ES Game Day: Spartans to emerge victorious in Rose Bowl mosh pit

ES Travel to LA LA LAND

Today is the big trip to the Rose Bowl!  The ES is on his way with Big Bob, Michelle, and Keith departing Detroit Metro to LAX through Philly.  ‘Twas fun so far – getting on the Michigan Flyer bus from 95%-restored-power-East Lansing, with the bus 80% filled with Spartan fans.   Was especially entertaining the response from the few who boarded the flyer in Ann Arbor.   

Upon arrival, a rather uneventful morning at Detroit Metro – with the exception of it being packed with people donning the Green and White.  As the ES headed through the metal detector, the TSA security agent said, “I’ve never seen so many Michigan State people in two days.  I can’t believe there are so many of you.”  If the ES wasn’t so damn tired, he’d have grinned.

The plane was 75% Spartans to Philadelphia (must be a hub for US Airways).  On the Philly to LAX flight, another 50-60% Spartan fans.  Nice to see this type of travel from the Big Green.

The ES + gang should meet up with his brother (from Switzerland), his papa (from Gig Harbor, Washington), as well as California-based chums Smig, CHock, Kaz, BG, Sherm, Sluggo, Reno Ron, Dr. Evil, and Carter.   That’s one helluva group.  God help us all. 

PREVIEW: The Granddaddy of Them All

The Rose Bowl
January 1, 2014.  5 pm ET.
Michigan State Spartans (#4, 12-1) vs. Stanford Cardinal (#5, 12-1)
Location:  Pasadena, CA
Temperature:  79 and sunny
Chance of Rain:  0%
TV:  ESPN

PREDICTIONS:

The ES will update this with more from around the country, including your typical suspects... but here are some interesting early predictions from some odd sources:

FoxSports: MSU 24-20
CertifiedChance:  MSU 21-17
KJRH.com: Stanford 27-13
Q13Fox.com: Stanford
OregonLive:  Stanford 27-21
DeseretNews: MSU 20-17
Gadsden Messenger:  Stanford 24-20

RECAP:

Well, it took the Enlightened Spartan 26 years of his life, but he has finally returned to the glorious pastures of Pasadena since our last appearance in 1988.  Our coach, doctor Mark Dantonio, has brought the Michigan State University football team to the Promised Land.  With a win, the Spartans could potentially get to as high as #2 in the nation.  It’s truly been a season of the ages – the best team the ES has seen in his life.  If you would have told the ES at the beginning of the season that Connor Cook would be the MVP of the B1G Ten Championship Game, and that MSU would finish the season #4 and undefeated in the conference, well… the ES would have gladly stepped in front of a CATA bus.  But, here we are, and MSU is arguably the most improved team in the nation – especially on offense.  For not the Notre Dame game with a couple of crappy pass interference calls, and putting in Andrew “Clipboard”  Maxwell for the final series, MSU could be at the Rose Bowl to play for the national title.  But, who cares.  We still MADE IT!  ROSES ROSES ROSES!!!!

ES ANALYSIS:

MSU defense vs Stanford offense

Let’s first address the loss of Bullough.  Much has been made about the suspension (link to ES page) of Michigan State’s best player, LB Max Bullough (76 tackes, 9.5 for loss, 10 QB hurries), from the Rose Bowl.  At the presser on Dec 30, the doctor noted that Tyler Ellsworth (10 tackles, 1 pass break up) and Darien Harris (7 tackles) will likely see quite a bit of playing time replacing Mad Max… and while Bullough will be missed, Dantonio offered the system that comes first.  OK, the ES has been a FAN of Ellsworth the past few years – although he has not started, Ellsworth has a knack for loose balls and causing turnovers.  Ellsworth will be a capable replacement – but Bullough he is not.  Bullough will be missed, and it will be crucial for the replacements to minimize mistakes, and not give up the big play, in key situations – particularly third/fourth down and short.  The Stanford offensive line is big and nasty, and their tough, interior power run game demands tough, tight assignment play by the Spartan defense.  The ES is aligned with Certified Chance’s reading from the presser, that it will hurt – but not break – MSU’s defensive mastery.

While the Spartan rushing defense gave up a whopping, season-high 245 rushing yards to Ohio State, much of that was made on the legs of Braxton Miller… whom Stanford QB Kevin Hogan is not (Hogan has a savvy, but not extraordinary, 314 rushing yards on 76 attempts).  But their RB, former baseballer Tyler Gaffney, ran for 1,618 yards (124.5 per game, 5.3 per attempt).  Without less mobility at QB than we saw vs Ohio State, MSU’s defense should manage to keep the Cardinal running game in check, despite the loss of Bullough.  Now, whether or not the LB replacements can make the reads, blitz and make pressure plays on third and longs (as could Bullough) will also be a key to watch.   

Gaffney connected on 61.4% of his throws for 2,487 yards, with a 20-9 TD-to-INT ratio.  His main targets are Ty Montgomery (58 recs, 937 yards, 10 TDs) and Devon Cajuste (27 recs, 591 yards, 5 TDs) – but, he also has tossed it to 18 different receivers, six of whom have 10 catches or more.  Plus, Gaffney has only been sacked 15 times this year.

We know Spartan DBs Darqueze Dennard (10 PBUs, 4 INTs, 10 QB hurries) and Trae Waynes (5 PBUs, 2 INTs) can lock down any receivers; and we know Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond (6 PBUs, 4 INT) help solidify the nation’s best secondary.  We know Shalique Calhoun (14 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 18 QB hurries), Denicos Allen (15 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries), and Marcus Rush (7.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 QB hurries) will get in the Stanford offensive backfield and cause pressure.   Why do we know this?  They’ve done it in every game this season, and noone has stopped them.  That’s why.

What the hell do all these stats mean?  Should make for a GREAT matchup:  a very capable, tough nosed, run-first Stanford offense against the best defense in the land in Michigan State; against a defense that applies more heat, has the best pass coverage, and is more ferocious on the interior than any other defense in the country.   This is what the ES is dying to watch.

MSU offense vs Stanford defense

This is one of the more fascinating stories of all of college football:  the growth and improvement of the Michigan State offense, particularly QB Connor Cook (58.4% completion, 2,423 yards, 20-5 TD-INT ratio), his wideouts (Tony Lippett 39-519. Macgarrett Kings, 39-461; Bennie Fowler, 34-525; Aaron Burbridge, 22-194; and, Keith Mumphery, 17-279), and the running of Jeremy Langford (269-1,391, 17 TDs, 5.0 avg; 23 rec-140 yards).  Cook’s rise to glory is remarkable, and he looks the part – making good decisions, with a killer arm, and fleet of foot when necessary.  He looks, acts, and has played like the leader he has become.

Cook has thrown to 15 different receivers this season, with seven of them catching 16 or more.  The emergency of Josiah Price at TE (16-201) has been important; particularly on third downs and in the red zone.  His hands are iffy (several drops), unless it really matters when they turn to stick-em (4 TDs).  Early this season, Spartan receivers dropped balls left and right.  But not in Big Ten play – particuarly Lippett, Fowler, and Kings, who have shown excellent hands and speed.  Keith Mumphery, only 17 catches, but he is very dangerous (note: 72 yard TD vs Ohio State), with all of his catches long – he is averaging 16.4 yards per catch.

Langford has also risen to glory, and the runs at the end of the Ohio State game demonstrate how solid he is – running over Buckeye defenders on successive plays, both inside and outside, then right up the middle darting for a 27 yard TD.  Langford is MSU’s equal to Stanford’s Gaffney.  His 123 yards vs the Buckeyes were the only 100 yard rusher against Ohio State this year.

The MSU offensive line has quietly turned into the Big Ten’s BEST, led by the ES’ former neighbor, Blake Treadwell.  The Spartan O-line has given up just 13 sacks in 13 games, has powered ahead with a rushing game averaging 182 yards per game, and all the while given Cook the time to mature.  A very impressive bunch.

Stanford, defensively, is only giving up 91 yards per game on the ground, but 248 yards per game through the air.  This may be the biggest advantage for MSU – the rise of Connor Cook to connect to his wideouts.  But, Stanford, like MSU, brings the pressure as well, with 40 sacks on the season.  Murphy (#93 - 14 sacks, 21.5 for loss, and 7 QB hurries for Stanford. Mauro (#90 - 11.5 TFL, 4 sacks), Skov (#11 - 10 TFL, 4.5 sacks), and Gardner (#49, 7.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 9 QB hurries) similarly bring the heat.   The Stanford defensive backfield is more than capable, although they do not put up as impressive numbers as MSU; Richards (#8) leads the Stanford defensive backs with 3 INTs and 9 passes defended.

What does this mean?  If the Spartan offensive line can give Cook the time, and if Dave Warner can work with Dantonio to create a capable, drive sustaining mix of pass with run (MSU leads the nation in time of possession particularly for this reason), it should be able to connect on enough passing plays to make the difference.

Special teams

Stanford has the big edge in kick returns:  Montgomery has 2 TDs, including a 100 yarder, averaging 31.2 per return.   Neither team has broken out for long punt returns.  Michigan State gets the edge in the kicking game:  Stanford’s Williamson has hit on 16-of-20 FGs, including a long of 48.  But, MSU’s Geiger has hit on 14-of-15 FGs, with a long of 49. Stanford’s Rhyne averages 42 yards a punt with a long of 58; 10 of his 47 punts have exceeded 50 yards, while 15 (32%) have been downed inside the 20.  MSU’s Sadler also averages 42 yards a punt, but 30 of his 70 punts (43%) have been downed inside the 20, with a long of 69.

Other stats

The ES has harped all year on third down percentage.   Michigan State is averaging 45% on its third down attempts, and 64% on its fourth down attempts.  Meanwhile, the Spartans are giving up just 28% on third downs.   Stanford does better on third downs offensively, converting 51% of the time (67% on fourth downs), but does slightly worse defensively (giving up 32%). 

Interestingly, while opopnents are averaging 78% scoring in the red zone against MSU, they have just 27 attempts compared to MSU’s 46 attempts.  And, of those 27 attempts, less than half (only 13) have resulted in TDs.  When you add in the fact the Spartans have the nation’s best run defense and lock-down corners not giving up long passes, this results in the nation’s best scoring defense – just 12.7 PPG.  Stanford is giving up 18.6 PPG, with opponents similarly averaging 74% conversion in the redzone, but with more opportunities:  Stanford’s opponents are in the red zone 39 times compared to its offense 49 times, and its defense has given up 19 TDs (49%).  In other words, Stanford allows opponents to get within its 20-yard-line more often than does MSU, and it also gives up more TDs in the red zone than does MSU.

Michigan State has also forced a whopping 27 turnovers while giving up just 13.  The 2-1 ratio has served tremendous dividends for the Spartans this year.   Stanford has forced 17 turnovers, while giving up 18. 

Finally, Michigan State has outscored opponents an amazing 105-27 in the fourth quarter, when it matters most, and 202-69 in second halves; Stanford has been outscored 82-85 in the fourth quarter, but outscored opponents, 197-139 in the second half.  Big advantage to Michigan State.

Stat summary (Michigan State, Stanford)

Per game averages	MSU	Stanford
Scoring off	29.8	33.2
Scoring def	12.7	18.6
Rush off	182.2	210.9
Rush def	80.8	91.2
Pass off	202.5	202.2
Pass def	167.4	247.8
Turnover ratio	27-13, +14	17-18, -1
3rd down off	45%	51%
3rd down def	28%	32%
TOP off	33:29	31:59
TOP def	26:27	28:01
Penalty yds	51.6	43.5

ES sez: 

What a great game with fairly evenly matched teams.  The biggest differences in favor of the Spartans:  1) MSU passing game has a greater TD-INT ratio; 2)  the Spartan defense across the board allows less yards and fewer red zone opportunities, particulary the MSU pass defense; 3) the Spartan punting game extends the field longer and downs more balls inside the 20; 4) the turnovers for the Spartans are greatly in their favor; 5) Michigan State saves its best for last, vastly outplaying and outscoring opponents in the second half (particularly the fourth quarter).  The biggest differences in favor of Stanford are:  1) Gaffney at RB has bigger games; 2) their kick return game is far more sucessful; 3) their schedule was marginally better this year playing the likes of Oregon, Arizona State, and Notre Dame (Stanford beat the Irish 27-20 late in the year). 

Think about the last game for each team, with the level of competition heavily going to Michigan State vs Ohio State.  In the end, it was the Spartan offense which chopped up the Ohio State defense; and a Spartan defense which gave up lots of scramble yards to Ohio State, but which built a brick wall to stand up the Buckeyes in the end. 

The ES expects both defenses to grind running games into the ground.  It will be smash-mouth, with patience on offense.  Dantonio likes to even the mix of pass with run, and expect the Spartan offense will continue its improvement, particularly the passing game.  However, also expect the loss of Bullough to rear its ugly head with less efficient play calling on third downs.  It will be a lower scoring game – because of the defenses.  Watch the kicking game of MSU, extending the field with punts, timely FGs, to make a big big difference in this game.  The doctor will pull out a trick play on offense – he seemingly always does in big games, at exactly the right time.  Also, watch MSU make another strong second half en route to a 13-1 season.

Final: Michigan State 20, Stanford 17.

ROSE BOWL ROSE BOWL ROSE BOWL ROSE BOWL

OMFG!!!!!!  DA ES IS LEAVING FOR THE ROSE BOWL ON MONDAY!!!!

THE FARGING ROSE BOWL!!!!! Will arrive for parade at 8 am PRONTO.  Going to lunch in Old Pasadena.  Then to Arroyo Seco Park and THE ROSE BOWL!!!!!

Checklist.... 

Tix taking the Michigan Flyer to Metro Detroit:  Check
Getting on the farking plane, Dec 30:  Check
Plane tix, arriving LAX, Dec 30: Check
Dinner in LA, Dec 30: Check
Getting sunburnt all day on Manhattan Beach, Dec 31:  Check
Dinner in LA, Dec 31: Check
Paint Hair Green, 5 am, Jan 1: Check
Paint Face Green and White, 5 am, Jan 1: Check
Parade Ticket in Area One, Jan 1:  Check
Paint Hair Green again, 12 noon, Jan 1: Check
Rose Bowl Ticket, Jan 1: Check
VICTORY OVER STANFORD:  CHECK
PARYTING MFAO AFTER OUR GDAM WIN:  CHECK!!!!!

Like James Caan, I am going to be singing the Spartan Fight Song in the shower every day of the rest of my life time. Jesus I am already so FIRED UP!!!

WE ARE GOING TO BEAT STANFORD INTO SUBMISSION!!!!  WAHOOOOO!

What to expect out of the Big Ten in this Bowl Season

ES on the Big Ten's bowl chances... let's cut to the chase: 4-3; the Big Ten is top heavy, and it will show.  

TEXAS: Minnesota (-3.5) 31, Syracuse 20.  W.
BWW: Kansas State (-5.5) 38, Michigan 21.  L.
GATOR: #22 Georgia (-9) 27, Nebraska 20.  L.
OUTBACK: #16 LSU (-7) 28, Iowa 26.  L.
CAP ONE: #19 Wisconsin (-1.5) 31, #9 South Carolina 17. W.
ROSE: #4 Michigan State will beat #5 Stanford (-5.5). (ES Game Day TBA). W.
ORANGE: #7 Ohio State (-2.5) 41, #12 Clemson 40. W.

Max Bullough out for Rose Bowl

Well, with Max Bullough suspended for the Rose Bowl, his career at Michigan State is over.  Is this a blow to Michigan State?  Absolutely - Bullough has been among the most consistently GREAT defensive players this season for the nation's best defense.  He has been the quarterback of this defense, making key reads at key times to shut down opponents.  Bullough is arguably the Spartans' best player.  And, he comes from a long lineage of Bullough's who have played for the Spartans dating back to the 1950s.

It's a big loss.  One that MSU can overcome, and it is a loss of which the Big Green will prepare for with a very deep and talented linebacking bunch... but Bullough was the best of that bunch.  The loss is significant - Graham Couch's article does a nice job laying out the impact of the loss of Bullough with respect to his incredible effort for the Spartans in big games this season.

Will it make a difference? Yes - if you've seen Bullough, the guy makes split second reads and adjusts this talented defense on the fly, better than any other LB in the nation.  Noone - NOONE - can lead a defense as well as Mad Max, and as such, his will be a tough replacement - Stanford's offense likely will take advantage in a few key moments in the game if MSU's new defensive leader does not adjust as fast.  This is a big hole to fill.  But, MSU has lots of talent at linebacker, and whomever takes the place of Bullough will have a lot of homework, and will miss a trip or three to Disneyland and the beach.

Whatever Bullough did, it is disappointing that it cost him the biggest game for the Spartans in a generation.  I have every confidence that Coach Dantonio made the right decision, and it must have been an agonizing one considering the stakes.  Bullough, however, doesn't owe us or anyone an explanation other than his teammates.  Here is where the ES disagrees with Graham Couch's article - the punishment is severe and unless you are on the team, what he did really is none of your business (unless Bullough broke the law, in which case we will learn eventually).

Coach Dantonio has overcome huge obstacles... and here is yet another.  He never said it would be easy.  And, it just got harder. 

Regardless of the loss, the Spartan Nation will prepare for battle!  Go STATE! 

Rose Bowl tickets have arrived

Lookie what came in the mail today!  Merry X-Mas and Happy New Year to me!  Sitting in row 68;  there are 77 rows in the Rose Bowl.  Looks like we are in tunnel 12, which is in the end zone. See ya in Pasadena.

ROSE BOWL GEAR!!!!

The ES made some t-shirts for his posse of 25+to wear in Pasadena.  If you would like to gander a look and purchase, enjoy!!!  ES is all jacked up!  LINK HERE.

PREPARE FOR GLORY

Stanford favored by 4-1/2 over Michigan State in Rose Bowl

Over in Vegas, the bookies have #5 Stanford as a 4-1/2 point fave over #4 Michigan State. Perfect - just the way we Spartans like it.  Here is the lineup for all the Big Ten bowl matchups (NOTE: all times are ET and pm):

Bowl	Matchup	Date/Time	TV	Line
Texas	Minnesota vs Syracuse	12/27, 6:00	espn	Minn by 4-1/2
B-Dubs	Michigan vs Kans St	12/28, 10:15	espn	Kansas St by 3-1/2
Gator	Nebraska vs Georgia	1/1, 12:00	espn2	Georgia by 9
Capital One	Wisconsin vs S. Carolina	1/1, 1:00	abc	Wisky by 1
Outback	Iowa vs LSU	1/1, 1:00	espn	LSU by 7-1/2
Rose	Michigan St vs Stanford	1/1, 5:00	espn	Stanford by 4-1/2
Orange	Ohio St vs Clemson	1/3, 8:30	espn	Ohio St by 2-1/2

Paybacks are Hell: How rude Buckeye fans got their just desserts

Zero thanks to Ohio State Buckeye fans in Indianapolis who ended up giving the ES the flu this week.  But now, Friday night, and da ES is finally back on his feet!

Wow, what a victory.  ES made the trip with Big Bob, Keith, and Seth - a bunch of old State fraternity guys on the best road trip ever to witness a big-time Spartan victory.  The ES was extremely confident going into this game, and was boasting of the Big Green to plenty of Buckeyes and Spartans at the Colts Grille, the outdoor beer plaza, and the Slippery Noodle.

And, man-oh-man was it cold at the beer plaza.  Like, zero degrees cold.  Just brutal, booger-freezing cold.  Let's talk some about the Buckeye fans before and after the game.  First, off, the ES never heard this song before, "We don't give a damn about the whole state of Michigan, cause we're from O-HI-O"... la de da.  The ES heard it all night long Friday night, especially at the beer plaza underneath the heating lamps (which worked very well, but only if you were within 1 feet).  But, what is strange is the song is all about hating Michigan/Michigan State/Michigan Tech/Univ of Detroit/Ferris State/etc. instead of praising Ohio State. Methinks if you write and sing a song about another, it means you care more about winning than you care about your own school.  It lacks, well, cooth.  However, at the time, I thought it was fine, mainly because I was too damn cold to give a crap.

When we popped into different pubs, the Ohio Staters we met were really friendly.  I mean, down right nice.  Maybe because they nearly always kick our butt, and they were confident at #2 they were going to walk over the Spartans into the national title game.  But, the ES had some great conversations.  Notably, even after the Spartans won, going into a few of the pubs, the Buckeye faithful agreed we were the better team and Michigan State deserved the victory.

On game day, after waiting 90 minutes for a cab, and taking a 45 minute cab ride (SUCKED, even the Sloth beat us downtown by an hour), we arrived around 2 pm and did all the B1G Ten stuff.  When we went to the MSU pep rally (photo below), it was filled with Ohio Staters.... that was an early sign of things to come.  Right outside the Big Ten studio within the convention center, there were people lined up to get an autograph from former MSU QB Jim Miller; the ES asked Miller for a chest-bump, was turned down, and ended up back-bumping Miller. It was cool; not sure if he liked it, but harmless.  We saw some dude wearing Ohio State gear run a timed 4.37-40.  That was amazing.  I think the ES ran a 6.05-40 in his loafers (or was it 6.45, 6.75?  whatever)? Fun.

Big Bob cheers on the Big Green with Sloth (at right) in a sea of red
at Spartan Pep Rally

We did our best to buy tickets to microbrews at the beer plaza and slug them down before the game.  The B1G shut down one end, and then the other, about 2 hours before kickoff.  They didn't give any slack.  Bummer is I still have 2 beer tickets left.  Oh well, I didn't need anymore.  But, it was really really cold.  I mean, like the night before, 10 degrees cold.  The lines to get into the stadium were very long, and while organized it just seemed lethargic... methinks the Big Ten can do a better job opening up more doors and processes to get fans in earlier.  Maybe even provide promotions to get people into the game earlier? 

At the game... the ES walked in, and it was an 80% Buckeye crowd.  That's when I realized what a treat of a game:  NOW WE GOTTA WIN.  We had to stick it to the ugliest coach in the land, Urban Meyer.  Michigan State had to be the team to beat the Buckeye undefeated streak.  The Spartans had to beat up on the confident Buckeye Nation which came to Indianapolis expecting to be anointed and head to a National Title, expecting Michigan State as only a roadbump.  And, we needed to beat these cheaters which vacated their victories from tattoo-gate and cost the Spartans a trip to Pasadena in 2010.  The ES got to thinking:

Paybacks are hell. 

Furthermore, the Spartans had to win after this "downright nice" fanbase turned sour within the stadium.  From kickoff to the Langford game-clinching TD, Spartans in our section were berated by Buckeyes every other play time and again throughout the game, and with Buckeye faithful standing up the ENTIRE GAME and unwilling to sit down (see my seat below).  Said one Buckeye fan early in the 2nd quarter after we politely requested (not demanded) him to "please sit down,"... the Buckeye said: "You haven't been to the Rose Bowl in 26 years, what don't you get up and cheer on your fu**ing team."   Said, Sloth: "well if you aren't using your seat, can I?" and he walked over and sat down in the seat of that really ripe Buckeye fan.  Good for Sloth pointing out their ridiculousness. The Buckeye Nation should be totally embarrassed at how their fans treat others.  These are the ones that cause Kirk Herbstreit to move out of Ohio.

The view of the ES at the B1G Ten Title game.  My guess is Stanford
fans will be more appreciative of others at the Rose Bowl than were
Buckeye fans at the B1G Ten Championship.  

This is just a sample of how these Buckeye fans at the game were AWFUL, TERRIBLE.  Seriously, what terrible, mean people.

So, HOW WE WON was even better.  The Spartan defense was awsome early and late - that's how defense wins championships... when it matters.  That Buckeye offensive line and Braxton Miller really gave a good sucker punch to the Spartans in the third quarter.  The ES turned to Buckeye fans sitting next to him and said, "wow, Miller is awesome, and that line is playing great."  Sloth turned to the ES and said, "we're done."  But, the Spartans weren't done - not these Spartans.  No more S.O.S.  The Spartans, with Cook and Langford, punched right back with a nice mix of run and pass.  Hard-nosed play out of Michigan State, with a 4th-Down conversion on the option by Cook in the process.  For the Spartans to have the resilience they did, for the defense to shut down OSU, to beat them down and demoralize them in the final 15 minutes - it was beautiful. POUND GREEN POUND. Better yet, seeing the "WTF" look on the face of Urban Meyer at the end of the game was... well, priceless.   That was worth $1,000.

Sure enough, these Buckeye fans, including the jerk above standing all game, left when Langford ran for paydirt to seal the MSU victory. If you care so much for your school and your football team has won 24 straight, wouldn't you want to stick around?  I guess not - because you Buckeyes don't care about the school; just your team winning.  What sore losers, terrible football fans.

All the ES wanted was to get back to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1988.  Who cares about the National Title?  It is all about the Rose Bowl.  AND WE DID IT! The Spartans did it our way - with grind it out defense, a timely running game behind drives with long times-of-possession, and the best game of his career by QB Connor Cook.  

Yeah, it was pretty much all red. The Buckeye Nation figured this was a walk in the park. 
Michigan State ruined the Ohio State dream, and ruined their season. 

After the game, the ES jumped onto the railings outside with his "yeee-haws."  High-fiving every Spartan in shouting distance.  It was 5 degrees outside, 27 below freezing, but it felt like it was 80 degrees on a California beach.  Then, the ES walked with Keith and Big Bob into another three or four bars and high-fived all the Spartan fans in eyeshot.  98% of all Spartans said they were going to Pasadena, had no idea how but didn't care about the cost.  Must have had 1,000 high-fives between 1-3 am in Indianapolis.  The place was electric... and exhausting over time.  How much partying and jumping up and down can one do in one evening?  The ES must've burned 5,000 calories, and got the flu in the process.

The ES is bringing his posse of 10-15 Spartan fans to the Rose Bowl.  OMG, I can't wait.  

Ohio State and Buckeye Nation:  We got payback for your cheating ways; Paybacks are Hell.  

Just look at these basic stats.  Read 'em and weep:

OSU	MSU
1st Downs	20	23
Total Yards	374	438
Passing	101	304
Rushing	273	134
Penalties	5-62	3-20
3rd Down Conversions	1-10	5-15
4th Down Conversions	0-2	2-2
Turnovers	0	1
Possession	27:09	32:51

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

The greatest formation in football.  

WE DID IT!!!!! 

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

2013 BIG TEN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

See ya in Pasadena!

ES Game Day, Championship version: Spartan defense will lay the hammer

ES Game Day:

B1G Ten Conference Championship
#9 Michigan State Spartans (11-1/8-0) vs #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0/8-0)

Where:  Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When:  8 pm, December 7, 2013
TV:  Fox
Line:  Ohio State by 5-1/2

SPARTANS: WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION!!!!

Predictions: 

• BTN.com:  Merriman, MSU 24-21; Bardo, MSU 28-24; Yarina, OSU 27-23; Dienhart, OSU 30-27
• ESPN.com:  Rittenberg, MSU 30-28; Bennett: OSU 27-24
• CFN/Scout:  OSU, 27-17
• CBSSports:  Palm: OSU wins & covers; Feldman: OSU 14-10
• OffTackleEmpire:  OSU 27-23
• BeforeItsNews: MSU 27-17
• Bloguin: Kenney, OSU 20-13; Coppens, OSU 34-21; Torres, OSU 20-14; Singleton, OSU 42-28; Biles, OSU 28-18; Parcell, MSU 24-21; Causey, OSU 31-28; McGuire, OSU 24-20; Perry, OSU 28-12
• movoli:  MSU 27-17
• CollegeFootballPoll:  Computer says OSU by 7.66, but the blogger picks MSU outright
• Channel3000/SportsXChange:  MSU 30-27
• International Business Times:  OSU 41-28
• CappersPicks: OSU 31-20
• NewsOK:  OSU 19-17 
• BuckeyeFansOnly:  probably the most painful website blog on the eye, but it's an aggregate of a ton of different previews out there.  Some predictions, but it just too difficult and bothersome to splice up for the ES site.

Dear Buck-nut fans: 

Those of you who have never set foot on THE OSU campus, who paint yourselves up as ugly looking red and silver Christmas trees, or some reddish porcupine roadkill... those of you who will return on Sunday to your $50,000 two-story, plastic-shuddered houses in Euclid, Mansfield, Zanesville, or your trailers in Springfield... that's right, those of you Buck-nut fans who use your copy of Catcher in the Rye to prop up your garage sale ottoman for your fat ugly legs when watching your Buckeyes on a plasma tv for which you took out a second mortgage... those of you Buck-nut fans who will go to work on Monday to your $15 shifts repairing General Electric microwaves, filling in potholes in 25 degree weather, realigning the plumbing in the shack of another saddended Buck-nut fan whose Little Caeasar pizza didn't agree with him while watching the Buckeyes lose... that's right, you Buck-nuts who think the unethical, cheating, and admitted liar Jim Tressel is a saint and a martyr... those red and white fans who never picked up a book, who never went to college but choose this historically scandalous football program as one deserving your allegiance, this allegiance which is at the pinnacle of arrogance of college football.  Wake up, the ES is speaking to you, you uneducated Buckeye scum. To those fans with NO ties to Ohio State athletics other than the red and white poop-stained underwear in your drawers... the ES sez: why don't you buy a paper, read it with your pink eye, and stick it where the sun don't shine.

To the rest of the Buckeye Nation, the Spartan Nation, and the rest of college football, the ES sez:

Thank the good lord Ohio State is undefeated.  It's hard to like Urban Meyer.  More directly, it's hard not to hate Urban Meyer.  He's a bottom feeder.  The national media is swimming along next to him, sucking up to Meyer and the Buckeyes in the press conference on Wednesday.  Asking MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi about the greatness of the Buckeye offense, Narduzzi quipped, appropriately: “Shoot, maybe we shouldn’t even show up.”  Thankfully, we have the vicious Spartan defense to take its hot poker and stick a big 'ole "L" on his butt cheek.

The ES is looking for payback in this game.  Payback for the cheatin' ways of Tressel, whose players' arrogance for free tattoos and swapping jewelry ended up pushing Michigan State out of what should have deservedly been a Rose Bowl appearance in 2010-2011.  In the record books, Ohio State now has L's next to all the games that season - but what hurt was the collateral damage of the Big Green NOT making it to its Promised Land of wine and roses, instead being sent to Florida for a slaughter at the hands of Alabama.  And, no remorse from the Buckeye faithful.  ES sez: payback is hell.

This is the most significant football game in my 45 years of life.  Why?  This is the best Spartan football team I've ever seen.  It's better than the 2011 team with Kirk Cousins that failed to win the B1G Title game vs Wisconsin.  It's definitely better than the 1988 Rose Bowl team, of which I attended every game: ES watching the title clinching game vs Indiana with mononucleosis, and spending New Years Day basking in the Rose Bowl victory over Southern Cal.

This season, our Michigan State Spartans have defeated every Big Ten team by double digits.  So, when the media says the Big Ten is soft in 2013 - that's fine; the Big Green whooped 'em all.  This is the best Spartans team since we last won the national title in 1966.  That's why we NEED this game:  it's in our blood, THE ROSE BOWL means everything to the Spartan Nation and our proud program.

You can read about the matchups, the stats, all the other hoopla elsewhere. ES sez the player of the game will be Max Bullough, using his storied family Spartan pedigree as inspiration to slow the Buckeye run game and position the defense for game-making plays.  The leader of the best defense in the land that will get it done, and sacrifice himself so his teammates can break Braxton Miller in two. The angry Spartan defense will bully the Buckyes, and by the end of the game will shove a pail of buckeyes right up their arse. The whole nation is rooting for the Spartans because of the near-unanimous hatred of Meyer.  The Spartans will deservedly end this ugly winning streak of that rodent of a coach, Urban Meyer.    

The ES will be at Lucas Oil Stadium, in tears of joy, with Big Bob, Keith, Seth, Sloth and his juniors - handing out red and white roses to Green and White fans who've made the trip.  

ES sez:  MSU 24, Ohio State 20.  See ya in Pasadena!

Smack on Ohio State

Let the smack run free and rampant. 

Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee said he never considered firing Tressel: "No, are you kidding me?" Gee said. "Let me be very clear. I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me."

ESPN announcer Kirk Herbstreit: "To continue to have to defend myself and my family in regards to my love and devotion to Ohio State is unfair. …Eighty to ninety percent of the Ohio State fans are great. It’s the vocal minority that make it rough. They probably represent only 5 to 10 percent of the fan base, but they are relentless.”


Found this lovely website.  Did not do any fact-checking, but methinks this is pretty accurate.  Or, close enough.  Corrections are welcome.

"My G.P.A. was bad [0.0] because I never attended class. It wasn't bad because I did the work and failed."
-Reggie Germany, former Ohio State wide receiver
 
"I don't think he's [Clarett's] lying. If he feels it's right to speak out, then I'm behind him 100%."
-Chris Vance, former Ohio State wide receiver

"He gave us furniture all the time. At least $2,000 worth of nice tables and couches."
-Marco Cooper, former Ohio State linebacker, speaking about an Ohio State booster

"When you'd leave, [the booster] sets you straight. They say, 'You got any money in your pocket?' They make sure your money's straight."
-Maurice Clarett, former Ohio State tailback

"What would have become of Ohio State if I said everything? Half the team would have been suspended, and it would have been worse for everybody. I was like, 'Why don't I just take it?'"
-Maurice Clarett, former Ohio State tailback

"Ohio State created me. They created what they suspended."
-Maurice Clarett, former Ohio State tailback

"I don't say that anymore. I found out four things can happen on a forward pass. The fourth is that you can get fired."
-Woody Hayes, former Ohio State coach

And..

The thread on Ohio State for today

The Facebook thread from the Sloth:

... As much as I love getting fired up for the Michigan rivalry, or the incredibly intense battles our Spartans have had in both hoop and football with Wisconsin, I truly and deeply hate Ohio State. everything I dislike most about college sports - the cheating, the double-standards, the looking the other way at the transgressions of kids who very often have no business ever stepping foot on a college campus, the wannabe tough-guy idiotic fans who never attended college and confuse college sports for armed combat, etc. - is epitomized by no alleged institution of higher learning more than The Ohio State University. befitting of its long tradition of white trash assholedom, even its beloved superfan, "Big Nut", did not attend the university, which of course helps to explain why so many Buckeye fans are surprised to learn that the word "college" or "amateur" appears as part of the phrases "college athletics" or "amateur sports". for over 30 years and despite having teams in both Cleveland and Cincinnati, the Buckeyes have remained the best professional football team in the state of Ohio. Lord knows I will cheer as loudly or even louder for our Spartans as any other fan next Saturday in Indy, but regardless of outcome I will grin ear to ear the entire evening knowing that, regardless of which team wins on the football field, I will wake up Sunday morning a Michigan State Spartan, and not just a Spartan for the convenience of being a fan of college sports, either.

• sloth: and yes, Ma Ward, there are of course exceptions. 

   

  • ES: the older I get, the more I dislike all of the other Big Ten teams. But, yes, Ohio State is the ugliest of the bunch. Whether its Jim O'Brien and his hoops scum 1999-2002 (and we still kicked their ass), or the entire OSU program and its transgressions dating back to the days of Woody Hayes (too many to name), THE Ohio State University and its athletics arrogance is defined by THE. Can't wait until I see Max Bullough pile-drive Braxton Miller into that plastic grass. Multiple times. That will be worth the price of admission. It's just a matter of time until Urban "I can't have a real heart attack" Meyer gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar, just like his predecessors. What a piece of junk.
     
• sloth:  have no beef at all with anyone who wants to cheer for the college team of their choice, but I believe that competing in college athletics should be reserved to student athletes and cheering for college athletics should be reserved to those people who want to cheer for student athletes. I have no patience at all for people who cheer for college teams the same way they do professional teams, because the emphasis first and foremost should always be on the "student" part of the equation.

   

  • ES:  problem with your point being the term "student athlete" was invented by the NCAA to circumvent future lawsuits/workers' comp after a football player died in the early 1950s. I prefer the term "college athlete" or "varsity athlete" instead of the loaded-moniker. Nevertheless, your point still stands.

Hate Ohio State

The hate threads about the scandalous Ohio State program will be thick and heavy from the ES this week.  Tune in, starting Monday.

Photos from MSU vs Minnesota

Some photos from Saturday:

Please recycle!  Final score, 14-3

Actually, a beautiful day

ES, Big Bob, and Sloth:

 Going in to... SCORE!

#2 Buckeyes favored by 6 over #9 Spartans; weird stats on 14-3 slaying of Gophers

Congrats to our Michigan State Spartans, B1G Legends Champs in two of the last three years.  MSU is now ranked #9/#10 in the land after sweeping through the Big Ten undefeated, 8-0, winning every conference game by more than 10 points.  The Big Green's 14-3 victory over Minnesota (see thoughts from ES below) sets up for a nice B1G championship game against #2 Ohio State - the best offense in the conference vs the best defense.  And we all know, defense wins championships!

Ohio State is favored by 6 over Michigan State.  This is a Buckeye team that needed a boneheaded call for a 2 point conversion by Brady Hoke to beat Michigan after giving up 41 points.  As the ES recalls, the Spartans gave up just 6 points to the Wolvies and beat them by 23 points. 

Check out the coaches poll, as the Spartans creep up to #9.   Can't wait to see the BCS rankings this evening... ES expects a #9 ranking by the computers.

USA Today Poll
RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Florida State (58)	12-0	1546
2	Ohio State (4)	12-0	1462
3	Auburn	11-1	1437
4	Alabama	11-1	1333
5	Missouri	11-1	1315
6	Oklahoma State	10-1	1248
7	Baylor	10-1	1100
7	South Carolina	10-2	1100
9	Michigan State	11-1	1037
10	Stanford	10-2	1034
11	Clemson	10-2	853
12	Oregon	10-2	843
13	Arizona State	10-2	765
14	LSU	9-3	720
15	Oklahoma	9-2	660
16	Louisville	10-1	625
17	UCF	10-1	572
18	Northern Illinois	12-0	547
19	UCLA	9-3	473
20	Duke	10-2	402
21	Wisconsin	9-3	266
22	Fresno State	10-1	215
23	Cincinnati	9-2	167
24	Texas	8-3	149
25	Texas A&M	8-4	121

• Dropped from rankings: USC 23

• Others receiving votes: Miami (FL) 47, Georgia 41, Vanderbilt 18, Iowa 13, Marshall 13, USC 10, Washington 6, Virginia Tech 4, Minnesota 4, Notre Dame 3, Ball State 1

THOUGHTS ON SPARTANS VS GOPHERS:

Two stats that really pop out from the game yesterday:  1) Minnesota getting just 249 yards (and 124 on the ground) but needing nearly 39 minutes to do it.  That's a lot of time for very few yards.  It was the only time this year Michigan State lost the time of possession battle.  What it tells the ES is the Spartan defense bent but didn't break; and actually stiffened near the red zone.  Minny finished 1-3 in the redzone.  And, the Spartans had 11 tackles for loss, including 4 sacks on the day.  Wow.  2) MSU 0-8 on third downs.  A surprising stat that needs to be improved if the Spartans are to defeat Ohio State.     

Yesterday, Michigan State played probably the best team on its schedule this season.  The Gophers are an impressive squad, and David Cobb, who gained 101 yards on 27 carries (3.7 per carry) was the best RB the Spartans have faced all year.  Good timing as take on the Buckeyes!

Here are the stats from yesterday:

MINN	MSU
1st Downs	17	15
3rd down efficiency	8-20	0-8
4th down efficiency	1-2	0-1
Total Yards	249	324
Passing	125	143
Comp-Att	9-25	10-20
Yards per pass	5.0	7.2
Rushing	124	181
Rushing Attempts	50	31
Yards per rush	2.5	5.8
Penalties	3-14	2-15
Turnovers	3	2
Fumbles lost	1	1
Interceptions thrown	2	1
Possession	38:41	21:19

WOW! What a day for college football, Big Green style!!!!

Today is unbelievable, like watching Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Up and down and all around, what a ride.

Michigan State whipped Minnesota, 14-3 today.  But, it is everything else across the nation that is giving #11 MSU a chance to really move into a solid standing.  '

First off, Ohio State needed a bone-headed call by Michigan coach Brady Hoke at the end of the game to win, 42-41 (umm, State gave up just 6 points to the Wolvies).  This makes the ES felling even better about our chances in the B1G Title game next week.  If OSU is favored by more than 3 points, the ES will eat his socks.

And, even if we lose (the Big Green won't), the BCS bid for Big Ten's second place team grew brighter with a #15 Wisky loss to Penn State today - at home!   Wow, that was a shocker if the ES ever saw.

#1 Alabama lost to #4 Auburn on a 109.75-yard FG return on the last play of the game, something that even the $6 million man should know:  PREPARE YOUR TEAM for returns.  Saban's look was fantastic at the end of the game:  looked like he was slapped in the face.  Can't happen enough to the former Spartan coach.

Elsewhere, the ES is giddy.  The ES is rooting for #21 Texas A&M is at #5 Mizzou; #6 Clemson is at #10 SoCarolina, one of them will lose; #25 ND is at #8 Stanford - the Big Green can really get a lift from an Irish win at the Trees; and, Rich Rod's Zona is at #12 Ariz State, with a loss to the Devils providing more distance between the Big Green and other BCS contenders.

THIS IS THE YEAR!!!!!

ES Game Day: Spartans to shutout surprising Gophers

#11/11 Michigan State Spartans (10-1, 7-0) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-3, 4-3)

Time:  12 pm ET
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Weather:  35 and cloudy,  13 mph winds
TV: BTN
Line: MSU by 17

Predictions:

• The ES has scoured the internet for the past two days, and cannot find one single prediction from the state of Minnesota on the Gophers vs Spartans football game.  How pathetic for the Land 'O Lakes.  
• BTN.com: Merriman, MSU 34-10; Bardo, MIN 21-20; Dienhart, MSU 37-3; Yarina, MSU 24-7
• CFN/Scout.com:  MSU 27-10
• Detroit News: Charboneau, MSU 31-10; Niyo,  MSU 27-10; Wojo, MSU 27-10
• ESPN:  Rittenberg, MSU 24-10; Bennett: MSU 17-6
• MLive: MSU 20-6
• Powerrank.com and Prediction Tracker:  MSU will win by 15.5
• CBSSports.com: all six pick MSU
• CBSSports.com/Feldman: MSU, 24-6
• The Detroit Sports Site: MSU 30-10
• CBSSports.com:  Feldman:  MSU 17-3; five of six pick MSU
• Athlon:  Gall, MSU 34-13; Light, MSU 30-13; Lassan, MSU 31-13; Fox, MSU 38-10

ES sez:

What A Great Dayyy Forrr Footballlll!!!!  It will be a cold affair, but some sun will show up to help bring the temps to just above freezing.

This is one of the more interesting games of the season.  Minnesota's 8-3 record is among the greatest surprises in college football.  But, let's look more closely at common opponents... which the performance clearly favors the Spartans.  Minny's season was headlined with a 34-23 win at Nebraska.  But, the 'Huskers were whipped by Iowa today (we whipped both the Corn, 41-28, and Iowa, 23-7, on the road).  The Gophers slipped past Northwestern by 3 (who we killed in Chicago by 25 points), and snaked past Indiana by 3 (who we also hammered by 17 pts).   And, of course, the big difference - Minny lost to Michigan by 29 points; we absolutely annihilated the Wolverines by 23.  

Minny off vs Spartan def:  Minnesota's offense has quietly performed very well on the ground, with David Cobb running for more than 1,000 yards so far; but, his most recent peformance of 17 carries for 68 yards vs Wisconsin in more likely to be similar to what he will expect at Michigan State and the nations' best rush defense giving up just 59.4 yards per game.  Minnesota will likely be forced into a pass game, which is already ranked just #116 in the nation at 154 yards per game.

QB Phillip Nelson has a 9 TD vs 4 INT ratio, and completing 53% of his passes.   The Spartans are giving up just 177 yards per game, ranked #9 in the nation.  The Big Green has the best secondary in the land with Darqueze Dennard (4 INT, 7 PBUs), Kurtis Drummond (4 INTs, 5 PBUs), Trae Waynes (5 PBUs).  To boot, the Spartans' sport a nice pass rush with Denicos Allen, Shalique Calhoun, and Marcus Rush adding to 25 sacks.

Spartan off vs Minny def: The Gopher defense is giving up a reasonable 376 yards per game, ranked #46 in the nation. They are giving up 150 yards on the ground per game, and another 220 through the air per game.  These are respectable against respectable opponents. But, Minnesota's defense doesn't seem to work well against tough, grinding teams like Michigan State, with tough defenses.  Let's look at a comparable opponent to Michigan State on the road - such as last week's Gopher stint at Wisconsin:

WIS	MINN
1st Downs	18	11
Total Yards	324	185
Passing	127	83
Rushing	197	102
Penalties	2-25	5-26
3rd Down Conversions	4-16	3-13
4th Down Conversions	1-2	1-3
Turnovers	1	3
Possession	35:11	24:49

 
Minny couldn't get over the hump; just 185 total yards, and just 82 through the air.  More importantly: three stats stand out.  3-13 third downs (23%), an 11-minute TOP advantage to Wisky, and a 3-1 turnover advantage to Wisky.  This means that Wisconsin controlled the game on both sides of the ball, including on offense.

To that end, I see a similar effort out of Michigan State and the Spartans' ability to run the ball with success. To add to Spartan RB Jeremy Langford's 1,000 yard season, Michigan State is surging with its pass game, averaging 199 yards per game, but coming off a career-best 293 yards out of QB Connor Cook in a frozen, windy tundra at Northwestern.  If anything, MSU has turned out to have the most balanced offense, with the least mistakes, of any in the Big Ten conference.  Give Spartan receivers credit for making big plays in recent weeks:

at Northwestern -  (rec, yds, TD, long)

Lippett, Tony           3   64    0   48
Price, Josiah           3   35    1   15
Fowler, Bennie          2   99    1   87

at Nebraska -

Lippett, Tony           4   67    0   34
Kings, M.               3   37    0   17
Fowler, Bennie          2   29    0   16
Mumphery, Keith         1   27    1   27

vs Michigan -

Fowler, Bennie          6   75    1   25
Lippett, Tony           5   62    0   21
Kings, M.               2   14    0   10

And, in seven games of Big Ten play, Connor Cook is an impressive, 61% completion percentage (124 of 203), with 11 TDs, 3 INTs, 1,565 yards.  Wow. 

Special teams:  Minny's kicker Chris Hawthorne has hit on 12 of 15 FGs, 4-of-5 from 40-49, but 0-fer-2 from 50 out.  Their punter, Peter Mortell, has kicked 17 of 51 inside the 20, with a long of 62 yards. Our kicker, Michael Geiger, has hit 12 of 13 FGs, including 6-of-6 from beyond 40.  Sparty's Mike Sadler  should win the award for the best punter in the nation. 27 of his 59 kicks have been placed inside the 20, with a long of 69.  A big time advantage to the Spartans here

History: Since the Doctor showed up, the Spartans have handled the Gophers pretty well. MD has a 3-1 record, including the last three: 31-8 and 31-24 wins at home, and a 26-10 win in Minneapolis last year. The ES hates most of the teams in the Big Ten, but it is tough to dislike the ultimate underdog, of which the Gophers rank near the top because of their disgusting play on the gridiron for most of the last 70 years.  The ES is really rooting for Jerry Kill and his staff; Kill's continued seizures, and how his staff has overcome the situation has been truly inspirational. Further, coaching way the hell up where Bud Grant used to coach, and in an outdoor stadium, is an endorsement of the thick-skinned nature of football.

Final:  ES sez, it is senior day, and watch Max Bullough go out playing ape-shit.  Michigan State 22, Minnesota 0.