It's worth remembering the 2007 Michigan-MSU game

[argh - major spacing problems - sorry] To refresh everyone's memories, Michigan entered that game having defeated the Spartans every year since 2001 (the extra-second game at MSU), albeit often in tough games. It was Dantonio's first year in East Lansing, and State fans hoped his championship pedigree (DC of 2002 OSU) and open disdain for Michigan would turn the rivalry................................................... As we're reminded every year, the winner of the Michigan-MSU game is almost always the team that wins the rushing battle. In 2007, MSU out-rushed Michigan by a wide margin. They rode this and home field advantage to a 24-14 lead late in the fourth quarter. I remember their running back, Jehuu Caulcrick, dancing on the sidelines as if his team finally had the Michigan monkey off its back..................................................... But Michigan was not quite done dominating the Spartans. The game turned, Dantonio said afterward, when the Spartans blitzed Ryan Mallett and caused him to fumble, a success they could only enjoy for a moment as Mike Hart recovered the fumble and ran something like 15 yards for a first down. Chad Henne then re-entered the game, and the Michigan coaches realized they needed to turn him loose. He proceeded to throw two TD passes in the final 6:47 and carve MSU's heart out on the way to a 28-24 win............................................................... We all know how the rivalry changed after that. And while it's not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, yesterday felt a lot like 2007 to me. We had one coach many years into building his program that's been doing a lot of winning vs. a coach in his first year who's made major improvements but who still has some kinks to work out. We also saw the team that rushed for the most yards (admittedly a difference of only four) lose. Again, the analogy isn't without flaw, but I think it works pretty well. And I'll take Jim Harbaugh and what Michigan offers over Dantonio and MSU in the long run any day. My point, then, is that we can see yesterday as a beginning rather than an end despite how painful it was in the moment.............................................. I remember Dantonio saying after the 2007 game something like "It's not over - it's never over." I had to admit that I liked that, and I think we can say the same thing today. MSU has had Michigan's number. They had an amazing moment yesterday. But the worm turned yesterday even if it didn't turn all the way around................................................. Finally, if you'll indulge me, I want to join the chorus of people calling for calm with respect to Blake O'Neill. We as a fanbase have made it through a phantom touchdown in the Rose Bowl, a Hail Mary, a time out that wasn't, and a Horror. But we stick together as the roller coaster goes up and down, and Michigan always comes back. Turning the poor kid into Bill Buckner isn't going to do anything but poison the athletic program we love so much, so let's show him our kindness........ Go Blue!