1. Friday night MSU football is here to stay
Last week’s news that Michigan State football will play two games on Friday nights this season (neither of them, so far, the opener) was largely met with a collective groan from fans from MSU.
MSU plays Friday night, Oct. 4 at Oregon, starting at 9 p.m. (ET), and Friday, Nov. 22, the week before Thanksgiving, at home against Purdue, with what will likely be Both games are part of Fox’s national primetime Friday night college football season package.
Initially, the predominant frustration seemed to be that MSU playing Oregon on the road on a short week, six days after hosting Ohio State, was a competitive disadvantage. While that’s true, this may not be the season to worry about that. If this were a year MSU planned to be in contention, I’d say go howling. But in the first year of a new regime, coming off a 4-8 season, with half the roster changing, it’s Friday night’s game against Purdue at home at the end of the season, six days after play in Illinois, the one most likely to make an impact. to the Spartans’ win-loss record.
However, I feel like the reaction is part of a broader sentiment: the lukewarm vibes toward the changing world of college sports, including the loss of control of football scheduling, and cherished norms (like football games). on Saturdays) discarded. All of this was made worse by MSU football’s diminished place in the picture right now (which is a big reason the Spartans will play twice on Friday).
This seems like one more thing we should NOT expect.
Seat belt. As MSU athletic director Alan Haller recently said, “with the new television deal, the flexibility for schools is not what it was. Many of these things are determined and tell us when, where and at what time to play.”
With revenue sharing with athletes on the horizon, these media rights deals are important to maintaining a strong athletic department. Maybe think of it like this: By watching on a Friday night, as directed by an insensitive television executive, instead of sticking around on a Saturday, you’re helping other MSU sports exist.
You do not like? I do not blame you.
FURTHER: Couch: MSU athletic director Alan Haller is undeterred by a challenging future and unfazed by a tough fall.
2. Transfer to a rival? You should get used to it and athletes should get used to your reaction.
When former MSU defensive back Jaden Mangham jumped into the transfer portal at 11 this spring and soon after announced he would be visiting Michigan, where he ultimately ended up, MSU fans and former players took it personally. And one of Mangham’s family members took his criticism personally, leading to a not-so-friendly exchange on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Here’s the thing: In this increasingly transactional and transitional world of college sports, this is going to happen more and more. Just after Mangham chose the Wolverines, Michigan transfer linebacker Semaj Bridgeman chose the Spartans.
The venom toward Mangham arose not only from him considering Michigan, but also because he was a starter who, a month earlier, spoke volumes about the Spartans and their new coaching staff. But flirting with the Wolverines and ultimately choosing Michigan was his real sin. Former MSU players Felton Davis III and Tony Lippett were among those who expressed their displeasure. The fans, unsurprisingly, were even less merciful.
This, in a world of college football created by passion and fanaticism, was seen as a betrayal. The MSU fan community might accept an athlete doing what is ultimately best for them. However, for those who bleed green, going to play for Michigan is a betrayal.
While I normally cringe when fans persecute athletes, what Mangham (and any other athlete who crosses such a line) must understand is that their sport is shaped by these intense feelings of community, by devotion to a school, by these heated rivalries. Without all of this, there would be no major college football, no NIL, and no interest. The poison Mangham felt is the reason he and other top college athletes are able to make money and live on campus like kings. The setback is part of the salary.
3. Will ‘He Died Trying’ be on Tom Izzo’s grave?
Few, if any, Tom Izzo quotes in the twelve years I’ve been covering the MSU basketball team have stuck as deeply in the fans’ consciousness as what Izzo said after his team’s exit from the NBA tournament. the NCAA in March: “I’m going back to a deeper situation.” run in this tournament or I will die trying.”
It was a refreshing statement for those who had seen the MSU program take a step back in recent years, since the pandemic, and let the world know that Izzo was not okay with middling NCAA tournament seedings and exits from second round.
It was assumed (as was I) that this meant he and his staff would join the Spartans’ frontcourt in the transfer portal, since the center spot ended up being MSU’s flaw so often last season.
But when the portal opened… crickets. Izzo and company finally added needed size and oomph on the wing in Omaha transfer Frankie Fidler. But then again, crickets. Finally, in mid-May, two weeks after the portal closed, they signed 7-footer Szymon Zapala from Longwood. Perhaps it will be a useful addition. Necessary depth. But was this death a test?
FURTHER: Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball adding big man transfer Szymon Zapala
Here’s where I am on this:
Izzo didn’t shy away from pursuing a more acclaimed and expensive big man just to spite his fan base. Of that I’m sure. He chose this route so he could keep his roster together: Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and Xavier Booker. Especially Kohler. I think he is intrigued by the Kohler-Booker tandem. It was last year, and because of Kohler’s foot injury and Booker’s lack of preparation at the time, the staff was never able to see what they saw signs in August and September. They really believe there’s something there.
I think Izzo sees player retention and development as the best path back to contention, as long as existing pieces are worth retaining and developing. He believes he can recruit for that, that he can maintain a culture he’s worked hard to create by not hiring a big gun man for hire with a salary of more than $1 million, a move that could spark discord and distrust elsewhere. Of the template. .
In his opinion, Izzo dies trying, but also in a way he will not regret. You and I don’t have to agree on every move or lack thereof. But that doesn’t mean he’s not keeping his word.
FURTHER: Couch: Six Michigan State head coaches are moms. It’s a life of ‘controlled chaos’
Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.
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