tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298480282024-03-13T10:11:55.112-04:00The Enlightened SpartanSince 2001, among the oldest independent websites dedicated to college football. Not from the sidelines, nor the press box... but from the upper deck.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1046125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-53625329087024133642024-02-19T17:37:00.004-05:002024-02-19T17:37:37.352-05:00Izzo's interesting NIL/transfer policy spout at weekly presser<p>Michigan State head men's basketball coach Tom Izzo had his weekly press conference today (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Kfjcvw5e0" target="_blank">video courtesy SpartanMag</a>), and had some very interesting things to say about the direction of college basketball today with respect to NIL and its impact on the educational mission of college sports. </p><p>He was asked about the <a href="https://starlocalmedia.com/sports/national/rick-pitino-callously-rips-weak-st-johns-team-most-unenjoyable-experience-of-my-lifetime/article_ec622b37-eff6-573d-be65-97f4bed95156.html" target="_blank">comments from St John's coach</a> (the Creeper - yeah, that guy, Rick Pitino), in which Pitino ripped his basketball team for being "weak" and "atrocious". Izzo had not seen or read the comments from Pitino, so the commentary went off course and descended into comments from Izzo about the state of affairs of basketball players based on the current landscape involving NIL and the transfer portal. </p><p>Before you watch, please refer to the complicated and brief history in understanding the conversation, and the discussion by Izzo and reporters of the "3 years that everything has changed". This refers to the 2020 - 2021 COVID year, which involved the US Supreme Court in Alston v NCAA, and which led to the NCAA punting on athletes' right to make money off their publicity - despite the reality that doing nothing has a negative impact on competitive equity, which is one of the NCAA's main reasons for being in existence). </p><p>It was followed up by a very good question (I think from Graham Couch) referring to Izzo as the "revered statesman" of college basketball... which added to the discussion. </p><p>Look and listen from 27:12 to 34:05; there is a bit of discussion about game play, and he intersperses some of the issues with McDaniel at Michigan (who has been <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2024/01/10/michigan-wolverines-basketball-dug-mcdaniel-suspended-for-road-games-due-to-academics/72182860007/#:~:text=Sophomore%20guard%20Dug%20McDaniel%20announced,Michigan's%20winter%20semester%20began%20Wednesday." target="_blank">suspended for all road games</a>) from a coach's point of view. It all provides some interesting perspectives on policy, politics, and how a very good coach [Izzo] is just trying to do the best damn job he can to coach young men within the landscape of college basketball. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P0Kfjcvw5e0" width="320" youtube-src-id="P0Kfjcvw5e0"></iframe></div><p>Some Izzo quotes that impacted me: </p><p>On NIL/transfer: "the disadvantage is it brought a lot of tough times these past three years, because trying to fight it wasted a lot of my energy and time." </p><p>"I've tried in the new year, just to let it [NIL/transfer portal issues] go... its very difficult."</p><p>"I will state to the day I die: If this is best for all parties involved, someone has got to prove it to me. ... the unitendend consequences that all this has brought is difficult and you won't find out for 5-10-15 years down the road."</p><p>"If at any time in any profession, there is not the ability to hold people accountable, I don't see benefits in your job, my job, or their job. "</p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-88987291023003154702023-11-24T17:12:00.007-05:002023-11-24T19:25:30.675-05:00ES Preview: Let's Get This Season Over in DetroitMichigan State Spartans (4-6, 2-6) vs #11 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2)<br />November 24, 2023. 7:30 pm.<br />Ford Field, Detroit<div><br /></div><div>Weather: it's in a dome doesn't matter. Outside, it's 32 degrees and sunny.</div><div>TV: NBC</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: Penn State #6, MSU #73</div><div><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/" target="_blank">Line Outta Vegas</a>: Nittany Lions by 23</div><div><br /></div><div>Just waiting to anoint Jonathan Smith as our new coach. Thank God this season is coming to an end. MSU, while playing better as of late, just isn't good enough to hang in with Penn State. The Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving magic will rub off on the Spartans. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ES sez: Penn State 32, Michigan State 10. </span></b></div><div>Cat says: Penn State 34 - 7</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-39741519672161842522023-11-18T10:46:00.006-05:002023-11-18T10:52:48.568-05:00The Toilet Bowl: Michigan State at Little Pink Houses<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-To-Remove-Poop-Stains-From-A-Toilet-Bowl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-To-Remove-Poop-Stains-From-A-Toilet-Bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Toilet Bowl is being hosted in Indiana today at noon! Tune in, or clean up!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Michigan State Spartans (3-7/1-6) at Indiana Hoosiers (3-7/1-6)<br />November 18, 2023. 12 noon.<br />Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN</p><p>TV: BTN<br />Weather: 50 and sunny</p><p><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm">Sagarin Ratings</a>: MSU #79, Indiana #86<br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/">Line outta Vegas</a>: Mellencamp favored by 3.5</p><p>So, we welcome the Toilet Bowl. Who is the worst team in the Big Ten? Is it Indiana and their precursor to Kid Rock, John Cougar Mellencamp? Or, is it Michigan State, which spent yesterday on the ice hockey surface in <a href="https://statenews.com/article/2023/11/michigan-state-hockey-upsets-no-1-wisconsin-in-a-dominant-game-in-power-plays-and-penalty-kills-to-take-home-a-win" target="_blank">East Lansing beating #1 Wisconsin</a>? (ES was there, what a GREAT game). By the way, MSU beat Indy's neighbor, Butler, by 20 on the hard court last night as well with its men's team. Can MSU make it a trifecta with hockey, hoops. and football??? That's our only hope.</p><p>Who is worse on the gridiron? </p><p>We should be focused on other things than football. If you are one of 50,000 people to tune into the game on BTN, you're a solid alumni homer. </p><p>This should be a game filled with errors on all sides of the ball. It will be like watching a volleyball game, and not a football game. </p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ES sez: No Bowling Mark Cuban 19, No Bowling Magic Johnson 16</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-45089554792236332722023-11-11T10:07:00.003-05:002023-11-11T10:10:38.407-05:00ES Preview: Spartans at the Buckeyes<p>Michigan State Spartans (3-6, 1-5) at #1 Ohio State (9-0, 6-0)<br />November 11, 2023. 7:30 pm ET. <br />Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH</p><p>Weather: 42, clear skies. No wind.<br />TV: NBC</p><p><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: MSU #75, OSU #2<br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/" target="_blank">Line outta Vegas</a>: OSU by 31.5. Yup, that's a 5+ TD favorite<br /></p><p>We won! Yup, the Spartoonies limited their turnovers vs Nebraska, collected some turnovers, and hung on late to win 20-17. It is now officially NOT the worst season for MSU in 100 years. Whew. </p><p>Unfortunately, now we travel to face #1 Ohio State... in Columbus. Gulp.</p><p>Not much to write about here - a complete and utter mismatch, and the Buckeyes should clean up. It was hopeful that Rutgers (who MSU shoulda beat) hung on for some time last week against OSU... but that was in New Jersey. In Ohio, with a struggling Spartan team facing the top team in the land. MSU's defense is the lone bright spot this year. But, ya gotta score. The offense has been horrific. MSU is playing better than earlier in the year... but against #1 OSU: this ain't Nebraska, Rutgers, or Minnesoter. This is a juggernaut. Not much chance in this one. Don't think I have ever in my life seen 98% on ESPN's matchup predictor... <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HHQBptCHwN4SRXoZp6v99t21QKICIrOEoH4_wAbXJD1EJ78tE7VMHSpTZ0MulACTfv_LhN12Dwgbtocl6-byg7evI16UZIdHBKOpuew2Res2Yqt-UsNZiFV4y1pVHXZbJo2lP12itvmxPrx7gaBkw5WE6JDjY3_ZQjVvsBzLfOhzI6Vsx_UY/s610/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-11%20at%2010.09.13%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HHQBptCHwN4SRXoZp6v99t21QKICIrOEoH4_wAbXJD1EJ78tE7VMHSpTZ0MulACTfv_LhN12Dwgbtocl6-byg7evI16UZIdHBKOpuew2Res2Yqt-UsNZiFV4y1pVHXZbJo2lP12itvmxPrx7gaBkw5WE6JDjY3_ZQjVvsBzLfOhzI6Vsx_UY/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-11%20at%2010.09.13%20AM.png" width="306" /></a></div><b style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">ES sez... Ohio State 41, MSU 10. </span></b><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-29971931611115799182023-11-04T11:33:00.005-04:002023-11-04T11:33:53.621-04:00ES Preview: MSU battles the Corn<p>Michigan State Spartans (2-6/0-5) host Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-3/3-2)<br />November 4, 2023. 12 Noon ET. <br />Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.<br /></p><p>Weather: 50 and cloudy.<br />TV: FS1.</p><p><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm">Sagarin Ratings</a>: Nebraska #49, MSU #80<br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/">Line Outta Vegas</a>: Corn by 3.5</p><p>First off, sorry about last week: the ES was out in Washington State helping out with some family issues. Think that might be the first time the ES missed a game preview in the 22 years of existence. I did watch the game in Port Angeles, WA, the day after my laptop was stolen. Back in Michigan now, back on my feet. </p><p>As for the game this week, there again doesn't seem to be much hope. MSU is having its <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Michigan_State_Spartans_football_seasons">worst full season</a> since 1982 under Muddy Waters (2-9, but the wins were in the Big Ten), or since 1917 under Chester Brewer (0-9). MSU can change that narrative with one more win in the final four: the Corn, the Bucks, the Hoosiers, and the Lions. It is an uphill climb for a team that is not very good. </p><p>The problem with Nebraska today is the Corn have won three in a row: Purdon't, NW, Illini. Momentum is on their side. Yet, the Corn were beat down 45-7 by scUM, similar to MSU's drubbing. Does that provide hope?</p><p>Nebraska and MSU both have decent defenses. Both defenses are stout but make mistakes, and both offenses are offensive. MSU's special teams have been a disaster with mistakes, despite the big legs of our kickers. And, the coaching of Barnett & Co. is not situational and is instead reactionary, leading to mistakes in the 4th quarter.</p><p>The ES is gonna sit this one out and watch at home. </p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Nebraska 17, MSU 13. </span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-91866754397121229212023-10-27T11:31:00.006-04:002023-10-27T11:35:11.280-04:00The definition that is Arrogance in Ann Arbor: <p> For your reading enjoyment... read below the image for the whole kit and kaboodle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tOSYwQBwtIyfR1o6lN9LYB_JNc7fnobyRfFYjA2Zkcs4sZaDv168PPJiPDm8ecXA15kNtZ9k-AoeLoqSJYM-uD-LgGCTbe6I87TIPckwqdNUZbPDjWDcoph7VskMWnOn-YhU_a6S61exDk-ChpQIjKflzS2UatqN1z300iS6E4bmyeqYQYeq/s2200/COLLEGE%20FOOTBALL.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="1700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tOSYwQBwtIyfR1o6lN9LYB_JNc7fnobyRfFYjA2Zkcs4sZaDv168PPJiPDm8ecXA15kNtZ9k-AoeLoqSJYM-uD-LgGCTbe6I87TIPckwqdNUZbPDjWDcoph7VskMWnOn-YhU_a6S61exDk-ChpQIjKflzS2UatqN1z300iS6E4bmyeqYQYeq/w494-h640/COLLEGE%20FOOTBALL.png" width="494" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A few years ago, I sat down with a former NCAA enforcement officer to compare notes now that their career in Indianapolis was over.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Exhausted by years of feckless bureaucracy, they summarized the job of enforcement in a way I’ve never forgotten: “We don’t catch the good cheaters. That’s basically impossible with the way it’s all set up. And most of them are pretty good at cheating. We catch the bad ones, the dumb ones, and it’s really hard to even do that.”</p><p class="p4" style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/newsletters/sportsmoment/?method=SURL&location=ART?itid=lk_cta_ssinline"><b></b></a><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Michigan is going to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/19/michigan-football-sign-stealing/?itid=lk_inline_manual_5"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">get caught for stealing signs</span></a> because it is incredibly, hilariously bad at cheating.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As of this writing, evidence of Michigan football’s overly telegraphed and woefully concealed national sign-stealing campaign is still trickling out: Connor Stalions, the Wolverines staffer accused of running the operation, apparently <a href="https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1716653647629836567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1716653647629836567%7Ctwgr%5E5d46ac4d455d3d029eb4e75e3727b3e756610bae%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthespun.com%2Fmore%2Ftop-stories%2Fthe-venmo-activity-of-suspended-michigan-football-staffer-is-going-viral"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">used the public setting on his Venmo account</span></a> to pay a network of sideline recorders, a move rank-and-file drug dealers would scoff at. Stalions also reportedly <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38736903/michigan-staffer-bought-tickets-non-big-ten-games"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">purchased tickets</span></a> to at least 12 other Big Ten schools on his own accounts, including <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/21/ohio-state-penn-state-marvin-harrison/?itid=lk_inline_manual_6"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">Ohio State’s win over Penn State last weekend</span></a>. Then there’s the video that appears to show Stalions <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamKing10TV/status/1716843872267976805"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">standing next to Michigan’s defensive coordinator</span></a> during the Ohio State game last year. Weird! My personal favorite anecdote (so far) is that a <a href="https://twitter.com/Andy_Staples/status/1717000265704886690"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">Tennessee message board</span></a> captured the entire plot in action 10 months ago, but no one noticed or believed or cared.</p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/25/michigan-computers-sign-stealing-evidence/?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_7"><i>NCAA probe began after firm obtained evidence from Michigan computers</i></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Before we revel too much in college athletics’ most pretentious brand suffering this slapstick indignity, understand how silly and how widespread the actual crime is: Everyone — <i>and I literally mean everyone in college football</i> — steals signs. This is why it’s almost certain we won’t see an opposing coach condemn Michigan publicly.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sign-stealing happens <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceCoyoteBDS/status/1716964449884492172"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">among players in live game action</span></a>. It happens across the sideline <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jfSZ6EzbkA"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">between coaching staffs during games</span></a>. And, yes, it happens during game-planning when opposing teams review game tape. Schools send each other their game footage as a sort of forced courtesy.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One time I bumped into a staffer in an elevator during a game, and he explained he was rushing from the press box to the sideline after charting the opposing team’s signs for a quarter. “Been stealin’ signals” was his actual quote. Then he asked how my kids were doing.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Despite the ubiquity of the practice (or maybe because of it), sign-stealing in football doesn’t create the kind of advantage it does in a sport such as baseball, <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegeFBPortal/status/1716862515965997086"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">as Colorado Coach Deion Sanders</span></a> explained this week when he told reporters: “You could have someone’s whole game plan. They could mail it to you. You still got to stop it.” Sanders might be the most overexposed individual in the sport right now, but the former two-sport star is also the most qualified for this analysis.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s also important to note that college football could fix this tomorrow and catch up with the rest of the sport. The NCAA doesn’t allow certain in-game technology (such as helmet radios) that is commonplace at the high school and NFL levels.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then there’s the matter of “getting caught” and what those ramifications will be, if any. At present, NCAA enforcement is <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/17/ncaa-tez-walker-north-carolina/?itid=lk_inline_manual_17"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">a hapless shell</span></a>. Since its amateurism business model suffered a death blow in the Supreme Court two years ago, enforcement has devolved from its already low bar into <a href="https://www.kuhearings.com/p/shadows-justice-ncaa-iarp-battle-independence"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">something even less</span></a>. This is the same NCAA that actively avoided even trying to punish Baylor for covering up and obstructing investigations of systemic sexual assaults. Expecting some kind of takedown of this year’s Michigan team, which is on a path toward another College Football Playoff appearance at the least, is foolish. (One caveat: If more information surfaces pushing the scandal past the videotaping of sidelines, there’s potential for the Big Ten Conference office to get involved and levy its own immediate penalties.)</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There’s a chance Coach Jim Harbaugh will face a charge of failing the <a href="https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ncaa-head-coaches-beware-you-are-25386/"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">Head Coach Responsibility Act</span></a>, a blanket policy wherein the NCAA says anything that happens within a football program can be tied to the head coach as supervisor, but it’s common knowledge in the industry that Harbaugh is well-lawyered and perpetually on the cusp of an NFL return. Even if this “sticks,” it won’t significantly dent, let alone punish, anyone involved, except maybe Stalions, who has been suspended as the NCAA investigates.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So if the crime in question is commonplace and the cops sent to punish it are entirely Keystone, why is this a big deal? Why have so many in the industry, myself included, met this particular NCAA transgression with such mirth?</p><p class="p6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Because it’s Michigan. Because it’s Harbaugh. Because this is the single entity that has sworn, screamed and evangelized that everyone is cheating but them, that Michigan is not only the only one doing it the right way but the only one capable of it.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“It’s hard to beat the cheaters,” Harbaugh famously told Michigan hagiographer John U. Bacon. Bacon used the quote, in reference to Harbaugh’s opinion on recruiting in the SEC, as a chapter header in his hilariously titled “Overtime: Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines at the Crossroads of College Football.” I guess we figured out which way they crossed.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For decades, Michigan positioned itself against the cultural and economic changes in the sport, no matter how obvious or uncomfortable, as better-than. If Michigan was successful, it was setting the impossible model of competing with the Alabamas on the field and the Ivies in the classroom. But as the Bowl Championship Series era dawned in the late 1990s, the Wolverines became also-rans after making bad coaching hires both <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5991296"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">too outsider</span></a> and <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2014/12/02/michigan-brady-hoke-fired/19772209/"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">too insider</span></a>.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Rather than self-examine, Michigan’s sizable, moneyed fandom maintained that the success of programs such as archrival Ohio State and the heathen SEC was tainted by compromised morality and NCAA rule-breaking. While those programs hoisted trophies, Michigan boasted merit badges for a morality it alone defined. When you can stare directly at the widespread practice of millionaire coaching staffs breaking rules by dropping thousands of dollars to athletes living below the poverty line and cry foul because of the letter of the NCAA law, it’s evident your excess privilege has choked off the morality centers of your brain.</p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then came Harbaugh, another native son but one with an unimpeachable résumé of elevating Stanford, a brutally tough academic school, into a dominant Power Five program. Like any master politician, Harbaugh knew where his base was starving and amped up the “cheaters” rhetoric both to explain away his early struggles and to justify the excessively slow pace the Wolverines took to returning to national prominence.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The problem is now that Michigan has been made great again — the Wolverines are arguably the best team in the nation entering this weekend — it can’t do the one thing Michigan has staked its entire identity on: claiming the moral high ground.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The exposure of Stalions’s hilariously overorganized sign-stealing campaign comes on the heels of Harbaugh serving a three-game suspension for NCAA violations during the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/?itid=lk_inline_manual_33"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">coronavirus</span></a> pandemic recruiting “dead period,” as well as refusing to cooperate with the NCAA during that investigation. During his absence, Michigan players <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/watch-michigan-players-honor-suspended-coach-jim-harbaugh-with-four-finger-gesture-during-play-vs-ecu/"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">held up four fingers on the field</span></a> to … honor (?) Harbaugh in a gesture that made it seem as if their coach had died and not simply been pinched for run-of-the-mill recruiting no-nos. Following his return, Harbaugh publicly promised a new <a href="https://theathletic.com/4874854/2023/09/18/jim-harbaugh-michigan-suspension-return/"><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d;">“gold standard”</span></a> for Michigan compliance with NCAA bylaws, a public attempt to reinstate his piousness.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Well, that lasted a month.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The real and unavoidable punishment for the Wolverines is in progress and will play out in the coming weeks: the asterisk rivals and media alike will attempt to pin on a potential national title season. As of now, Michigan is in a frantic race between now and January to undo the morality value prop it has foisted on the sport for decades and, at least right now, it feels impossible it will escape the dreaded “Yeah, but” response that could haunt this team’s potential title forever.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If that happens, Michigan will serve out a worst-case scenario it itself defined: another big-time winner who did it the wrong way. That the Wolverines could experience the pinnacle of success without telling you how different or refined or apart from the chattel of this sport they are is a fate worse than losing to Ohio State.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s just sign-stealing, though. All the cheaters do it.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-38528364703994584382023-10-21T09:31:00.004-04:002023-10-21T09:42:11.014-04:00ES Preview: Spartans host Cheating Jesus & his Walmart Wolverines<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielGaVvjyY2_vLxssml7Xwis1pZ4pkWjYuyZZfQRIdBGZRloN3WgQlaJ_YST6S8LeKaqnFM7z4wPMvsgfja8G6tNFkjJYNvy_GoCRVC_KEBQRXzH7hfW3hwJ-aEbDo2Bfdu6NjuXjw8bunpqmGpXQxSOOj8aQLrrfCPdISc0g90kwY8Qplht19/s1278/e8YHMFk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="954" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielGaVvjyY2_vLxssml7Xwis1pZ4pkWjYuyZZfQRIdBGZRloN3WgQlaJ_YST6S8LeKaqnFM7z4wPMvsgfja8G6tNFkjJYNvy_GoCRVC_KEBQRXzH7hfW3hwJ-aEbDo2Bfdu6NjuXjw8bunpqmGpXQxSOOj8aQLrrfCPdISc0g90kwY8Qplht19/s320/e8YHMFk.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Prima Donna Jesus Harbaugh is the second coming for the Arrogant Nation in Ann Arbor</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>MSU Spartans (2-4, 0-3) host #2 Arrogant Arseholes (7-0, 4-0)<br />October 21, 2023. 7:30 pm. <br />Spartan Stadium, East Lansing</p><p>TV: NBC/Peacock<br />Weather: 49 and rain. Cold and miserable.</p><p><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: scUM #1, MSU #61<br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/" target="_blank">Line Outta Vegas</a>: scUM by 24.5</p><p>First off, if you think Jesus Harbaugh doesn't know anything about breaking NCAA rules by allowing <a href="https://www.espn.com.sg/college-football/story/_/id/38704984/michigan-suspends-connor-stalions-ncaa-investigation">his staff to spy on other teams</a>, then you are higher than a kite and have so much kool-aid in you, that you can't think straight. What makes it so stupid is that his team is far more talented and better: Harbaugh's actions defy logic and necessity. Yo, coach: Put your team on the field without shenanigans, and they'll likely win -- by a landslide. Your actions, Harbaugh, minimize who you are as a person and as a coach. It makes you look really stupid. Didn't you learn anything about integrity from your visit to the Pope? But, the scUM fan base doesn't care, a la the Fab Five - so long as you win, rules be damned. The Walmart Wolverines are blind to the obvious and will always bow to the holy grail that is Harbaugh. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_1200,h_800/https://alumni.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/HabaughPope.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_1200,h_800/https://alumni.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/HabaughPope.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Integrity on the left, the cheating liar on the right</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Hey, at least we fired our coach, and forced our previous coach to retire. Integrity.</p><p>Back to the game: Michigan State's defense has played well the past two weeks, at Iowa and at Rutgers. It's the Kim offense (Iowa) and the boneheaded special teams play (Rutgers) that has cost Spartans their games in the 4th quarters. As for Michigan? They start slow but second halves are explosive: not sure what Harbaugh is serving up at halftimes, but it is working. Maybe Harlan Barnett can take a hint. </p><p>I'm banking on MSU hanging in there but folding, as usual, late in the game. The Spartans are the most mistake-prone college team in America. There's not much more to say, other than the last thing Harbaugh needed to do is to hire a dummy to go scout Rutgers and Michigan State mid-season. Barring a complete Michigan collapse and a miracle from the Pope's boss, this is a foregone conclusion. </p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ES sez: Cheating Jesus 31, Fired Masturbator 10. </span></b></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-54466689490564716372023-10-14T09:22:00.005-04:002023-10-14T11:02:32.818-04:00ES Preview: Spartans at Birthplace of Football Michigan State Spartans (2-3, 0-2) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-2, 1-2) <div>October 14, 2023. Noon ET.</div><div>SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
</div><div><br /></div><div>Weather: 52, RAIN, RAIN, RAIN all game long<br />TV: BTN<br /><br />Sagarin Ratings: Rutgers #51, MSU #65<br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/" target="_blank">Line Outta Vegas</a>: Rutgers by 4.5 </div><div><br /></div><div>Let it rain, rain, rain. ES remembers going to see MSU beat Rutgers about a decade ago, with the RU players touching the statue of the birthplace of college football as they entered the stadium. Really liked Rutgers, the city next to campus; we hung out with Connor Cook's family at a tailgate before the game. RU is an underrated Big Ten town. </div><div><br /></div><div>That said, this is a game of defenses, and pathetic offenses. Actually, MSU has shown it can move the ball between the 20s, only to make mistake after mistake after mistake on offense - particularly from QB Noah Kim. Kim will be benched for Hauser (thank God!) just because he is too much of a liability. Time to start anew. If MSU can get its running game going in the rain, it can keep the time of possession and turn it into an ugly slugfest. RU held Michigan to 31 points, beat a bad Northwestern squad, and lost to a bad Wisconsin team. RU can run, but MSU has done well stopping the run this season. Rutgers has zero passing game. The statistical advantage is to MSU on offense and RU on defense -> <b><i>except for the turnovers</i></b>, of which the Spartans are next to last in the NCAA. Interestingly enough, MSU's QB Noah Kim is (gulp) 95th in the country in Passing Efficiency (119.0 rating) which is TERRIBLE. Rutgers' QB Gavin Wimsatt is WORSE at 98th in the country with a 117.4 rating. But, MSU played well at Iowa except for the damned turnovers, outgaining Iowa by 150 total yards. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers gotta stop. They will be reduced today. </div><div><br /></div><div>This has the makings of a game that can set football back 70 years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the statistical breakdown after 5/6 games, per game averages except for turnover totals. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">MSU</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">RU</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Total Yards</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>371.4</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>334.5</b></p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yards Passing</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">251.4</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">161.2</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yards Rushing</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">120.0</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">173.3</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Yards Allowed</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>341.8</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>282.8</b></p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Pass Yards Allowed</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">226.8</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">165.2</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Rush Yards Allowed</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">115.0</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">117.7</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Turnover Margin</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">-6</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">+4</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Prognostications: </div><div><br /></div><div>J - MSU Breakout, Spartans 35-31<br />Big Bob: Rutgers 27-14, with Doogie Houser getting first start<br />Cat: MSU 14-13<br />Keith: Rutgers 31-24</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>ES Sez: MSU 20-18</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-74148785407549863302023-10-06T01:14:00.000-04:002023-10-06T01:14:00.679-04:00New MSU coach? Jonathan Smith from Oregon State <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0W_JPfCvfOxxnEKClM8nj3wltw808XScK36jWqCjm2eACPj1eYa8N4c9P0Ex22f8OTJH5ss5CrmkrAZh3ef0tbDUEuHmZ-yQw5Z813iQw6mrc1UvOGxOfYnE9aw7DhpEKTPltAhWdFTrW9eOD5jokZeM-LpolPApEqzvaBpr6f_GvCnGfFO4i" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2048" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0W_JPfCvfOxxnEKClM8nj3wltw808XScK36jWqCjm2eACPj1eYa8N4c9P0Ex22f8OTJH5ss5CrmkrAZh3ef0tbDUEuHmZ-yQw5Z813iQw6mrc1UvOGxOfYnE9aw7DhpEKTPltAhWdFTrW9eOD5jokZeM-LpolPApEqzvaBpr6f_GvCnGfFO4i=w400-h280" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maybe the next coach of Michigan State? <br />Oregon State's Jonathan Smith brings no baggage and WINS</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>The ES is fed up with all the "Urban Meyer for coach" crap. Meyer hired an individual who beat his wife, was involved in a lap dance, and also in recruiting violations. Many in the Spartan Nation are asking, "why don't you just want a winner, he is guaranteed." Meyer is not guaranteed. He would never offer a guarantee to MSU, so there is no guarantee. People, show me ONE STUDY that shows paying more for a coach equates to more wins. </p><p>I thought so. There is no study. Why? Because football is a zero-sum game: one team wins, another team loses. So, the chances of winning is gambling with good money.</p><p>To MSU Trustees: Don't spend so much money on a coach without any guarantee of victory! To his credit, even UM coach Harbaugh cut his contract in half before he could prove his teams could succeed to the promised land, aka CFP. </p><p>As my friend Paul from Australia said - and he and I graduated back in 1990/91: "<span style="background-color: #e4e6eb; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I don't know enough about college fb to speak intelligently. I would settle for a decent human being."</span></p><p>What a brillant quote. A decent human being. OK, so let's check Urban Meyer off our list. </p><p>Let's be fair: the last three hires from MSU were unexpected: John L Smith from Louisville, Mark Dantonio from Cincy, and Mel Tucker from Colorado. I expect the same: a name noone is talking about.</p><p>I give you: Jonathan Smith, of Oregon State. Personally, if I was coach at Oregon State in Corvallis, I would never leave. It is the most beautiful campus in America. I want to die in Corvallis, or Cannon Beach, or anywhere on the Oregon Coast. That said, Smith is young. His team is ranked #15 at 4-1, and last year was 10-3. The year before, 7-6. But he has some impressive wins on his resume: #10 Utah last week, a 30-3 shellacking of SEC Florida in the Vegas Bowl, win over Oregon last year, won at USC in 2021... he has a strong resume. And, he has no problems. </p><p>I think this is our guy: Jonathan Smith. My contract deal: Offer him maybe $1M up front, then $750K per win. The more he wins, the more he makes. Purely an incentive-based contract. Take it or leave it. But this is his chance, and our chance. </p><p>Thoughts? Go GREEN. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-36629688001374323392023-09-30T08:50:00.006-04:002023-09-30T08:50:39.067-04:00ES Game Day: Spartans travel to Ugly Chickens<p>Michigan State Spartans (2-2, 0-1) at Iowa Ugly Chickens (3-1, 0-1)<br />Iowa City, IA. Kinnick Stadium<br />September 30, 2023. 7:30 ET.<br /></p><p>Weather: Hot, 83 and sunny.<br />TV: NBC/Peacock</p><p><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: Iowa #31, MSU #63<br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/" target="_blank">Line Outta Vegas</a>: Iowa favored by 10.5</p><p>The ES is busy this weekend camping up north in beautiful Michigan, gonna watch the game in and around Mackinac Island. Need power and wifi. Help!</p><p>But, the ES might not be missing much. This is a matchup of defenses vs woeful offenses. Iowa will double up the score on MSU, but it won't be pretty. This game should set college football back at least 50 years. </p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ES sez: Iowa 18, MSU 9. </span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-89122119047125367502023-09-24T10:20:00.005-04:002023-09-24T10:36:20.939-04:00Thoughts on MSU and Maryland: We're just not very good<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxfl1IkGwUXHDtBCwMNf6JnCruKxUnEsC3NOxW4iPqV4RY1xtkr8igh3XUUqbnNVFJHbWRvF2PquQKzBCSZM-HWcBNeJs_W8TZeVIhuoLtyxv5opcShdTVIrHz0LAvBMVYPJ1R6njO1HdPzl1vzB9jDcViIPyoJeUNC0tsPrpuX-sJLcL_9g2U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxfl1IkGwUXHDtBCwMNf6JnCruKxUnEsC3NOxW4iPqV4RY1xtkr8igh3XUUqbnNVFJHbWRvF2PquQKzBCSZM-HWcBNeJs_W8TZeVIhuoLtyxv5opcShdTVIrHz0LAvBMVYPJ1R6njO1HdPzl1vzB9jDcViIPyoJeUNC0tsPrpuX-sJLcL_9g2U" width="320" /></a></div><br />The ES with some initial thoughts on the loss to Maryland:<p></p><p>1. #43 Spencer remains completely out of position and is entirely lost on defense. Other than being a body, he is 100% ineffective at DB. Conversely #21 Tatum is playing by far the best secondary ball on the team, is a hard hitter, and is a playmaker. </p><p>2. When MSU started moving up on the wideouts and dropping the 10-yard cushion in the second half, they started playing better in coverage - especially, combined with... pressure...</p><p>3. It's amazing what defensive pressure does - against a mobile and well-armed quarterback like Tuagoliova, as MSU brought pressure it disrupted rhythm and forced errant throws. What took DC Scottie Hazelton so long to figure this out? The man needs to be shown the door. </p><p>4. The defensive interior played well most of the game. They just need help from better coaching, better secondary play, and a far better offense.... which leads to some real criticism:</p><p>5. Noah Kim at QB is not the answer. Way, way, WAY TOO MANY mistakes, all game long. I was praying for it to get better, and it really didn't. Nearly everytime MSU began to get a rhythm on offense, Kim would screw it up: throw an INT, sail passes (including missing a wide-open TD), or at the end take a 20-yard sack instead of just throwing the ball away. As competition improves, he is showing he is not very good. Two or three other passes from Kim should have been intercepted, including terrible screen passes. Very, very poor QB play out of Kim. </p><p>6. Receivers have got to help out the QBs. They can't drop dimes thrown into their hands. Too, too many dropped passes, including the potential TD pass to Foster. Lack of focus. This must improve.</p><p>7. Inconsistency in play calling, and a complete lack of misdirection plays vs. Maryland. MSU stalled with too many mistakes, not giving the offense any opportunity to use some of its speed to put Maryland's defense out of position and take advantage. </p><p>8. Penalties, penalties. At the worst times. The Spartans need to play smarter and quit it with the infractions. We can't afford any of them. </p><p>9. Didn't understand why MSU is not trying harder to get #5 Carter into the open field. He needs to have a wheel route, put into the slot for a slant play, or catch a ball (any ball) out of the backfield in open space. He's a dynamic runner who has not showed his full potential. Very disappointing by OC Jay Johnson not to find space for Carter. </p><p>Bottom line: Michigan State is not being coached well, and is not playing complimentary football, asking the defense far too many times to bail out its pathetic sputtering offensive offense. To add insult to injury, the kicking game had a FG blocked, a 20 yard punt into the wind (after the Kim sack, it was basically a turnover), and no great returns. <b>This is not a good football team</b>. MSU's O/U of 5.5 wins for the season may be a stretch. With the transfer portal and redshirting coming up in the next 1-2 weeks, things may get significantly worse for MSU. I feel bad for this team and the players, because they've been dealt a bad hand in the middle of the season. But, no excuses. Suit up, coach, and play better. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-10501723441686786162023-09-23T09:19:00.008-04:002023-09-23T11:30:39.725-04:00ES Game Day: Fear the Turtle and MSU should fire Scottie Hazelton<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qp7QJVaDa8RDXwzd_NtVykIc5SF_lpYINY51UNN2bjZYZRE9MUNeHvYG47FBuJq_WVqePlvZZrKykk66hAj4g0M1HTWw6ZGxmstUOcIV73nwML8s3NHDFoOUIUYqWiBUbKdWBbzR9nWUnLkrlHAFjNUJYrMSttj0laDX3ePNKksNKq5Xlj8X/s636/Screenshot%202023-09-23%20at%209.21.03%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="636" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qp7QJVaDa8RDXwzd_NtVykIc5SF_lpYINY51UNN2bjZYZRE9MUNeHvYG47FBuJq_WVqePlvZZrKykk66hAj4g0M1HTWw6ZGxmstUOcIV73nwML8s3NHDFoOUIUYqWiBUbKdWBbzR9nWUnLkrlHAFjNUJYrMSttj0laDX3ePNKksNKq5Xlj8X/w400-h274/Screenshot%202023-09-23%20at%209.21.03%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Scottie Hazelton has resorted to prayer as his only option with his MSU defense</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Michigan State Spartans (2-1) host Maryland Terrapins (3-0)<br />Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI <br />September 23, 2023. 3:30 pm ET kickoff<br />TV: NBC/Peacock <br />Weather: beautiful, 75 and sunny.</p><p><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: MSU #51, Maryland #40<br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/" target="_blank">Line outta Vegas</a>: Maryland favored by 7.5<br /><br /></p><p>When was the last time Maryland was favored on the road in a Big Ten game (other than Rutgers), let alone at MSU? My guess it has never happened in East Lansing... possibly when Bear Bryant coached Maryland in 1945, but they didn't play MSU. That would've likely been the only time ever. Ugh. Just ugly. Last year, Maryland was favored by 8 at home and won by 14 (27-13 final score). </p><p>Where's the blame? Lots to go around. Today's blame game lies on the shoulders of Scottie Hazelton. Let's just use data to share about Scottie at Michigan State since he started in 2020 as Defensive Coordinator. Not exactly a stout defense. What ever happened to the "No Fly Zone"? Beyond that, MSU is hemorrhaging 400+ yards per game on defense consistently. </p><p>Total defensive statistics</p><p>2020 (2-5 record): <br />Total points per game allowed: 35 <br />Yards per game allowed: 397<br />Passing yards per game allowed: 239<br /><br />2021 (11-2 record): <br />Total points per game allowed: 25<br />Yards per game allowed: 442 <br />Passing yards per game allowed: 325<br /><br />2022 (5-7 record):<br />Total points per game allowed: 27<br />Yards per game allowed: 417<br />Passing yards per game allowed: 238<br /><br />2023 (2-1 record):<br />Total points per game allowed: 21<br />Yards per game allowed: 375<br />Passing yards per game allowed: 250</p><p>The problem is worse when you break it into real (or ranked) competition, with Hazelton's defense being gouged on average well over 450 yards per game. Look at some of the games in the past two years:</p><p>2023: </p><p>#8 UW (lost, 41-7)<br />Total yards allowed: 713<br />Passing yards. allowed: 536</p><p>2022:</p><p>#11 Penn State (lost 35-16)<br />Total yards allowed: 410<br />Passing yards allowed: 250</p><p>#17 Illinois (won 23-15)<br />Total yards allowed: 441<br />Passing yards allowed: 288</p><p>#4 Michigan (lost 29-7)<br />Total yards allowed: 443<br />Passing yards allowed: 167</p><p>#3 Ohio State (lost 49-20)<br />Total yards allowed: 614<br />Passing yards allowed: 337<br /><br />Now we play Maryland, coming into today's stint 3-0 and averaging 480 yards per game, including 304 yards through the air from Tua's brother. </p><p>After today's torching, it will be time to <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">FIRE SCOTTIE HAZELTON</span></b>. It's been long-past time to send the joker packing. </p><p><b>Prognosticators:</b><br /><br />Sloth: 31-10, Terps<br />Cat: 38-21, Maryland<br /><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">ES sez: Maryland 33 - MSU 22. </span></b><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-90598480698531065782023-09-16T09:26:00.004-04:002023-09-16T09:32:13.739-04:00ES Game Day: What a long strange trip for Warshington<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J4fbjNUTGg4/hqdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J4fbjNUTGg4/hqdefault.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Time to make Penix crosseyed with our stout Spartan secondary</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Michigan State Spartans (2-0) host #8 Warshington Huskies (2-0)<br />September 16, 2023. 5 pm ET.<br />Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI<p></p><p>Weather: PERFECT. 73 and sunny, no freaking winds<br />TV: Peacock Network - yes it is only available via streaming</p><p><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings:</a> MSU #41, UW #15. <br /><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/">Line Outta Vegas</a>: Warshington by 16</p><p>It's been another bad week in East Lansing. Again. </p><p>But, listen. The players don't deserve it, neither does coach Harlan Barnett, nor the entire MSU community. One bad apple (Mel Tucker) spoils the bunch. The Spartan Nation needs to rally around the flag and support our young men on the gridiron. Coach B was a STUD as an All-American DB during his tenure under George Perles at MSU; he bleeds green; and, he's a good guy. Damn, I am rooting the hell out of myself for Coach B to get a notch under his belt and give him a chance for the job. We deserve it. </p><p>Travel across the country to play a football game is not conducive to the visiting team. MSU was whipped last year at Washington. Time to return the favor. A decade ago, MSU was whipped by Oregon in Eugene, and returned the favor defeating Oregon in East Lansing. The same thing happened with Oregon a decade before that. And, it happened with Southern Cal a decade before Oregon. </p><p>What the ES is saying is the travel itself may be worth 7-10 points in MSU's favor. Seriously. </p><p>Let's look at the matchup real quick, with UW playing marginally better competition than MSU to date.</p><p>MSU: 45-14 over FCS Richmond; 31-7 over MAC Central Michigan<br />UW: 56-19 over MtnWest Boise State; 43-10 over CUSA Tulsa</p><p>Penix has thrown for over 400 yards in each of his games so far this year, thrusting him squarely in the Heisman race. He torched MSU for 400 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs last year. The ES was at the game in Seattle, and regardless of a pair of MSU goal line stands, it wasn't enough to stop the Huskies. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">UW</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">MSU</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Total Yards</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>565.5</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>435.5</b></p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yards Passing</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">472.0</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">291.0</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yards Rushing</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">93.5</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">144.5</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Yards Allowed</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>360.0</b></p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b>206.0</b></p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Pass Yards Allowed</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">207.0</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">107.0</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Rush Yards Allowed</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">153.0</p></td><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(154, 154, 154); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 5px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">99.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On offense, MSU has a more balanced attack, running for 50 more yards a game than Washington - who throws for 160 more yards a game than MSU. </p><p>The Spartan defense seems to be the teams' strength, giving up 160 yards less per game than UW. Despite the weak competition for both squads, that is a significant statistical advantage for the Spartans. For MSU, particularly the secondary -- has got to stay tight with its coverage today and put a shadow on the swift Penix. That's the key to the game. MSU must pressure Penix and make him uncomfortable, and Barnett's defensive backfield must not give up too many big plays. If MSU can control the line of scrimmage up front on offense and take some time off the clock, it can limit how much the ball is in Penix's hands. Our punter seems pretty good so far this year, and we can use a time or two to kick deep balls and flip the field when we're in our three-and-outs. But, when Penix has it, MSU has got to make life uncomfortable for him. Otherwise, the Spartans will be sliced and diced all game long.</p><p>I can see a turnover or two from the secondary (or a sack/fumble combo) being an outcome of a solid defensive effort. Add in the 7-10 point advantage from travel, the burn from the unfortunate events this week, and this game should be much closer than the bookies in Vegas have it. As far as a W... I'm not sure it will be enough. This is a prove it or lose it moment for MSU and Coach B. </p><p>Prognostications: </p><div class="Wrapper Card__Content pt0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 12px; padding-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px 12px 10px; position: relative;"><div class="ResponsiveTable TeamStats--vertical" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="flex" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex;"><div class="Table__ScrollerWrapper relative overflow-hidden" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 556.007px;"><div class="Table__Scroller" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; overflow: auto hidden; position: relative; vertical-align: top; width: 556.007px;">Australian Paul: MSU 44-0<br />Lansing Doc: MSU 44-7<br />Pittsburgh Lee: 45-17 Bad Guys<br />Pittsburgh Cam, our recent MSU grad: UW 31-24<br /><br /></div><div class="Table__Scroller" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; overflow: auto hidden; position: relative; vertical-align: top; width: 556.007px;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ES sez: UW 31, MSU 22</span></b><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-31858779708012061962023-09-15T14:17:00.004-04:002023-09-15T14:17:59.889-04:00Why 97.1 The Ticket Broadcasters are IDIOTS: Look at the data on football efficiency, not your beliefs! <p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">People think with Mel Tucker's dismissal at </span><a data-attribute-index="0" data-entity-type="MINI_COMPANY" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/michigan-state-university/" style="background-color: white; border: var(--artdeco-reset-link-border-zero); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: var(--font-weight-bold); line-height: inherit; margin: var(--artdeco-reset-base-margin-zero); overflow-wrap: normal; padding: var(--artdeco-reset-base-padding-zero); position: relative; text-decoration: var(--artdeco-reset-link-text-decoration-none); touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: var(--artdeco-reset-base-vertical-align-baseline); word-break: normal;">Michigan State University</a><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> that you can buy your way to victories in getting a new "high profile" football coach. </span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">There is not one study that backs up that theory. You state "Nick Saban, Lincoln Riley, Ryan Day" and I will state "Rick Neiuhesel, Dan Mullen, Mel Tucker, Charlie Weis, Rich Rodriguez." Football is a zero-sum game. For every winner you spend millions on, there are losers. </span></p><p><a data-attribute-index="2" data-entity-type="MINI_COMPANY" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/97.1-the-ticket/" style="background-color: white; border: var(--artdeco-reset-link-border-zero); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: var(--font-weight-bold); line-height: inherit; margin: var(--artdeco-reset-base-margin-zero); overflow-wrap: normal; padding: var(--artdeco-reset-base-padding-zero); position: relative; text-decoration: var(--artdeco-reset-link-text-decoration-none); touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: var(--artdeco-reset-base-vertical-align-baseline); word-break: normal;">97.1 The Ticket</a><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> broadcasters are idiots who are bombastic and don't look at the data or reality; they instead buy into anecdotal KoolAid with no data to support their rants. </span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">It is a gamble to spend money on an activity where there is NO GUARANTEE. The results speak for themselves. Just ask Michigan State.</span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Here's the graphic and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/football-financial-efficiency-since-cfp-app-state-ok-win-scott/" target="_blank">link to the study</a> about who is and who is not most efficient in spending money to win football games. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_JiJBAzlIGL8E73RKtmYmjdKmef-t9Qt20oo3H0uaDPugWFg16A1QThLteEGyMRYKnGThvBZYqz9rKLVLDOH1VtEHjtmyxR8_8Wy4XQJ-ZS1ZRvAWWv_E7O9yaYN-kqTGEmPrivAYlUY4plRa3XHjZVLG0h26p1XDcj465jXRPv4mfdMv3F8/s1294/1690290648616.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1294" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_JiJBAzlIGL8E73RKtmYmjdKmef-t9Qt20oo3H0uaDPugWFg16A1QThLteEGyMRYKnGThvBZYqz9rKLVLDOH1VtEHjtmyxR8_8Wy4XQJ-ZS1ZRvAWWv_E7O9yaYN-kqTGEmPrivAYlUY4plRa3XHjZVLG0h26p1XDcj465jXRPv4mfdMv3F8/w400-h309/1690290648616.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-49042715760276851432023-09-11T10:59:00.002-04:002023-09-11T10:59:40.973-04:00Post Tucker: line vs Washington moves more than a FG in Huskies favor<p>Since the suspension (and eventual firing) of Mel Tucker, the <a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/matchups/michigan-state-vs-washington/line-movements/" target="_blank">line outta Vegas</a> for MSU vs Washington has moved significantly in the direction of the Huskies, going from -12.5 to -16. </p><p>It's gonna take more than a Hail Mary to take out UW.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xeqe-wkevomTwxceVKXGai8R0nNRJL3SnHEjADlLydXVuLoTd-V115pAVTM3Q59-VWcQZlGstg3p1NvKboDiujU6TTRP4Iz0nlOGWBsYe3Mc50Rzs1-n6uu6Wkcwzpvfn2FJPd2Jzc4CRmr_zLssk2i3JJ1DI-zlFGEfYZjrGCqDDkfTnWaM/s1378/Screenshot%202023-09-11%20at%2010.58.10%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1378" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xeqe-wkevomTwxceVKXGai8R0nNRJL3SnHEjADlLydXVuLoTd-V115pAVTM3Q59-VWcQZlGstg3p1NvKboDiujU6TTRP4Iz0nlOGWBsYe3Mc50Rzs1-n6uu6Wkcwzpvfn2FJPd2Jzc4CRmr_zLssk2i3JJ1DI-zlFGEfYZjrGCqDDkfTnWaM/w640-h544/Screenshot%202023-09-11%20at%2010.58.10%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-6648856392653609542023-09-10T09:50:00.002-04:002023-09-10T09:54:19.725-04:00FIRE MEL TUCKER IMMEDIATELY<p>There is no reason to wait. Mel Tucker should be fired, without pay, effective immediately. Read the USA Today report. </p><p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/09/10/michigan-state-football-coach-sexual-harassment-claim/70679703007/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/09/10/michigan-state-football-coach-sexual-harassment-claim/70679703007/</a></p><p>If you show up on Saturday vs Washington, you will be booed from the upper deck to the lower deck... and there will be a massive protest for you to get the hell out of town. Please respect MSU and leave us alone. Don't make this happen. Get out of town, you are a loser. </p><p>SEXUAL HARASSMENT is unacceptable anywhere. There is no good excuse acknowledging that it was consensual and ok that he "masturbated while on the phone" with the victim - already a victim of a previous rape at Baylor. WHY DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE? Sending her gifts, texting/sexting to a sexual assault victim who you invited to campus to talk about the wrongs of sexual harassment? What the hell are you thinking? Keep your organ in your pants, and maybe take care of your marriage first? </p><p>At Michigan State, we've been through the Larry Nassar scandal with hundreds of athletes sexually abused by a predator. It led to the resignation of the Athletics Director, the President, several athletics staff and coaches, and ultimately several members of the Board of Trustees. I remember walking with Governor-to-be Gretchen Whitmer down Grand River to the MSU Administration building, clamoring for justice for all members of the MSU Board of Trustees to resign in support of the victims. For the most part, the resignations followed. <b> I guess the message then wasn't loud enough for now? </b></p><p>This was before Mel Tucker came to campus... but he should know better - regardless of MSU's history. </p><p>We don't need a jack-off coach with no respect of women to ruin whatever has been left of MSU's self-tarnished reputation that we Spartans have been trying to rebuild over the past decade. And, it is heartbreaking for MSU to once again have leaders demonstrate a lack of commitment to respect, dignity, and women as people </p><p>There is no excuse. None. </p><p>Tuck, leave us alone - go away, take the $18 million you've already earned and go buy an island. Repair your marriage. Just go away, we don't need your stain on MSU. </p><p>Bye, bye, Tuck. Tuck, Leavin'! And, don't rape us for $72 million on your way out. You are a disappointing individual who has broken the hearts of us Spartan fans. </p><p>I have no respect for you. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-20974304998414881592023-09-09T09:29:00.001-04:002023-09-09T09:31:58.917-04:00ES Game Day: Richmond Spiders crawling into EL<p>Michigan State Spartans (1-0) host Richmond Spiders (0-1)<br />September 9, 2023. 3:40 pm. <br />Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI<br /><br />TV: BTN<br />Weather: 73, sunny<br /><br />Line outta Sagarin: (no line out of Vegas): MSU by 29<br /><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: MSU #40, Richmond #170</p><p>The ES has been to Richmond, Virginia, twice in his lifetime. Once with Big Bob and his bro about 30 years ago, and the other flying into an interview with UVA. Hmmm... as the ES recalls, it reminds very much of Lansing, a blue-collar town with rough edges to it and a smaller, OK airport. </p><p>Looking at its history, Richmond has been fairly successful in FCS football. Back in the 70s, it used to play WVU, Va Tech, and some other schools now in the Power 5 conferences... Richmond took a back seat and instead played in I-AA/FCS, and build a 8,500-seat stadium a few years back.... recently installed a new LED video board. But, definitely a full step down from FBS. </p><p>Richmond <a href="https://richmondspiders.com/news/2023/9/2/football-spiders-drop-opener-to-morgan-state.aspx" target="_blank">lost last week</a> to fellow FCS member Morgan State, 17-10. It amassed just 95 yards on the ground and was 3-for-12 on third downs. It should run into a brick wall with the pretty decent Michigan State defensive front. Richmond is breaking in a new QB, Kyle Wickersham, who was 23-30 for just 169 yards (about 5.5 yards per attempt), and led the team in rushing with 39 yards on 21 carries (less than 2.0 ypc). Both numbers are not efficient. </p><p>This is certainly a tune-up for the visit from #9 University of Washington next week, and all-American QB stud Michael Penix (who burned MSU at Indiana before he burned MSU last year at UW). </p><p>Some requests out of the Spartoonies:</p><p>#1 - pray noone gets hurt<br />#2 - lets see more out of the OL and running game for the Spartans (200+ yards)<br />#3 - how about another long FG?<br />#4 - defense holds Richmond to under 200 total yards<br />#5 - QB Kim throws the ball downfield more, and less side-to-side B.S. that will only get him into trouble playing good competition<br /></p><p>If there is anything the ES hates... it's spiders. </p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ES sez: </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">MSU 38, Richmond 7. </span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-90672207895944423812023-09-01T13:12:00.006-04:002023-09-01T13:15:01.885-04:00 Enlightened Spartan 2023 Preview <p><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The ES doesn’t think he's entered into an MSU football season with as low expectations since the beginning of the decline of the Dantonio era.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Here are some of my thoughts, in a conversation with J (Clarkston, MI):</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">What is your over under for wins for MSU this year?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Haven't figured it out yet. Outta Vegas is 5.5. Initially, thinking 6-6... Problem is we don't have a QB. </span>All depends really if the OL can stand up this year. If they can't .... it's gonna be a long year.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Not as worried about the defense. They're stout up front, ok at LB, and their secondary can't be any worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">We have a new kicker and punter. That could be a problem as well. If we can’t punt ourselves out of trouble, it can also be a long year. </span>Worried about the punting, in all honesty. If it were up to me, the ES would take a page out ot Dan Campbell's book and go for fourth down all the time.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Jesus, look at our kicker: Jonathan Kim. Transfer out of UNC. Dunno. </span>And look at our punter. He looks like he is about 10 years old. Urgh. <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ourlads.com%2Fncaa-football-depth-charts%2Fplayer%2Fryan-eckley%2F152803%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2IoLpprgMPOMiNE3VIBNF6BGutvZpg93iyM0HC7OMEiGw7ZvLkMVT5t2U&h=AT3rpC1Py_MYNngbKelnOdGwzbFOzAsyCtZWcZQz5kJoJuDKYKR4pkVDNU91T1P6OM8t8ncLwcwtaQDo9w1JbvNTVEu6HW0Gv55HU1hTwIp6Q1hvWg6XRiH8gyQk4mstR2zDImuY4bwTqgcbo53oEqwB" style="color: #96607d;"><span style="color: #dca10d;">https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/player/ryan-eckley/152803</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Just not enough experience at QB or at special teams. That's a concern late in games, if our defense can keep us in it against tough competition. I hope I'm wrong and Tuck coaches up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Here’s the ES prediction (6-6 overall). <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">W - Sep. 1. MSU vs CMU. 7 pm/FS1. MSU 21, CMU 17.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">W - Sep. 9. MSU vs Richmond. 3:30 pm/BTN. MSU 42, Richmond 7.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">L - Sep. 16. MSU vs Washington. 5 pm/Peacock. UW 31, MSU 21.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">W - Sep. 23. MSU vs Maryland. 3:30 pm. MSU 28, Maryland 24.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">L - Sep. 30. MSU at Iowa. TBA. Iowa 24, MSU 14.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">W - Oct. 14 . MSU at Rutgers. 12 noon. MSU 24, Rutgers 23.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">L – Oct. 21. MSU vs Michigan. TBA. Michigan 35, MSU 14. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">W – Oct. 28. MSU at Minnesota. TBA. MSU 24, Minnesota 21.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">W – Nov 4. MSU vs Nebraska. TBA. MSU 21, Nebraska 20.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">L – Nov 11. MSU at Ohio State. 7:30/NBC. Ohio St 49, MSU 21.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">L – Nov 18. MSU at Indiana. TBA. Indiana 27, MSU 24.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">L – Nov 24. MSU vs Penn St (Detroit). 7:30/NBC. Penn St 38, MSU 20.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Other prognosticators for the season:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sloth (Pittsburgh, PA): <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: repeat white; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21;">Payton Thorne will pass his way into the NFL draft down at Auburn, while MSU plays musical chairs at QB and pretty much every other position. Season starts with a crushing loss at home to the Chips, and ends with humiliation against PSU at Ford Field. Tucker is fired midseason following a 63-0 loss at home to UM and replaced with Scottie Hazelton as interim coach, who decides to improve his defense by having the offensive starters play both ways, with old leather helmets and wearing MSC rugby shirts. Oddly enough, this strategy works for one additional win against Indiana at home. Spartans finish not enough and too many. Tucker is a fucking moron at this point, and not firing Hazelton last season is just Exhibit ZZ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Big Bob (Kalamazoo):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">After wildly inconsistent seasons to start his tenure, coach T will bring some much needed consistency in 2023 by matching last year’s 5-7 record. At nearly $2 million per win, this ROI will please the investors. The biggest upset victory will be a one point OT road win at Indiana. This will come one week after the season’s biggest loss, at Ohio State, by seven TDs. The Spartans will finish second from last in the Big Ten East and we will all look forward to the MSU hoops season. Praying I’m wrong but I’ve seen this movie before and I don’t like the ending.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Australian Paul:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Undefeated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Will be pronounced the greatest team to ever wear shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">You're welcome<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Doc (Lansing, MI):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Tuck came<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Tuck saw<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Tuck conquered<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">So good, even the 4th stringers will be NILlionaires. The 1st stringers will exhaust their eligibility before they get drafted & take a pay cut with their NFL contracts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">So good, the MSU Ice Cream Shop will be renamed in their honor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Legend Dairy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">So good, the unofficial conference nickname will be The Big One and Little Seventeen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">So good, Vegas will refuse to publish a line on all Spartan games.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">So good, Spartan games will be on Monday Night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Uncle Denny (Florida):</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> 5-7. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Cat (Lansing, MI): </span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">6-6. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-91512350821367974842023-05-20T08:38:00.003-04:002023-05-21T09:29:41.846-04:00Tuck on the Clock: Change contract to pay Tucker $1 million per win<p><b>Spartan fans... I've had about enough in this football off-season. It's not pretty. </b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video_thumb/E7_Cd6jX0AEpIAb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="498" height="320" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video_thumb/E7_Cd6jX0AEpIAb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />The clock is ticking, coach Tuck. How about we make a deal for $1M per win?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://www.si.com/college/michiganstate/football/michigan-state-spartans-football-payton-thorne-keon-coleman-transfer-portal-mel-tucker-msu-043023">QB & WR</a>? Thorne and Coleman. Gone. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-team/football/2024/">Recruiting</a>? 3 recruits... "3-star" and a #49 recruiting class.</p><p><br /><a href="http://enlightenedspartan.blogspot.com/2022/11/es-preview-msu-v-penn-state-thank-god.html">Recent History</a>? 5-7 season. OT loss to Indiana. What have you done for me lately?</p><p><br /><a href="https://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-football-spring-2023-power-rankings">2023 Preseason Hype</a>? Athlon put MSU #9 in the BigTen (14)... before the departure of Thorne and Coleman. </p><p><br /><a href="https://www.si.com/college/michiganstate/football/michigan-state-spartans-football-mel-tucker-takes-msu-pass-defense-struggles-personally-washington-huskies-091922">"I'm a horesshit coach right now."</a> Didn't get any better. </p><p><br />Street cred? Now, his <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2023-college-football-coach-rankings-mel-tucker-sam-pittman-plummet-among-power-five-coaches-ranked-69-26/">street cred has crumbled to #47</a> among active coaches.</p><p><br />What the hell is going on?</p><p><br />This off-season is reminiscent of John L Smith's latter years, following half-time pep-down speeches, 4th quarter collapses, poor execution at critical times, and compiling injuries. Difference is: coach Tucker is being paid $9.5 million a year to make MSU a winner. For 10 years. How do you think $95 million could help the Lansing School District???? In hindsight, it would be a better use of money. </p><p>The verdict to date: <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/melvin-tucker-1.html">3 out of 4 losing seasons</a>. 5-7 (Colorado), 2-5 (at MSU, COVID), 11-2, 5-7. The worst part, when a bowl game was on the line, at home, was the complete collapse against Indiana.<br /> </p><p>Let's discuss the Indiana game, from my seat... The ES was at Circa Sportsbook with a simple parlay: easy W vs Indiana (football), and a more challenging matchup with a W vs Villanova (mens basketball). The bookie at Vegas actually had just moved from Lansing, MI, two weeks prior, and worked for 10+ years for Terry Hanks at Sundance Chevrolet. Yeah, that Terry... horses, cheap cars, and his other <a href="https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/money/business/2016/03/25/sundance-terry-hanks/80027666/">reported shenanigans</a>. </p><p><br />Izzo succeded, though the team fought back a tough last-minute challenge against 'Nova. But, the next morning, the ES headed to Circa to cash in his ticket because we were going to mop up Indiana. It was amazing to see the huge crowd (SRO) at Circa, with about fifty 45" tvs playing different football games. And, there was MSU, rolling over Indiana. An MSU crowd (dwarfed by everyone rooting for Illinois to beat a slugging Michigan squad [UM won]) cheered on for 3 quarters... until the inevitable. Running down the clock, then rolling out that backup FG kicker in terrible weather, from the 3 yard line, a guy who has proven he can only kick straight. Miss, Indiana with the momentum rolls to an OT win. The definition of ugly. </p><p><br />I kept that damn ticket. Gonna hang it on the wall, watch as Tucker either flies or crashes and burns.</p><p><br />The plane Coach Tuck is flying doesn't have history on its side. Sure <a href="https://twitter.com/BigGameBoomer/status/1534959100865482753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1534990718560878595%7Ctwgr%5Ee52d679226bca780497a90e718f3fe6218cca2e0%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fnotre-dame%2Fboard%2F93%2FContents%2Fmel-tucker-tops-best-dressed-head-coaches-in-college-fb-list-188557596%2F">he dresses great</a>. Honestly, I, don't care if he shows up in overalls or in pajamas, a few more Ws are in order. Since at MSU, Mr. T is 18-14 over three years... he has been paid $28.5 million for 18 wins and one bowl appearance. It would be simple to say he should be paid, instead, $1 million per win. MSU would have saved $10.5 million over the last three years. </p><p><br />Here's the schedule for this upcoming year, with very early projections from the ES. </p><p><br />Sep 1, Cenral Michigan. Win.<br />Sep 9, Richmond. Win. <br />Sep 19, Washington. Loss. <br />Sep 23, Maryland. Win.<br />Sep 30, @ Iowa. Loss. <br />Oct 7, BYE (-). <br />Oct 14, @ Rutgers. Win.<br />Oct 21, Michigan. Loss.<br />Oct 28, @ Minnesota. Loss.<br />Nov 4, Nebraska. Loss (or Win).<br />Nov 11, @Ohio State. Loss.<br />Nov 18, @ Indiana. Win (or Loss).<br />Nov 25, Penn State. Loss. </p><p><br />That's a 6-6 or 5-7 year Spartan fans. At $1 million a year, MSU could save $3.5 - $4.5 million if this happened in 2023. Let's create a different incentive and make coach Tuck <b><i>work better </i></b>for wins. Hell, at $1 million a pop, I'd take 9 or 10 wins this fall, wouldn't you?</p><p><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-85836837625467225752022-11-26T09:23:00.003-05:002022-11-26T09:23:57.898-05:00ES Preview: MSU v Penn State & Thank God it's over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qBPM8sQuXLI" width="320" youtube-src-id="qBPM8sQuXLI"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Spartan players taking a cue from Elvis: "I'll be Home for Christmas"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p>Michigan State Spartans (5-6/3-5) at Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2/6-2)</p><p>November 26, 2022. 4 pm ET.<br />Beaver Stadium, Happy Valley, PA<br />TV: FS1<br />Weather: 52, sunny</p><p><a href="https://sagarin.usatoday.com/2022-2/college-football-team-ratings-2022/" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: Penn State #5, Michigan State #55<br />Line Outta Vegas: Penn State by 19-1/2</p><p>It's impossible to win at Penn State, especially when your team loses in 2OT to Indiana because of boneheaded coaching and poor execution. No bowling over these holidays. </p><p>Thank God this forgettable season will be over soon. Bring on Izzo and hoops. </p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: medium;">ES sez: Joe Paterno 38, Michigan State 21.</span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-77187966253778366152022-11-21T07:47:00.004-05:002022-11-21T07:48:21.462-05:00FireCoachTuck.com? Same Old Spartans? Tuck impersonates the John L Smith years<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RlUO-7m9RuA" width="320" youtube-src-id="RlUO-7m9RuA"></iframe><br /><i>Thanks for the incompetence, Mel "I wanna be just like John L Smith" Tucker</i></div><br />Post-Indiana, the ES doesn't know where to start, other than the obvious: Fire Coach Tucker for the incompetence we saw on Saturday in the loss to an <i><b>0-38-when-down-by-17-at-half-since-2003</b></i> Indiana team. <div><br /></div><div>FireCoachTuck.com? No, and that's because there's a simple reason. The ludicrous $95 million/10 year contract signed by the athletics department to hire a guy with little-to-no head coaching experience (ok, should we count one year of coaching at national power U Colorado as something?). Problem is, two years into the fraught-ridden deal, MSU would be on the hook for the last 7 years of the contract. Thanks to Matt Ishbia and the St. Andre guy, they agreed to pay half of the salary to hire him, but none of the salary (aka "Golden Parachute") to fire him. So, MSU paying Tuck $66.5 million (last 7 years on contract) not to coach and sit on a sofa eating cheese puffs is a bit ridiculous. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, someone else should create FireCoachTuck.com to put some pressure on the staff to get them to get their head out of their arse and <b><i>stop acting like John L. Smith with the "outsmarting himself" decisions, pep-down speeches, and halftime adjustment failures</i></b>. Clearly, it's not working. Setting up for a field goal on the two-yard line with a questionable-at-best FG unit in a driving, freezing windstorm isn't exactly good coaching. OK, Spartan fans, everyone watching, raise your hands if you were saying on the final drive "We gotta score a TD, I'm not confident in our FG unit." Thought so, all of us felt that way... except of course, for coach Tuck. Listen, coach, you gotta coach from 30,000 feet as much as from the field level and use your authority to make a little better decision for the team and the Spartan Nation instead of acting like this is the NFL. Either get a new pair of glasses to see the reality on the field and make better decisions or fire guys like d-coord Scottie Hazelton who can't produce any consistent play in the defensive unit (your honor, just look at exhibit A: giving up gashing 20-to-30 yard runs to an Indiana QB after stifling nation-leading Illinois RB Chase Brown is irrational). </div><div><br /></div><div>It is painfully obvious that we Spartans were spoiled with Kenneth Walker III in 2021, who put the Spartans on his back and ran like wild to an impressive 11-2 record. This year, coach Tuck followed the John L Smith stuff-the-roster-with-JUCOs script with his tapping the transfer portal ad nauseum. Note to Tuck: it doesn't work. You gotta recruit and develop talent, not spend your time trying to find once-in-a-lifetime lightning in a bottle. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, 2022 year was the return of the "Same Old Spartans" and very much resembled an overcoached (lack of focus on fundamentals) and underperforming (losing record) transfer-filled Spartan team all year long. This dud of a season will be the remembrance of coach Tuck's decisions which impersonated slap-yo-mamma John L. Smith (the L stood for "laughter" or "loser", your choice). </div><div><br /></div><div>Victory for MSU? Nope. Same Old Spartans? Yup. Thanks for making MSU a laughing-stock again, the pride of averageness and incompetence, coach Tuck. And Good Luck against Penn State, LMAO. <div><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-84081826373864921492022-11-19T09:16:00.005-05:002022-11-19T09:20:45.974-05:00Michigan State Spartans hosts Indiana's Little Pink Hoosiers<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Michigan State Spartans </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">(5-5/3-4) vs Indiana Hoosiers (3-7/1-6)<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">November 20, 2022, 12 noon</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"></span></p><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">TV: BTN</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Weather:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cloudy, 27, windy = 17 mph<br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: MSU #<span class="s1">46, </span>UI #93</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/" target="_blank">Line outta Vegas</a>:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>MSU by 10</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b6/ea/65/b6ea6569b08e61eff18d67392f576402.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="640" height="281" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b6/ea/65/b6ea6569b08e61eff18d67392f576402.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Land of the free... Little Pink Hoosiers for you and me, babe</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br />Methinks with the cold windy weather, this game is going to be a challenge for both teams, and that means defense will steal the show. While Sparty is having a sub-par year, there is a bowl bid on the line... and Indiana, well nothing's changed, they still have Little Pink Houses for you and me. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This year, Sparty and Indy are once again dancing in the doldrums of mediocrity. <br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The way both teams are playing, it reminds me of how both teams fared in similar sitnts from average George Perlees-esque years, or par Bobby Williams 2002, or underperforming John L Smith (pick the year), or boring Mark Dantonio 2019. Not really glory years, very ho-hum AVERAGE football. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Today will be a ho-hum game between an average team and a perpetual wanna be "runt of the litter". Harumph. I'm a bit scared on Thorne throwing it through the air lately, some of his mid-range and short passes are just flat and off. But, he does throw a damn fine long ball. A few of those will make the difference in the game. The defense has got to tighten up on the defensive line. This game will be closer than the 10-pt spread...<br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The ES is in Las Vegas and will tune in on the boob-tube. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>ES sez?: Bobby Williams 21, Gerry Dinardo 17. </b></span></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-11894229990070097172022-11-12T10:02:00.000-05:002022-11-12T10:02:01.578-05:00ES Preview: Spartans host the Knights<p>Michigan State Spartans (4-5/1-4) host Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-5/1-5)<br />November 12, 2022. 12 noon<br />Spartan Stadium. East Lansing, MI<br />Weather: ccccccold</p><p>Sagarin Ratings: MSU #42, Rutgers #105<br />Line outta Vegas: MSU by 9.5</p><p>Cccccc-cccccc-cccc-COLD Spartan Fans! Huddle up!</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">ES sez: MSU 28, Rutgers 17 </span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-38681243120349870692022-11-05T09:05:00.008-04:002022-11-05T09:05:41.601-04:00Spartoonies take on #17 Illinoisie<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1000logos.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Illinois-Fighting-Illini-Logo-1947-768x464.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="768" height="242" src="https://1000logos.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Illinois-Fighting-Illini-Logo-1947-768x464.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The old days with Dick Butkus are back at Illinoisie. Go figure.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Michigan State Spartans at #17 Illinois Illini<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">MSU (3-5/1-4) at Illinois (7-1/4-1)<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">November 5, 2022, 3:30 pm ET</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">TV: BTN</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Weather:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sunny, 64, winds 11 mph SW</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" target="_blank">Sagarin Ratings</a>: MSU #<span class="s1">49, </span>UI #22</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/" target="_blank">Line outta Vegas</a>:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Illinois by 17</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;">Wait, Illinoisie is ranked? What year is this, Butkus-esque 1964? </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;">This is the toughest game of the season for Michigan State.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After the scUM “tunnel fiasco” leaving 4 Michigan Staters suspended (and two defensive starters - Grose and our best player this year, Windmon), it will be a challenge for the Spartans to defend one of the nation’s best runners at the Illini in Chase Brown.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ugh.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Top that off by the haphazard and underwhelming performance by the offense this year against the nation’s top-ranked defense, and that can spell trouble. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Mind you, pudding-boy-coached Illinois has not played a heavyweight in its competition to date (beating Iowa 9-6 in a game that took football back 100 years; beating Wisconsin and Minnesota).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Is MSU a heavyweight?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Traditionally, yes, but this test will be foreboding.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The offense for MSU must get on track to have a chance in this game.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">ES sez:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pudding Boy 27, Tunnel Vision 14.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29848028.post-55557274482857306402022-10-29T07:26:00.005-04:002022-10-29T07:26:30.532-04:00ES Preview: scUM week and a Trivia Quiz<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBsYOCQ2j_P7rBx-9duIAEG6m6524hVnjU8E7urPA_6lYgmsPacgq7cUkCK6BxL7ef9ABeTZiL0U4LhQDUwsVNIv0pka_8NN8bAY1Bjpx9IgVdrxqeEhmjqSYvs_-tTpTOe9z/s400/walmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBsYOCQ2j_P7rBx-9duIAEG6m6524hVnjU8E7urPA_6lYgmsPacgq7cUkCK6BxL7ef9ABeTZiL0U4LhQDUwsVNIv0pka_8NN8bAY1Bjpx9IgVdrxqeEhmjqSYvs_-tTpTOe9z/s320/walmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>She's gonna play on the OLine today for the scUMbuckets</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Michigan State Spartans (3-4, 1-3) vs #4 Michigan Wolverines (7-0, 4-0)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Michigan Stadium<br />Ann Arbor, MI <br />October 29, 2022.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> 7:30 pm<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">TV: ABC<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Weather: 50 clear skies. </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><a href="https://sagarin.usatoday.com/2022-2/college-football-team-ratings-2022/">Sagarin Ratings</a>:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>scUM #4, Michigan State #48</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/">Line Outta Vegas</a>: scUM by 22</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">TIME FOR SOME TRIVIA</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><ol><li>Who has won 10 of the last 14 in the MSU-scUM series?</li><li>Who won 3 of the last 4 in the MSU-scUM series played in Ann Arbor?</li><li>Which MSU coach is the only coach to be 2-0 in his first two games vs scUM?</li><li>How much was scUM favored by the last time the MSU played them in Ann Arbor? Who won?</li><li>What is Jesus Habaugh's all-time record vs MSU?</li><li>Who won the last time scUM was favored by 22 in Ann Arbor?<br /><br />Answers below.</li></ol><div><br /></div><div>Yes, after the defensive-led performance by Michigan State in its W over Wisky two weeks ago, there is LIFE in them lungs of the Green and White. Today: two weeks to prepare (for both teams). The Jesus in khakis vs Tuck, the <a href="https://twitter.com/BigGameBoomer/status/1534959100865482753">best-dressed man </a>in college football. What better than to repost the ES' thoughts from two years ago, when #13 Michigan were favored by 22 (sound familiar, WalMart Wolverines?) in Ann Arbor :</div><div><br /></div><div>---------</div><div><br /></div><p></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: #eefad9; color: #4b6320; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 18.2px; margin: 13px 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://enlightenedspartan.blogspot.com/2020/10/ha-ha-ha-harbaugh-you-are-on-your-knees.html" style="color: #4b6320; text-decoration-line: none;">Ha Ha Ha, Harbaugh: You are on your KNEES!</a></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">OK, at first the ES was outraged. Then, sitting next to Big Bob with mimosas and Bell’s Beer at the steady, we began to finally realize the brilliance of Mel Tucker.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is all part of the master plan. Let’s calm down, no worries Spartan Nation. Getting your asses kicked is fun! Clearly we have the next $aban. The 38 points allowed by MSU with a new coach (Tucker) in his first game was the most since his mentor, $aban, lost 50-10 to Nebraska in 1995. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Wow, that exactly is what we saw today in Spartan Stadium. No passion and execution to succeed was on display by the men in green. Ahhhh, but then we turn to Sun Tzu and realize the genius of Mr. T as we lead into our annual throwdown against the Yellow Jackets from Ann Arbor. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sun Tzu – “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We certainly deceived the enemy in Ann Arbor today. It was pure genius; unable to attack, appearing inactive, far away from the action – that was Michigan State football in its greatest deception of the modern era. Michigan – you have no idea the volume of destruction that is headed your way next Saturday.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Some of the action today was borderline confusing – QB Rocky Lombardi ambling along like a mentally deranged alcoholic on the gridiron, firing passes left and right for no reason. The offensive line lacking any ability to block or “perceived” lack of ability to strike Rutgers’ iron wall defense. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Brilliant. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It is our ruse. Ha Ha Ha. We got you right where we want you. Thought you had us figured out, didn’t ya?</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Next week, coach Tucker will release Armageddon. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To quote Sun Tzu again, as is clearly coach Tucker’s strategy: “know yourself and you will win all battles.” Oh, we Spartans know who we are. We are proud and mighty, and a 11 point loss at home to mighty Rutgers is exactly the strategy that will bring your savior Jesus Harbaugh to his knees. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">See you next week. Rest well, little people in Ann Arbor. The time is ‘nigh. Grab your spears and pitchforks. We’re coming!</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">------</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">TRIVIA ANSWERS. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><ol style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><li>Michigan State</li><li>Michigan State</li><li>Mel Tucker</li><li>22. Michigan State</li><li>3-4 vs Michigan State</li><li>Michigan State</li></ol><div><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ES sez.... MSU 24, UM 23. </span></b></div><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com