Sparty Escapes the Wrath of Utah State

That feisty Mountain West crew from Logan almost came away from East Lansing with more than a $1.4million guarantee.

It's a path well traveled by the Utah State Aggies. Their team motto's got to be SoClose:

• In 2011, Auburn had to score two touches in the final four minutes to salvage a 42-38 victory;
• In 2012, Wisconsin rallied from a 14-3 halftime deficit and survived a missed FG at the gun that would've given the Aggies their upset, winning 16-13; and
• In 2013, Utah won the in-state rivalry, 30-26, and USC escaped with a 17-14 result.

 

Horseshoes, hand grenades, and social dancing, dudes.

After a bit of a lull, the Aggies are back as college football's almost squad, making life difficult for big brands expecting to pad their record.

This time, Michigan State was the postman to Utah State's terrier on his butt, escaping to the tune of a 38-31 breath-holder:

 

 

If they're being real, Michigan State's perspective on this one can best be summarized by the late, great George Carlin:

 

Big Ten opponents will look at this game -- even though it's a season opener -- and brush off passing plays they've not used in years when it comes time to lock up with Sparty.

Any passing plays. State's air defense is, in the immortal words of Alex Ovechkin, the suck.

 

They say that the most effective coaching in college happens between the first and second games.

Sparty had better hope so.