The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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UM-MSU game columnists' rebuttals
Wolverines lose to Spartans
Lisa Allmendinger
PUBLISHED: October 30, 2008
Michigan State University gave me 35 good reasons why I won't be giving up my day job as a news reporter to become a sports bookie.
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My University of Michigan Wolverines added another 21 reasons why I should stick to covering politics rather than making prognostications.
And, for MSU fans who might need a little help figuring out the joke -- your Spartans finally managed to pull out a "W" last Saturday, defeating my Wolverines, 35-21.
In the process, the Paul Bunyan Trophy that has been collecting dust in U of M trophy cases since 2001, and state "Little Brother" football bragging rights, are temporality sitting in East Lansing.
Enjoy it.
The Spartans managed to win despite three unsuccessful field goal tries, U of M's five sacks of your quarterback and a phantom touchdown awarded to the Maize and Blue by replay officials.
All in all, it was ugly.
But an ugly Spartan win is still a win, even though MSU tried to help U of M's cause by losing 3 of 4 fumbles and managing seven stupid penalties.
I have to hand it to the Spartan team and coaching staff who took this game ever so importantly -- You did it.
You had unheralded players step up and stick it to Michigan's nonexistent pass defense.
Your coach, Mark Dantonio, made a gutsy fourth-and-one call and it worked.
You beat a 2-6 U of M football team.
Congratulations.
You dominated all the stats from first downs to time of possessions to passing and rushing.
Bravo.
But remember, it all came down to the fourth quarter. The game was tied at halftime, as well as at the end of the third quarter.
This week, Sparty fans, moo long and loud because, on Saturday, Wisconsin is coming to town and they would like nothing better than to improve to 5-4 at your expense.
But for now, you are tied for second place in the Big Ten at 7-2 and have the best nine-game record you've had in 40 years.
That's a tribute to your football team and to your coaching staff.
Good job.
As for my Wolverines, I predicted a three-win season, and there's still lowly Purdue in the picture.
It could happen.
But I'm not betting my day job on it.
Go Blue!
Staff Writer Lisa Allmendinger can be reached at 429-7380 or lallmendinger@heritage.com.
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