Expectations throughout the years for Michigan and Michigan State have sometimes been in lockstep with one another and at other times been vastly different. So let's consider expectations for 2012 and discuss what would constitute as a good season for each squad.
Michigan is coming off an 11-2 season and a BCS bowl victory, yet the season was publicly branded a failure by head coach Brady Hoke. The stated goal is to win the B1G championship. I actually disagree with Hoke and would consider last season an unqualified success after the transition from the Rodriguez era at Michigan. I do love coach Hoke's attitude that anything but a Big Ten title is a failure, which is the right goal for the team and the coach. Us fans have more leeway to alter expectations however we prefer.
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| The stated goal. |
The Must-Win: For this season, the game against the Spartans has added emphasis for Michigan and even moreso for bloggers and fans that live within the state of Michigan. Last season it was all about the proverbial Ohio State monkey on their backs and The Game always has massive significance as it will again this year with Urban Meyer beginning his career leading the Buckeyes. Still, my own opinion is that the MSU game has surpassed the OSU game as the most important game on Michigan's schedule this season. Some of that has to do with the rivalry heating and MSU's recent success but it is mostly due to the fact that the winner of this year's in-state showdown in Ann Arbor will have the inside track to Indianapolis for a shot at the Big Ten crown and a Rose Bowl berth.
In historical perspective, 2011 was a great season for the Spartans. With a victory over Michigan, winning the division and a bowl game victory (first for Dantonio) MSU ratcheted up program momentum yet again.
2012 Outlook: For Michigan State, I think the goal should also be a Big Ten championship. I've read some articles saying that Spartan players and coaches have their sights set higher than the B1G and on a national championship. Of course you want to win all your games, but a Big Ten title would always constitute as a good season in East Lansing, wouldn't it Spartan fans?
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| What will make Sparty happy? |
The Question: Michigan fans, would you be happy with a season that saw your team win the B1G but lose to MSU? Personally, I would be happy with a season that included a victory over Ohio State and a berth in the Rose Bowl no matter what happens against the Spartans.
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| Is this in the future for Denard Robinson? |
In a nutshell, I think the Spartans are ina spot where a successful season is if they reach the B1G championship game again. I think that is the goal for any serious conference contendor. I do not buy into the natty championship hype. It would be great to go to a BCS bowl game. But I will take the conference championship (and hopefully the Rose Bowl).
ReplyDeleteObviously our must win is against UM. Tough spot to be in, losing to UM but winning the B1G championship? I will take that trip to the Rose Bowl.
That game in Ann Arbor is a big one this year, bigger than usual.
I think there are very few teams that can realistically say their goal is to play in the BCS title game or their season wasn't a success. Alabama might be the only school in that category right now.
ReplyDeleteI think the goal for MSU and for UM should be the same. Win the conference. If you do that and get a couple breaks you are going to be in the national title conversation. That's about all you can ask for.
Whe MSU was really bad there were a lot of people of the opinion that if we beat Michigan the season was a success regardless of how the rest of it went. Those people were idiots.
UM is the biggest game on our schedule sure, but I'd conference titles over a singular win against Michigan. And to be honest while the level rivalness (just made that word up) isn't at the UM level, Wisconsin is gaining ground because of the really outstanding games we have played with them during the Dantonio era. And because Bielema is kind of a dick. Monte Ball is real good though, and I hope he and some of his O-linemen buddies track down the assholes who jumped him. Vigilante Justice!!
I second Kenny's sentiment
ReplyDeleteBoth teams are slightly overrated considering State lost their leader and QB in Cousins and UofM lost their defensive line stuffer in Mike Martin not to mention Kyle Van Bergen. That being said, I agree both are contenders for the B1G title and a trip to the Rose Bowl should be the goal.
ReplyDeleteAlabama is currently the only team that has the talent to be in contention on a yearly basis, much like USC did a decade ago.
Jim Delany really failed by not getting the playoff games to be at highest ranked team's home field. SEC will ALWAYS have the territorial advantage if all Bowl and national title games are in the South.
My first post... Great blog you guys!
Jose Goncalves