This preview is written in five minutes because the Senior Day Obits took a long time. So here goes.
- Tre Roberson will be fun to watch except for when he gives MSU a headache. Maybe a young Antwaan Randle-El.
- Senior Day should be a lot of fun. Graduating very few dudes on defense. We should be nearly as good next year on D.
- Also, give an extra cheer for Worthy in case this is his last game in the Spartan Green.
- A win Saturday and Nebraska loss clinches the Legend Division. Dantonio isn't rooting for Michigan and neither should you.
- Our Offensive Line sure has improved, haven't they? When was the last time you really heard any serious complaint about those guys? After the ND game, that's when.
- I'd like the trophy to officially be Michigan City. I'd like that better if it were the municipality of Michigan City.
- We'll win this game, but won't cover. I don't see us hanging an extra 28 on Indiana. Closer than you think, farther apart than Minnesota.
MSU 31 Indiana 14
Michigan State alumni, students, fans, I have one simple, emphatic request for Saturday: if you are at all able, please, please, go to the game.
ReplyDeleteWhy such an urgent plea?
For years I've claimed to my father (also a Spartan) that if we ever got a consistent winner on the football field, watch out: the alumni, East Lansing, and the state would go absolutely nuts, and prove Tom Izzo right that we are a football school ranking with the best of them.
While I'm not ready to go back on my word, the easiest way to measure this sentiment is rear ends in seats. At last year's Purdue home finale, and two weeks ago against Minnesota, there were large, noticeable holes in the student and other sections; just as Joe mentioned recently, I was shocked and disappointed. I fear the first camera shot of the stands on Saturday at 12:05pm against Indiana.
So here we are. Going for two straight undefeated home seasons. Winningest quarterback and class in school history. Chance at two B1G titles in a row. Can you imagine in your wildest dreams saying that a few short years ago?! Bowl reps in the stands. A few major recruits attending, for whom atmosphere and hype are very real factors.
Full disclosure: I graduated in 2004 and have since moved out of state, and can no longer go to games. There are certainly many more like me, and I am therefore part of the problem.
Listen, I know the cost of a game is high, and the economy's rough, and it's noon against Indiana, and we're top 20 in attendance for 50 straight years, all of which is nothing to sneeze at. But (this makes my skin crawl) Michigan puts 110,000 people in the stands for every...single...game. Please don't tell me we need 30 years of sustained success to fill Spartan Stadium every week.
Most of all, go to the game because whether you've been following the team for 5 years or 40, you've been waiting for a consistent winner. Well, here it is. This is supposed to be the payoff for all the pain! For so long, the team didn't deserve the loyalty it got. Now let's make sure we deserve the team we've got.
Eric
Finance '04
This is excellent and honestly a subject I stayed away from after the Minnesota game after some griping about it on Twitter. But you are absolutely right, while this game itself should be with some luck a snoozer we are playing for a Big Ten title. That's simply put oustanding.
ReplyDeleteIf it's ok with you I'm going to put this up as a post, do you want any sort of credit via twitter or e-mail for the post?
Thanks again for reminding us why it's important to be a fan even in kind of so-so games. My family and I are lucky enough to have season tickets and will be representing proudly.