s uncalled for!” He was completely out of line and the security guys were well aware of how wasted he really was but did not do anything. His antics and swearing drove away a family that was sitting behind him that had two young girls.
My plea to college football fans, please be aware of your behavior and those sitting around you. Try to keep the vulgarity at a minimum. Treat opposing fans with respect.
For a while during the game, I was worried. After Michigan tied the game at 14 and then took the lead in the third quarter, I began to see flashes of defeat once again. I remained silent, thinking of how this perfect day had started to take a turn for the worst.
But this Spartan team is different, the Same Old Spartan motto has been defeated. They battled back, Javon Ringer rushed for 194 yards, and receiver Blair White was terrific. The team knows how to finish a game now, and a late fourth down play, followed by a touchdown to put the lead at 14, insured the first win against Michigan since 2001.
It was a magical moment, to see the demons of the past finally conquered. Coach Dantonio was right a year ago when he said “pride comes before the fall.” Michigan State football is just turning the corner and already showing positive results, and the University of Michigan is trying to find its identity in the shadows of a 2-6 season.
The Michigan State crowd was so excited, you could hear “go green, go white” chants all across the stadium and in the concourse after the game. There was even a sign hanging that said “little brother just beat your ass.” Rude of course, but effective and funny after everything that was said last year. My advice to Spartan fans, keep it classy, and act like you have been there before.
Although, I have been anxiously been waiting to post this picture for years now.
At the end of the day, I felt especially lucky because I got to spend the day with my dad, a Michigan State alum who raised me a loyal Spartan fan. After the last two months and everything we have gone through, I cannot express how much it meant to me to be there with my dad and see our Spartans finally beat Michigan.
It is OVER! The Spartans defeated the Michigan Wolverines by the final score of 35-21. Way more analysis and thoughts to come, but the green finally prevailed. Thank the Lord! Go Green! Go White! Go State!
Oh Michigan-Michigan State week, here we are again. They say when these two teams meet, the records are thrown out and that anything can happen.
Yet it has been seven long years since the Spartans had their last moment of football victory over the Wolverines. Six gut-wrenching games.
I will be the first one to tell you that it is hard to be a Spartan fan. It’s not easy being green and all of that. But we are a loyal bunch, yes we complain and sometimes meltdown, but we get back up. While last week’s loss to Ohio State was beyond embarrassing, life will go on.
Coach Dantonio gets this rivalry and he is not afraid to tell it like it is. This game is important and it means a lot to many people. His prophecy last year of “pride comes before the fall,” did come true. This 2-5 Michigan team is not on track even see the lights of the Motor City Bowl this year.
The 6-2 Spartans are a better team on paper and have the desire. I truly think they want it more. This may just be the best opportunity to beat Michigan for a long time, let alone in “The Big House,” a place we have not won in since 1990, when I was three years old.
So my friends, I travel Saturday to enemy territory to hopefully see the Spartans bring the Paul Bunyan Trophy to East Lansing. This will be my first time in Michigan’s stadium. As a student, I am yearning to be able to say that at least once in my 4 years here we beat Michigan. More importantly, I am hoping for some great memories with my MSU alum dad.
Anything can happen, but the students have been saying it all year.
After Michigan State’s win against Northwestern last Saturday, there is a new kind of hope and excitement reaching Spartan fans. The Spartans are bowl eligible in the middle of October, and with five games left on the schedule, this season could easily turn out to be a memorable and special one.
And while Michigan State has had their share of great openings followed by disaster upon reaching the Big Ten schedule, there is this feeling that the “Same Old Spartans” culture is gone. Within two years head coach Mark Dantonio has turned this program around. The Spartans take on the 6-1 Ohio State Buckeyes this week and this time around they are ranked, #20 in the AP Poll and #17 in the Coaches Poll.
Even if Michigan State does lose this game, the season will not come crashing down like seasons before. Last year the Spartans showed they would contend in every game. This year is about actually winning those close games and beating the teams they should win, like Indiana, Iowa, and Northwestern. The MSU team is emotionally ready to play and Coach Dantonio will have them prepared.
This will be a hard fought game, and with the struggle Ohio State has had recently on offense, my guess is a low scoring one. Can the Spartan defense stop Beanie Wells, and continue to create turnovers and big plays when it counts? Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer will need one of his best games and the offensive line must protect Hoyer better than last week against Northwestern. The Spartans also need to focus on their punting game, Ohio State blocked one last week, and MSU has had a few blocked this year.
Enjoy this time Spartan fans. As the upperclassmen are saying at on campus, this is the most important football game in our time here as students. Cheer and yell with everything you have.
Senior Michigan State running-back Javon Ringer has proven time and time again why he is the leader and captain of his team. Not only is he talented, but he continues to be humble in his accomplishments, and credit his teammates (particularly the offensive line) for allowing him to succeed. Here are some more highlights so far this season.
Eastern Michigan game: 135 yards on 34 attempts and 5 touchdowns
Indiana: 198 yards on 44 attempts and 1 touchdown
Iowa
Post Notre-Dame Game Interview after a 201 yard performance on 39 attempts and 2 touchdowns.
Is Javon Ringer Heisman worthy? His games against California and Iowa hurt him, but in order to receive serious accolades, Michigan State must at least go to a New Years day bowl and Javon Ringer needs to be amazing each week. Most likely this will not happen, but Javon Ringer will go down as one of the best running backs in MSU history.
Here are some of the best highlights through 6 games of the 2008 season.
Best Offensive Player: Javon Ringer has been outstanding this season, creating a dominant running attack that just keeps on running. He has 988 yards on 212 attempts and 12 touchdowns. Not only talented, Javon Ringer is a classy individual, leading his team with heart and Spartan pride. Here’s highlights of him in his best game so far, in the pouring rain, against Florida Atlantic where he rushed for 282 yards.
Best Defensive Performance: Adam Decker’s huge tackle for a loss against Iowa’s Shonn Greene on a fourth and 1 to win the game late in the fourth quarter. The defense and secondary is much improved and have continually come up with the big play when it matters the most.
Best Game: In arguably Michigan State’s best game of the season, the Spartans beat a solid Notre Dame team, to start the Big Ten season at 3-1.
Game-Changer: Safety Otis Wiley’s four interceptions.
Most Consistent Player: Kicker Brett Swenson is 12-13 on field goals this season. His last miss was his first attempt in the California game.
What are your favorite memories and which players are having the best season thus far? Leave a comment!
So here is the truth, I really hate making predictions, especially before the season has started. It is not necessarily that I am not good at it, in fact last year my overall prediction was pretty close. But college football is so great because it can be so unpredictable. Appalachian State did indeed beat the University of Michigan. Michigan State staged the greatest comeback in history two years ago against Northwestern. One injury can change the fate of an entire season.
Yet, our culture still loves to guess the unknown. We place bets, gamble, ask psychics, and read horoscopes all to have some sort of inkling for what is in store for us.
So I am rolling the dice and hope it comes out in the Spartans favor.
California: Who decided playing at California the first week of the season was a good idea? Michigan State last played California back in 2002, a loss that was the start of arguably the worst year in the past twenty years. Coach Mark Dantonio should have the team prepared to play Big Ten hard-nose football. But who really knows how a trip to the west coast against a usually good California team will play out. With Brian Hoyer ready to put last year’s bowl game loss to Boston College behind them, Javon Ringer, and a solid group of starters returning, what the heck, I will try to be positive and predict a win. My 21st birthday is Sunday and I cannot think of a better birthday gift.
Pick: MSU 24-21
Eastern Michigan: No matter what may happen against California, it is always nice to come back and play a MAC school at home. Michigan State has a history of blowing out Eastern and that will continue here.
Pick: MSU 48-10
Florida Atlantic: Next year Michigan State travels to Florida Atlantic to open their new stadium. That game I will be worried about. This year however, should be an easy win.
Pick: MSU 35-17
Notre Dame: The last time we played Notre Dame at home was the infamous torrential downpour Notre Dame come-from-behind win. The Irish will be better this year, but I am hoping head coach Charlie Weis will continue to eat his words when he said his team would never lose to Michigan State again while he was there. Look for another classic Michigan State vs. Notre Dame match up.
Pick: MSU 28-25
Indiana: We open the Big Ten season at Indiana, a team that I am always hesitant about. While we were able to win last year under the lights, this Indiana squad is getting better, and I would not be surprised to see them come out on top.
Pick: Indiana 38-28
Iowa: It will be Homecoming in East Lansing, and Iowa has had its share of grief during the off-season.
Pick: MSU 34-17
Northwestern: I really hate Northwestern because this team has been so unpredictable in the past few years. The Spartans will remember what happened last year, and make sure it does not happen again.
Pick: MSU 35-32
Ohio State: As much as I would love to see Dantonio beat his mentor Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, it is just not going to happen, especially when Ohio State is predicted to return to the National Championship game. Like last year, the Spartans will give it there all, but it will not be enough.
Pick: Ohio State, 27-20
Michigan: Oh have the times changed at Michigan. First year coach Rich Rodriguez is about to get a wakeup call and realize what Big Ten football is really about. It is time for some payback, and the Spartans will win their first game at Michigan since 1990.
Pick: MSU 34-28
Wisconsin: After every big Michigan State win in the past, there has usually be a big let down the following week. Wisconsin has always scared me, and I have a feeling this year will be no different.
Pick: Wisconsin 27-21
Purdue: It is toward the end of the season when the Spartans usually do not come out with many wins. The teams get tougher, and as much as I would like to say we will win, probability says we will not.
Pick: Purdue 35-24
Penn State: Unfortunately Happy Valley has always been a difficult place for us to play. Penn State should be one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Luckily, this time the Spartans will not have to worry about winning in order to make a bowl game. But Coach Paterno will still get his W.
Pick: Penn State 42-31
Overall: Michigan State’s realistic goal this year should be to repeat the success from last year and return to a bowl game. A 7-5 season would be another great step forward. But I would not be surprised if we came out 8-4 and won the games against Indiana and Purdue.
It is that time of the year again. As the students return to Michigan State and gear up for another academic year, I am getting more and more pumped for football season. The Spartan Marching Band is practicing hard and well into the evening. During a walk past the football practice field last week I heard a “Let’s go Hoyer.” Freshmen are learning the fight song and cheers at Spartan Spirit, the university’s annual pep rally. And in approximately one week, Michigan State travels to California for their opening game of the 2008 season.
This is my third year writing about MSU football, and twentieth year attending the home football games. Now as a senior, I have seen the football team go through more lows than highs, but finally now can see the great direction this program is heading towards. There is a lot to be excited about if you are a Michigan State fan. The team is coming off a 7-6 winning season with their first bowl game since 2003, the Skandalaris Football Center has opened with new impressive facilities, and the 2009 recruiting class is one of the top ten in the nation. Under the direction of second year head coach Mark Dantonio and the vision of Michigan State president Lou Anna K. Simon, the football program will most likely see many years of greatness ahead.
Yes, it is good to be back.
Look for my predictions for the upcoming season and more analysis in the next week!
Congratulations go out to the New York Giants, and namely Plaxico Burress, for winning the Super Bowl. I remember watching Plaxico back in the late nineties in Spartan Stadium, particularly the 10-2 team in 1999 and you could just tell his receiving skills were something else. While I was upset when he chose to enter the NFL draft early after his junior year, it is always great seeing a fellow Spartan achieve their dreams.
