Showdown!
It's a pretty big day in my neck of the woods. Tonight the number 3 Michigan Wolverines come into East Lansing Michigan to face the number 7 Michigan State Spartans. If you had asked me about this game a couple of months ago, I would have been a lot more worried than I am now.
That's not to say it is going to be easy. Michigan is still a really good team, but the loss to Wisconsin, and the near loss to a depleted Nebraska team along with some help from the officials (depending on who you ask), gives me a little more hope.
Of course, Michigan State is going to have to be on their A game. Fifteen to twenty turnovers isn't going to win them the game. Michigan is a dangerous team and this is going to be a knock down drag out fight. Just about what you would expect for an instate rivalry match up.
Michigan is 19-1 on the season, Michigan State is 19-2, I think the top 3 in the Big Ten right now are comprised of U of M, MSU, and Nebraska. Not necessarily in that order...
Vegas has Michigan as the -1.5 favorite in the game. With an over/under of 147.5. I'm not even in a place where I want to guess which way this is going to fall. The good news is, if the Spartans do lose, they are losing to a good team. It's always a bit worse when you lose to a bad team.
Likewise, if Michigan takes the loss, it's because MSU is a really good team. As opposed to the loss they took against Wisconsin who isn't that good of a team. Yet they only dropped one spot in the rankings. What a joke. Sorry, that whole thing still bugs me.
Somehow, Nebraska lucked out this season and they only had to face Michigan State and Michigan once I think. On the flip side, this is only one of two meetings between the Spartans and Wolverines.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that nothing really matters right now. That isn't to say it isn't important, but what really counts is making it to the big dance in March. Once you get there, it's like starting over. It doesn't matter if you were ranked number 7 or 22. Everyone has a chance to dance.
It's easy to get caught up in the regular season wins and losses. Upsets are never a fun thing when it is your favorite team on the losing end. However, the ultimate goal is always that national championship. Sure, the road might be easier if you are a higher seed, but we've seen Cinderellas do well in the past, and Michigan State is anything but a Cinderella with coach Tom Izzo at the helm.
Whichever way tonight goes, I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the Michigan State season plays out.
My Sports Account - @bozz.sports
Come hang out in The Pub
