Blog: Are Spartan Fans Scared Of The Wolverines' Success?
By: Jeff Riger
@riger1984
Well, look what we have here.
Michigan State has been underwhelming and has dropped in the polls while Michigan has climbed and shut out the last two teams they've played.
For the last seven years, Wolverine fans had it rough. Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke not only were clueless on the field, but they were embarrassing behind the podium mic as well. Spartan fans everywhere loved it! MSU people have been living it up. From Rich Rod belting out the lyrics to "raise me up" at a football banquet to Hoke apologizing to MSU coach Mark Dantonio for a player jamming a tent stake in the turf, it's all been bad.
Meanwhile, the Spartans hit their stride and not only beat Michigan consistently but won the conference, the Rose Bowl and who could forget the Cotton Bowl and their comeback against Baylor?
The way MSU fans acted changed.
Michigan fans were left to be embarrassed, wondering if they would ever get to taunt MSU again while Spartans everywhere got arrogant and cocky. The green and white talked about their "no fly zone," "Spartan Dawgs" and even counted the number of days it had been since Michigan beat them in basketball and football. They loved it and they should have because they had the team and wins to back it up. They also were insufferable to Michigan fans everywhere, which they probably loved even more than the winning itself.
But have things now changed?
Michigan State is undefeated but has looked underwhelming in the games they played. Michigan is 4-1, and their only loss is to a Utah team on the road that seems to be the surprise of college football. (Were you aware they are a top 10 team?) The Spartans continue to allow inferior teams to hang around. The Wolverines look to be a focused, disciplined team under Jim Harbaugh. I could go on but I think you get the point. Michigan has impressed, Michigan State has looked bored -- or just isn't that good?
Michigan fans are getting their swagger back.
It started last week when MSU struggled against CMU and Michigan throttled a ranked BYU team. Right after the games were done, a narrative was born. Michigan fans not only were ecstatic about their football team but they also, for the first time thought they might actually have a chance to knock off the Spartans come October 17th at the Big House. A week later, that narrative has grown.
Don't forget about the sports math.
In case you are unaware, sports math is used to determine which team is better when the teams have yet to play each other. You take common opponents, or even common opponents of common opponents and you make a simple mathematical equation that can be used in any argument. For instance, Michigan's lone loss on the season was to Utah on the road, the same team that went into Eugene, Oregon and put up 62 points on the same Ducks that Michigan State barely beat in East Lansing. You get it? Sports math alone doesn't help win an argument but add it to what we've already discussed in this blog and I believe it aids in the belief that Michigan is just as good as MSU.
Michigan fans are yelling from the mountain tops while State fans are in "you're so stupid, we're undefeated and we're concerned with bigger things than you" mode. It's actually kind of amusing.
I've actually heard Spartans say things like "survive and advance" and "we're saving our good plays for better competition," which we all know is code for "wow, we kind of suck and know it, but we will never admit it." Think about it for the second. Everybody knew Harbaugh would make a difference, but few thought that difference would come so quick. As for MSU, they were spouting before the season that anything less than the playoff is failure. Michigan State probably never thought they would have to worry about Michigan too.
They're stressed.
They won't say it, so I will say it for them. Michigan State is terrified of losing their dominance in the state. They remember what it used to be like and while they probably figured tougher times were ahead with Michigan having hired a qualified coach, no way could they have thought those times would be here in 2015.
MSU is truly little brother and that's not a knock, I swear. I'm actually a little brother and I want nothing more than to beat my big bro! I'll give you an example… My brother is much better at golf than me but it doesn't stop me from dreaming that one day I'll not only beat him but beat him consistently. If that were ever to happen I would fight like hell to make sure it stayed that way. There are few things worse than playing the best I've ever played but it not being anywhere close to the level of him. It sucks.
Michigan State is in the same boat. They were little brother all those years just trying to beat Michigan and failed most of the time. They hated it. But, now they are king and have dominated the rivalry for almost a decade. They love it, they talk smack about it and deep, deep down, in a place they rather not admit exists, they can't stand the idea that one day it might go back to how it used to be.
If Michigan State loses to Michigan in a couple of weeks not only will their national champion hopes come crashing down but they will have lost the one thing that means the most to them…their dominance over the Maize and Blue. Spartan fans would never hear the end of it and definitely would not take it well.
Before I get too carried away, it needs to be noted how brave I am. Yeah, that's right, I have crazy, mad courage. Let me explain… I'm not certain that Michigan is great. Sure, their D looks legit and yes Harbaugh has seemed to have made a difference. But there are still plenty of question marks? Can Michigan run the ball against a team like MSU? Can Jake Rudock be clutch in the biggest moments in the biggest game? Maybe the teams Michigan beat just aren't that good. Maybe Michigan State will be awoken on the morning of 10-17-15 and annihilate Michigan?
See, there are questions and by me writing this blog, I just open myself up to all the crap I'll get if Michigan gets destroyed on October 17th or even if they get beat handedly this coming week against Northwestern. What a risk I'm taking! I should get some kind of medal of honor…don't you think?
I'll actually give it to MSU fans.
Despite how worrisome the play of their football team has been, they continue to laugh, point and be darn right obnoxious with their belief that Michigan beating them this season is not only far-fetched but offensive. Some might even describe the way they've been acting as prideful?
Speaking of pride, wasn't it their head coach that uttered that classic line "pride comes before the fall" before things actually changed in their favor? Huh? That's ironic…isn't it?
Is Sparty scared? I believe they are, in fact I've believed it since Harbaugh was hired. I don't expect MSU to admit it and maybe they're not even aware of it but my advice is they should be. They should be shaking with fear because Michigan has a real chance in a couple of weeks and they know it!
Man, October 17th is going to be fun…well at least for one team!