DUMP the chUMps (Spartan Resource)

This is the place where the fantasy legends of "Myth-Again" are systematically debunked. This is where "chUMps" are dUMped! We provide a unique perspective on Spartan sports, and we also bring you anti-chUMps humor and highlight actual facts about UM that expose "The Michigan Difference" as "The MythAgain Difference". PLEASE NOTE: The "Spartan Resource Center" is on the left-side column. You can quickly access a wide range of articles from a variety of sources using these links.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Video: Inside Access - Spartan Thriller in Wisconsin Here...

Another one of those totally cool "Spartan Football All-Access" videos...

I had this post all ready to go and I decided to save it in drafts because I had just posted "Will Brady Hoke Root for Spartans?". Then, just as I was going to enter the post, SpartanMan82 comes out with "Brady Hoke Proclaims Love for Sparty." So, I waited again. Of course, the next day this video is all over the web. Now I look like the latecomer to this party. Oh well, maybe some of you have not seen it yet...

The entire video is worth a watch. Flick it on instead of the TV when you have 20 minutes, but if you just want one fun part skip ahead to the last section highlighted below...

The section on Max Bullough is pretty cool too.

Coach D and adversity of close loses heading into Madison
A piece on Maxwell - position coaches and Andrew interviews
A special on the Spartan defense and Max Bullough
Wisconsin game prep
First half highlights
Half-time in the locker room
Second half and OT highlights
Post-game locker room celebration: The Spartans (and Dantonio) version of the famed Camp Randall Stadium "Jump-Around" in the locker room at the 20:12 mark.

------------- Remember to check Spartan Headline links, updated real time, at the bottom of the page - it's one-stop Spartan info from all of your favorite media sources and blogs. If you are receiving this post via automated em
ail, you need to go to the site to view headline links and embedded videos: http://spartanresource.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 29, 2012

BRADY HOKE PROCLAIMS LOVE FOR SPARTY

Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke has finally come out of the closet and declared his undying love for Michigan State and all things green. Hoke said he decided to open his heart on the matter as MSU prepares to play Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers are tied with UM for the division lead after beating them last weekend on the strength of a festive second half in Lincoln. This leaves Hoke and his chUMps looking for help from somebody else to beat Nebraska.

When asked about the situation, Hoke spoke like a man on a mission.

"Here at Michigan, we do things the Michigan way. We expect Michigan Men to act like Michigan Men because we're at Michigan. This is Michigan, so we play like Michigan Men and we root for Michigan. And this week, that means rooting for Michigan State."

Hoke was asked about his own pedigree as a self-proclaimed "Michigan Man".

"Well I've always been a Michigan Man, ever since I was born in Ohio. My Michigan roots go back to my college football days, when I played for Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. And I continued my deep involvement with Michigan as a young coach, when I held jobs in Ohio, Indiana, and Oregon. Heck, I even coached at Grand Valley and Western Michigan, both of which are schools in Michigan.

"Let's put it this way. I coached at the University of Michigan for seven years and then left for the job at Ball State, my beloved alma mater. How much more of a Michigan Man could there be then me?"

When asked about the possibility that perhaps Glenn Shembechler may have been more of a "Michigan Man" than himself, Hoke quickly accepted the suggestion.

"Oh, of course Bo was the ultimate Michigan Man, having graduated from Miami University. Plus, Bo coached at Ohio State, not once but twice, and that's pretty much the pinnacle in the career of any Michigan Man."

Hoke added that he has always felt a strong emotional connection to Sparty.

"Personally, I love the big fella'. He always seems to look the same, no matter what else is happening around him. Plus, I love his wardrobe. We don't have anything like Sparty down here."

Hoke said if he could speak directly to Sparty, he would urge him on to victory.

"That's right, I might as well be Biggie frickin' Munn this week, rooting for MSU as if my life depended on it. Or at least my season. Which it does.

"I plan to leave our game early in the second half so I can get a good place to watch the Spartan game with a big tub of popcorn. And some double-cheese meat-lovers pizza, with maybe a dozen Krispy Kremes. There's no need for me to be on the field in the second half, since I don't do anything besides strut around without headphones. Besides, if Denard doesn't play, we're toast.

"Heck, I might just skip that stupid road trip to Minnesota so I can party with Sparty. What the heck is there to do in Minneapolis, anyway? Ask Sparty if he can get me some tickets to the big game, okay?"

Also see: Brady Hoke, Sparty Stalker

[Remember to check Spartan Headline links, updated real time, at the bottom of the page - it's one-stop Spartan info from all of your favorite media sources and blogs. If you are receiving this post via automated email, you need to go to the site to view headline links and embedded videos: http://spartanresource.blogspot.com/]

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Will Brady Hoke Root For MSU? (2012 Version)

At this point last season the media hounded Mark Dantonio, MSU Players and Spartan Fans with direct questions related to another specific game not involving their own team. Some made out-right recommendations that Dantonio and the MSU family should root for the chUMps in their game against Nebraska because it might help the Spartans down the road IF THE SPARTANS LOST THEIR GAME. They suggested that to not do so shows Spartan insecurity and inferiority.

They did the same in 2010 and 2008.

{Another example of, "This is why we call them chUMps."}

As SpartanMan82 pointed out, the WHOLE concept and questions at that time, for that game were stupid. For that chUMps win to have any impact on MSU's chances to win the division, MSU had to lose a game - or two. They never did lose again for the rest of the season. For those Spartan fans who fell into that poorly disguised trap, what did that chUMps win get the Spartans? Nothing good. It sent MSU to a non-BCS bowl after playing the best team the conference twice, including a razor thin loss in the conference CHAMPIONSHIP game while the chUMps went to the Sugar Bowl against a sub-par opponent after avoiding playing Wisconsin at all. They never stopped bragging about the accomplishment and never stopped belittling MSU's successful season - to this day. You NEVER root for chUMps.

The tables have turned.

WILL chUMps ROOT FOR NEBRASKA IN MSU'S GAME THIS SATURDAY?

Here we are a year later. The Spartans play Nebraska the week after the chUMps lost to the Huskers. The chUMps are now tied with Nebraska for the division lead, but Nebraska holds the edge in the tie breaker by virtue of pounding the chUMps on Saturday. They need help from the Spartans.

Will beat-writers ask Brady Hoke if he will be rooting for the Spartans this weekend?
Will reporters ask UM players if they will be rooting for MSU to beat Nebraska so they can go to Indianapolis?
Will radio talk show hosts challenge chUMp fans to let go of their hate for the team they claim is not a rival and root for the Spartans to show Nebraska who is boss?

I predict that more than one of them, instead will actually suggest that some Spartan fans will root for Nebraska this Saturday in hopes of preventing chUMps from getting to the championship game that MSU earned their way to last year - with no help from the chUMps down the street. Stupid, but true. It will be presented as a real live topic. I know these guys. I live behind enemy lines. It will happen. Let me know if you hear it or read it.

All together now... "This is why we call them ch... "

By the way, here is the proper way to handle a scenario in which the Spartans REQUIRE a chUMp victory to win the division a gain a championship game birth:
First, know that how you root does not effect the result of a game.
Second, go rake the leaves. Do not watch the game. This way you are not rooting for the chUMps on a play-by-play basis. That is just sick.
Finally, check the outcome of the game after it is over and celebrate the championship if the Spartans won it and curse the chUMps if they didn't.

By following this process, you can stay true to these basic rules (in this order):
1. Always root for the Spartans (to win a championship or anything else).
2. Never root for the chUMps to win anything.

Oh - one more thing...

I DO NOT WANT chUMps ROOTING FOR US IN THIS OR ANY OTHER GAME!

------------- Remember to check Spartan Headline links, updated real time, at the bottom of the page - it's one-stop Spartan info from all of your favorite media sources and blogs. If you are receiving this post via automated email, you need to go to the site to view headline links and embedded videos: http://spartanresource.blogspot.com/

Sunday Morning Paper

Your Sunday "Mourning" Paper...

Click below to jump to links to media and blog posts following the Spartans final seconds loss to chUMps.

DUMP the chUMps...

Return2Glory got the positive juices flowing by watching 1999 MSU dominating perfomance over chUMps featuring an amazing day by Plaxico Burress. The game included a beautiful flea-flicker which ties in well will my interviews with SpartanMan82 and C-Mann79.

C-Mann79 kept it pretty simple while SM82 wants to see something new.

CM79:
Believes it boils down to execution. If the Spartans show improvement they may not even need turnovers to win.
Thinks the first series of the game for the offense and defense is crucial. MSU seems to fall behind early and he says that just can't happen today.
Says if the Spartan's mindset is right, MSU wins.

SM82:
Believes that if MSU simply does what is on the game tapes they gave the chUMps, they will lose.
The Spartans must show new formations to the chUMps defense.
Dantonio must unveil some plays the chUMps have not prepared for, then, like CM79 said, they need to execute those plays.
They need to have more than more Bell accumulate rushing yards and avoid overusing Bell in the first half.
MSU cannot run between the tackles from the single back formation - they must run outside and have various plays and personnel from that formation.
MSU should show something completely different in the second half that chUMps do not have time to adjust to.

R2G:
Defensive big plays
Turnovers
Prevent big play by chUMps on offense
Have fun
Not celebrating until it's over

DUMP the chUMps!!!

Friday, October 19, 2012

BIG TEN LEADERS, Passing Yards / Rushing Yards: Maxwell / Bell - Really?

Check out this most amazing paragraph from Shaw Lane Spartans...

"In a season of maddening statistics here might be the most maddening one of all. MSU has the passer with the most yards (Maxwell) and the rusher with the most yards (Bell) in the Big Ten. You say MSU isn’t moving the ball? Apparently they are. Even more strangely, MSU and UM have the exact same redzone percentage at 87.5 on the same number of attempts (24). MSU has even kicked fourteen field goals, seven more than UM. So how does UM average 12.7 more points per game? Simple, MSU has scored 2 TD’s on offense from outside the redzone where Michigan has scored twelve."

Click here to read the entire post.

Could it be that the scoreboard has been simmering just below boiling? A missed block or wrong cut away from breaking the long run? A dropped passed away from keeping a scoring drive alive? A missed interception away from turning the tide? The big special teams play that appears a step away? Could it all happen in the same game? The right game?

Will the Spartans sleepwalk again? Is there something "wrong" with this team from a mental or chemistry standpoint or is the pressure building for a breakout day? Could we see that incredible D make Denard look ordinary or worse? Could we see that shell shocked look on those fans packed in that hole like a can of sardines? Or, will it be the Spartans that lay the stink bomb? I think the outcome will be categorized as a surprise - no matter what happens!

Check out last year's classic day-by day posts leading up to the game. I could hardly wait each day to read what SpartanMan82 was going to post next. Hilarious.

Remember to check Spartan Headline links, updated real time, at the bottom of the page - it's one-stop Spartan info from all of your favorite media sources and blogs. If you are receiving this post via automated email, you need to go to the site to view headline links and embedded videos: http://spartanresource.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 14, 2012

There is Hope for Spartans. Really... Read This Post.

Here we are - back in time, pinning our season on DUMPING the chUMps - Again. I really wanted to be past that, but in reality, with the divisional set-up in the Big Ten now, it is unlikely MSU could ever have a really good season without winning that game. So BEATchUMps.com lives on...

I decided to dedicate this post to help talk "Anonymous" (see comments on previous post) and other Spartan fans off the ledge. There is hope my friends. Yes, the Spartans could win next week, but they could also get blown out. Yes, they could still win four more games, but might only win one. I am far more confident about 2013 than I am with anything to do with 2012. The "program" is not dying. It is not the end of "the good times". The foundation Dantonio constructed is stronger than a bad season.

2012 is a reality check. For Spartan fans who thought that MSU was going to become an Oklahoma, Ohio State or even a Georgia or the football version of Izzo's basketball program - it ain't gonna happen. It never was going to happen. East Lansing will never draw that many high caliber players - ever, no matter who is coaching here. MSU can, however, be highly competitive and have occasional shots a national prominence.

Believe it or not - 2013 is a high likelihood year to make a big splash. Prior to the two magical seasons of 2010 and 2011 was a disappointing 2009 season (6-7 record). The difference with 2013? It will be MSU's best shot at a Rose Bowl since the Spartans actually went to the Rose Bowl.

Here is why... Look at the team that played this Saturday against Iowa. This is a Junior dominated team with some major support from under-classmen. Think of what it could mean for next year...

Total Players on Depth Chart vs. Iowa: 65
Total Senior Starters: 5
Total Seniors on Depth Chart: 9

Total Junior Starters: 12
Total Juniors on Depth Chart: 19

Offense - 30 total players on depth chart:
Senior Starters (2):
C Ethan Ruthland (in for injured sophomore Travis Jackson)
RG Chris McDonald

Senior Depth Player (1):
RB Larry Caper

Defense - 30 total players on depth chart:
Senior Starters (2):
NT Anthony Rashad White* (listed as "OR" with sophomore James Kittredge) = 1/2
STAR LB Chris Norman* (listed as "OR" with sophomore Taiwan Jones) = 1/2
Boundary CB Johnny Adams

Senior Depth Players (3):
*The other 1/2 of White and Norman plus
DT Tyler Hoover
SAM LB Steve Gardiner

Special Teams: - including snappers, holders, return men, kickers, punters:
The Spartans list Seniors Caper and Conroy on the depth chart.

Consider a 5th year senior QB with every receiver back (opposite of this year), tons of senior leadership with a bad taste from 2012 and the memory and experience of 2011.

Add in this very manageable schedule with two bye weeks neatly placed marking three distinct parts of season and Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State off the slate:

2013 Michigan State Spartans Football Schedule
Date		Opponent	Time/TV	Tickets
Saturday 08/31/13		Western Michigan Broncos Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI	TBA	---
Saturday 09/07/13		USF Bulls Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI	TBA	---
Saturday 09/14/13		Youngstown State Penguins Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI	TBA	---
Saturday 09/21/13		at Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN	TBA	---
Saturday 09/28/13	---	Open Date	---	---
Saturday 10/05/13		at Iowa Hawkeyes Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA	TBA	---
Saturday 10/12/13		Indiana Hoosiers Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI	TBA	---
Saturday 10/19/13		Purdue Boilermakers Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI	TBA	---
Saturday 10/26/13		at Illinois Fighting Illini Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL	TBA	---
Saturday 11/02/13		chUMps Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI	TBA	---
Saturday 11/09/13	---	Open Date	---	---
Saturday 11/16/13		at Nebraska Cornhuskers Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE	TBA	---
Saturday 11/23/13		at Northwestern Wildcats Ryan Field, Evanston, IL	TBA	---
Saturday 11/30/13		Minnesota Golden Gophers Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI	TBA	---
Saturday 12/07/13		Big Ten Championship Game Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN	TBA	---

What are your thoughts? Click on the comments link below.

Remember to check Spartan Headline links, updated real time, at the bottom of the page - it's one-stop Spartan info from all of your favorite media sources and blogs. If you are receiving this post via automated email, you need to go to the site to view headline links and embedded videos: http://spartanresource.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Mickey Mouse & Michigan State football?

This is a short blog post today because I want to solicit some good dicussion.

After week two and MSU hung 41 points on a well-dressed CMU team, I was laughed out of many conversations when I bold stated “Michigan State is not a Top Ten team.” I felt that certain squads (namely defense) on our team could statistically be considered top ten worthy, but not the team.

Fast forward five weeks as Michigan State (4-2 1-1) is plays Iowa, typically a winnable game, but this has not been a typical season.

We’ve seen some dominating offensive performances. Le’Veon Bell has proven his workhorse capability to “carry” this team (ok bad pun). Receivers are starting to really come into their own, better routes, catching the football and excellent YAC (Yards-After-Catch). We’ve also seen some tenacious defensive showcases. This defense has the skill-level and the ability shut down even the most explosive of offenses. We’ve even seen Dan Conroy hit six FGs 44 yards or longer, three of those coming 50+ yards.

But if you’ve seen any significant amount of MSU football, you know that each one of these squads has been exposed at least once or twice.

Bell has two games with 200+ rushing yards, but three games with 77 yards or less (admittedly, much of that onus falls on the offensive line)

MSU receivers… well, I think you know the story their so I won’t rehash their three-game stretch of 18 dropped passes.

Spartan defense despite averaging 180 yards in passing and just 87 yards in rushing has been burned…a few times... badly. The blame goes beyond just any one player. #JohnnyAdams

Dan Conroy, despite the long FGs is just 6 of 11 in kicks between 30-49 yards.

So where does Mickey Mouse come in? Remember Saturday mornings watching cartoons- before College Gameday? Recall the Mickey Mouse cartoons where Mickey goes fishing. Invariably, Mickey runs into trouble when the fish puts a hole in the boat, which Mickey fixes with a piece of gum. Then, there is leak which Mickey plugs with his finger, followed by another one, plugged by Mickey’s toe, followed by two more leaks in the boat plugged Mickey’s other remaining toe and finger. You know how the rest of the story goes, that by the time the fifth hole is plugged, Mickey notices the piece of gum has been expanding the entire time, filling with water. It pops and the boat is filled with water and sinks.

Don’t worry there’s an MSU connection. Each of the Mickey’s (I mean MSU’s) holes in the boat have come during different games. For example, last week we plugged one hole, with a solid passing (and especially receiving) game, and yet our defense gives up nearly 300 passing yards and 27 first half points to Indiana.

My question to MSU fans is simple:

Despite Michigan State plugging a boat hole in one of its squads, only to find a hole another place, what is going to take for MSU put together a complete (leak-free) game without any holes in the boat?

Go Green!
Dan Stepanian-Bennett

________________ Remember to check Spartan Headline links, updated real time, at the bottom of the page - it's one-stop Spartan info from all of your favorite media sources and blogs. If you are receiving this post via automated email, you need to go to the site to view headline links and embedded videos: http://spartanresource.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Sunday Spartan Links From BEATchUMps.com...

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Andrew Maxwell? Or Andrew Max-Really-Well?

Replacing a starting quarterback is difficult in college football. Cadence calls, audibles, route-timing, hand-offs, and on-field leadership. Replacing a three-year starter, team captain and the winningist quarterback in Spartan history is almost insurmountable.

Insert a patiently waiting-in-wings Andrew Maxwell, who had 52 career passing attempts prior to getting the starting nod as MSU’s 2012 signal caller. I’ve said from day one that it was up to Maxwell to control games but not take them over. Maxwell is a pocket passer in a Pro-Style Spartan offense. He’s not going to single handedly take games over, but simply needs to manage the offense.

Four-games later the Spartans (3-2) have begun to wonder why they’re not winning. Any time a team loses, some of that falls on a quarterback’s inability to score more points than their opponents. I say that with the not-so-subtle caveat of last week’s West Virginia/Baylor shootout (final score: 70-63). But back to the Spartans. If I were to rank the top reasons why the offense is NOT scoring points, Andrew Maxwell would probably rank fourth. Did I hear someone say, “Prove it, chicken!” OK Biff Tannon it’s on.

Reason One: “Something’s WR-ong”
Maybe it’s the cafeteria food, maybe it’s remnants of ice-cream left from one of East Lansing legendary’s cold treats but Spartan receivers have a

Recovery Links...