Michigan State totally dominated Central Michigan on Saturday, 41-7. The ES was in Seattle visiting his dad for his 70th birthday, so he missed the game in person, but saw the first half on the tele.

That was enough. What a butt-kicking. The Spartan defense again shined, allowing just 245 total yards, 72 on the ground. And, so far this year, the Spartan defense has not allowed a TD - the Chips scored as the game was ending on an INT of backup Connor Cook. Holding any opponent's offense scoreless in their own stadium is damn impressive. Defensive stud Will Gholston had the only sack, but he broke up a pass and hit CMU's Radcliff a few times. The Spartans held CMU to a ridiculous 17-of-38 passing (45%). On offense, the first half was fine - good return game, defense holding CMU allowed for great field position. Andrew Maxwell, however, threw a few bad throws, including one right into the hands of CMU safety Lorenzo White (yes, he is the son of OUR MSU Lorenzo White). Junior, unlike his daddy, dropped it so it was not an INT but should have been. Maxwell still has some work to do -- but he threw some great passes in the second half (as seen on MSU's game video).

At this point, Michigan State's national ranking in defensive categories is sparkling.

• Total Defense: 225.5 ypg (#8)
• Rushing Defense: 54.5 ypg (#11)
• Pass Defense: 171.0 ypg (#27)
  
• Pass Efficiency Defense: 78.17 (#5)
• Scoring Defense: 10.0 ppg (#12)
  

After a very embarrassing weekend for the Big Ten, Michigan State looks at this point to be really the only decent Big Ten team with bowl eligibility. Michigan State moved up to #10 in polls, and as we were saying last night over some vino and appetizers - that's about where we want to be... no need to get on the map any higher yet. Let's just take care of the G*ddam Catholics next week. Should be fun. At this point, only three Big Ten teams ranked - and the ES can't figure out the varmints at #17 after their annihilation to Alabama followed up by a squeaker against a poor, and undermanned, Air Force Academy.

AP Top 25
RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Alabama (48)	2-0	1486
2	USC (8)	2-0	1414
3	LSU (4)	2-0	1404
4	Oregon	2-0	1299
5	Oklahoma	2-0	1160
5	Florida State	2-0	1160
7	Georgia	2-0	1155
8	South Carolina	2-0	1025
9	West Virginia	1-0	1017
10	Michigan State	2-0	995
11	Clemson	2-0	868
12	Ohio State	2-0	772
13	Virginia Tech	2-0	734
14	Texas	2-0	716
15	Kansas State	2-0	714
16	TCU	1-0	542
17	Michigan	1-1	429
18	Florida	2-0	427
19	Louisville	2-0	316
20	Notre Dame	2-0	310
21	Stanford	2-0	260
22	UCLA	2-0	250
23	Tennessee	2-0	177
24	Arizona	2-0	149
25	Brigham Young	2-0	110

• Dropped from rankings: Arkansas 8, Wisconsin 13, Nebraska 16, Oklahoma State 18

• Others receiving votes: Boise State 106, Arkansas 79, Nebraska 79, OREGONST 77, Mississippi State 70, Baylor 54, Wisconsin 44, ULMONROE 23, Ohio 17, Georgia Tech 15, Oklahoma State 13, South Florida 12, ARIZONAST 10, IOWAST 5, NORTHWSTRN 5, UTAHST 1, North Carolina 1