The Little Brother Scale

"Sometimes, you get your little brother excited when you're playing basketball – let them get the lead…..And then you come back."

Who knew that quote from Mike Hart on Nov. 3, 2007 could be so impactful.

Was it necessary to say? No.

Was it the truth at the time? Yes.

At that time, the perception in the state to those not entrenched in the rivalry was that MSU was inferior to Michigan, or the “little brother” to the Wolverines.

But since that quote, the tables have started to turn.

Michigan State has won four straight over the Wolverines, three of which have been by 14 points or more.

Head Coach Mark Dantonio has almost adopted an inferiority complex in his absolute dislike for Michigan and Hart’s quote. That passion has carried the Spartans to a new level and control in the state’s biggest rivalry.

Has Hart’s quote ultimately become some sort of curse for the Wolverines? Probably not. But, it sure did wake a sleeping giant in East Lansing.

As the 2012 season is set to begin, I thought it would be fun to take the “little brother” quote and use it as a measuring stick each week following the games of both teams.

While MSU has a long way to go to catch Michigan in the overall history of both programs (i.e. winning national championships and regular BCS bowl appearances), there is little doubt that State has the superior product on the field right now compared to Michigan.

The Wolverines may be winning the recruiting battle, but I don’t factor that in. Wins and losses are what matter the most. If the recruiting pans out and develops as it should, it will show on the field.

Right now, the Spartans are in the head of the Wolverines. Michigan fans, players, and coaches can deny it all they want, but they are.

That MSU defense looms large over the abilities of Denard Robinson. A potential fifth straight loss to MSU, in the Big House no less, has the Wolverine world anxious about the Oct. 20 meeting.

Right now, MSU is the talented junior in high school that is seeking a championship to validate his talents. Michigan is the freshman with a lot of potential, but not been good enough to beat his older brother.

THE LITTLE BROTHER SCALE: MSU 17, Michigan 15

Preseason Polls mean next to nothing

Brady Hoke said it best earlier this summer.

“I don't get to watch a lot of football.”

Like many college football coaches, they are too wrapped up in their own team to truly focus on the other programs around the country, especially on Saturdays.

Yet Hoke, like the majority of coaches in the FBS, have a vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Hoke openly admitted that he fills out his weekly poll with the help of his staff and sports information department, as most do.

But, as the 2012 USA Today Preseason Poll was released yesterday, of course, fans have to be up in arms.

The Wolverines came in 8^th in the poll, ahead of the likes of Wisconsin (12^th), Nebraska (16^th), and Notre Dame (24^th).

Oh, and by the way, and Michigan State was 13^th.

Now, Spartan fans are already raising the red flag, claiming disrespect.

How can you beat a team four times in a row and be behind them in the preseason poll?

While the argument is valid, ultimately who cares?

Not to go all “Jim Schwartz”, but when the day comes that being ranked higher in a preseason poll means you win the head-to-head meeting that year, that’s when you should care.

The fact is Michigan still has the name power that Michigan State doesn’t.

Sure, State has won the last four meetings, and asserted itself as a legit Big Ten contender year-in and year-out, but it still is looking to break into the big time and really establish itself as a dominant program in the Midwest.

Not to say that Michigan currently is, but it once was. Just as Notre Dame was. Sometimes that naming power gives you certain advantages, like higher rankings and priority when it comes to BCS bowl selection.

Michigan State is on a path to change this and all they can do is continue to win and eventually things will change.

But, the preseason poll means little to nothing. The only poll that matters isn’t a poll at all, it is the final Big Ten standings.

Michigan, MSU not my preseason Big Ten favorite

I can’t be the only one that was a little surprised to see Michigan as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten Championship this year when the poll came out at Big Ten Media Day.

It’s not to discredit Michigan, as they clearly have a team that should contend for the title. But, to me, the favorite seems obvious. And no, I am not talking about Michigan State either.

In my OPINION, Wisconsin is the front runner in the Big Ten. Not necessarily because they have the most talent, but because their road to the championship is far easier than Michigan’s or Michigan State’s.

Considering that Ohio State and Penn State are unable to compete in the Big Ten Championship Game due to ongoing sanctions, that leaves Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, and Indiana to contend for the right to represent the Leaders Division in the title game.

Illinois is in its first year with a new coach (Tim Beckman) and Indiana is Indiana. The Boilermakers showed improvement last year and return eight starters on offense, but I don’t see them ready to take that next step quite yet.

Even if Ohio State was eligible for postseason play, the Buckeyes still might not be able to beat Wisconsin. The Badgers won’t be as impressive offensively this season, but Danny O’Brien is still a viable quarterback and Montee Ball and James White are more than capable of racking up a combined 2,500 rushing yards.

The fact is, Wisconsin basically needs to play average just to make the title game, and then it is a one-game shot to win it all.

Consider the roads that Michigan and MSU have.

The Wolverines have road games at Nebraska and Ohio State and still have to try to get over this losing streak to the Spartans at home. We have all seen what the MSU defense is capable of doing to Denard Robinson.

For the Spartans, winning in Ann Arbor this year will be a huge challenge, but they also have to head to Wisconsin while hosting Ohio State and Nebraska. They also have to do this with a new quarterback and a brand new group of receivers.

Sure, both the Spartans and Wolverines have great potential. But, in any championship season, you need a few breaks.

Wisconsin already got those breaks by Ohio State and Penn State being eliminated from the equation. 

Behind Enemy Lines

I may not have attended Michigan State University or the University of Michigan, but I have been in the middle of the rivalry my whole life.
Growing up as a kid in Portland, my parents were big State fans and we would often find ourselves in Spartan Stadium or the Breslin Center cheering on the green and white.
During those years I started to develop a little bit of a bond with the maize and blue. I was in awe of the Fab Five and their brand of basketball, and in the later years, Charles Woodson would become my favorite football player as he went on to win the Heisman Trophy.
However, all of those feelings for both teams turned into nothingness as I went on to attend Central Michigan University and checked myself out of Michigan's biggest rivalry.
One person that didn't check out was my brother. He decided to dip his toes into the maize and blue, attending Michigan for college, and he hasn't been the same since. He is, to say the least, a die hard Wolverine.
My parents still have the strong ties to MSU, and like many Spartan fans I know, enjoy watching a Michigan loss more than a State win.
So, as I now make my home between the two schools and prepare for a new season of MSU and Michigan smack talk on the football field and the hardwood, I feel it is my duty to provide as much info on both as I can, in a completely unbiased opinion.
I have no ties to either, was once a fan of both, and now just enjoy seeing the two fight with one another.
Who has the edge in recruiting? Which program is in a better state? Is Michigan-MSU more important than Michigan-Ohio State?
I will be willing to answer all those questions day-by-day, week-by-week, without any favoritism to either school.
If you are a Michigan die hard, you probably will accuse me of being a State fan.
If you are a Spartan slappy, you probably think I am a Wolverine fan.
But, I assure you, my allegiances are to calling it like I see it and healthy debate throughout the year.
Feel free to share your thoughts and offer your questions. I love the passion of the fans.
But, sometimes you all need a reality check.