Big Ten Scenarios and Tournament Seeding

The B1G hoops season has one week to go with five teams in the mix for a piece of the title and one of the top four seeds in the conference tournament.  Indiana has locked up at least a share and can win the conference outright with either a win at home against Ohio State or at Michigan.  The other four, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin are also battling for a Thursday bye in the conference tournament as they jockey for a more favorable NCAA seeding.

In the next week, these five teams play seven games amongst themselves. Seven games means there are 128 potential possible endings (2^7) to the regular season.  The games to be played are:

March 5: OSU @ IU
March 6: UM @ Purdue
March 7: UW @ MSU
March 10: UW @ PSU, UI @ OSU, IU @ UM, NU @ MSU

128 possibilities is far too much to look at but luckily each outcome is not equally likely.  Four of the above games are "handle your business" games (they are the un-bolded games); if those teams handle their business, the league finish will get decided by three games with eight (2^3) more or less equally likely scenarios.  I know it's the B1G and handling your business is not always just that.  Should any one of the teams lose games they are expected to win they would likely drop to fifth place and lose a bye in the conference tourney.  If multiple teams fail to handle their business, well it becomes a shit-storm and you can throw this whole thing out the window.

Bullet Points:

• Today, Indiana has a better than 75% chance of winning the conference outright.  Tuesday's game against OSU will decide a lot and is arguably the least in doubt of the big three (yellow bolded) games.
• If all teams handle their business, Michigan will need to beat Indiana to avoid the 5-seed regardless of anything else. They really get stung by tie-breakers having lost their only game against Wisconsin.
• If Indiana beats OSU on Tuesday, the title is decided leaving the other teams scrapping for a tournament bye with four scenarios.  In two of those scenarios, Michigan falls to the 5-seed. In another scenario, OSU gets the 5-seed.  In the final scenario where MSU loses to Wisconsin, MSU and OSU would go deep into tie-breakers for fourth place relying on the finish of Minnesota and/or Illinois.
• If OSU and Michigan both beat Indiana, it likely creates a four-way tie and the MSU-UW game becomes very important with the winner sharing the B1G title and the loser falling to the 5-seed.  Wisconsin would also get the #1 seed with a win over MSU.

Disclaimer: This all relies on my proper interpretation of the B1G tie-break procedures which I got here.  Go State.

Good Football in Our Great State

It's been a month since I posted last and because I was posting so much on football, I wanted to do a season wrap-up now that the Spartans, Wolverines and Lions are all done playing.  My plan was to post a few links and make a few comments for each team but as I curated some reading material, it became evident that there was a lot more to be said about the Wolverines.  So just a couple links for the good guys and a bunch of links for the bad guys.  Did you think this would be unbiased?

The Lions

This season, my dad started DVR'ing the Lions games.  For me that says it all.  Before 2011 he watched exactly one half of one NFL game per year, the second and third quarters on Thanksgiving.  Just enough to make a few comments about the long-term patheticness of the team.  I saw many people join the Lion bandwagon in a big way on Facebook too... not to criticize either my FB friends or my dad.  I think it says a LOT that so many people still care, at all.

So now that the season is in the books what's next?  Some guy at ESPN says "the Lions have earned themselves big boy treatment".  Fair enough.

The Spartans

Well, it was a great season for the Spartans and their fans.  I won't go too much into it but as ESPN B1G blogger, Adam Rittenberg, points out: keeping their defensive coordinator, Pat Narduzzi, is a good indication that the program is headed where it wants to go.  Agreed.

The Wolverines

You can't argue that the Wolverines didn't have a successful year.  But as DFP columnist Michael Rosenberg points out, it was just one of those years where everything went their way. Rosenberg: For Michigan, an honorable end to lucky season

Not many people outside of Ann Arbor were too high on the Wolverines (and Hokies) selection to the Sugar Bowl.  Rittenberg says that the game diminishes the league's aspirations of being perceived as equal to the SEC.

Some dude from Fox Sports takes it a step further, calling it a fraudulent bowl game.  Another writer from CBS Sports basically says the same thing. Comparing the game to a puppy falling down the stairs.

This is the one that gets me.  All this talk of "Is Michigan Back?".  Granted, much of it is prompted by the media who think it's a great story line. And when asked if they're back, the players have little choice on how to respond... Coach Hoke finds a way to turn it on its ear a bit by saying that "Michigan never left".  But where is it that Michigan Football is back too (or never left, depending on whom you ask)?  Why not acknowledge the hard work and fortuity that lead to a surprisingly successful season and let the winning speak for itself?  It is this sense of pre-destination or responsibility or entitlement to greatness that people outside of the Michigan fold really detest.  But I guess it's also what draws many people to the program... and gets them into games like the Sugar Bowl.

Our Daily Dose of Hipocrisy

... From UofM athletic director, Dave Brandon.  He thinks OSU is getting special treatment that contradicts the NCAA's goal to create "a level playing field"...

Read the short article from ESPN, HERE.  Too lazy to click over?  Basically, Brandon is mad that Ohio State's new coach, Urban Meyer, is being allowed to recruit thus freeing up time and resources for current interim, Fickell to coach up the Xs and Os in OSU's bowl game.

Yes, Dave Brandon.  It's just another case of the NCAA trying to keep the little guys down.  When will UofM ever get a hand up from the big mean NCAA football machine?

Big Ten Championship Mini-Rant

Ah, the madness of being a Michigan State Spartan fan.  Is this not the opportunity we've been waiting for for so, so long: a chance to play our way into the Granddaddy of them all, The Rose Bowl (presented by some company)?  It's supposed to be.  But it feels like we're getting screwed all over again.  What a hose job.  Last year before the advent of the B1G title game, the Spartans, tied for the league title, lost a popularity contest/ tie-breaker to other co-champs, Ohio State and Wisconsin, and were relegated to a non-BCS bowl... which I cannot recall.  Now in the first year of divisional play, the team has played its way against all the toughest teams (save for Penn State) to become the only seven-win team in the conference.  Now, to move on, the Spartans will need to re-defeat early favorite, Wisconsin.  Win and you're in.  Lose and you're in... The Outback Bowl?  I say win and let's get in.  I'm not going to cry if we lose and I encourage all Spartan fans to shut their yaps if that happens.  Although all Spartan fans will know with a wink and a nod that we're getting screwed, just like usual.

Adding possible insult to potential injury is the rumor that if State loses, UofM would be jettisoned into an at-large BCS berth.  I guess we'll see if that happens but right now, UofM is 16th in the BCS rankings... and apparently you must be at least 15th or 14th to be eligible.  But I ask, how can they move up from there?  If State loses, won't that diminish their computer rankings?  Since a State loss would be the only relevant activity to UofM's BCS ranking, wouldn't it have to go down due to the fact that A)State beat UofM (28 to 14, just sayin') and B)Two of UofM's signature wins were against teams that beat State (Notre Dame and Nebraska).  I don't see it happening but I just want to be on the record as saying that would be a truck-load of crap.

Go Green! Go Black. Go... Gold?

 My initial reaction to Nike's Pro Combat uni designs for MSU was disbelief.  Not outrage per se but just, really?  Gold helmets? Somebody with the university signed off on that? (Turns out the players actually asked for a new design and then gave them a final thumbs up.)

The Fighting Spartans?

However, I wanted to wait a couple days before taking a side on this very bold design.  And my side is against. Sorry, they're ugly. The black on green is awful.  Throw in the alien looking gold and it's a mess.  I find the gloves perplexing too given that a player could easily be penalized for making that gesture in a game.  I do like the helmet but more as a novelty.  It looks like something you would give to a coach or booster to put on their mantle.

Looks like dogshit. And not the good kind.

But there is more beyond the radical design, that kind of pisses me off on this subject. A year or so ago, Nike and the University quietly unveiled a new design for the Spartan helmet logo.  The backlash was pretty quick and pretty fierce and as a result the new design quietly went away.  Then before the season, the uniform design that the football team wore last year (and still wears mostly unchanged) was unveiled featuring mostly innocuous changes to the pant and helmet stripes and logo/ number font.  But sneakily a new bronze accent color was added (really it was brown).  It was largely shrugged off though because it wasn't very visible nor did it have that big an effect on the overall appearance.  But now, the accent color that nobody asked for has been transformed into metallic gold and thrust upon the team and its fans as if it were always a part of the school's tradition. And with the ever present (and frankly, lazy) black no less.  Nike has effectively pulled an end around in its quest to Nikify MSU.

Why couldn't Nike create something like this? 

This.

I found this design while doing a little research for this post. I absolutely love it. It pains me a little that they were designed by a UM guy (aka TheZuba.com). But you have to give him credit for a great design and for repping Michigan, as in "the state of".  Heck, I'll even admit that his designs for the wolverine helmet look pretty cool.

Note the wolverine head watermark on the right helmet.

For a little more commentary on ALL of the Nike Pro Combat designs, check out Uni Watch blog's take on ESPN.com.

All the pics of the new Michigan State unis

So I couldn't find a good source that showed all the views of the new Michigan State "Nike Pro Combat" uniforms that will be worn during the game against Michigan so I decided to compile them all here. A special shout goes out to the internet for making it possible. I may comment later but for now here they are...

Tailgate Facebook Invites Greatest Hits Edition

After the mind-blowingly staggering response to my last couple posts I thought I'd follow up with another college football related post.  (Oh, if you hadn't heard, RJ5K helped to generate a 25% increase in Google Maps reviews for Spartan Stadium. Who's kidding who?!)

In case you don't know, I help to maintain a Facebook group for a bunch of Michigan State tailgaters.  If it sounds like a big deal, it's because it is.  OK not really, but administering the group does make me feel less guilty when I don't bring cheese dip or I steal somebody else's canned refreshments.  And by "administering", I mean I send out an invite to the tailgate as if it wouldn't happen unless it got mentioned on Facebook.

Well, if you've read this far you must be a lot like me and that is: you find the things I write and say edge-of-your-seat interesting.  So without any further self-important blusterity here is the greatest hits from two years of tailgate invites...

2009 Tailgate pt. II - Spartans vs. Central Michigan Chippewas

September 12, 2009

Join us again for the last home tailgate until October. It's sure to be a rowdy time with lots of Chips joining the party and several Spartans returning from holiday for their first tailgate of 2009. Highlights from last week include Rock & Roll Matt's omelet station/ turntable, kids getting hit in the head with footballs, RJ falling down (twice) and puppies, lots and lots of puppies. What will happen this week and more importantly, will you remember it?

The Great State Tailgate - Spartans vs. UM Wolverines

October 3, 2009

If you only come to one tailgate all year, make it to this one. We are going to tailgate the crap out of this tailgate. In addition to the usual assortment of beers, sausages, chips, dips, chains and whips, there will also be a round table discussion on how awesome it is to be a Spartan as well as a beer shot-gunning workshop. Bring it. UM fans will also be tolerated provided they either 1) Attended UM's Ann Arbor campus for more than one semester or 2) Have the last name "Schembechler".

Tailgate Under the Stars - Spartans vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

October 24, 2009

Alright peeps. Last week kinda sucked. That's OK. I get it. You were saving up your tailgate energies. Because THIS is the big one. Yeah, it's a big game for the team. This will decide which way the season goes. Seven and one in The Big Ten and a trip to Pasadena or four and four and Motor City Bowl, here we come. It's also a big game for us, the tailgaters. It's a night game, FFS. We only get one of these every couple years. This is the day we don't have to wake up at five bleeding o'clock to get out there by seven am to drink Keystone Light in the dark. Let's do it right.

Yep. We're Doing This - Spartans vs. Western Michigan Broncos

November 7, 2009

Ouch. What a couple weeks for the team. Luckily however, the Broncos are coming into town to get us one step closer to bowl eligibility. As in, Little Caesar's Bowl or bust (who called it?). But who knows? Anything can happen... and that is why we tailgate, for the randomness (kinda like this description). So come on out, have a donut, drink some cider, drop your cell phone in the port-o-let or maybe even give a Bronco a noogie. It'll make you feel better. Promise.

Season Finale - Spartans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

November 21, 2009

Yo, yo, yo, Spartans! Get fired up because this one is going to be huge. HUUUUGE! It's the last tailgate, we can rock it til 3:30 and the game is against our hated and despised rivals, Penn State (if you believe everything the B10 conference tells you; and I do). And oh yeah, we're bowl eligible so we're trying to build on that too. And that ain't Nittany lyin' that's Nittany tellin' the truth. Rumors are circulating that there will be some sort of chili cook-off but it's BYOB (Bring Your Own Beano). Clever right? Whatever... COME TO PENN STATE!

2010 Season Opener- Spartans vs. Western Michigan Broncos

September 4, 2010

This year's tailgate season picks up where last year's left off. We Spartans hosting our equine buddies from the west, the WMU Bronco's. We'll be at our usual location so come on out and see us. If we don't see you, we'll just assume you moved, died, own a lake house or had a kid (in any case, thanks for calling jerk!). Anyways.... As always, hopes are high, expectations are low and BACs will be somewhere in between. Go Schtayte!!

Way Late Tailgate- Spartans v. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

September 18, 2010

Bring a change of clothes and a toothbrush because this one is going way late. Festivities kick off at 1pm at the usual spot, game starts at eight at the stadium. On the agenda are beers, tacos and bad decisions. See you when I see you.

Best Tailgate This Week - Spartans v. Northern Somethin-or-Another

September 25, 2010

Spartans are trying to build on one of the greatest games in school history. Will this be a let down game or another classic? Only this tailgate will decide it. You best come correct. PS- get well soon, coach.

Super Huge Tailgate - Spartans v. Wisconsin Badgers

October 2, 2010

Thanks to those that kept the home-fires burning last week. Tailgate is coming back in a big way this week. Spartans are ranked, so is Wisconsin. Spartans are undefeated, Wisconsin dido. And it all goes down at 3:30. All of those factors were statistically significant in a regression analysis conducted on tailgating awesomeness. So bring your A-game. We don't need no stinking Badgers.

Oh Yeah! There's a tailgate - Spartans v. Illinois Fightin' Illini

October 16, 2010

It's gonna be hard to top last weekend for most Sparties but we'll at least give it a go this Saturday when the Illini (Illinis?) visit colorful and picturesque East Lansing. No let-downs. Go, fight win. And stuff

Tailgate Finale - Spartans v. Purdue Boilermakers

October 20, 2010

So I typed out a long (and hilarious) thing about this week's tailgate and FB F'd it up. So... there's a game. The Spartans are awesome. Yada. See you bright and squirrely.

Support Spartan Stadium on the Internets!

Spartan Stadium only has NINE ratings and reviews on Google Maps! 

To show your love for this great place, click the link in the bubble to rate and review Spartan Stadium. Then if you want, paste your review in the comments of my blog. I will be sending a small gift out to the poster of my favorite comment.


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Show your further support for Spartan Stadium on the Internets by either

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Also be sure to check out a few facts and photos about Spartan Stadium on this blog, here.

On the Banks of the Red Cedar...

Just a few facts and photos on the history of Spartan Stadium.

Click here to support Spartan Stadium's internet rep.

 An early picture of College Field and the marching band with some agricultural buildings directly to the southeast.

Another picture of College Field and the marching band (presumably before it had been renamed to Macklin Field in 1935).  Beaumont Tower can be seen along the tree-line as well as a since-demolished smokestack.

The 1924 meeting between Michigan Agricultural College and the University of Michigan.  Michigan won 7-0.

Spartan Stadium in 1952.  In 1948, after being admitted to the Big Ten, the stadium was expanded to a capacity of 51,000 and renamed Macklin Stadium. Another 9,000 seats would be added in 1956.

Arial shot of Spartan Stadium and surrounding area in 1962.  The east and west upper decks were added in 1957 increasing capacity to 76,000.  Macklin Stadium was renamed Spartan Stadium that same year.



Photo credits go to "On the Banks of the Red Cedar" collection which is part of the University Archives & Historical Collection.