Van wrote:Congrats, Mgo. So where does this rank among your greatest Sparty football moments? Does it surpass the 2001 Michigan game?
Don't want to be a prisoner of the moment, but this one is tough to top. Basically ANY win over Michigan is pure joy (when they suck and when they're good, equally), and last year's ND game (fake field goal in OT) will be an all-time classic as well, but that win didn't mean as much as this one. This one was huge for a variety of reasons:
-Very few people gave MSU any chance to cover the spread, let alone win outright.
-All week long I listened to the media and opposing fans trash MSU as a dirty, undisciplined program, and they go out and register a total of ZERO penalties. Not a one.
-It was competitive, yet quality football. While the win over, say, Ohio State was nice, it was painful at times to watch a "competitive" game that was largely a product of inept offense. In this game, pretty much all of the units on the field (save for Wisky's special teams) were operating at a pretty high level.
-The scene and the atmosphere. I just regret not buying tickets, when I gave it some serious thought a while back.
-MSU/Wisconsin is quietly developing into a nice little rivalry. It mostly stems from basketball, but is carrying over into football.
-Roller coaster of emotions. Both teams held a 14 point lead at one point, and yet the game was tied in the final minute.
-The hail marry.
But I must admit, I thought the game was over when Wisky got up to an early 14-0 lead. I thought it was going to be last year's Iowa game all over again. Early on it looked like UW's offensive line was going to be too much for MSU, especially since MSU's best DE and best pass rusher was suspended. Don't think Gholston would've made much of a difference though. That Badger o-line is ridiculous. 6'6" 700 lb gorillas who can pull and get down field. Egads.
Fortunately MSU was able to penetrate that line a little bit and force Wilson into some bad decisions. And of course, special teams came up huge. A blocked FG and a blocked punt for a TD. Cousins also had a very nice game, as did all the receivers. The running game was serviceable.
Just a great game all-around. And though I think Bielema is a disingenuous asshat, I do enjoy watching his teams play.