Saturday is EVERYTHING

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When it's "backyard brawl" week in Michigan, inevitably the question most heard on sports talk radio is "who needs it more?"  The answer to that is simple this season...Michigan.  Rodriguez's opening act in 2008 was a disaster at 3-9, last year's collapse after a 4-0 start was a dagger to the heart, and this year's 5-0 start needs it's validation in the defeat of a secondary rival, our little brother.  A win on Saturday and Michigan really is back.  Back in a bowl, 6-0 for the first time since 2006, and in a position to contend for a Big Ten title.  A loss and it's Harbaugh time unless we beat the Sweatervest.

Michigan State, win or lose, will still be Michigan State.  People are pointing to their soft schedule following the Michigan game, and the fact that they don't play Ohio State this season, saying that Michigan State will be in the driver's seat to challenge OSU for the title.  Right.  I'm sure this is the year that they don't shit the bed.  Win or lose on Saturday, I promise you that they will lose one of their next two games after Michigan (vs. Illinois, at Northwestern), and possibly both.  Sparty is Sparty, and neither Greg Jones nor Dantonio's chest stint are going to will them into being something they are not.

They are stupid.

Way Back Wednesday "Never Forgets"

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It was 2001, I had a field pass, and Michigan State got an extra second of clock time to make their miracle pass play happen to defeat the Wolverines.  We parked in this beautiful wooded lot, and had a grand ol' time before the game.  After the game, we did bad things...so many bad things that the lot in question no longer parks people on gamedays in East Lansing.

The flashback pictures are here:

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Spartans and Prison, A Match Made in East Lansing

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It was a busy day for Teflon Dantonio's boys.  Glenn Winston, formerly reinstated by the never criticized coach, was sentenced to his 2nd stint in the clink in less than a year.  He'll be doing six months for his role in the ski-masked raid of a campus residence building.  Allow me to bring in an impartial judge, Mr. Rittenburg of ESPN....

I keep thinking back to Dantonio's surprising decision to reinstate Winston in August. I'm not against second chances, and Winston, who comes from a very rough background, absolutely deserved one. But Michigan State took an enormous risk in bringing him back to campus, especially since his actions directly impacted another student-athlete (Sturges). As we now know, the decision totally backfired on Dantonio.

Yes, but learning from your mistakes is the most important thing.  I would imagine that next time, Dantonio will be more strict about who he lets back on campus.  Or not.  Today, 

Dantonio reinstated four players convicted in last year's residence hall assault.  So there's that.

Oh, and the best part....the headline in the Freep:  "Glenn Winston Apologizes for Role in Dorm Altercation."  Fuck you Mark Snyder.

But we're not done....

Mateen Cleaves, the pride of Spartyville, the better half and namesake of the Izzo lovechild, and the 2nd biggest NBA disappointment in history behind Shawn Respert,got arrested for DUI.  That my friends, is spectacular.

Sparty on fellas.

Streaks

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Got an email yesterday from a Sparty fan that had this screenshot...

In case you can't see it, that says that the Spartans have not lost to Michigan in Football or Basketball in 855 days.

And that just pissed me off.  So I just wanted to remind everyone that Michigan State last went to a Rose Bowl 8,102 days ago...or 22 years, 2 months, and 7 days ago.

In addition, because of this, this, and this, Michigan State has also had a representative in prison each of those 855 days.  And, seeing this, I think the streak will continue.