Recalibrate

Often times following a football game a few sayings get thrown around.  The game may have been "closer than the final score" or "not as close as the score indicated".  Michigan's 12-10 victory was exactly as ugly and hard fought as the score indicated.  Both teams had chances to win and Michigan made the plays in the last five minutes to win the game.  Heading into the season we reviewed these teams as being very evenly matched and coming out of their showdown it appears they were evenly matched indeed.  Michigan State's defense has what it takes to hold down Denard Robinson but this season Denard hard what it took to do just enough to win the ballgame.

This is Michigan.

Some game wrapping thoughts:

• Is Max Bullough getting NFL buzz yet?  Meaning, can he please leave for the NFL after this season?  Despite the hype surrounding William Gholston and Johnny Adams coming into the season, Bullough is clearly the best player on the Michigan State defense.  
• Burbridge, as a true freshman, is one of the most dangerous wideouts in the B1G.  I'm terrified of what he's going to do the next two seasons before he's off to the NFL after his junior year. 
• Great call on the fake punt by Dantonio.  Michigan never does much on punt returns anyway so there's really no excuse for giving up 40 yards there. 
• 900 wins.  641 wins.  You can guess the programs those belong to.
• Jake Ryan is better than William Gholston.  In fact, this needs its own section...

In the preseason this became a bit of a debate.  Let's review some of the writing we did in the preseason about the defenses.
Our esteemed commenter Trivialstuff made this little comment:

"Gholston needs to be more consistent, but UM doesn't have a guy with his ability to be disruptive when he is playing up to his potential". - Trivalstuff in August

Being a little more bullish on one particular Michigan defender I responded:

"I think Jake Ryan has the ability to as disruptive as Gholston. In fact I think they have had very similar careers to this point. Inconsistent seasons in 2011 culminating in a big performance in a bowl victory". - Pat in August

And Tbone concluded:

"He may have the ability to be as disruptive at some point in his college life. but to this point they are very different. And even last year they were very different. Gholston has 70 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 5 sacks last year versus Ryan's 37 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. The big difference there is the total tackles. Gholston can get to the sideline and extend the Dline better than any defense end in the B1G.

I would not trade the two straight up." - Tbone in August

Would you trade the two straight up now?  In this game Ryan had 10 tackles (8 solo), a forced fumble (MSU recovered) and a sack.  I certainly would not trade Ryan for Gholston.  
 
This rivalry should only continue to heat up from here for the next few seasons.  There aren't any blowouts on the horizon in the near future.

Other than ending the Spartans season in October, this victory means a lot for Michigan for the rest of the 2012. Heading into the season most pundits had Michigan State pegged as the favorites to win the Big Ten championship.  Following Michigan's 12-10 victory on Saturday those expectations are recalibrated and the Wolverines are now the clear favorites to win the Legends division.  (Wisconsin is probably the Vegas favorite to win the B1G as they are virtually already locked into the title game)  Michigan moves on to a game in Lincoln this week that will be extremely tough while the Spartans have to travel to Madison to face a rapidly improving Badger squad.  The Spartans will be trying to right the ship and move a game closer to becoming bowl eligible while the Wolverines will be looking to take a commanding position in the Legends race.  It's another big weekend in college football.

After 8 weeks here's how things stand in the B1G:

1. Ohio State - I'm tempted to move them down after they keep squeaking by marginal teams.  It's going to catch up with them soon with a loss.  Their defense appears to be extremely down from Ohio State defenses of old.

2. Michigan - The leader of the Legends.  Undefeated in B1G play.  This week may be the last obstacle to get by to ensure a trip to Indy.

3. Penn State - I won't ignore you any longer Nittany Lions.  Impressive beatdown of the Hawkeyes at Kinnick.  Hosting OSU this week in what promises to be their best chance for a statement victory in 2012.

4. Nebraska - Can vault up to #2 on this list with a victory at home on Saturday.  Taylor Martinez is playing well (especially at home) but the Blackshirt defenses is a sieve.  If they could stop anyone they could be the class of the B1G.

5. Wisconsin - All of a sudden the loss to Oregon State doesn't look so bad.  Maybe Wisconsin played the Big Ten's 2nd toughest non conference schedule.  Badgers are back in familiar territory leading the Leaders division.  They'll be trying to improve each week before their inevitable Rose Bowl play-in game in Indianapolis.

6. Northwestern - Led by double digits in the 4th quarter in losses to Penn State and Nebraska.  This team will be in a battle in every game they play.

7. Michigan State - Sitting at 4-4 it's difficult to find a place for the Spartans but their only truly disappointing loss was at home to Iowa.  Otherwise they have suffered heartbreaking close losses to good teams.  ND is #5.  OSU in the top 15 and Michigan moving up the BCS standings.  A pretty good team with a much worse record than the last two seasons.

8. Iowa - I don't think these guys are very good, especially without Mark Weisman.

9. Minneosta - Will be clawing to win a couple games for a bowl berth in year 2 of the Jerry Kill era.

10. Purdue - Wasn't this team a supposed B1G title contender 3 weeks ago?

11. Indiana - Much improved from last year but not improved enough to beat any B1G teams yet.

12. Illinois - You fire Ron Zook and appear to be a more poorly coached team the following season.  Not a good time to be an Illini fan.