What were Tressel's first public words to OSU fans about?
What does Mark Dantonio eat, drink, and sleep?
Beating Michigan
This goes beyond just talent. If that was all it took then Dantonio would not have kicked our asses for close to a decade. Beating Michigan consumed the MSU program and became their identity. Beat Michigan and MSU considers their season a success.
OSU is no different and IMHO they actually are more consumed than MSU on beating Michigan. And what did we talk about for the last few weeks? Playoffs...we just had to get by OSU and worry about the Bama/Georgia game. OSU goes at the Michigan game entirely different...beating Michigan is the gateway to success at a higher level. It is a 12-month mentality that I just haven't seen in a very long time here. And now it is they who are talking playoffs.
What are the drawbacks of the all-consuming focus on 1 team? Slip-ups against Maryland, Nebraska, Iowa, and Purdue because of the lack of focus in those games. Those things happen even to great teams because of the preparation being made for the ultimate game. Happened to Bo all the time. But who here wouldn't have traded a loss to Maryland for a win vs OSU?
Let's face it. This Michigan team isn't going to succeed if they can't beat OSU. The rest of the B1G is manageable. What's the worst that could happen....we lose to OSU and then tank the next game? There is no next game!
What does Mark Dantonio eat, drink, and sleep?
Beating Michigan
This goes beyond just talent. If that was all it took then Dantonio would not have kicked our asses for close to a decade. Beating Michigan consumed the MSU program and became their identity. Beat Michigan and MSU considers their season a success.
OSU is no different and IMHO they actually are more consumed than MSU on beating Michigan. And what did we talk about for the last few weeks? Playoffs...we just had to get by OSU and worry about the Bama/Georgia game. OSU goes at the Michigan game entirely different...beating Michigan is the gateway to success at a higher level. It is a 12-month mentality that I just haven't seen in a very long time here. And now it is they who are talking playoffs.
What are the drawbacks of the all-consuming focus on 1 team? Slip-ups against Maryland, Nebraska, Iowa, and Purdue because of the lack of focus in those games. Those things happen even to great teams because of the preparation being made for the ultimate game. Happened to Bo all the time. But who here wouldn't have traded a loss to Maryland for a win vs OSU?
Let's face it. This Michigan team isn't going to succeed if they can't beat OSU. The rest of the B1G is manageable. What's the worst that could happen....we lose to OSU and then tank the next game? There is no next game!
