Tonight I want to (S)party like it's 1987, and some other philosophical observations

It's amazing, and a bit frightening, to think that I was a 19 year-old sophomore at Michigan State University the last time the Spartans played in the Rose Bowl.  Looking back on it now, through the benefit of hindsight, I wish that I had somehow found a way to make it to Pasadena.  But at the time, there was no thought in my mind, or anyone else's mind, that MSU would never make it there again.  It was merely assumed by most MSU fans that the Spartans, under the guidance of coach George Perles, would be making at least one or more trips to Pasadena.  Twenty-four years later, Spartan Nation is still waiting for another Rose Bowl.

I want the current MSU students to feel the excitement that we as students felt in '87/'88 when Lorenzo White, Percy Snow, and company won the Big Ten title and beat USC in the Rose Bowl.  And, on a more personal level, as I have reached what may me be either "halftime" or the 'third quarter" of my life (at age 43), I want to experience that same joy.  I've reached that point where, not to sound overly maudlin, I don't know how many more years I will have to wait for "my team" to reach  another Rose Bowl.

I've been feeling some butterflies and nervousness regarding tonight's Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin, and I'm not even playing in the game.  This morning, I tried to remind myself that it is merely a game--and take a more philosophical approach--by watching one of my favorite football-related films, Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29.  It's an absolutely wonderful documentary about the 1968 clash between two of the most storied rivals in college football, who both went into the game undefeated.  Harvard, through a series of incredible breaks, stunning plays, and mind-boggling Yale miscues, scored 16 points in the final 42 seconds of the game to tie the heavily-favored Bulldogs.  (Yale, led by future NFL players Brian Dowling and Calvin Hill, were ranked 16th in the nation going into the game).  Though the game was a tie, the way in which it ended created two different interpretations depending on what side you were on:  the Crimson saw it as a win, and the Elis were devastated.  Anyway, the best part of this film is the contemporary interviews with the now middle-aged players.  Naturally, as these are Ivy League men, they are the most philosophical and erudite group of former gridiron gladiators as one will ever hear.  Their thoughts about that bygone game and turbulent era are by turns poignant, humorous, joyful, amazed, disappointed, but always thoughtful.

I don't really know where I was going with that mini-review of Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29, but the film is a good reminder that football is "just a game".  (And I try to remember that as I'm hurling four-letter expletives at my TV screen tonight).

Michigan State 31, Northwestern 17, and Spartans all alone as Legends Division champions

There will be no sharing of the Big Ten Legends Division title.  The Spartans won it outright by defeating a pesky Northwestern Wildcats team, 31-17. 

MSU will have a rematch next week with the Wisconsin Badgers for the Big Ten title.  The Badgers crushed Penn State, 45-7 (and in the process, inexplicably left their starting quarterback Russell Wilson in the game until the very end of a blowout win--yet another reason to dislike Bret Bielema and hope that MSU clobbers the Badgers next week).

As usual, Northwestern put up a valiant effort.  I certainly won't miss seeing Dan Persa.  That elusive, gunslinging little guy has been a constant thorn in MSU's side for four years, although the Spartans have managed to beat the Wildcats in each of those years.  It certainly hasn't been easy.

Although MSU had already clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship, make no mistake: this game against Northwestern WAS important.  It assured MSU of it's 10th win (the first time that MSU has ever recorded back-to-back double-digit victory seasons), and kept the Spartans' momentum going.  If State had lost, I can just imagine the headlines ("MSU limps into Big Ten title game", "Spartans again falter on the road", etc.) as well as the inevitable belief in some circles that the Michigan Wolverines ended the season on more of an upswing than the Spartans and would be a better representative in the title game.  Trust me, I've been around here long enough to know that this would be a common refrain.

Now, of course, all of the pundits seem to believe that MSU has no chance next week.  They are starstruck by Wisconsin's win over Penn State and seem to have forgotten that Wisconsin always plays better in Camp Randall.  Also missing in some of the analysis I've heard--namely from Mark May and Lou Holtz on ESPN--is that Will Gholston didn't play in the first MSU/Wisconsin game.  Despite not having one of MSU's best defensive players, the Spartans were still able to win.

Fine, let the so-called experts think what they want to think.  I feel confident that MSU is going to lay it all on the line next week.  They are still smarting over not making it to the Rose Bowl last year, and have dedicated their season to this goal.  I am not going to go so far as to guarantee a Spartan victory next week, but the Badgers better strap their helmets on tightly.

Next up, the Northwestern Wildcats

With the Thanksgiving holiday, I've been a stranger lately, but I've made it back in time for today's football game against Northwestern.

I've heard some people say that, since the Spartans have already clinched the Legends Division, this game is not important and MSU should rest some players.  I agree with Mark Dantonio that this talk is ridiculous, and I'm happy that Dantonio has stated this publicly with conviction.

As we know, college football is a popularity contest, so any blemish on MSU's record would hurt them when it comes to BCS rankings and national polls.  It doesn't matter to the BCS computer or the pollsters if the game "doesn't mean anything".

Additionally, what message is sent to the players if the coach downplays the importance of a game?  The Spartans need to treat this game just like any other on their schedule.

Northwestern is a dangerous team, with Persa, Ebert, and Colter on the offensive end.  The Wildcats beat Nebraska in Lincoln, so that should tell you everything you need to know about what Northwestern is capable of doing.  The Wildcats make me nervous.

The Spartans, though, are on a mission for not only an outright Big Ten crown, but a BCS bowl game.  I fully expect them to play at their best, and I look for the Spartans to win this one, 34-24.

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In other Big Ten action, Michigan should finally end a seven-year drought and beat Ohio State.  Purdue should roll over Indiana, and in a mild upset Minnesota will beat Illinois in Minneapolis.  Wisconsin will beat Penn State and the Badgers will be MSU's opponent next week in the Big Ten championship game.

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One final note, congratulations to the MSU hockey team for their stunning victory over the Minnesota Gophers.  Tom Anastos has the Spartan icers playing extremely well.

Reading enemy dispatches

I checked this book out of the library on Thursday, and it is a compelling and fascinating read.  I have been taking notes and will give a full report in this blog as soon as I finish.

Postscript (10/8/2012):  I promised a full report about this book, and in fact did keep notes, but unfortunately I threw the notes in the trash at some point and have no idea what I wanted to write about it. Basically what I took away from the book is that Rich Rodriguez never had a chance in Ann Arbor. He received no support from either Lloyd Carr, the University of Michigan administration, or the power broker "Michigan Men" (wealthy graduates who support the athletic department along with former Michigan players and coaches).

You may ask yourselves why in God's Green Earth a Michigan State fan would want to read this book. I admit that part of it is a case of schadenfreude on my part, but I was also curious to learn how a football program with such a seemingly solid foundation could sink to such depths in such a short period of time. Bacon's well-written and exhaustively researched book provides those answers.

My afternoon at Spartan Stadium (Michigan State 55, Indiana 3)

I went with my wife to MSU's season finale against Indiana and it was a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a November Saturday afternoon.

I can only afford to attend one or two MSU football games per year, but am happy that I was able to extend my 19-year streak of making at least one game per season.  This relatively modest streak dates back to 1993. 

My pre-game preparation consisted of wearing my favorite "gruff Sparty" hoodie, and making the last second decision to sport my long underwear, which turned out to be a good decision, even though temperature was a warm-for-November 47 degrees.  (And I am sure you, the reader, are thrilled to know that I had my long johns on--perhaps a little too much information?).

After dropping off our two sons at a friend's house in Lansing, we parked our car at my sister-in-law's place in East Lansing and walked over to the stadium, finally reaching our seats just moments before the Senior Day ceremonies.  (Unfortunately, we missed the Spartan Marching Band take the field, which has become one of my favorite parts of the Michigan State football experience).

Let me say something about Spartan Stadium.  Despite the shiny addition that was added onto it a few years ago (completed in 2005, to be precise), the place literally is a "spartan stadium".  In fact, if anything, the west side addition only accentuates the sad appearance of the rest of the exterior and concourses.  Spartan Stadium was never that much to look at in the first place, but the reinforced concrete skeleton is deteriorating and rebar is visible in many areas.  I know it has been this way for quite awhile, but if MSU wants to have a football venue to match the excellence the program has produced on the field for the last few years, this problem should be addressed.  Don't get me wrong, I love Spartan Stadium, but in many ways the old girl is really showing her age.

I will say this in defense of Spartan Stadium: it's completely unpretentious and doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is--a football stadium.  Don't expect any ferris wheels or playgrounds or picnic areas.  When one is at Spartan Stadium, one is expected to watch a football game (unless one is one of the rich folk who can afford a luxury suite--one of Spartan Stadium's few concessions to the modern reality of multi-million dollar collegiate athletics).

Another compliment I'll extend to Spartan Stadium is that is that I am thrilled that Tim Horton's coffee is now served at the concessions (and at all MSU athletics concessions).

As for the game itself, blowout wins can be enjoyable--and this one certainly was for me.  About the only good thing about the Indiana Hoosiers is their sharp new road uniforms and helmets, which resemble those of the Texas Longhorns.  Unfortunately for Indiana, they played like the Longhorns on a three-day bender. 

I had a wonderful time simply kicking back on our south endzone aluminum bench and watching the Spartans run up and down the field at will.  The lopsided score allowed each senior player the opportunity to make his own curtain call in the fourth quarter, and those were touching scenes I won't soon forget.  And everyone in the stadium got a big kick watching guard Joel Foreman run the ball late in the game for a 3-yard gain.

At this time, I wish to extend a debt of gratitude to the Nebraska Cornhuskers for losing on Saturday, and thus guaranteeing the Legends Division crown for the Spartans.  As for that school down the road that beat the Huskers, I refuse to offer them any thanks.  (I believe I mentioned this particular school in a previous post).

When the game was over, I didn't want to leave.  But at least we were able to conclude our football Saturday with a relaxing stroll across a late November college campus, still clinging to its green color before the inevitable onset of winter in the not-too-distant future.

Hoosier daddy? Probably the Spartans.

I'm excited about finally heading to Spartan Stadium tomorrow for my first LIVE game of the season, in what is the home finale.  I hope to get to the stadium in time for the senior day ceremony at 11:45 AM.  This special Spartan senior class deserves a standing ovation for all they've accomplished.

As far as the game itself goes, on paper it looks to be a blowout--but I thought that way about last year's final home game against Purdue and the Minnesota game two weeks ago.  If the Spartans are lackadaisical, it could end up being closer than expected.  But I have to believe that the MSU players know what is at stake, and will give it a solid and spirited effort. 

From what I've read about Indiana, they seem overmatched in this game.  Their quarterback, freshman Tre Roberson, is considered an outstanding talent with speed and a good arm.  But the key is that he is a FRESHMAN, and he doesn't have enough talent surrounding him at this point.  Plus, IU's coach Kevin Wilson completely cleaned house when he took over, and the Hoosiers are an extremely thin and young team.  Perhaps, if they play hard and get some turnovers, they can hang with MSU for the first half.  But I don't see them being able to last much more than that.  IU's defense is their weakest link, and I can see the Spartans running up and down the field on them.  Final score: MSU 41, IU 14.  (But we've seen how terrible my predictions have been, so maybe I should just shut up).

The Duke post mortem

Just a quick note about last night's game:

The rat got his cheese last night, and took it away from our Spartans.  Coach K is now the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history.  (Okay, I don't really think Mike Krzyzewski is a rat--I have grudging respect for him-- but do think this photo is hilarious.  I am not a Duke fan and view them as the New York Yankees of college hoops--the team you love to hate).

The Spartans played quite well in the first half, and were only down by one at the intermission.  Unfortunately, the team's youth showed through in the second half and they struggled mightily until making a run late in the game.  I love what I saw from Travis Trice, and was encouraged with the way Keith Appling almost single-handedly got MSU back in the game in the last six minutes.  Was not thrilled by Derrick Nix's brutal game.

In any case, since I didn't expect MSU to win the game, I was able to (for the most part) calmly watch the game without getting too emotional.

This team is still raw, but they should continue to improve and may still surprise some people.