Re-Crap

I did not see that game going the way it did.  However, a win is a win and I will take it.

Some high lights?  Kirk Cousins, no picks, two touchdowns.  He did have some ill advised throws but nothing that hurt the team too bad.  And did you see how fired up he was on the sideline?  Love that.

William Gholston had 14 tackles a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.  He is good.

Trenton Robinson had two interceptions, a pass break up and in general was good everywhere on the field.

Keyshawn Martin had a heck of a game with a career high in receptions.

Some low lights?  The running game.  We barely eeked over 100 yards.  Baker fumbled early and finished with only 8 carries total.  While Bell was the more effective back he finished with 96 yards rushing and two touchdowns.  He showed some shiftyness he hasn't this year. 

Minneosta put up way too many points on us.  This is mostly a low light because there's no reason for Minny to put up that much.  However, Gray is a good QB and  learning the role more and more.  Jerry Kill will have them as a solid team.

Final low light.  The student section.  MSU students.  YOU SUCK.  I would expect that kind of crowd turnout if we were a 5 win team.  But we are not and we very well could win the B1G and go to the Rose Bowl.  The entire upper half of the student section was empty.  Yes, it was cold, yes it wasn't a marquee game, but you cannot do that and then rub our recent football success in others faces.  Because you yourself, student body are a giant failure.  The crowd in general seemed loud at times.  It is hard to tell on tv.  Maybe someone who was there can comment on that in the comments.  I sold my tickets to my cousin.  Again, student section, you SUCK.

MSU plays at Iowa next week at noon.  HOW THE HELL IS UM THE 2:30 GAME???? NO WONDER THEIR EGOS ARE SO LARGE, THEY KEEP GETTING FED.  Regardless, this Iowa game now looms large after Northwestern's upset of Nebraska. 

Look for a post tomorrow on MSU's most recent commitment on the football side, he was not on my top ten.

7-2 (4-1)

Disgusted

Michigan lost to Iowa.  It wasn't that difficult to see it coming.  I keep telling myself to put more credence into home field advantage and then I never do.  I've watched a game from the front row at Kinnick, the fans are literally two feet from the players and they are raucous.  Michigan played poorly, which is frustrating.  The defense did alright but the offense sputtered in the first half and didn't do enough in the 2nd half to overcome it.  Some questionable calls late, but the refs didn't decide the game.

It's difficult to win on the road in the Big Ten.  Michigan travels to Illinois this week in what should be another close, well fought game.  Hopefully they can overcome the road woes and pull out a victory.



The title of this post has nothing to do with Michigan's loss to Iowa and everything to do with the grand jury indictment against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky as well as the PSU AD and another administrator.

You can read the gruesome details for yourself here.   And by gruesome I mean you're likely to be sick to your stomach.  If you don't want the details, here's the gist.

Penn State's defensive coordinator is alleged to have molested at least 8 young boys (ages 8-13) for over 15 years.  This began while he was still employed by Penn State and continued after he had retired.  What's interesting here is that the terms of his retirement granted him full access to the Penn State facilities and most of the victims claimed taking them to PSU games was an incentive the old man used to get close to them.

The main issues for those other than Sandusky arise in 2002, where a graduate assistant came back to the locker rooms late at night and found Sandusky in the showers with a 10 year old boy having sex.  The graduate assistant went to Paterno with this information, who in turn informed the AD.  After meeting the graduate assistant, the AD decided not to contact the police (which is required under Pennsylvania law) and concluded that they would take the big time action of not allowing Sandusky to bring small boys onto school property (something they have also admitted wasn't enforceable).

If these allegations are true, Joe Pa and anyone with knowledge of these actions should be run out of town today.  I don't care about his record as a coach or how long he's been there, this is inexcusable, abhorrent behavior.  I do not think this is an overreaction.  In fact, IMO this is far worse than what Tressell did.  Tress covered up an NCAA violation to protect his team and give him a better chance of winning and avoiding suspensions/sanctions.  Joe Pa (by not reporting this to police) helped conceal the sexual abuse of young boys.

For just a little background, I am currently a substitute teacher and a football coach.  For both jobs (this is in California) I completed abuse programs where they give you a detailed outline of exactly what to do when you witness child abuse.  There is a hotline, you contact the police.  These are the instructions even if you have no proof and simply suspect something is going on.  The instructions are clear and the steps are very simple to understand.  There is no grey area.  All educators know this.  Not contacting the proper authorities is a crime in most states. 

It's clear from the indictment that there was an attempt made to sweep this under the rug to protect the program and it's reputation, and for that, shame on everyone involved.  That's repulsive.

Here's an article from the Washington Post which I believe sums it up rather well.  

Some excerpts:

Joe Pa knew, if the charges are true.

They all knew.

And they never told police.

In Warped Sports World, the don’t-ask, don’t-tell, sweep-it-clean behavior is rationalized as loyalty, having your coach’s or teammate’s back, moving on from the problem. It’s seen as a noble quality, putting the team’s needs — the university’s needs — before your own.

Certainly it can be argued that Paterno and Penn State would have been irrevocably hurt if these allegations had surfaced in a police report almost 10 years ago; a program whose legendary defensive coordinator was accused of being a pedophile would lose recruits and, by association, money and prestige. Who wouldn’t want that to go away?

But more unconscionable, if true: putting loyalty to the many, the program, in front of the victimization of even the one, a child.

Menage a Trois

diddly diddly diddly SWAG

Ok.  I have come to terms with it.  I am an exceptionally mediocre blogger when it comes to the middle of week.  And I am terrible when it comes to predicting my three things.  However, I like my women how I like my game predictions three at a time. 

1: QB Play

How does Kirk respond?   Cousins had a MI-ddle of the pack, CH-allening, I-diotic play calling, G-igantic stink fest, AN-noying to watch as a fan when I know the level we should be playing at - quarterback play.  We will just leave it at that.  Gray is the key here.  MSU needs to key in on him.  The last three quarterbacks MSU has faces have been of the more fleet of foot type, the difference?  Gray is more physical than all of them.  He is bigger and badder.  When I say badder, I mean his passing game.  It is abysmal, though has been improving throughout the season. Look for MSU to pressure all game long and for Gholston to build upon his 15 tackle game against Nebraska.

2: Running Game

MSU pretty much gave up on the running game against Nebraska.  Maybe not gave up on it, but kept on forcing passes.  Not sure why, the coaching staff thought they could beat Nebraska deep, but even I, a mild mannered blogger, realized we were not beating Nebraska deep.  MSU needs to POUND GREEN POUND.  If Minny is able to stop our running game we could be in for a closer game than anticipated.

3: Special Teams

Kind of an odd one right?  I am expecting a big game from out return team as well as our kicker.  MSU is going ti put points on the board.  To do so, it will be necessary to score on field goals.  There is no denying the offense has been less than inspiring, but I expect at least two field goals....Along with that, look for short field position.  Nick Hill has an excellent return game going against Nebraska.  I expect Nick to continue that.  With that, Minny's kicker is pretty bland.  After missing a 26 yarder at home last week, MSU could shut the Golden Gophers outs in Spartan Stadium. 

UM won 58-0.  I do not expect that kind of affair tomorrow.  Look for MSU to win 37-10.  Or something like that. 

I-Owe-A Lot

I am finding it rather difficult to restrain optimism for Michigan in this game.  

Iowa is 5-3 and goes to bowl game every year!  (but they just lost to Minnesota)
Denard gives away interceptions like Halloween candy! (but Iowa just lost to Minnesota)
Michigan has struggled in their only two road games this year! (but Iowa just lost to Minnesota)
Iowa has won the last two meetings! (but they just lost to Minnesota) 
Iowa is so difficult to beat in Kinnick! (but they just lost to Minnesota) 


Did I mention they just lost to Minnesota?  

OK, so it was a rivalry game and maybe that game just goes to show you how difficult it is to win on the road in the Big Ten.  Iowa also might come out totally fired up and play their best game of the season...or maybe they just aren't very good. 


On to the show


3 Things and a Prediction

1) Running Wild (When Michigan is on Offense)

Iowa's defensive front isn't up to the standards of the normally stout unit that it has been the past several years.  This should be a huge advantage for Michigan's run game.  Iowa doesn't often vary out of their two deep look which should allow Denard and Toussaint to exploit the defense on the ground.  Look for Michigan to eclipse 200 yards rushing.   

2)  Running Wild (When Iowa is on Offense) 

If Coker rushes for 250 yards again, Iowa will win this game.  Michigan needs to limit Coker and put Vandenberg in 3rd and long situations.  Iowa always has a good offensive line.  This is a very good test for Michigan's defense.  Iowa is going to try to gain 3 yards on 1st and 2nd down and get into third and manageable.  If Michigan is stout against the run on 1st and 2nd down I'll be smiling.  

3) Road Denard

Robinson needs to be efficient and smart with the football.  He's not going to have a 100% completion percentage but if he manages the game Michigan will make plays on offense.  If Denard throws 2 or more picks Iowa will have a great chance to win the game.  

Prediction:

Iowa comes out with a lot of emotion and rides the home crowd to an early lead but Michigan's offense moves the ball relentlessly on the struggling Hawkeye defense.  Vandenberg makes enough plays to McNutt to keep it close into the 4th quarter. 

34-24 Michigan.  

So That Happened

Hello Mitch McGary

The #2 overall player in the class of 2012, Mitch McGary, joins Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas giving Michigan three top 100 players and a top 10 ranked class for 2012.

This has been covered extensively on the internet so I'm not going to get into much about scouting McGary, you can find that all over the place.

The main point here is: Michigan basketball is relevant again.  I'm hoping for the Michigan-MSU basketball game at the end of the season to decide the Big Ten champion and who gets a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament and for the first time in about 15 years that hope isn't absurd, it's fully within the realm of the possible.  

(Sorry my coverage of this is a little lame and late.  I was off leading my football team to another victory, bringing us to 7-2 on the season, Go Rebs!)

For Your Reference

The division tiebreakers:

1. Head-to-head
2. Division record
3. Record against the highest-placed team or teams in the division outside of the tie (ties not broken among these), on down to the bottom of the division
4. Record against common conference opponents
5. BCS standings, except that if the top two are one spot apart they are considered tied so see point #1

HT http://www.theonlycolors.com/

Wait Commit?

Jim Comparoni, on Twitter today, mentioned a little bit about 2012 football recruits.  The recruit in particular is Tevin Coleman.  He had visited MSU for the Wisconsin game. Which makes me want to list my top ten commits want list for the class of 2012.  Currently MSU has 14 commits and should settle in somewhere around 20.  So with about 6 scholarship spots left, here are the top 10 I would want to see going green.

1.  Adolphous Washington.  ESPN has him listed as high interest for us, along with Alabama and Ohio State.  Yikes.
2.  Monty Madaris.  Big bodied wide  with ball skills that would fit perfectly.
3.  Jordan Diamond.  All world offensive lineman, I bet he goes to Michigan.
4.  Jordan Diggs.  A safety with big time offers and MSU family ties.
5.  Kelby Latta.  A LARGE offensive lineman out of Michigan holding an offer from Wisconsin.  Be good to get an O lineman Wisconsin wants.
6.  William Mahone.  A bruising running back with speed to burn as well.
7.  Demetrious Cox.  An athlete out of Pennsylvania that would likely play safety,  Cox or Diggs would both be good gets.
8.  Bam Bradley.  Hard hitting defensive back.
9.  Darious Hamilton.  Big mean run stopper out of New Jersey.  I think we have a better chance of getting Jordan Diamond though...
10.  Derek David.  A good tackler with a large body already, would be a great run stopper.  But with our Tampa Two, he might need to learn to pass cover more. 

(all recruits listed have MSU as at least a medium interest on ESPN)

The top four I listed are the recruits I want MSU to get the most, in that order.  I think we will get two of those top four.  Namely, Madaris and Diggs.  However, Harlon Barnett has been recruiting Washington hard, is friends with his coach and a graduate of the same high school.  We might sneak in.  MSU needs offensive lineman, so getting Diamond and Latta would be great.  Latta looks to be a beast of a man.  Plus, I don't want Diamond going to UM.

Lets go to the Rose Bowl and wrap this recruiting class up.