Much was made about a former Michigan running back referring to cross-state rival Michigan State as "little brother" several years ago after UM had once again defeated MSU. It seemed like the Wolverines had owned the Spartans forever on the gridiron. But oh my, how the worm has turned.
There can be no doubt these days which of those schools is lording over the other not only in football, but in (men's) basketball as well. And it's not even a close call.
UM is bowl-eligible with a 7-4 overall record (in large part due to a few patsies they played earlier in their schedule -- including a couple of games they well should have lost), but is only 3-4 in conference play. That will likely become 3-5 when the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes come-a-calling this Saturday in Ann Arbor.
On the other hand, MSU has suffered only one narrow defeat this season, on the road -- that at the hands of those pesky Fighting Irish from Notre Dame. In the conference they remain unbeaten, including a thorough thrashing of Michigan a few weeks ago.
MSU will square off against OSU in the Big 10 championship game in Indianapolis, fittingly enough to be played on Pearl Harbor day. Bombs away. Certainly the high-flying Buckeyes will be favored, but the slow and steady Spartans shouldn't be totally discounted either. After all, they have the #1 defense in the country, are well-coached/disciplined, aren't above pulling a few trick plays themselves, and if they catch a break here or there -- well -- stranger things have happened. And what if MSU were indeed to upset OSU? The NCAA would no doubt breathe a sigh of relief, because then they'd likely be left once again with only two undefeated teams (Alabama and Florida State) to play in their championship game.
But an upset of this magnitude would vault the Spartans into national prominence, where they likely belong anyway. These guys aren't flashy, but they're very good. Even if they lose to Ohio State -- which is likely -- unless it's a total blow-out -- which is unlikely -- the future looks promising for Spartan football.
Conversely, Michigan's football program, their enormous pride notwithstanding, seems to be swirling deeper and deeper into the toilet bowl. The huge stadium, cool helmets, and hype based on generations past only goes so far. Their program is beginning to look Blue indeed. Head coach Brady Hoke would be well advised not to bring up his former "Ohio" dis of OSU this week. Urban Meyer and his Buckeyes don't need any more locker room motivation. If they trample the Wolverines as expected, the folks in Columbus might start calling that school in Ann Arbor Miss -igan. Ouch.
And it's not just football. It's basketball too. Yes, Michigan made an improbable run all the way to the NCAA finals last year before being dispatched by a superior Louisville team. They deserve credit for that accomplishment. Yet for the most part in recent years, few would doubt that MSU basketball under head coach Tom Izzo has been a vastly superior program to what their counterparts at UM have been able to attain. Year in and year out, the Spartans are always in the conversation when it comes to being national contenders.
For that matter, look at what has already transpired early this year in the college hoops world. Sports Illustrated had defending champ Louisville ranked #1, Kentucky #2, and Michigan State #3. Louisville got upended by then #24 North Carolina, and Michigan State knocked off Kentucky to assume the #1 spot. Michigan was originally ranked #7, but even with their usual early season non-conference patsy games, they've already lost to Iowa State and Charlotte to sport a not-so-impressive 4-2 record. They're a long way south of #7 now. After another patsy game at home against Coppin State, the Wolverines have to travel to #6 Duke, where they'll likely get hammered. Perhaps falling out of the top 25 entirely.
So let me see if I have this right. Win or lose against OSU, Michigan State will be heading to a very respectable bowl game to face another quality opponent. They are trending up. Michigan will be heading to a bowl game as well, but likely of the bottom-feeding variety as bowl games go, and even if they prevail against whoever else shows up -- they are still most definitely trending down.
Michigan State is currently the #1 ranked basketball team in the country. How they will ultimately fare in the NCAA tournament -- which is really all that matters in the end -- remains to be seen. But they'll be a force to be reckoned with. Michigan basketball appears to be slip-sliding away already. Yours truly would be highly surprised if MSU didn't blister UM in both their regular season meetings this year.
But when it comes to the whole little brother/little sister routine between these two schools -- at least in football and men's basketball -- it appears the "farmer" college has showed up on the beach and is kicking sand in the faces of the once mighty "blue bloods".
Maybe in a few years, this rivalry will again turn the other way.
But for right now, MSU rules -- and again -- it's not even a close call.
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