MSU 2012

[9and4_rivals188421]

The last time I remember a single team going through something like this was the Spartans and Dantonio in 2012. After losing by 17 to Notre Dame in a non-conference game, the Spartans and their fans put up with this:

1. Ohio State beat MSU 17-16 on Sept. 29. OSU forced a punt with about five minutes left, and then the Buckeyes ran out the clock. "I was very proud of our effort." — Dantonio
2. Iowa beat MSU 19-16 in double overtime on Oct. 13. Mark Weissman scored a touchdown in the final minute of regulation to tie the game at 13. MSU lost on an interception in the second overtime, after Iowa had kicked a field goal on its possession. "It's tough to deal with, and it's tough for our players and coaches." — Dantonio
3. Michigan beat MSU 12-10 on Oct. 20 when the Wolverine kicker hit a 38-yard field goal with five seconds remaining in the game. "I don't like it, but it's all you can ask sometimes." — Dantonio
4. Nebraska beat MSU 28-24 on Nov. 3 when Taylor Martinez hit Jamaal Turner on a 5-yard TD pass with six seconds left in the game. Leading 24-14 early in the fourth quarter, Darqueze Dennard's apparent touchdown on an interception return was called back because of an illegal block. "Maybe one of the toughest games I've experienced here." — Dantonio
5. Northwestern beat MSU 23-20 on Nov. 17 when Jeff Budzien kicked a field goal with seven minutes left in the game. "We keep pressing forward and talking about playing yourself out of this." — Dantonio

Between those five close losses, MSU squeezed out a 4-point win at Indiana and a 3-point victory over eventual Big Ten champion Wisconsin in Madison. The Spartans then finished the regular season with a 16-point victory over Minnesota. That left them 6-6 and 3-5 in the conference. A 1-point victory over TCU in a bowl left left them 7-6 and created some momentum for 2013.

Since that difficult season, MSU has gone 29-3 with a conference title and victories in the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl. They're up on Rutgers, and a victory there makes them 30-3 in the last three years, 32-3 since they lost that last close one to Northwestern in 2012.

It seems hopeless right now for the Huskers, but I'm going to cling to the hope that history can repeat itself, and the Huskers can squeeze out a few wins this year and create some momentum for the near future. It's really all I can do.

GO BIG RED

 

[GammaxuvirHusker]

MSU went 11-2 and 11-3 the two previous seasons with a conference title one of those years. They also beat the eventual conference champion that year. Their fans had reason to believe that better seasons were ahead. What reason do we have to think Riley can turn things around? I'll tell you, taking a 9-win team and turning them into what we see today doesn't exactly instill any confidence that things will get better than they were.

 

[planored]

What would Bo's record be right now with this group.

 

[GammaxuvirHusker]

What would Bo's record be right now with this group.

Based on his history here, I'd guess 4-1 at worst.

 

[jimbosc]

That 6-6 MSU season was bracket with ALOT of success. Riley does not have that to fall back on. He'll have to have some success or look into retirement.

 

[newAD]

Based on his history here, I'd guess 4-1 at worst.

4-1 RollingLaugh

 

[Harry Caray]

Dantonio built up a lot of credibility by going 22-5 the two previous years and winning a Big Ten Championship.

Meanwhile, Riley had a reputation at Oregon State for bad clock management and blowing games in the 4th quarter. In his last 2 years at Oregon State, he lost 5 games in which he had the lead in the 4th quarter.

 

[Headcard]

Bo would not be 4-1 with this team(and not just because we have played 6 games), no way. However, if he was the coach guys like Santos, Alexander and Moss would all probably be here and starting so maybe we would have just lost one game.

Still not worth having him around, imo.