Saturday, September 29, 2012
Michigan State vs. Ohio State Prediction
So here we are, another sneaking up on me. The best game in the NCAA is at East Lansing as Ohio State pays the Spartans a visit. Along with that, College Game Day is there out front of Beaumont Tower.
OFFENSE: So what can I say that I have not already? Michigan State knows what it needs to do and that is establish Bell as an offensive threat. Ohio State should come in expecting that and they will want to make MSU a one dimensional team. Because of this, Maxwell will need to continue to be on point. However, the bigger concern will be what the wide receivers can do with that ball. Will they drop it? WIll they fumble it? Will they be able to lay a block for the running game? Look for MSU to try to establish the passing game to let OSU know they can indeed pass it. I expect Sims to have a big game and for one of the wide receivers to step up - just one. This Ohio State defense is the last ranked defense in the B1G right now so MSU needs to get it going, get confidence going early and put points on the board.
DEFENSE: The Spartan defense needs to remain stout. Braxton Miller is a dynamic quarterback with an incredible ability to run the ball. Along with that, his wide receivers have been good, making plays down field, catching ball and creating a space for Braxton to run. To throw him off his game, look for the defense to hide blitzes in an attempt to get their hands on Braxton early and often. From there, containment will be key. Dennard and Adams have had some poor showings lately in the defensive backfield, they will need to bring their A game today. So will the outside linebackers. With Braxton's size and speed, Allen and Norman will be active on the side lines. If MSU can limit the big plays out of Braxton that should go a long way towards defeating the Buckeyes.
The offense really needs to score points. If the defense is on the field all day it will be a long game for the Spartans. Very simply, the offense needs to score. I cant break it down any more than that. With the way things have gone this year for the Spartans I expect a lot of fire out the Spartans especially those from the state of Ohio. Call this one 24-21 MSU
OFFENSE: So what can I say that I have not already? Michigan State knows what it needs to do and that is establish Bell as an offensive threat. Ohio State should come in expecting that and they will want to make MSU a one dimensional team. Because of this, Maxwell will need to continue to be on point. However, the bigger concern will be what the wide receivers can do with that ball. Will they drop it? WIll they fumble it? Will they be able to lay a block for the running game? Look for MSU to try to establish the passing game to let OSU know they can indeed pass it. I expect Sims to have a big game and for one of the wide receivers to step up - just one. This Ohio State defense is the last ranked defense in the B1G right now so MSU needs to get it going, get confidence going early and put points on the board.
DEFENSE: The Spartan defense needs to remain stout. Braxton Miller is a dynamic quarterback with an incredible ability to run the ball. Along with that, his wide receivers have been good, making plays down field, catching ball and creating a space for Braxton to run. To throw him off his game, look for the defense to hide blitzes in an attempt to get their hands on Braxton early and often. From there, containment will be key. Dennard and Adams have had some poor showings lately in the defensive backfield, they will need to bring their A game today. So will the outside linebackers. With Braxton's size and speed, Allen and Norman will be active on the side lines. If MSU can limit the big plays out of Braxton that should go a long way towards defeating the Buckeyes.
The offense really needs to score points. If the defense is on the field all day it will be a long game for the Spartans. Very simply, the offense needs to score. I cant break it down any more than that. With the way things have gone this year for the Spartans I expect a lot of fire out the Spartans especially those from the state of Ohio. Call this one 24-21 MSU
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Ranking the B1G
While it's approaching Big East levels of (dis)respect, it's still the conference that contains Michigan and MSU. Here's how I think the league shakes out to date:
1. OSU - They deserve this spot for being at 4-0 with a victory over Cal. Still, they haven't looked like world beaters in any of those victories. This Saturday will tell us a lot more about the Buckeyes. I wrote a couple weeks ago that a win in East Lansing and the Buckeyes may be looking at running the table...and I threw up in my mouth a little.
2. Northwestern - The best resume of any B1G team, but is it filled with lies? Their defense may begin to leak in B1G play. If they can hold teams down on D their offense can win them a lot of games.
3. Nebraska - I'm going to forgive the road loss to UCLA and give this squad the benefit of the doubt. Right now probably the very slight favorites in the Legends division.
4. Michigan - Only 2-2 but have clearly faced the toughest schedule in the conference. Would any other B1G team be better than 2-2 with Michigan's schedule? I say no, though maybe OSU could win @ND.
5. MSU - The best defense and RB in the conference could carry the Spartans to the B1G championship. That passing game certainly makes Spartan's nervous though.
6. Wisconsin - The offense has regressed tremendously without Russell Wilson but I think they have played the second most difficult league slate to date. It's only because Oregon State was so bad last season that Wisconsin's loss seemed like a big upset when in fact Oregon State is a pretty good team this season.
7. Purdue - The Boilermakers have a legitimate case to be higher here. Their defense is much improved and they have a very stout defensive line. The Purdue offense seems to have some cohesiveness for the first time since Danny Hope has been coaching there.
8. Minnesota - 4-0 but haven't faced much of a test to start the season. A much improved team over last season but probably still a year or 2 away from contending for the championship game. Need Marquis Gray back and healthy.
9. Penn State - If they lose this week on the road at Illinois it's an all out spiral. They need a W this week and then can look at games with Iowa and IU has likely victories.
10. Iowa - Their poor recruiting on the defensive side of the ball is finally bearing it's ugly head for the Hawkeyes. Is this Kirk Ferentz's worst Iowa team? A bowl game looks like a lofty goal this season.
11 Indiana - Hoosiers are better than last year but will likely struggle to win a B1G game this season.
12. Illinois - A train wreck under their first year coach. Maybe Zooker didn't leave as much talent behind as everyone thought?
And because I like stats here's a quick breakdown of where all the B1G teams rank nationally in their respective units (remember 4 games strength of schedule fluctuates wildly) I'm not sure if you can take any real meaning from any of this but I was surprised by the teams at the bottom of the conference on both offense and defense.
Total Offense
Nebraska 6th
Ohio State 36th
Northwestern 45th
Minnesota 46th
Michigan State 47th
Indiana 50th
Michigan 59th
Penn State 65th
Iowa 76th
Purdue 77th
Illinois 85th
Wisconsin 96th
Wisconsin is currently last in the conference in total offense...What a difference a year makes!
Total Defense
MSU 6th
Purdue 17th
Minnesota 21st
Iowa 25th
Wisconsin 31st
Illinois 35th
Michigan 37th
Nebraska 51st
Penn State 54th
Indiana 49th
Northwestern 60th
Ohio State 71st
Looks like it may be a low scoring year in the B1G. Much better rankings here than in the offensive categories. Is Ohio State really that poor defensively?
1. OSU - They deserve this spot for being at 4-0 with a victory over Cal. Still, they haven't looked like world beaters in any of those victories. This Saturday will tell us a lot more about the Buckeyes. I wrote a couple weeks ago that a win in East Lansing and the Buckeyes may be looking at running the table...and I threw up in my mouth a little.
2. Northwestern - The best resume of any B1G team, but is it filled with lies? Their defense may begin to leak in B1G play. If they can hold teams down on D their offense can win them a lot of games.
3. Nebraska - I'm going to forgive the road loss to UCLA and give this squad the benefit of the doubt. Right now probably the very slight favorites in the Legends division.
4. Michigan - Only 2-2 but have clearly faced the toughest schedule in the conference. Would any other B1G team be better than 2-2 with Michigan's schedule? I say no, though maybe OSU could win @ND.
5. MSU - The best defense and RB in the conference could carry the Spartans to the B1G championship. That passing game certainly makes Spartan's nervous though.
6. Wisconsin - The offense has regressed tremendously without Russell Wilson but I think they have played the second most difficult league slate to date. It's only because Oregon State was so bad last season that Wisconsin's loss seemed like a big upset when in fact Oregon State is a pretty good team this season.
7. Purdue - The Boilermakers have a legitimate case to be higher here. Their defense is much improved and they have a very stout defensive line. The Purdue offense seems to have some cohesiveness for the first time since Danny Hope has been coaching there.
8. Minnesota - 4-0 but haven't faced much of a test to start the season. A much improved team over last season but probably still a year or 2 away from contending for the championship game. Need Marquis Gray back and healthy.
9. Penn State - If they lose this week on the road at Illinois it's an all out spiral. They need a W this week and then can look at games with Iowa and IU has likely victories.
10. Iowa - Their poor recruiting on the defensive side of the ball is finally bearing it's ugly head for the Hawkeyes. Is this Kirk Ferentz's worst Iowa team? A bowl game looks like a lofty goal this season.
11 Indiana - Hoosiers are better than last year but will likely struggle to win a B1G game this season.
12. Illinois - A train wreck under their first year coach. Maybe Zooker didn't leave as much talent behind as everyone thought?
And because I like stats here's a quick breakdown of where all the B1G teams rank nationally in their respective units (remember 4 games strength of schedule fluctuates wildly) I'm not sure if you can take any real meaning from any of this but I was surprised by the teams at the bottom of the conference on both offense and defense.
Total Offense
Nebraska 6th
Ohio State 36th
Northwestern 45th
Minnesota 46th
Michigan State 47th
Indiana 50th
Michigan 59th
Penn State 65th
Iowa 76th
Purdue 77th
Illinois 85th
Wisconsin 96th
Wisconsin is currently last in the conference in total offense...What a difference a year makes!
Total Defense
MSU 6th
Purdue 17th
Minnesota 21st
Iowa 25th
Wisconsin 31st
Illinois 35th
Michigan 37th
Nebraska 51st
Penn State 54th
Indiana 49th
Northwestern 60th
Ohio State 71st
Looks like it may be a low scoring year in the B1G. Much better rankings here than in the offensive categories. Is Ohio State really that poor defensively?
Monday, September 24, 2012
Week 4 Blahs
This is a lot like the dog days of summer. You know that scene in Bruce Almighty where "Bruce" is controlling "Evans" mouth? aslkjdfaosfwjljalsflk sfjsaljfnvlkanfasf
(http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bruce-almighty-gif)
That is how I am going to describe the MSU performance over EMU. Or as my dad pointed out, the Emu's. Get it? No? It's a play on words.
There was not a lot of positive to take out of it, other than our defense played OK and that Bell and Sims are the only thing keeping us from being 1-3. MSU looks like the 4th best team in the B1G right now. Behind OSU, Northwestern, Nebraska. Penn State might be as good as us as well, they can certainly pass the ball 100% better. Michigan I would put right about next to us as well.
-University of Michigan (no the) did not fair any better than MSU did against Notre Dame. Denard Robinson looked lost (MSU wide receiver level lost). Three of those picks were just plain bad. From what I can tell, Denard had room to scramble more on some of those picks, and maybe should have. Maybe that is the problem with trying to be a "Michigan" quarterback. Just be Denard, the best player in the B1G. Instead of Denard, the less good version of Braxton Miller (I went there). Along with that, the UM line did not live up to what it was once billed to be. That has a lot to do with the Notre Dame front seven being full on legit. Being a mostly outsider looking in on UM, every time I see UM struggle on offense, I think: why don't they just let Denard run the ball and get the juices flowing?
-Seriosuly though, Ohio State? Theye might be the biggest enigma in the B1G even though they appear, right now, to be the best team. For a team that was supposed to have one of the best defenses in the B1G, they love giving up points to wildly inferior opponents. Along with that, the offense is all Braxton. Take away his gashing run plays, and they are much less dynamic. I will break things if MSU loses next week.
-Penn State looked good against Temple. Temple is a solid Big East team (better than Eastern). Allen Robinson, looks like the best wide out in the B1G. McGloin still makes some bone headed passes/attempted passes but seems a lot more accurate when throwing down field. The running game is a bit up in the air right now. However, if the defense finally has turned it on, they could very well win the Leaders.
That was all the B1G I managed to watch.
Did I mention that CBS is ripping off what Pat already wrote? No seriously, Pat wrote this last Thursday. Now if only we could get the readers they do.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan Prediction
Normally I would have no problem playing EMU. But this Saturday I want to demolish them. I want Bell to run for 250 Yards and 5 Touchdowns. And after every one of the touchdowns. I want him to point to Mike Hart and do this.
Call me a littler brother, whatever. Fuck Mike Hart. Outside of that, I have had a lot of fun in Ypsilanti. Of course the game is in East Lansing, so I assume, I hope, that Hart will be booed loudly and audibly over the TV.
OFFENSE: Ugh, where to begin. Right now, MSU is missing what Fou Fonoti can do as a right tackle. With that, MSU needs to buck up on the offensive line and and push the Eagles around. Maxwell needs to continue to make passes on his receivers and those receivers needs to CATCH THE BALL. It is as simple as that. MSU needs a confidence booster on offense. Of course, the last time we had one those nothing good happened the next week. I will state this again, MSU is missing Fou Fonoti already. However, I expect Bell to establish himself early and Maxwell to work passes from all angles. The offense should stay in even after the game is over to get the extra reps.
DEFENSE: In this game, MSU needs to shut it down. Adams and Dennard will be a factor as EMU will need to pass to keep pace early in this game. Gholston should overpower the Eagles offensive line and feed in the backfield (I might need this to happen to protect my psyche for the rest of the season.) With Adams and Dennard laying a blanket in the secondary a defensive touchdown looms large in this game.
PREDICTION: This game should see the Spartan offense play with a lot of fire. Along with that, there will be perfect execution in this game. The Spartan team needs to play with a purpose on both sides of the ball and it will. Of course this is a short prediction because of the score I think will happen 45-6 MSU.
OFFENSE: Ugh, where to begin. Right now, MSU is missing what Fou Fonoti can do as a right tackle. With that, MSU needs to buck up on the offensive line and and push the Eagles around. Maxwell needs to continue to make passes on his receivers and those receivers needs to CATCH THE BALL. It is as simple as that. MSU needs a confidence booster on offense. Of course, the last time we had one those nothing good happened the next week. I will state this again, MSU is missing Fou Fonoti already. However, I expect Bell to establish himself early and Maxwell to work passes from all angles. The offense should stay in even after the game is over to get the extra reps.
DEFENSE: In this game, MSU needs to shut it down. Adams and Dennard will be a factor as EMU will need to pass to keep pace early in this game. Gholston should overpower the Eagles offensive line and feed in the backfield (I might need this to happen to protect my psyche for the rest of the season.) With Adams and Dennard laying a blanket in the secondary a defensive touchdown looms large in this game.
PREDICTION: This game should see the Spartan offense play with a lot of fire. Along with that, there will be perfect execution in this game. The Spartan team needs to play with a purpose on both sides of the ball and it will. Of course this is a short prediction because of the score I think will happen 45-6 MSU.
Define "Smiling"
Does anyone know what that saying means? "Irish Eyes are Smiling"? They must have been smiling in that way people only smile when feeling a knowing, psychotic rage after witnessing miraculous Michigan come from behind victories in the final seconds of the last three matchups in this rivalry.
If you've read anything on the internet about the Michigan - Notre Dame matchup this weekend you have heard one fact reiterated again and again: Denard Robinson owns the Irish. This, of course, is true. From his Heisman like pose in the game in 2010 to his 4th quarter heroics last year, Shoelace has been downright cruel to Rudy lovers everywhere. Can he do it again? Please, Mr Robinson, Irish tears warm the cockles of my heart.
Mercifully, after waiting through spring, summer, fall and three football games finally we get some concrete information on the Wolverines and maybe how they matchup with the Spartans. I'm sure MSU fans will have a keen eye on this game to help gauge where their team is at as well. Overmatched Eastern Michigan probably won't provide much opportunity to learn more about your beloved Spartans.
I fully expect Notre Dame to come out gunning for Denard in an attempt to shut down his running opportunities. Denard will need to beat the Irish through the air for Michigan to win this game. Despite Michigan's defense having some question marks, the Irish offense doesn't seem to be a juggernaut. The matchups in this game appear to be strength on strength (UM O vs Irish D) and ? on ? (UM D vs Irish O).
I'm torn on making a pick in this game. If the game was in Ann Arbor I'd be confident in picking Michigan, but winning in South Bend is a tall order...
Yet how can a Michigan fan (or any football fan) pick against dreadlocks dancing in the dark beneath the lights of famous old Notre Dame stadium under the watchful eye of Touchdown Jesus and torturing Irish souls one last glorious time?
Michigan 28-27
If you've read anything on the internet about the Michigan - Notre Dame matchup this weekend you have heard one fact reiterated again and again: Denard Robinson owns the Irish. This, of course, is true. From his Heisman like pose in the game in 2010 to his 4th quarter heroics last year, Shoelace has been downright cruel to Rudy lovers everywhere. Can he do it again? Please, Mr Robinson, Irish tears warm the cockles of my heart.
Mercifully, after waiting through spring, summer, fall and three football games finally we get some concrete information on the Wolverines and maybe how they matchup with the Spartans. I'm sure MSU fans will have a keen eye on this game to help gauge where their team is at as well. Overmatched Eastern Michigan probably won't provide much opportunity to learn more about your beloved Spartans.
I fully expect Notre Dame to come out gunning for Denard in an attempt to shut down his running opportunities. Denard will need to beat the Irish through the air for Michigan to win this game. Despite Michigan's defense having some question marks, the Irish offense doesn't seem to be a juggernaut. The matchups in this game appear to be strength on strength (UM O vs Irish D) and ? on ? (UM D vs Irish O).
I'm torn on making a pick in this game. If the game was in Ann Arbor I'd be confident in picking Michigan, but winning in South Bend is a tall order...
Yet how can a Michigan fan (or any football fan) pick against dreadlocks dancing in the dark beneath the lights of famous old Notre Dame stadium under the watchful eye of Touchdown Jesus and torturing Irish souls one last glorious time?
Michigan 28-27
Thursday, September 20, 2012
In Defense of the Big Ten
The national media is having a field day slamming the B1G, with a lot of pundits claiming this is the worst they have ever seen the conference. Let's take a closer look with a team by team breakdown and the losses the league has suffered and what we can really learn about the conference from those games.
Michigan
It all started with my beloved Wolverines getting taken to the woodshed by Alabama. Michigan was overrated as the #8 team in the country and hyped up heading into the showdown in Dallas. This game proved that Michigan is not on the elite level with Alabama, though there are few teams that can stack up to the Crimson Tide. Who can compete with them? Maybe LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, Oregon...anyone else? Alabama has since obliterated an Arkansas team that was a preseason top 5 pick by many, the same Arkansas team that lost the previous week to UL Monroe. Who would you pick in a matchup between the Razorbacks and the Wolverines?
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has been a huge dissapointment to begin the season, but before Russell Wilson was Wisconsin ever a dominant non conference team? I seem to remember them neeed a missed FG to beat Cal Poly a few years ago and some near misses versus Fresno State and UNLV as well. They lost to an underrated Oregon State team and nearly lost to Utah State. Everyone jumped on Wisconsin for the near loss against Utah State but this Utah St team will finish the year with no less than 9 wins and has already defeated a team from the media darling Pac 12 in Utah.
The Badgers certainly have issues offensively but I still believe they are the favorites in the Leaders division and probably the favorites to make the Rose Bowl.
Nebraska
The Corn Huskers lost on the road to a vastly improved UCLA team. This same UCLA team was even in the Pac 12 championship game last year. It's not easy winning on the road across the country against a fired up foe playing inspired for a new coach. Nebraska is just about what they were last season, a flawed team but a top 20 team nonetheless.
OSU
They struggled at home with a mediocre CAL squad but they did in fact pull out the victory. Urban Meyer has a 3-0 record for the Buckeyes and this is legitimately a top 10 team.
MSU
The loss to Notre Dame was ugly, but there needs to be some credit awarded for defeating Boise State. MSU lost big to ND last season and ended the year defeating SEC darling Georgia in a bowl game. Don't write off the Spartans.
Northwestern
The only team in the country to have three victories over teams from major conferences defeating a Big East team, an ACC team and an SEC team. Their win over Vanderbilt got no love from the media even though everyone was lauding Vanderbilt as a team that would give the top teir SEC teams fits throughout the season.
Iowa
They lost to Iowa State. Don't they lose to Iowa State 2 out of every 3 seasons anyway? What's so different about this year?
Illinois
Their complete annihilation at the hands of of Arizona State was a bad loss but they were also playing without their starting QB and have a new coaching staff playing in their first road test of the season across the country. They are also Illinois, did anyone expect them to be good?
Purdue
2-1 with a close call in a FG loss to a very solid Notre Dame team. This team seems like a fringe top 25 team to me.
Minnesota
They are a lot better than last year at least!
Indiana
Ha Indiana
PSU
Admittedly a tire fire but there's not much they can do about that these days.
For all the national media claiming the Big Ten is the worst they've ever seen it, I think it is a pretty typical year for the league with the exception that Michigan played one of the country's best teams in a nationally teleivised game to start the year and got embrarrassed. Beyond that the Big Ten clearly has no elite teams that can win a national title but they have a lot of solid teams that are going to battle and whoever comes out of the scrum will be a worthy Rose Bowl representative.
Michigan
It all started with my beloved Wolverines getting taken to the woodshed by Alabama. Michigan was overrated as the #8 team in the country and hyped up heading into the showdown in Dallas. This game proved that Michigan is not on the elite level with Alabama, though there are few teams that can stack up to the Crimson Tide. Who can compete with them? Maybe LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, Oregon...anyone else? Alabama has since obliterated an Arkansas team that was a preseason top 5 pick by many, the same Arkansas team that lost the previous week to UL Monroe. Who would you pick in a matchup between the Razorbacks and the Wolverines?
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has been a huge dissapointment to begin the season, but before Russell Wilson was Wisconsin ever a dominant non conference team? I seem to remember them neeed a missed FG to beat Cal Poly a few years ago and some near misses versus Fresno State and UNLV as well. They lost to an underrated Oregon State team and nearly lost to Utah State. Everyone jumped on Wisconsin for the near loss against Utah State but this Utah St team will finish the year with no less than 9 wins and has already defeated a team from the media darling Pac 12 in Utah.
The Badgers certainly have issues offensively but I still believe they are the favorites in the Leaders division and probably the favorites to make the Rose Bowl.
Nebraska
The Corn Huskers lost on the road to a vastly improved UCLA team. This same UCLA team was even in the Pac 12 championship game last year. It's not easy winning on the road across the country against a fired up foe playing inspired for a new coach. Nebraska is just about what they were last season, a flawed team but a top 20 team nonetheless.
OSU
They struggled at home with a mediocre CAL squad but they did in fact pull out the victory. Urban Meyer has a 3-0 record for the Buckeyes and this is legitimately a top 10 team.
MSU
The loss to Notre Dame was ugly, but there needs to be some credit awarded for defeating Boise State. MSU lost big to ND last season and ended the year defeating SEC darling Georgia in a bowl game. Don't write off the Spartans.
Northwestern
The only team in the country to have three victories over teams from major conferences defeating a Big East team, an ACC team and an SEC team. Their win over Vanderbilt got no love from the media even though everyone was lauding Vanderbilt as a team that would give the top teir SEC teams fits throughout the season.
Iowa
They lost to Iowa State. Don't they lose to Iowa State 2 out of every 3 seasons anyway? What's so different about this year?
Illinois
Their complete annihilation at the hands of of Arizona State was a bad loss but they were also playing without their starting QB and have a new coaching staff playing in their first road test of the season across the country. They are also Illinois, did anyone expect them to be good?
Purdue
2-1 with a close call in a FG loss to a very solid Notre Dame team. This team seems like a fringe top 25 team to me.
Minnesota
They are a lot better than last year at least!
Indiana
Ha Indiana
PSU
Admittedly a tire fire but there's not much they can do about that these days.
For all the national media claiming the Big Ten is the worst they've ever seen it, I think it is a pretty typical year for the league with the exception that Michigan played one of the country's best teams in a nationally teleivised game to start the year and got embrarrassed. Beyond that the Big Ten clearly has no elite teams that can win a national title but they have a lot of solid teams that are going to battle and whoever comes out of the scrum will be a worthy Rose Bowl representative.
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