Re: The Month long lead up to the Cotton Bowl Thread

[Other Teams Pursuing That]

Where is Saban's corporate bottle of fucking coke in front of him? Fucking Sell out. Fuck Saban.

[Guest]

CoachD is secretly laughing at them.

[Robert J Sakimano]

I am SO excited... and these pictures of men standing around do nothing but add to that excitement.

[DoogieHouser]

http://collegefootballnews.com/2015/alabama-vs-michigan-state-prediction-cotton-bowl-preview

[Guest]

Rexrode: Saban's no St. Nick, but he has grown since MSU

So if Saban handled all this better, dealt with people better, would he be held in higher regard in East Lansing? I think so. I also think the incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure can be traced to his inability to get an entire locker room behind him.

I think the incredibly consistent football of Dantonio's tenure can be traced to his ability to do exactly that. And if there's a mentor who deserves credit for that, it's Jim Tressel.

But Dantonio learned a lot of the game from Saban, and Saban seems to have learned some things about establishing "culture." This isn't just about talent accumulation. The Tide wasn't exactly rolling before he got there.

[Blanch32]

Stoops looks pissed his suit isn't school colors. Fashion fo paux

[DoogieHouser]

Rexrode: Saban's no St. Nick, but he has grown since MSU

So if Saban handled all this better, dealt with people better, would he be held in higher regard in East Lansing? I think so. I also think the incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure can be traced to his inability to get an entire locker room behind him.

I think the incredibly consistent football of Dantonio's tenure can be traced to his ability to do exactly that. And if there's a mentor who deserves credit for that, it's Jim Tressel.

But Dantonio learned a lot of the game from Saban, and Saban seems to have learned some things about establishing "culture." This isn't just about talent accumulation. The Tide wasn't exactly rolling before he got there.

Rexrode is full of empty bluster. How do you know if he's "grown-up" Rex? How many hours have you spent in Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa? Nick was an EXCELLENT coach at Toledo, the Browns, MSU, LSU, Miami, and Alabama. He's demanding. Weak people can't handle it. His record is weak in East Lansing because he had George Perles dive the program into the tank, and then incur NCAA sanctions that Nick has to live with. Outside of a hand-full of skill players, MSU was very weak personnel-wise, particularly on the line of scrimmage.

The "incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure" (which is nonsense) was because he had no talent outside of a handful of skilled players when he arrived. Beat Louisville and Boston College his first year...great wins. Upset Michigan 28-25 with skill players leading the way, but starting a walk-on in the offensive line.

Saban coached in the Big Ten when the Big Ten was the best conference in the country. Dantonio is coaching when the Big Ten is behind the PAC 12, SEC, Big 12, and the ACC (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2015/conference/).

So Rex, Saban could get the locker rooms at
Toledo,Cleveland Browns,LSU, Miami Dolphins, and Alabama behind him, but he couldn't get the "locker room behind him at MSU? Ridiculous. Revisionist history. SOUR GRAPES!

FOUR National Championships later we still have MSU jock sniffers sucking their thumbs about Nick Saban. GET OVER IT!!!

[Rocinante]

http://collegefootballnews.com/2015/alabama-vs-michigan-state-prediction-cotton-bowl-preview

That's a damn good write up. This game is most certainly the toughest of the season... probably for both teams, and I agree with him that the winner should be the favorite for the National Championship.

[Rocinante]

The "incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure" (which is nonsense) was because he had no talent outside of a handful of skilled players when he arrived. Beat Louisville and Boston College his first year...great wins. Upset Michigan 28-25 with skill players leading the way, but starting a walk-on in the offensive line.

So they played up one week but lost to Indiana the next... I'm pretty sure that's the definition of "erratic".

[Heat Miser]

The "incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure" (which is nonsense) was because he had no talent outside of a handful of skilled players when he arrived. Beat Louisville and Boston College his first year...great wins. Upset Michigan 28-25 with skill players leading the way, but starting a walk-on in the offensive line.

So they played up one week but lost to Indiana the next... I'm pretty sure that's the definition of "erratic".

Two off the top of my head that scream erratic:

Missed game winning FG at Northwestern, which I had the misfortune of seeing live, was the start of a 4 game losing streak.
Near impossible to achieve come from ahead bed wetting v Purdon't.

[Blanch32]

Rexrode: Saban's no St. Nick, but he has grown since MSU

Rexrode is full of empty bluster. How do you know if he's "grown-up" Rex? How many hours have you spent in Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa? Nick was an EXCELLENT coach at Toledo, the Browns, MSU, LSU, Miami, and Alabama. He's demanding. Weak people can't handle it. His record is weak in East Lansing because he had George Perles dive the program into the tank, and then incur NCAA sanctions that Nick has to live with. Outside of a hand-full of skill players, MSU was very weak personnel-wise, particularly on the line of scrimmage.

The "incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure" (which is nonsense) was because he had no talent outside of a handful of skilled players when he arrived. Beat Louisville and Boston College his first year...great wins. Upset Michigan 28-25 with skill players leading the way, but starting a walk-on in the offensive line.

Saban coached in the Big Ten when the Big Ten was the best conference in the country. Dantonio is coaching when the Big Ten is behind the PAC 12, SEC, Big 12, and the ACC (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2015/conference/).

So Rex, Saban could get the locker rooms at
Toledo,Cleveland Browns,LSU, Miami Dolphins, and Alabama behind him, but he couldn't get the "locker room behind him at MSU? Ridiculous. Revisionist history. SOUR GRAPES!

FOUR National Championships later we still have MSU jock sniffers sucking their thumbs about Nick Saban. GET OVER IT!!!

This is all complete bs, and deserved a call out thread

[Code_Warrior]

Rexrode: Saban's no St. Nick, but he has grown since MSU

Rexrode is full of empty bluster. How do you know if he's "grown-up" Rex? How many hours have you spent in Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa? Nick was an EXCELLENT coach at Toledo, the Browns, MSU, LSU, Miami, and Alabama. He's demanding. Weak people can't handle it. His record is weak in East Lansing because he had George Perles dive the program into the tank, and then incur NCAA sanctions that Nick has to live with. Outside of a hand-full of skill players, MSU was very weak personnel-wise, particularly on the line of scrimmage.

The "incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure" (which is nonsense) was because he had no talent outside of a handful of skilled players when he arrived. Beat Louisville and Boston College his first year...great wins. Upset Michigan 28-25 with skill players leading the way, but starting a walk-on in the offensive line.

Saban coached in the Big Ten when the Big Ten was the best conference in the country. Dantonio is coaching when the Big Ten is behind the PAC 12, SEC, Big 12, and the ACC (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2015/conference/).

So Rex, Saban could get the locker rooms at
Toledo,Cleveland Browns,LSU, Miami Dolphins, and Alabama behind him, but he couldn't get the "locker room behind him at MSU? Ridiculous. Revisionist history. SOUR GRAPES!

FOUR National Championships later we still have MSU jock sniffers sucking their thumbs about Nick Saban. GET OVER IT!!!

You mad brah? Rexrode has 3 weeks worth of this stuff to write. As for MSU Alums and fans, I don't believe they really care all that much about Saban and haven't for many, many years. Other than when we play Alabama, or when Saban is moving to a new coaching gig, I can't recall any threads started about Saban, any butt-hurt posts about Saban, or anyone even thinking about Saban. But when we're playing Alabama, of course there's going to be talk about Saban, so you get over it.

You sound like a butt-hurt SCum fan that thinks the only time the BIG is strong is when SCum is winning. Well, you can think what you like, it makes no difference because MSU has the opportunity to prove itself in a playoff against the undisputed best teams in the country, which is more than SCum ever had to do.

MSU may not beat Alabama, but at least we have to prove it on the field as opposed to having an academic debate about it from the comfort of our campus like you SCummers have done throughout your history.

[Rocinante]

Doogie seems like an MSU man. Did I miss something?

[Code_Warrior]

Doogie seems like an MSU man. Did I miss something?

I don't know, but his post sure has elements of SCum butt-hurt in it. I think it was the MSU jock sniffers line that made me think he's a scummer. If I'm wrong about him, oh well.

[CORNER BLITZ]

B1G worse than those conferences...LOL

Somebody has been watching a little too much espn programming

[DoogieHouser]

Doogie seems like an MSU man.  Did I miss something?

No. "Code" seems like a real dreamer, just like Rex.

[Floyd Robertson]

Ran into this old guy in the checkout line at the market this morning who predicted a three TD Spartan victory because senior leadership and payback, so it's all set.

[Other Teams Pursuing That]

Ran into this old guy in the checkout line at the market this morning who predicted a three TD Spartan victory because senior leadership and payback, so it's all set.

Whew. I'm relieved.

[NigelUno]

Rexrode: Saban's no St. Nick, but he has grown since MSU

Rexrode is full of empty bluster. How do you know if he's "grown-up" Rex? How many hours have you spent in Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa? Nick was an EXCELLENT coach at Toledo, the Browns, MSU, LSU, Miami, and Alabama. He's demanding. Weak people can't handle it. His record is weak in East Lansing because he had George Perles dive the program into the tank, and then incur NCAA sanctions that Nick has to live with. Outside of a hand-full of skill players, MSU was very weak personnel-wise, particularly on the line of scrimmage.

The "incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure" (which is nonsense) was because he had no talent outside of a handful of skilled players when he arrived. Beat Louisville and Boston College his first year...great wins. Upset Michigan 28-25 with skill players leading the way, but starting a walk-on in the offensive line.

Saban coached in the Big Ten when the Big Ten was the best conference in the country. Dantonio is coaching when the Big Ten is behind the PAC 12, SEC, Big 12, and the ACC (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2015/conference/).

So Rex, Saban could get the locker rooms at
Toledo,Cleveland Browns,LSU, Miami Dolphins, and Alabama behind him, but he couldn't get the "locker room behind him at MSU? Ridiculous. Revisionist history. SOUR GRAPES!

FOUR National Championships later we still have MSU jock sniffers sucking their thumbs about Nick Saban. GET OVER IT!!!

Saban was an excellent coach with the Dolphins?

How so?

[SpartanInNH]

Rexrode is full of empty bluster. How do you know if he's "grown-up" Rex? How many hours have you spent in Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa? Nick was an EXCELLENT coach at Toledo, the Browns, MSU, LSU, Miami, and Alabama. He's demanding. Weak people can't handle it. His record is weak in East Lansing because he had George Perles dive the program into the tank, and then incur NCAA sanctions that Nick has to live with. Outside of a hand-full of skill players, MSU was very weak personnel-wise, particularly on the line of scrimmage.

The "incredibly erratic football of his MSU tenure" (which is nonsense) was because he had no talent outside of a handful of skilled players when he arrived. Beat Louisville and Boston College his first year...great wins. Upset Michigan 28-25 with skill players leading the way, but starting a walk-on in the offensive line.

Saban coached in the Big Ten when the Big Ten was the best conference in the country. Dantonio is coaching when the Big Ten is behind the PAC 12, SEC, Big 12, and the ACC (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2015/conference/).

So Rex, Saban could get the locker rooms at
Toledo,Cleveland Browns,LSU, Miami Dolphins, and Alabama behind him, but he couldn't get the "locker room behind him at MSU? Ridiculous. Revisionist history. SOUR GRAPES!

FOUR National Championships later we still have MSU jock sniffers sucking their thumbs about Nick Saban. GET OVER IT!!!

Saban was an excellent coach with the Dolphins?

How so?

Stepping over the guy having a seizure makes him an excellent coach?

[Blanch32]

Doogie seems like an MSU man.  Did I miss something?

No. "Code" seems like a real dreamer, just like Rex.

Shocked you were noticeable absent from the call out thread. Duck out of after school fights too?

[SpartanInNH]

Watch Mark Dantonio address the Breslin Center ahead of the Cotton Bowl

[Guest]

[Guest]

Ask Griff: Talking injuries and matchups Michigan State vs. Alabama

[Guest]

FootballScoop Staff ‏@FootballScoop 29m29 minutes ago
Don’t want to get anyone too excited; but bowl season begins in 5 days. 5 games on Saturday.

[Guest]

Pick Six Previews ‏@PickSixPreviews 48m48 minutes ago
Most Wins in last 3 years (P5):
37 - FSU, Ohio State
36 - MSU
35 - Alabama
34 - Clemson
33 - Oregon
31 - Baylor
30 - OU, Stanford
29 - Wisc.

[Robert J Sakimano]

I'm more excited today than I was yesterday.

[CORNER BLITZ]

Pick Six Previews ‏@PickSixPreviews 48m48 minutes ago
Most Wins in last 3 years (P5):
37 - FSU, Ohio State
36 - MSU
35 - Alabama
34 - Clemson
33 - Oregon
31 - Baylor
30 - OU, Stanford
29 - Wisc.

Looks like we'll be tied for #1 at the end of the year

[Floyd Robertson]

Pick Six Previews ‏@PickSixPreviews  48m48 minutes ago
Most Wins in last 3 years (P5):
37 - FSU, Ohio State
36 - MSU
35 - Alabama
34 - Clemson
33 - Oregon
31 - Baylor
30 - OU, Stanford
29 - Wisc.

Looks like we'll be tied for #1 at the end of the year

You lost me, because after we win two games we'll have 38, and nobody can touch that.

[Cameron]

Looks like we'll be tied for #1 at the end of the year

You lost me, because after we win two games we'll have 38, and nobody can touch that.

FSU and OSU both have the chance to win one more.

[Floyd Robertson]

You lost me, because after we win two games we'll have 38, and nobody can touch that.

FSU and OSU both have the chance to win one more.

Crap. I wasn't thinking about their bowl games. Thanks for pointing out my idiocy.

[GRR Spartan]

I lived in Lansing during the Saban years.  Knew major (big check) boosters who were lobbying for Nick to come back at least 2 years before he returned as MSU's HC.  Also knew members of the BOT who began to regret the hire less than a year after they voted to apporve the hire.

None of the people I knew on the BOT or the major boosters ever questioned Saban's ability as a football coach.  What suprised almost everyone was the void Saban had in social skills interacting with people important to MSU and the MSU's athletic department.  Two members of the BOT told me Saban came close to being fired at least twice and the only thing that saved him was his wife Terri who seemed to have a full time job calming the feathers her husband ruffled on a regular basis.  

Nick was an equal opportunity ass.  He was regularly rude to secretaries in the football office, to people in admissions, secretary to the president of the university, members of the BOT and donors.  Remeber this started when his teams were 6-5-1, 6-6 and 7-5.  Saban wasn't setting the world on fire.  He had gotten MSU competitive/respectable and not much more.

According to the BOT members, Nick also had a real problem with the rock star treatment Izzo got along with the attention paid to the basketball program.  It was his perception and didn't carry over into his friendship with Izzo or the friendship with their wives  Saban struggled with the idea that mens basketball and football could share the spotlight.  He saw how football was treated at OSU, ND, umaa and wanted MSU to follow suit.  Didn't happen.

The end came when Saban's agent contacted President McPherson the week after the team beat umaa in aa wanting a new contract.  McPherson told him that would not happen until the season was over which meant the after the PSU game.  Saban's agent and LSU's people got together and we know the rest.  Private jet took Nick to Baton Rouge, everyone on the staff was offered their same job on the LSU staff and no one bit.

Saban's public relations skills with booster and university officials have improved at each stop.  But he's never taken another job at a school that has a successful basketball program like MSU's.  I think he can still be a jerk but at 64 jerks are called curmudgeons.

[Robert J Sakimano]

I think the main reason we all hate Saban is because he's won 4 national championships since he left MSU.

Had he fizzled out and been named the QB coach at Middle Tennessee State, I doubt our vitriol would exist.

[Tim Wakefield]

I think the main reason we all hate Saban is because he's won 4 national championships since he left MSU.

Had he fizzled out and been named the QB coach at Middle Tennessee State, I doubt our vitriol would exist.

You know who Saban is?

[GRR Spartan]

I think the main reason we all hate Saban is because he's won 4 national championships since he left MSU.

Had he fizzled out and been named the QB coach at Middle Tennessee State, I doubt our vitriol would exist.

No Bob. There is a high level of antipathy for Saban becase of the way he left and the things he said shortly before and after he left for LSU. The fact Saban seems to be suffering from selective Alzheimers when people bring up his 15-16 year old quotes and his half hearted denials just re-opens wounds.

[Robert J Sakimano]

I think the main reason we all hate Saban is because he's won 4 national championships since he left MSU.

Had he fizzled out and been named the QB coach at Middle Tennessee State, I doubt our vitriol would exist.

You know who Saban is?

I can use the Google.

[Robert J Sakimano]

I think the main reason we all hate Saban is because he's won 4 national championships since he left MSU.

Had he fizzled out and been named the QB coach at Middle Tennessee State, I doubt our vitriol would exist.

No Bob. There is a high level of antipathy for Saban becase of the way he left and the things he said shortly before and after he left for LSU. The fact Saban seems to be suffering from selective Alzheimers when people bring up his 15-16 year old quotes and his half hearted denials just re-opens wounds.

meh.. it's just my opinion.

[WhiteBoyHatcher]

I don't think a big percentage of our fanbase has a huge problem with Saban. I'm pretty indifferent towards him. I think there's a somewhat vocal minority who dislike him. Nick was never going to be a MSU lifer. That's cool.

My biggest issue with Saban is that he treated his players like dog shit off of the field.

[DoogieHouser]

I think the main reason we all hate Saban is because he's won 4 national championships since he left MSU.

Had he fizzled out and been named the QB coach at Middle Tennessee State, I doubt our vitriol would exist.

This.

[DoogieHouser]

I don't think a big percentage of our fanbase has a huge problem with Saban. I'm pretty indifferent towards him. I think there's a somewhat vocal minority who dislike him. Nick was never going to be a MSU lifer. That's cool.

My biggest issue with Saban is that he treated his players like dog shit off of the field.

He was tough on players AND coaches ON the field, but this is more common than the average fan thinks. College football is serious business, and few successful head coaches play pattycake.

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