So it appears as if Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi is not quite the sore loser we thought he was.
In postgame interviews Saturday, Narduzzi told the Detroit Free Press that Ohio State sent doctored game film as part of the All-22 and multi-angle tape exchange teams conduct before playing each other, omitting pre-snap motions and shifts from the Buckeye offense.
At the time, it sounded like sour grapes. Narduzzi said the Spartans contacted the Big Ten office earlier in the week, so why bring this up immediately after a one-point loss at home?
Narduzzi also expressed hope that the Big Ten would do something about this. But MSU associate athletic director John Lewandowski said MSU athletic director Mark Hollis initially contacted the Big Ten, then settled the issue with Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith. Lewandowski said Ohio State sent the complete game film after the athletic directors talked. Narduzzi said MSU got the full film on Thursday.
So there’s no pending Big Ten action, and I’m pretty certain the Big Ten won’t say a word about this. Hollis and Mark Dantonio wouldn’t comment. Narduzzi only commented because I got him outside the interview room. So I don’t think it’s fair to look at this as sour grapes after a loss.
Narduzzi probably would have been better served with a "No comment," but in his defense, this complaint wasn't something he brought up in postgame interviews like many of us thought when the news emerged.
The Big Ten likely won't take action because the athletic directors from each school ironed things out during the week (not to mention that Michigan State received full tape from Ohio State's opponents) and to the best of our knowledge—we're still trying to get confirmation—tape exchange isn't specified in any league rules or bylaws. It's akin to Bret Bielema complaining about aggressive, but compliant recruiting behavior earlier in the year. Then, like now, the Big Ten told the teams to settle the issue.
Urban Meyer claimed to be in the dark on the situation and said, "There is no video issue here." That may be true. That may not be. What's not up for debate is that Meyer's T-1000 operating mode is just what the stagnant Big Ten needs. He's a ruthless destroyer of worlds, but he's our ruthless destroyer of worlds.
ON A SCALE OF ONE TO HATE... I touched on this a bit Saturday morning, but it's worth bringing up again: Ohio State and Michigan State are developing a beautiful and legitimate hate bond.
While it's largely been a one-sided series, the last two games have been wars and Dantonio will have Sparty in contention for as long as he's in East Lansing.
And then Saturday afternoon was like, "Hey, I have some extra fuel!":
- The aforementioned flap over incomplete game footage.
- Fans in Spartan Stadium serenading an injured Braxton Miller with "He's a pussy!"
- Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Allen gouging the eyes of Johnathan Hankins in a pile.
Now, I'm not saying that the level of animosity is anywhere near what is reserved for the likes of Michigan, or even Wisconsin, but in two years this series has generated more real hate than nearly 20 years of forced hate with Penn State.
It's a shame the two teams won't meet again in the regular season until October, 2015.
IN URBZ WE TRUST. Last Thursday, Alex and I were having a conversation about how we thought the game might play out. Alex, being the voice of reason, expressed some concern with the way Ohio State had been playing and how tough it was to win on the road.
Screenshot from the doctored game film sent to Michigan State.[Click to embiggen]
I played the role of the ultimate homer, saying I would pick Urban Meyer's teams to win until he gave me a reason to do otherwise. I was largely having fun as I had many of the same concerns a lot of you did heading into this game, but now I'm starting to think that's a sound strategy week-in and week-out.
The man has an .826 career winning percentage, which is insane. He's 7-1 in bowl games, which is equally insane, and his record in rivalry games is a staggering 24-5.
Look at what his team did in East Lansing. Heading into the game, there were more questions than answers about his defense, yet the Buckeyes managed to run for 204 yards against the Spartans 34. Ohio State recorded 14 rushing first downs to zero for Sparty. Who saw that coming in?
I mean, he practically walked into Spartan Stadium and said, "I see your strength and raise you." On the crucial third-and-four to salt the game away, Meyer didn't throw or run a read play. He ran the rock right at the Michigan State front and his offense converted.
This is fun.
ACT QUICK, BRUTUS. It's Eat Too, Brutus week and we're all extremely excited for Saturday's tailgate to benefit DownSyndrome Achieves. We had a fantastic turnout last year and we're looking at three times the crowd (and fun) this weekend.
If you haven't purchased a ticket yet, but plan to attend, act quickly. We have sold hundreds of tickets and are officially out of the Helping Hand level, but have a few tickets at the E2B Hero level and Urban Legend level remaining. This event will sell out and walk-up admissions will not be accepted.
If you need help pulling the trigger, consider just a few of the items we have lined up for the charity raffle:
- Multiple items signed by former Buckeyes and ESPN personalities, including a banner and a GameDay hard hat
- Two game tickets for the Nebraska game
- Gift certificates from some of the best restaurants in town
- Something spandex that Titus wore (we tried to get the nerf darts, but alas...)
We also announced details for Drink Too, Brutus 2012, so if you missed it, here are your orders.
ETC. Suggested Twitter follows for Nebraska... How the football field was designed... I don't want to spoil this week's Houndie Award, but... US golf has a sad... This is brilliant... Do you know how to read lips?
