A Perspective of the Michigan-Michigan St Football Rivalry: 2012 Edition

As many of you may know, I am a pretty hardcore University of Michigan fan.  Although I've lived in Spartan country for the majority of my life, I have always stuck with my roots as a Michigan fan, as I lived in Ann Arbor from 1989-1997.  My grandfather was a proud alumnus of U of M, having received a graduate degree from there in mathematics, and my father taught Mechanical Engineering there for seven years.

This is Denard's last chance to beat MSU!

In regards to my allegiance, I try and be as rational as possible when it comes to my support of U of M.  Just because they're my favorite team doesn't mean I expect them to win, or even contend for, the BCS National Championship every year.  Michigan may have the most wins in CFB history, and arguably the richest history of any college football program, but those are not substantive reasons to rate or predict the performance of this year's team.  Strength of schedule, returning starters, and depth are much more important and logical predictors. 

Let's focus on 2012. Michigan is currently ranked #8 in the AP Poll, USA Today Poll, and the ESPN Power Rankings.  Considering our record from last year, this doesn't come as surprise.  We finished 11-2 and defeated Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl to win our 1st BCS game since 2000 against Alabama.  However, considering our performance on the field from last season, #8 might be a little bit high.  Michigan was 3-0 in games decided by a touchdown or less, only lost six fumbles on offensive the entire year, and benefited from eight home games vs four away games. 

This year the schedule should be more difficult too, with #3 Alabama, #13 Michigan St, #17 Nebraska, and #18 Ohio St on the slate.  And, as much as I hate to say it, the most important game for us this year is the Michigan St game on October 20th at the Big House.

As Bob Wojnowski states in this article on the Michigan vs Michigan St rivalry, tensions are extremely high between the two teams.  It's been pretty depressing losing to Michigan St four years in a row.  The fact that three of those years were some of the worst team U of M has ever fielded eases the pain to some extent, but four in a row hurts.  Michigan St played great against us last year, doubling us up on the scoreboard 28-14.   However, a similar result is not acceptable this year. 

Spartan fans have been crying afoul for several years that their team deserves 'more national attention' and that they've been 'robbed of BCS births.' Michigan needs to keep these fans caterwauling about the lack of respect their program receives, and the only way to do it is by playing it's best football of the year on October 20th. 

This supposed lack of respect created a chip on the shoulder of Coach Mark D'Antonio.  D'Antonio has done a fantastic job building the Michigan St program the past five years, doing much better than his predecessor, John L Smith.  His defense has been fantastic the past several years, as Pat Narduzzi is one of the best defensive coordinators in the country, and could be a head coach at a D-1 school if he truly wanted to.  Yet, D'Antonio still felt the need to derail a Michigan recruiting presentation this past January, and snapped off to the media "We've beaten Michigan the last four years. So where's the threat?" in an interview for an ESPN article.  If D'Antonio was truly comfortable with his team, their reputation, and the respect they received, he wouldn't need to revert to uncalled for comments like that.  Brady Hoke would never say something like that about Michigan State.

Let's make sure the score doesn't look like that Oct 20th

This mentality, that the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans conveys, is why Michigan St is still 'little brother' to it's big brother Michigan.  The fact that a coach who has beaten his 'hated rival Michigan' four years in a row performs these actions exemplifies the chip Michigan St football carries on it's shoulders.  However, if Michigan St beats Michigan again this year, that chip may finally subside.  Michigan St may consider beating Michigan 'business as usual' regardless of how well Michigan recruits, or plays in it's other games.  If Michigan St beats us this year, they will almost assuredly make their first BCS game, ingraining even more confidence in their program and their fan base. 

Thus, we need to prove our legitimacy and prowess on the field October 20th.  That is the perfect time for us to mark their re-ascension to CFB's elite, while simultaneously keeping the chip Michigan St carries, firmly on it's shoulder.

GO BLUE