Terry Foster: 'Michigan Fans Have Become Michigan State Fans'
By: Terry Foster
@terryfoster971
We all laughed when former University of Florida coach Steve Spurrier said "You can't spell Citrus Bowl without U-T."
This zinger was directed at the University of Tennessee, which often failed to land a spot in big boy bowls and settled for the Citrus Bowl while Florida competed in higher stakes postseason play.
He also said of U-T quarterback Peyton Manning: "I know why Peyton Manning came back for his senior year. He wanted to be a three-time star of the Citrus Bowl."
That brings us to today where a slew of Michigan fans took to social media following the Wolverines 41-7 blow out victory over Florida in the Citrus Bowl. They threw hand grenades at Michigan State after the Spartans soiled their pants during a 38-0 loss to Alabama in the national semifinals in Dallas.
They gleefully asked the question "Would you rather get blown out in the Cotton Bowl or have an easy victory in the Citrus Bowl?"
Give me the blow out and here is why.
At least Michigan State competed for something. Once New Year's Eve rolled around there were only four teams competing for a national title. Everybody else was playing for pride. They were playing for seniors and fans and for fun. Their games did not matter. Bowl games are nice. They are important to schools but in the grand scheme of things they mean little. Who will remember the winner of the Outback Bowl? Or the Tax Slayer Bowl?
I applaud the Wolverines for their first season under coach Jim Harbaugh. He is a strange man in some regards. But he is also a genius. He guided a team, that quite frankly slipped off the national radar, to a 10-3 record. Fans should rejoice in the bowl victory.
However, Michigan fans have become Michigan State fans. They are now one in the same in that they rejoice in the other team's failures. And I know Michigan fans will counter that by saying "Isn't that what you are supposed to do with your rival?" Sure, but it is something Michigan folks vowed not to do because MSU did not matter.
Now the Spartans are under the Wolverine's skin just as much as Wolverines bug MSU folks.
This blowout is not just a Michigan State problem. Why can't the Big Ten and the Midwest, outside of SEC North Division team Ohio State, compete with Alabama? Michigan would have gotten the same ass kicking.
In their last four meetings, the Crimson Tide has outscored Michigan State, Michigan and Notre Dame 170-35. Coach Nick Saban loves giving it back to the Midwest.
Here are other questions Michigan fans should ask.
Would you rather have your season or Michigan State's season?
Who won head to head between the Spartans and Wolverines?
Who won the Big Ten title?
Who beat hated Ohio State?
If Michigan had accomplished all of this and gotten blown out by Alabama its fan base would bust on the Spartans and say it is a national power and the Sparty run is over. And how many years have we heard that narrative?
Now, I will be sure to poke fun at the Spartans on this week's Valenti and Foster shows because MSU got caught in a choke hold and tapped out in the second half. The Spartans did not compete and that is the next step Coach Mark Dantonio must take as he takes a program nobody cared about to the next level.
Michigan State soiled its pants. I simply would not gloat if I were a Michigan fan. Enjoy your season and enjoy your win.
The bear could be calling you soon.
