Michigan State fans know it well.
That feeling of seeing a promising season collapse into a disappointing one. The "collapse" happened so many times in Spartan recent history that waiting for the collapse to happen became a national joke.
Talking heads on ESPN, writers for Sports Illustrated, and fans all around the country would see a fast start by the Spartans year after year and take bets as to when "the collapse" would start.
It wasn't as if the Spartans had never seen great success. Far from it.
Since they started playing football in 1896 as Michigan Agricultural College, the Spartans won or shared six National Championships. Since joining the Big Ten in 1953 they won or shared nine Big Ten Titles.
Coaching legends Biggie Munn and Duffy Daugherty, whose Michigan State teams were so successful the program earned the nickname "football factory," churned out some of the best players in college football's history, including Earl Morrall, Sonny Grandelius, Don McAulliffe, Dorne Dibble, Tom Yewcic, Bob Carey, and Dean Look.
But under former head coach John L. Smith, the Spartans weren't remembered for past successes, and the fans of this once-proud program were finding it harder and harder to cling to those memories.
Instead they remembered losing to their most hated rival, Michigan, in 2004 by a final score of 45-37 after leading the game 27-10 in the fourth quarter.
They remembered losing to Ohio State 35-24 in 2005, in which the Spartans held a 17-7 lead and looked poised to add more points right before the half.
But instead of spiking the ball on third down to stop the clock with 10 seconds remaining in the half, the field goal unit was rushed onto the field. In the confusion, only 10 Spartans lined up, and the field goal try was blocked and returned by Ohio State for a touchdown, changing the game for good.
They remembered losing to Notre Dame in 2006 after leading 37-21 midway through the fourth quarter.
They remembered losing to Illinois by a final score of 23-20, on Homecoming, giving the Illini their first Big Ten win in two years.
The program had been in steady decline since George Perles and the Spartans won the school's last Big Ten Championship in 1990. Perles had four rocky years after that championship season and was fired after the 1994 season when the University placed self-imposed sanctions on the team for a grade tampering scandal. All victories in 1994 were forfeited.
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The program had some success under Nick Saban, including a 1998 win over the No. 1 Buckeyes in Columbus, but overall the program didn't grow and Saban failed to win a Big Ten Championship.
Bobby William's short stint as head coach yielded more of the same: forgettable performances and no championships.
When John L. Smith was fired in 2006, it was clear that the program had to go in a new direction. The culture in East Lansing had gone from a winning tradition to a losing one in the span of 20 years, and even worse, under Smith the Spartans had become a team that was known more for choking than for winning.
THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA
Mark Dantonio was no stranger to Michigan State fans. The coach had served as an assistant to both Nick Saban and Bobby Williams at Michigan State.
He was known for his defensive prowess, no nonsense approach, and excellent recruiting abilities. He had also proven that he could build a team up.
There was renewed hope in East Lansing.
Dantonio's first season in East Lansing was the most successful since 2003. The Spartans compiled a 7-5 record and went to their first bowl game in four years. The Spartans lost a hard-fought game to Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl.
All six losses in 2007 were by seven points or less, but the Michigan State faithful could sense that this team had changed. Instead of choking away games they should have won, the team was fighting hard and just coming up short.
The losing culture was starting to disappear, and in its place was a renewed sense of hope for the future.
As the 2008 season approached, the Spartans were finally being talked about in a positive light. Many considered this Spartan team a dark horse for the Big Ten Title, and the talk of a successful campaign was welcomed with cautious optimism by Michigan State fans everywhere.
The road would be difficult, but Dantonio and the Spartans assured the fans they were up to the task. Dantonio especially was unwavering in his stance that his team would never give up—and they haven't.
During the season the Spartans have faced several forks in the road—a season-opening loss to Cal, injuries to their starting quarterback, a blowout loss to Ohio State in East Lansing—but through it all the Spartans kept fighting.
They beat their hated rival Michigan in Ann Arbor, they handed Notre Dame a lopsided loss, and now they find themselves sitting in a three-way tie for first place in the conference with one game remaining.
When Michigan State takes the field in Happy Valley on Saturday, the Spartans will be one win away from clinching a share of their first Big Ten Title in 18 years. They are already assured of a January Bowl game, and there is still a possibility that they could go to the Rose Bowl.
"To do something that hasn't been done in 18 years makes it very, very special, not only to Michigan State and its fans, but to the players that are playing," Dantonio told ESPN. "Penn State's an outstanding football team, great talent, they're extremely well coached. But we're coming to play."
When Dantonio took over at Michigan State, he talked about regaining the respect of Spartans fans, who had repeatedly been burned. The head Spartan has earned that respect, and a win over Penn State will go a long way to restoring Michigan State's respect nationally.
"That's a continuous thing that you fight, that respect factor," Dantonio said. "This is a world of instant gratification. People want it and want it now. We are truly a work in progress, but we come to play. And as long as you come to play and we play with confidence and we know what we're doing on that end, we'll always have a chance."
A chance is all Michigan State fans could have hoped for. The knowledge that their team will take the field and play hard and never give up was missing for far too long.
Gone are the days of underachieving.
"We have a group of overachievers," Dantonio said. "Any great team, any team that's winning right now, has got a bunch of overachievers, regardless of the talent level. There's so much parity in college football, there's so many things that can pop up and go wrong throughout the season, that you better be at your best and you better be a little bit past your best."
Michigan State fans know that now and can rest assured their team will always strive to play a little bit past their best.
Hope has returned to East Lansing thanks to Mark Dantonio and a group of overachieving Spartans.
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about 1 month ago
OK - great piece! Iowa should have beaten Michigan State - but, of course, they didn't. MS has to play in Happy Valley - hard to imagine they will win there! Luckily, Iowa got to play Penn State at home. It is gonna be one great football weekend, right? But, Penn State will win, Ohio State will win, Iowa will win or I will have to sit on the goal post all week (side bet) and Oklahoma will win - my Bobby Stoops connection, you know he played and coached at Iowa! Salute! jaa
from about 1 month ago
Thanks, JAA. Michigan State hasn't won in Happy Valley since the mid 60's, but this could be the year they do it. Stranger things have happened. You are right about it being a great weekend of football. I can't wait for the weekend to get here! I think you'll be safe from sitting on the goal post all weekend. Iowa will finish strong!
from about 1 month ago
Pretty darn cold to be sitting up there long! Couch, fireplace--sound much better! Here's to a great weekend! jaa
about 1 month ago
Dantonio is doing a great job at Michigan State. Last season could have easily been a 9 or 10 win season with a few breaks. Their goal this season is the Rose Bowl, and they have a great chance to get there. I enjoyed the read.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks 12! IMO, Dantonio should be a serious candidate for coach of the year, but there is stiff competition for that award this year. Starting with Nick Saban! Looking forward to Bama's beatdown over those hated Tigers in the Iron Bowl next weekend.
about 1 month ago
Kristopher,
Great read...MD is really changing the feeling around East Lansing in regards to the football team - they're no longer the "warm up to basketball season" like they have been for about 8 years.
I have to add to your statement about the 2005 Ohio State loss. I recall watching that game VIVIDLY. MSU was 4-1 at the time and had lost a close one to UM the week before. MSU was leading convincingly at the half, against a ranked opponent.
I said to myself when that blocked field goal attempt happened - "There goes the season." That very field goal (and the confidence that it killed in the kids and the coaches), changed that whole season. It was as stark as the sky is blue how much that one play changed everything. Except for an Indiana win at home, the rest of the season was a wash.
from about 1 month ago
I remember that game vividly as well, but obviously for different reasons. Do you remember the tirade John L. went on as he left the field? I think it was Jack Arute who was interviewing him and he just went off the deep end, blaming the coaches for ruining the game. He just never seemed to have control over the team. I remember thinking how do you, as the head coach, not make sure everyone knows to spike the ball in that situation. How was that much chaos on the sideline possible?
Dantonio has done a tremendous job! I'll be rooting for the Spartans this weekend. I think he's a great coach and of course have a fondness for him from his time spent in Columbus. I would rather have my Buckeyes share a title with MSU than any other team in the conference. Go Spartans!
from about 1 month ago
The kids are playing their tails off and the coaches are screwing it up!
Almost as entertaining as Howard Dean's rant back in 2004...
That field goal symbolizes everything that was wrong with this program under John L. It was third down, there was plenty of time left to get to the line of scrimmage and SPIKE THE DAMN BALL. Of course, the field goal unit is rushed out there and screws up a kick that wouldn't have been a problem if they'd just spiked the ball.
about 1 month ago
Obviously, you know already know my stance on Dantonio and the job he has done... it will be an interesting to see if they can keep it going.
On scout.com, the Spartans are currently 34th in the recruiting rankings for 2009... not too shabby, so he also has some future talent buying in to the program as well.
from about 1 month ago
It will be interesting indeed. I have a feeling this is only the beginning for the Spartans. The next step would be to beat some ranked opponents, that's the one thing missing from their resume this season. The biggest disappointment has to be that huge loss to the Buckeyes, but another sign that this team is moving in the right direction is the way they responded to that loss. Beating Penn State would be a huge step forward!
from about 1 month ago
Most definitely...
And in opening week they gave Cal quite a battle, but ended up on the losing end. Otherwise, they found a way to win games, including some close ones, which they hadn't been able to shut the door on teams in the past.
about 1 month ago
Kristofer, thanks for writing a great article on former South Carolina defensive back Mark Dantonio. That is informative and interesting to see the positive impact he has made upon the scene in East Lansing, Michigan.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for reading BT! I have an affection for Dantonio from the days he spent at Ohio State. When he left for Cincinnati a few years ago I knew he would be a great head coach and it looks like he is moving in that direction. The Spartans are lucky to have him back!
about 1 month ago
It is nice to see MSU finally starting to avoid the midseason collapses now. I think their comeback win at home over PSU last season was a big step and momentum boost for them coming into this season. They haven't won at PSU since 1965 or something like that though, so they have a tough task in front of them.
from about 1 month ago
It's going to be tough indeed. Both teams will leave it all out there. When was the last time the Battle for the Land Grant Trophy had so much at stake? It's been a long while. I'm looking forward to a hard fought, tough game! I'm just glad it's not a noon kick-off so it doesn't conflict with the OSU-UM game.
about 1 month ago
Great article. A 9-3 record is a good improvement, and no, that is not a typo. Penn State better win this game. Mark Dantonio really brought this program back, though.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Isaac. It's going to be fun to watch! Have a blast at the game!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks. I need them to win this game so then I can go to the Rose Bowl as well. That would be 5 games this season for me, a personal record. My previous was 4, and I usually go up 3 or 4 times a year, sometimes 2. Next year I'm probably only going to 2. Ohio State at home and Michigan away.
about 1 month ago
MSU vs PSU in a match up that decides the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl add to great teams and coaches then its quite a game. Though the weather is going to be horrible tis weekend so I'll expect MSU to count even more on Javon Ringer. My prediction is if PSU can put this one away in the first half then they win. If PSU can not then MSU wins I still get to watch a great game.
from about 1 month ago
It is going to be a fun game. The weather just adds to the excitement.
about 1 month ago
Loved this. The collapse is well known, usually mid-season. Dantonio has brought back enthusiasm in East Lansing. It's so nice to see a team from Michigan being talked up, and one not from Ann Arbor. You have a great chance this weekend of beating PSU...heck, Iowa did. Good luck, I hope they do it.
FIVE STARS. Really good stuff Kris!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Lise! It's exciting to see a new player in the Big Ten. It will a really tough challenge for them on Saturday, but I think the are capable of pulling off the upset. It would mean so much to Spartan fans and they really do deserve it. They've patient for so long!
about 1 month ago
Bravo, Kris. Another dandy!
Who needs Saban, anyway? Piss on him...
from about 1 month ago
Lol... Thanks Ryan.
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