October 7, 2017
Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, Michigan
My Friend Duncan
Results
Final Score: Michigan State 14, Michigan 10
I certainly didn’t have Michigan State winning this game, I don’t think many people did. The only thing I will give myself credit for is after Iowa State upset Oklahoma all the Michigan fans were saying “we’re going to move up in the rankings” and I said “you have to win your game first”. I think the Michigan players made the same mistake and were too busy thinking about the other scores.
The Game
What a crappy game. Both weather wise and play wise, there wasn’t much good happening on this day (I guess unless you are a Michigan State fan).
This was a crazy, shocking upset. Let’s start with the obvious for Michigan, turnovers and dropped passes. There were so many dropped passes I thought maybe I was watching a pee-wee game. Yes, it did rain really hard, but you can’t blame the drops on that. The rain (see video below) was basically for just the third quarter, and that’s not where most of the drops occurred. The most critical one came with 20 seconds left. It would have put Michigan on the 20 yard line and a chance to win the game, which, to be honest, I can’t believe they were still in it.
Outside of the mistakes, the Michigan State defense really showed up. They forced 5 turnovers and held Michigan to just 5-17 on 3rd down (and three of those came on the last drive). Not much offense to speak of for MSU, their only good drive came in the second quarter, 9 plays for 83 yards for the touchdown.
The Stadium
Overall Rating: A+
Every time you hear about the Big House it is always positive and everyone always says you have to see a game there. This was my first time there and I totally agree. Even with all the rain, it is a historical memorable stadium.
The inside of the stadium is great as far as concessions, room to walk around and view from your seat. But the outside tailgating before the game is where its at, so awesome.
The one and only negative in the stadium is that all the seats are really crammed in, like worse than the worst airplane you’ve ever been on. But hey, its an experience and it is college.
Love, Hate, Shout Out
Love: My first game at the Big House. I am hoping its not my last and I would love to get up there for a hockey game (I imagine the atmosphere is even more crazy).
Hate: Teams looking ahead. I am not saying this definitely happened but it sure looked like it. Fans. Players. Coaches. Announcers. No one really gave Michigan State a chance in this one. Then once Iowa State upset Oklahoma the talk was where Michigan moves up in the rankings. Not so fast. Don’t watch the scoreboard, don’t look ahead, win the game in front of you and that’s all.
Shout Out: My friend Pat. It was his 30th birthday weekend and a great time was had by all. Dinner and drinks Friday night, the tailgating and game on Saturday and hanging out on Sunday (I had to run to the Lions game, but still got to hang out a bit).
Fan Tips
Go to a game at the Big House (if you didn’t see this one coming, then you didn’t read anything on this page). It could be a college football game, hockey game, soccer match, heck just go watch two guys mow the field (well maybe not that extreme, but just get there).
When you do go, tailgate! I was fortunate enough to go for an evening game. The weather was amazing and the are around the stadium is amazing.