BCS Championship Semifinals: Michigan State University v. Alabama

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That’s the Michigan State University Marching Band at this year’s Big 10 Championships. They carry on in the great tradition of Leonard Falcone who not only wrote this fight song, but also the University of Michigan’s. I studied with him. He thought I was hopeless, but he was a good sport about it, didn’t even suggest I take up the Triangle or anything.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio arrived in East Lansing s Head Coach in 2006 and at his first press conference said- “My mission here is to win championships.”

Pretty big words from a team that has always been considered second rate, even in it’s home state.

But, as The Guardian puts it-

The check-list of achievement has been notable since the first year of his nine-season reign. Winning season and bowl game? Check, after his very first year. Big 10 champions? Check, after season four. Bowl win? Check, in year five. Rose Bowl victory? Check that in Dantonio’s seventh season. Playoffs reached? Yes, that box has now been ticked, too.

Tony Versaci, a former MSU assistant coach and now president of the Michigan chapter of the National Football Foundation, sums it up more succinctly: “Coaches win because of discipline, character, convictions, honesty and, of course, strategy. We’re all aware of the incredible record Mark has had at Michigan State. But you know, it kind of pales in comparison to the type of person he is.”

Having that broader view will not give the Spartans any extra edge against the Crimson Tide, who remain 10-point favourites to march on to the championship game, but it does serve as a reminder to the other college football powers that, win or lose, Michigan State will be back for more next year under Dantonio, and his track record suggests he won’t relent until that ambition “to win championships” is fully satisfied.

I root for them because Richard and Emily both went there and that’s where the met. I have several members of the family who are either active or emeritus faculty. You can root for The Crimson Tide if you like, but for me it’s “Go State!, “Green and White!“.

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    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:48

    4th&22 at MSU 3Ala 23-0
    (3:39) Jake Hartbarger punts. Cyrus Jones returns 57 yards for a TOUCHDOWN

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:50

    Point AfterAla 24-0
    (3:24) Adam Griffith PAT – GOOD.

    Alabama 24 – 0

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:51
      Author

    State from their 21

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:52

    1st&10 at MSU 22
    (3:19) Connor Cook pass completion to the middle to Aaron Burbridge for 1 yard to the MSU23.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:53
      Author

    Tide from State’s 49

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:54
      Author

    TD, 31 – 0 Tide

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:54

    4th&9 at MSU 23
    (2:41) Jake Hartbarger punts. Cyrus Jones returns 18 yards to the 50.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:56

    1st&10 at 50Ala 30-0
    (2:29) Jake Coker pass completion to the middle to Calvin Ridley for 50 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:56

    Point AfterAla 31-0
    (2:20) Adam Griffith PAT – GOOD.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:56
      Author

    Touchback. State from the 20

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:58
      Author

    State to their 35

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:59
      Author

    State to their 46.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:59

    Kick Return
    (2:20) Alabama kicks off. Touchback. Ball on MSU25.

    1st&10 at MSU 25
    (2:20) LJ Scott rush for 3 yards to the MSU28.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 22:59
      Author

    4th Quarter

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:03
      Author

    State at Tide 34

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:08
      Author

    Over on Downs. Tide at their 28

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:11
      Author

    State from their 14

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:13

    Well at least they are not being beat by Ohio State.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:16
      Author

    Tide from their 31

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:20
      Author

    Tide from the State 11

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:21
      Author

    TD. 38 – 0 Tide

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:25
      Author

    State from their 25

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:26
      Author

    State from their 39

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:27
      Author

    State from Tide 42

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:32
      Author

    Over on Downs. Tide from their 25

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:35
      Author

    Tide from their 43

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:37
      Author

    State from their 20.

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:39
      Author

    State from their 45

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:40
      Author

    INT. Tide from their 39

    • on 12/31/2015 at 23:43
      Author

    Tide 38 – 0 Final

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