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Michigan State football, Michigan basketball staring down similar trajectory

These two programs have almost mirrored each other throughout the years.

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Michigan State football
© Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

There are more similarities between Michigan State football and Michigan basketball than people like to admit.

The offseason banter between Michigan State and Michigan fans is in full swing, honestly when isn’t it, and both fanbases have had a lot of opportunities to make jokes at the other fanbases expense. With MSU hoops and Michigan football on the rise, those programs have been free from harsh judgement by their counterparts, but the same can’t be said for Michigan State football and Michigan basketball.

Both programs have had a lot of setbacks this offseason, but looking back on the last two years it is strange just how similar these programs have been.

Let’s dive into it.

Impressive seasons in 2021

The similarities begin during the 2021 season where both programs found a lot of success on the field/court. Michigan State football found its star in Kenneth Walker III and finished 11-2 on the season and No. 9 in the final AP Top 25.

The Spartans also had massive wins against Michigan and Pittsburgh in the Peach Bowl to cap off their best season since 2015.

Michigan hoops may not have had the regular season success in their 2021-22 season like MSU football did, but they were still able to finish their season strong by making a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. We all know how big of a deal the Sweet 16 is for Michigan fans, so according to their standards that’s a successful season.

Contract Extensions

With both programs finding success, that led to both head coaches getting a contract extension during the season. Weirdly enough, both Mel Tucker and Juwan Howard signed their extensions in the same month: November 2021. It’s no surprise that either coach got an extension; I think both deserved it at the time. But it is ironic how they both occurred in the same month.

Missing out on the postseason in 2022-23

The success on the court and field ended for both programs during the 2022 season. MSU football missed out on a bowl game after going 5-7 and Michigan basketball missed out on the NCAA Tournament after an 18-16 season. Both programs expect to make the postseason in their respective sports, so missing out was a massive disappointment for both.

Key players leaving this offseason

The offseason can be a really fun time for college programs if they successfully utilize the transfer portal. Players deciding to return for one more year rather than going pro also causes celebrations among fanbases this time of the year.

Unfortunately, both Michigan State football and Michigan hoops have not received this positive news as both programs have lost their best players this offseason. MSU lost starting quarterback Payton Thorne and top wideout Keon Coleman to the portal along with Jayden Reed to the NFL draft and Michigan lost Hunter Dickinson to the portal as well as Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard to the NBA draft.

Losing committed transfers

To keep the bad news rolling, both programs accomplished something you don’t see too often even in today’s day and age, and just so happened to within hours of each other.

On May 17, Michigan State transfer portal addition Kee’yon Stewart announced he was actually transferring to Arkansas 11 days after committing to the Spartans. Less than two hours later, Michigan basketball accomplished this same feat, losing transfer addition Caleb Love who has decided to reopen his recruitment after reported admissions issues.

Recruits decommitting happens all the time in high school recruiting, but rarely does it happen with transfers, so it is odd to see both programs accomplish that within two hours of each other.

Upset fans with lowered expectations

It is no secret that both fanbases are upset with the direction their programs are heading. Expectations for the programs are far lower than normal as both programs could realistically miss the postseason for a second season in a row.

There are also some segments of each fanbase that are proclaiming their head coaches to be on the hot seat this year. I personally think that is a little premature for Tucker, but regardless those narratives are being pushed by some in both fanbases.

Previous head coaches

The last similarity that is interesting to think about is that both programs previous head coach was one of their best coaches of all time.

Mark Dantonio brought a lot of success to Michigan State football, including dominating the series against Michigan, three Big Ten titles, a Rose Bowl win, and a College Football Playoff appearance.

John Beilein is also viewed as one of the best Michigan basketball coaches of all time, and rightfully so. He helped resurrect their program and took Michigan to their first NCAA Tournament since 1998 when they made the tournament in 2009. Beilein went on to win two Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles along with two Final Four appearances.

Dantonio and Beilein will always be viewed as one of the best in each program’s history.

Will the similarities between the programs continue next season? Will one program figure it out before the other? We will soon find out, but there is no denying that the similarities between MSU football and Michigan basketball have risen to a strange level that I’m guessing neither program’s fans will want to admit.

FOOTBALL

Mark Dantonio, 3 other Spartans on CFB Hall of Fame ballot

This one should be a no-brainer.

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Mark Dantonio
© Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Former Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio, along with three other Spartans, are on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

It’s that time of the year when the College Football Hall of Fame releases its ballot and Mark Dantonio, along with three other Spartans, have made the cut for the 2024 class.

Dantonio is one of nine coaches on the ballot at the FBS level and Flozell Adams is one of five offensive linemen — he’s joined by former Michigan lineman Steve Hutchinson and the famous Michael Oher from Ole Miss. Four of the five offensive linemen on the ballot are from Big Ten schools. Darryl Rogers joins Dantonio as one of nine coaches and Gideon Smith is one of 32 coaches from the divisional ranks but he was a trailblazing player for the Spartans in 1915.

Many have been clamoring for Adams to make the Hall of Fame for years while Dantonio feels like a surefire selection and he compares favorably to the other coaches on the ballot.

Let’s take a look at his resume compared to the other FBS coaches on the ballot:

  • Dantonio: 132-74 career record, 7-6 bowl record, 3 Big Ten titles
  • Larry Blakeney: 178-113-1 career record, 2-3 bowl record, 8 conference titles
  • Jim Carlen: 107-69-3 career record, 2-5-1 bowl record, 1 SoCon title
  • Pete Cawthon Sr.: 98-50-10 career record, 0-2 bowl record, 2 conference titles
  • Larry Coker: 86-47 career record, 4-2 bowl record, 1 national title, 3 Big East titles
  • Ralph Friedgen: 75-50 career record, 5-2 bowl record, 1 ACC title
  • Darryl Rogers: 129-84-7 career record, 1-2 bowl record, 2 conference titles
  • Frank Solich: 173-101 career record, 7-9 bowl record, 1 Big 12 title
  • Tommy Tuberville: 159-99 career record, 7-6 bowl record, 2 conference titles

Compared to the others, Dantonio has the fourth-most all-time wins, he’s one of four with a winning bowl record, and he is tied for second-most conference titles.

Dantonio is credited for turning around the Michigan State football program after years of irrelevance. Following the departure of Nick Saban before the 2000 Citrus Bowl, Michigan State was a non-factor in the Big Ten. All Dantonio did was lead Michigan State back to the top of the conference and to its first playoff ever. He also won two BCS/New Year’s Six bowls.

This should be a no-brainer.

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FOOTBALL

Mark Dantonio lists top favorite 25 plays during his MSU tenure (Video)

This is an awesome list.

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Mark Dantonio
© Jarrad Henderson, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Former Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio carefully chose his top 25 favorite plays during his tenure.

Former Michigan State Football coach Mark Dantonio is arguably the greatest coach in program history. Dantonio is highly regarded by all Michigan State fans even with the poor state the program was in when he retired. He gave us some of our programs greatest moments in history. Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, College Football Playoff and countless massive regular season wins are just a few of the great moments he brought us.

Recently Dantonio sat down with Michigan State and the Big Ten Network. During this meeting, Dantonio gave his Top 25 plays during his Michigan State tenure. This list was made solely by Mark Dantonio. He not only looked at the play itself, but also the impact it had on our program.

Lets dive into them 25-1:

25. Brian Lewerke TD to Madre London at Michigan (2017)

In a game that Michigan State was not expected to win, this was a perfectly run screen pass that scored easily with two linemen leading the way.

24. Connor Cook game-winning TD pass in Cotton Bowl (2015)

This game is one of the greatest in Michigan State history. Michigan State defeated Baylor in the Cotton Bowl after being down by 20 points in the fourth quarter. This pass was the game-winning touchdown in this classic.

23. Brian Hoyer third TD pass to Devin Thomas vs. Penn State (2007)

The play itself seemed pretty normal on its own. But three touchdowns to the same receiver in a win against Penn State definitely deserves to be on this list.

22. Three touchdown runs vs. Michigan

Nothing is sweeter than scoring against Michigan. In the No. 22 spot, Dantonio selected three key touchdown runs in wins against Michigan over the years. This includes touchdown runs from Edwin Baker, LeVeon Bell, and Jeremy Langford.

21. Three touchdowns vs. Wisconsin (2011)

This game is another all time classic in Michigan State history. This selection includes two touchdowns from Keshawn Martin and one from BJ Cunningham. These massive plays all helped setup the magical ending to this game. More to come later on this one.

20. Three interceptions for touchdowns

Dantonio selected three interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the No. 20 spot. The first was by Darqueze Dennard in the 2012 Outback Bowl victory against Georgia. The other two were massive in big wins over Michigan. Dantonio prioritized the Michigan game ever year, so it is no surprise seeing plays against them all over this list.

19. Game-winning FG vs. Wisconsin (2008)

This game was not as big as others, but a game winning field goal is always exciting. In this one, Brett Swenson hit a 44-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Badgers.

18. Defensive stop to beat Iowa (2008)

I always think defensive plays deserve more love. In this selection, Adam Decker stops Iowa on fourth-and-1 to seal a Spartan victory over the Hawkeyes.

17. Fake punt at Iowa (2013)

Mike Sadler is one of the greatest punters in Michigan State history. In this play, he showed off his legs in a different way. To start the fourth quarter, he successfully ran for 20 yards to pick up a key first down in a very tight game.

16. Another TD run at Michigan (2008)

This play was one of the biggest in this rivalries history. A long run by Javon Ringer helped lead Michigan State to victory for the first time in Ann Arbor since 1990.

15. Blocked FG in 3OT Outback Bowl vs. Georgia (2012)

Another special teams play, this time a blocked field goal in triple-overtime to beat Georgia in the Outback Bowl. I believe winning this game was a turning point for our program, and this play sealed the win.

14. Acrobatic interception vs. Iowa (2015)

Everyone remembers how unbelievable this play was. In the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game, Demetrius Cox pulled off an interception I have never seen before. After a fellow teammate broke up the pass in the end zone, the ball ended up lying on his back. Cox saw the ball, scooped it off his teammates back and helped kill a promising Hawkeyes drive.

13. Negative-48 rushing yards vs. Michigan (2013)

This is another combination of multiple plays. In Michigan States 2013 domination over Michigan, the Spartans’ defense held Michigan to negative-48 rushing yards. Yes, you read that correctly. That is a number I doubt we ever see again.

12. Larry Caper TD run vs. Michigan (2009)

Larry Caper’s 24-yard overtime touchdown run is one of my personal favorite plays of all time. Nothing about the play itself was memorable, but the meaning behind it is everything. This was the first time Michigan State won consecutive games over the Wolverines since 1967. This game also helped springboard the Spartans into their dominant run over Michigan.

11. Brian Hoyer TD pass to Blair White at Michigan (2008)

Another memorable play against, you guessed it, Michigan. This was a 61-yard pass from Brian Hoyer to Blair White early in the first quarter to help the Spartans defeat their in-state rivals again.

10. Connor Cook TD pass to Tony Lippett in Rose Bowl (2014)

The greatest stage in all of college football saw the Spartans beat Stanford in the 100th Rose Bowl. This touchdown pass ending up being the game-winning score in one of the greatest games in program history.

9. Blocked FG in Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor (2015)

This is another play from Michigan State’s historic comeback win against Baylor in the Cotton Bowl. Marcus Rush blocked the Baylor field goal attempt to keep Michigan State only down by six. This setup the game-winning drive at the end of the fourth quarter.

8. Walk-off Hail Mary vs. Wisconsin (2011)

This is another iconic moment in Spartan Stadium history. As time expired, Kirk Cousins threw a Hail Mary touchdown pass to Keith Nichol to upset the Badgers.

7. Jeremy Langford TD run vs. Ohio State (2013)

In the 2013 Big Ten Championship game vs Ohio State, Jeremy Langford sealed the Spartans victory with this long touchdown run. This touchdown put the Spartans up by 10 with two minutes left in the game, ending Ohio States chances and clinching a trip to the Rose Bowl.

6. Walk-off FG at Ohio State (2015)

This play not being higher shocks me. On a night when star quarterback Connor Cook was out injured, Michigan State was still able to pull off the upset road win against Ohio State. Michael Geiger knocked in the winning field goal as time expired. Afterwards, he celebrated with his iconic windmill celebration that I’m sure you all are replicating right now.

5. Little Giants (2010)

I would argue this play is easily the best play call in Dantonio’s career. In overtime against Notre Dame, Michigan State lined up for the tying field goal to force a second overtime. Instead, they faked the field goal, threw the touchdown pass and the rest is history.

4. Trouble with the Snap (2015)

I, for one, am shocked this play isn’t No. 1. Do I even need to remind you what this play is? Jalen Watts-Jackson returned the muffed Michigan punt for a touchdown in 2015 as time expired to win the game. This play will be remembered forever.

3. Game-winning TD vs. Iowa (2015)

Who can forget the iconic final drive against Iowa in the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game. In a drive that was 22 plays long and took over nine minutes, LJ Scott capped it off with his short touchdown run. The mantra that season was “reach higher” and that’s exactly what he did on the run to avoid a Hawkeye tackler. College Football Playoff, here we come.

2. Fourth-down stop vs. Ohio State (2013)

This is the play when we knew we were Rose Bowl bound. Denicos Allen stopped Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller on fourth down to seal the Spartans victory. I always think defensive plays deserve more credit and I’m glad Dantonio put this play so high on his list.

1. Rose Bowl-clinching stop (2014)

Did you guess this play was coming? Kyler Elsworth’s fourth-down stop against Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl is Mark Dantonio’s top play from his tenure. There is no bigger non-playoff stage in college football than the Rose Bowl, so it is no surprise to see the game-winning play at No. 1.

To see the full list on Twitter with a video highlight of each play, click the link below.

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Michigan State football: Washington game time, channel announced

Fans won’t be too thrilled about the channel.

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Michigan State football
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington vs. Michigan State football rematch is on Sept. 16, and the Spartans have revenge on their minds.

The game time for the Washington vs. Michigan State football game was just announced and is one I think most Michigan State fans will be happy with. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 16.

This is a great start time for Michigan State fans. That will give fans plenty of time to travel to East Lansing, enjoy a tailgate and get into the stadium. On top of that, the game will get down around 8 p.m. ET which is good for the crowd that does not like to be out late.

However, I think a lot of fans were hoping for a noon start time in this game. A noon start would have been a 9 a.m. local time for Washington, likely giving the Spartans a slight advantage. It’s no surprise seeing this big of a game scheduled in the evening to avoid that.

On top of the game time announcement, where the game will be aired on TV was also announced. This is where the good news ends. The Spartans game against Washington will only be available for streaming on Peacock. That means Spartan fans at home will have to pay to watch this game. However, a simple Google search showed me that Peacock currently only costs $20 for the entire year. A lot of Big Ten football and basketball games will only be available on Peacock this season, so that may not be a bad investment to make right now if you can.

What would a win mean for Michigan State football?

Michigan State will have revenge on its mind in this game. Washington beat the Spartans last season in Seattle 39-28. The game however did not feel that close. Michigan State made a late comeback to make the final score look respectable, but a lot of fans will tell you we never really stood a chance.

Washington will likely be a top 10 heading into this matchup, so Michigan State has a great opportunity in front of it. A win would would help spring the Spartans into the conference season with a lot of positive momentum.

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