Little Brother Strikes Back

When I was younger, my brother would always compete with me in everything. Especially sports. We would shoot hoops against each other, run sprints to see who would finish faster, farther, anything like that. At this point, I was bigger, stronger and more coordinated, so it wasn't always that difficult to beat him. I also didn't see beating him as much of a big deal. However, I can only imagine how important it was for him to beat me at anything. Well, it started with basketball. While I had a physical advantage, he worked on the other aspects of his game. He would work on a solid jumpshot. He would work on his mobility. Me, I took victory for granted. I didn't care much. I just enjoyed winning, and growing through puberty helped in that regard, until that fateful day that Ryan finally took his big brother on and beat him down. He's now bigger, faster, stronger, and cares more. I'd never play him in sports again, because he'd probably wipe the floor with me.

Why do I bring up these painful memories? Well, Michigan State University, the school I attend, has often been described as the "little brother" university to the University of Michigan. One friend of mine (known as the Wandering Wolverine) assumes that we have a severe inferiority complex with them. And you know what, the little brother comparison seems to work. Our year is always compared to UM. And let me tell you, it's been many years of disappointment. We can't help but look at the school just down the way and think, "Why can't our football team be like that? What do they have that we don't?" We've been put down to the point where we really, really, really want to win. On the flip side, my sources at UM tell me that they really don't care about us. They want to beat us, obviously, but after that, they could care less. Some even root for us in games. Shocking, I know.

Well, now is the time. Big brother looks weak, tired, beat up. They've struggled against powerhouse teams like Toledo. They're in a rebuilding stage, obviously. On the other side, little brother is looking like a program with upside. They look like a team that can compete for a January bowl game (note: Compete does not mean always get it, it just means that they'll be in the mix for it. Considering where they were my freshman year, it's a big step in the right direction). They have a coach that preaches toughness and unity. Could this be the time big brother falls?

If there were any year to be confident in a Michigan State victory, this would be the year. UM looks bad; before last week, Michigan State has looked pretty good. UM is still learning a new offense; Michigan State knows their systems and is ready. The drought Michigan State has had in the Big House still looms, but does it affect these new players coming in to this new system? That is the big question, but I don't think it will. In fact, I feel like the time is now. The time that the little brother finally strikes back and takes victory. They just have a better team this year.

I hope.