Around the Horn: Spartans - Wildcat previews; Pick a BCS Bowl: Orange, Sugar, or Rose? MSU Schedules Convicts

Previews are trickling out for the Spartans' road game to Chicago to take on Northwestern...

• TheSpread.com preview
• ESPN official game preview
• Accuscore predicts a close game (MSU)
• Belmont sides with the home team (NU)
• CFN predicts a Spartan 34-26 victory, with the Spartans steamrolling the Cats on the ground (MSU)

Meanwhile, though it is early, ESPN is projecting a MSU Spartan New Year's Day trip to BCS land, to either the Orange Bowl vs Virginia Tech or a Rose Bowl vs TCU... meanwhile CBS Sports is projecting a [gulp] Sugar Bowl stint vs Alabama!

CBS Sports mid-season All-America teams includes three Spartans on the first team: LB Greg Jones, OL Joel Foreman, and PK Dan Conroy. And, Dennis Dodd calls the Spartans' this year's college football "cinderella" - can't argue with that.

SPARTANS VS CATHOLICS AND CONVICTS
Finally... bring on the Hurricanes. Nice job to AD Mark Hollis scheduling a home-and-home with the University of Miami in 2020 and 2021. The Spartans will kick off the two-game series with Miami on Sept. 26, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich., and make their first-ever appearance in the 74,916-seat Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sept. 18, 2021. We've got the Convicts filling the two-year void in the schedule left by the Catholics (Notre Dame).

Greg Jones To Return to MSU... Spartan Hoops Stop Minny 60-53

Michigan State All-Everything LB Greg Jones announced tonite he would return for his senior season. The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-American all but assures the Spartan defense will be full of experienced playmakers (hopefully) next fall. Said Jones, "My teammates and I have some unfinished business to take care of." Go GREEN!

Tonight, MSU's men's hoops team held its third consecutive opponent to under 54 points with a 60-53 victory over Minnesota to advance to 4-0 in the conference. Yes, Michigan State IS the best defensive team in the conference. Get our offense going, and the Big Green will be unbeatable. Seems like another, typical, Izzo-style defensive-minded run at another NCAA Final Four... the ES LOVES IT.

Jones named Big Ten Defensive POY; Swenson gets team MVP

Greg Jones was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year; Blair White was named First Team all Big Ten as a WR, as was Brett Swenson as a PK. Joel Nitchman was named a Second Team lineman. Congrats, Jones! A highlight in a disappointing year.

What is most surprising, however, maybe shouldn't be on second look. Swenson was named the team's Most Valuable Player by his peers, the first time a kicker has ever taken home that award... and MSU is the home to the best kickers in college football history. After you consider the inconsistency and disappointment on both sides of the ball this year, the one thing you could always count on was Swenson - he earned it. Congrats!

Greg Jones is Big Ten's MVP. Right?

Adam Rittenberg at ESPN has added some video commentary, so you can see his scruggly hair wave along with his opinions... and, his latest opinion is a good one.

AR is giving the nod for Michigan State's All-World LB Greg Jones to be named the overall MVP of the Big Ten, the first time since that Yellow Belly Charles Woodson won it as a corner for scUM in 1997. Rittenberg rests his laurels on the fact that the Big Ten's defensive units have been consistently better for most of the year, better than offenses, anyhow. Hmmm.... while I'll agree with him on the MVP choice, I'm not sure about the fact that Big Ten defenses have been better than offenses -- sans the 15-13 Iowa-MSU slugfest.

Swenson gets POW; MSU ranked #7 in nation in kick returns

Brett Swenson gets the Big Ten POW nod for his four field goals... although Keshawn Martin and his 250-all purpose yard performance, including his kick returns, should have garnered some recognition. Without the two of them and a blocked field goal, the Big Green may have lost by 20 points to Purdue.

Still, a pair of 52-yard FGs on the road, and a 4-for-4 performance was sweet. FYI, Swenson is hitting a blistering 90% (18-of-20) field goals this year. Ouch! Can you say "Lou Groza"?

So where does MSU rank statistically, nationally? Our best stat is, no surprise #7 in the country in kick returns. But, our rush defense at #24 and pass offense at #21 ain't half bad. Greg Jones is third in the nation in tackles at 11.45. Keshawn Martin is fifth in kick returns at 31.7. Kirk Cousins is #13 in pass efficiency at 149.7

Category	Nat'l Rank	Actual	Nat'l Leader	Actual	Big Ten Rank	Big Ten Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	67	139.73	Nevada	353.10	6	Wisconsin	208.00
Passing Offense	21	274.09	Houston	428.20	1	Michigan St.	274.09
Total Offense	34	413.82	Houston	562.60	1	Michigan St.	413.82
Scoring Offense	30	31.00	Boise St.	43.60	3	Michigan	31.27
Rushing Defense	24	105.91	Texas	50.40	4	Ohio St.	83.73
Pass Efficiency Defense	79	132.98	Florida	87.18	8	Iowa	96.02
Total Defense	50	350.91	Texas	232.30	6	Ohio St.	258.27
Scoring Defense	56	23.55	Florida	10.50	6	Penn St.	11.64
Net Punting	48	36.50	Georgia	43.73	5	Michigan	41.27
Punt Returns	60	9.10	Central Mich.	18.47	4	Minnesota	15.67
Kickoff Returns	7	26.81	Stanford	30.78	1	Michigan St.	26.81
Turnover Margin	88	-.36	Rutgers	2.33	9	Ohio St.	1.09
Pass Defense	94	245.00	Air Force	127.91	10	Iowa	165.73
Passing Efficiency	18	147.61	Cincinnati	170.01	1	Michigan St.	147.61
Sacks	19	2.73	Pittsburgh	4.10	2	Penn St.	3.09
Tackles For Loss	72	5.45	Cincinnati	8.80	10	Penn St.	8.27
Sacks Allowed	T-18	1.09	Boise St.	.50	1	Michigan St.	1.09

Spartan Defense Blossoms, Learning Lessons Are Over. Dantonio Press Conference

ES had dinner with former MSU President John DiBiaggio the other night - he was at the Iowa game and he and I agreed on one thing: that was an excellent football game on Saturday, but "we should've won, dammit!"

First let the ES lay the criticism: Why DC Pat Narduzzi has to feel like he needs to scrap what is working for him all game long and go to a prevent defense on the last drive of the game is puzzling. Why Narduzzi couldn't keep after Iowa earlier in the drive is questionable (it didn't work) and unfortunate -- because the Spartans had bottled him up all game long. MSU jettisoned its game plan with the lead. Tisk, tisk. On the last series with 15 second left and from the 12 yard line and in, the Spartans sent eight defenders at Stanzi for four straight plays, and it worked for three of them, but unfortunately not the last play. The change in strategy was maddening, and yet another lesson learned.

But, enough negatives. Michigan State has a DAMN FINE football team. They're better than last year's team, although it is tough to tell at 4-4. It is a better team. Michigan State is three plays away from being 7-1 and in the Top 10 itself. It played even, or better, than Iowa, Notre Dame, and CMU. All three losses on the last play of the game.

I loved how Mark Dantonio handled the media after the game. He seems focused and determined. Best presser he has had since being a coach. Today's is scheduled for 11:30 am (watch live)

The defense is VASTLY improving, game by game. The Michigan State defense we saw on Saturday was dominant, and it was the best defensive performance in a decade by the Spartans. It was a slugfest, a bear-knuckles-brawl. We laid two Hawkeys out on a stretcher. They left with a W, but battered and bloodied. The defensive secondary played its best game since the glory days of George Perles -- you'd have thought Harlan Barnett dropped his earphones and climbed back onto the field. Excellent secondary play all game long. The pressure was in Stanzi's face all game long.

Jerel Worthy (photo above -- 4 tackles, 2 for loss) played his finest game as a Spartan. He dominated Iowa's interior and the Hawkeye's did not have an answer. Greg Jones was DOMINANT (12 tackles), once again all over the field. He should be a First Team All America. He is easily the best linebacker wearing Green and White since No Mercy Percy Snow.

Michigan State's offense left too many points on the field, again. But, this against an undefeated, #5/#6 team in the nation. Down to one final play. Yes it hurt, but now Michigan State MUST WIN OUT the remainder of its games. A victory at home over JoePa would seal the deal and get the Spartans closer to a "signature win" under Dantonio than its had to date. It would be nice to get a warm bowl game, play a hardy opponent, and get that W to put the Spartans firmly on the map.

These Spartans are focused and playing hard. They just need to finish. My guess is they will for the remainder of the season, and be rewarded with warm weather. It's time to take the next step. Learning lessons are over. We've learned them all. Now it is time to win.

Spartan Nation, what is your profession? WHOOOP, WHOOOP, WHOOOP!

Give it up for Jones & White; More MSU vs. Iowa previews

Adam Rittenberg of ESPN gives the Big Ten's mid-season defensive MVP award to Michigan State's Greg Jones, who leads the nation in tackles. And, if you saw his dominating, sideline-to-sideline and in-Kafka's-face performance vs Northwestern, you'd have to agree. He gives MSU's offensive team MVP award to Blair White, and sez MSU has already had "two seasons crammed into one through the first seven games."

Here are some more predictions and previews: Sports Network (Iowa 23-20); MSU - Iowa from ESPN; all the jokers at Rivals/Yahoo are picking Iowa over MSU; two of six pundits are picking MSU over at CFN/Scout;

Both ESPN and Rivals are projecting an Alamo Bowl matchup of MSU - Oklahoma/Nebraska. CBS Sports predicts a MSU - Clemson matchup in the Champs Sports Bowl. CBS Sports 120 ranks MSU at #41 overall... CMU is at #23 on their power rankings.

Here is a Michigan State-Iowa preview from the Big Ten Network:

ES Game Day Preview: MSU 30, Michigan 27

Michigan (4-0, #22 AP, #30 Sagarin) at Michigan State (1-3, #59 Sagarin),

Saturday, October 3, 2009. 12 Noon.
TV: Big Ten Network
Weather: 51 degrees, 40% chance rain.
Latest Line: Michigan State favored by 2.

Tickets available.

ES will tweet from the game with comments posted in the right column; live chat will be available on the website.

Injuries: Michigan - QB Tate Forcier (shoulder), probable; C David Molk (foot), out. Michigan State - OL Joel Foreman (knee), probable; WR Mark Dell (shoulder), probable; S Trenton Robinson (doorknob), probable.

Prediction: MSU's Greg Jones blindsides scUM's Forcier in the first quarter, knocking him senseless and out of the game. MSU runs adequately behind Glenn Winston, but enough to free up QB Kirk Cousins to use his rocket arm to score TDs through the air to BJ Cunningham, Blair White, and Mark Dell. MSU's defense? Who knows, who cares. Michigan State needs to prove itself defensively, and scUM is overrated and untested on the road. The ES will split the difference, thinking Spartan DBs won't play great, but will play just well enough to win. Willthis scUM team actually go 5-0? Hey, go jump in a lake and take yer smelling salts. Spartan special teams will be the difference in the game, with a few FGs out of Brett Swenson. That's enough detail for me on this game.

Give it up to an improved coaching effort and better play out of MSU in its best game of the year, at home. There's a reason a 1-3 team is favored by 2 at home over a 4-0 team.

Halftime: MSU 14, scUM 14. Final Score: Michigan State 30, scUM 27.

MSU, ND statistically...

About those Friggin Irish, statistically they lead the nation not giving up a sack. QB Jimmy Clausen is ranked #3 nationally in pass efficiency with a 196.31 rating. In the passing game, Michael Floyd is their home run hitter, averaging 5.5 rpg for 160 yards per game (#2 in the nation); Golden Tate is getting 6 catches per game for 87 yards. Armando Allen's 105 yards on the ground per game is #22 in the nation. DB Kyle McCarthy (#28) has a pair of picks through two games, ranking him #9 in the nation. He'll likely be placed on Blair White on Saturday.

After two games, a few Spartans are ranking near the top in national statistical rankings, most notably QB Kirk Cousins who at 186.71 is #6 in the nation in passing efficiency. Blair White is ranked #6 with 134 yards receiving per game, and #7 with 8 receptions per game. Greg Jones is ranked #3 with 14.5 tackles per game. And, with 2 tackes for loss per game, Jones is ranked 18th. Keshawn Martin is #22 in punt returns, averaging 12.3.

When MSU has the ball:

• MSU's rushing offense is ranked #72 (138 ypg) vs ND's rushing defense #88 (172 ypg).
• MSU's passing offense is ranked #26 (227 ypg) vs ND's pass defense #58 (197 ypg).
• MSU's total offense is ranked #48 (405 ypg) vs ND's total defense #78 (369 ypg).
• MSU's pass efficiency is #14 (168.7) vs ND's pass eff defense #54 (116.2).
• MSU is #52 in kick returns (22.2), #27 in punt returns (14.2), and #4 in net punting (43.4).

When ND has the ball:

• ND's rushing offense is ranked #54 (166 ypg) vs MSU's rushing defense #23 (64 ypg).
• ND's passing offense is ranked #10 (334 ypg) vs MSU's pass defense #79 (225 ypg).
• ND's total offense is ranked #17 (500 ypg) vs MSU's total defense #44 (289 ypg).
• ND's pass efficiency is #2 (195.5) vs MSU's pass eff defense #79 (127.0).
• ND is #10 in kick returns (30.8), #51 in punt returns (9.0), and #52 in net punting (37.4)

ES Game Day Preview: Michigan State 34, Central Michigan 15.

Central Michigan (0-1, #84 Sagarin) at Michigan State (1-0, #43 Sagarin, #26 USA Today).

Saturday, September 12. 12 pm noon EST.
TV: ESPN 2 (Biased analysis? Color commentary by former CMU linebacker Ray Bentley).
Weather: 76, sunny.

Injuries: Michigan State — DE Kevin Pickelman (leg), probable; WR Mark Dell (shoulder), probable; C Joel Nitchman (knee), questionable. Central Michigan — none.

ES predicts Michigan State 34, CMU 15. MVP of the game: Greg Jones. Why? MSU will see a tight game in the first half, and the Chippewa passing offense will be more determined to be efficient and produce points this week. It will be Jones mirroring LeFevour and constant pressure, putting a hard hat on his running ability as the game goes on to force three-and-outs and allow MSU's offense chances to pull away. Halftime Score: MSU 17, CMU 7.

Game Day Analysis on CMU: USA Today, Bleacher Report (MSU 38-14), CM Life, Best Damn Poll (MSU 35-20).

What do you think? What will be the game's biggest surprise? Comment Below -

Michigan State 44, Montana State 3

Congrats to our opening, 44-3 whitewashing of Montana State. Yeah.

OK, we didn't learn much today -- which is why the ES traveled and spent the weekend at Disney World. But, from the stats and info from his Brudda, we learned the following: offensive line needs to run block better - it was a perceived weakness entering the fall, and vs a FCS team, it is confirmed. The longest run of the day was from Caulton Ray, with a 20 yarder. He was 12-71 (5.9). Our two freshmen studs, Larry Caper (7-34) and Ed Baker (8-27) sufficed but were nothing special.

Most of all, what we learned is that we need to STOP DROPPING PASSES. What's going on? The stats looks good, but official stats should also count dropped passes. According to my bro, we must have dropped 6-10 passes today, and it resulted in truncated drives. Blair White was 9-162, and BJ Cunningham was 3-62. What was more significant was that opponents (Mont St) could not keep Dion Sims off the field - and he caught 2-32 and 1 TD as a true frosh. He's a stud.

As for which QB is better? I have to go with my bro's opinion from personally witnessing game action and he said that Keith Nichol (9-18-0-135, 2 TD) looked to perform "a little bit" better than Kirk Cousins (10-17-0-183, 3 TD) and "seemed better in control of the offense."

Overall, Mich St outgained Mont St. 493-160. Just obliteration, as expected.

Montana State will receive at least $650,000 for traveling to East Lansing, enough to pay nearly a third of its annual football budget.

MONST - MSU

FIRST DOWNS................... 12 29
NET YARDS RUSHING............. 62 175
Rushing Attempts............ 28 40
Average Per Rush............ 2.2 4.4
NET YARDS PASSING............. 98 318
Completions-Attempts-Int.... 13-26-0 19-35-0
Passing Touchdowns.......... 0 5
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS........... 160 493
Total offense plays......... 54 75
Average Gain Per Play....... 3.0 6.6
Penalties: Number-Yards....... 7-55 5-46
PUNTS-YARDS................... 9-335 2-114
Average Yards Per Punt...... 37.2 57.0
Net Yards Per Punt.......... 28.6 51.5
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD. 1-11-0 5-58-0
Average Per Return.......... 11.0 11.6
Possession Time............... 29:19 30:41
Third-Down Conversions........ 2 of 14 7 of 13
Fourth-Down Conversions....... 2 of 2 0 of 0
Red-Zone Scores-Chances....... 1-1 3-4
Sacks By: Number-Yards........ 0-0 3-22

OK, and then I saw the defensive stats and WTF - Greg Jones was a hoss, with 14 tackles, including 2.5 for loss:

53 Jones, Greg        5    9   14  2.5/16   .   .     .      .    .   1.5/11   .
11 Hyde, Marcus       2    4    6     .     .   .     .      .    .      .     .

Link here for video of the matchup


Of those 92 who voted in the ES' poll of margin of victory, only 28% said that MSU would win by 36 or more. 40% said by 20-29 points, 18% said 30-35 points. 6% said 10-19 points, and 1% said 1-9 points. Four people said Montana State would win.

Spartans shakeup DB lineup, choose captains

If you tried the other URL, enlightenedspartan.com, you may have found a bandwidth issue - it is being restored, but if you bookmark this page (the original host), you will always find an ES home.

Of particular note is a shake up in the defensive backfield, where Jeremy Ware, Marcus Hyde, and Danny Fortener have solidified starting spots. The advancement of Ware and Hyde is a particular surprise and demonstrates the depth of our secondary, considering the ES figured on Ross Weaver and highly touted Trenton Robinson as starters. Still, expect lots of plying time out of those two, and add depth with Johnny Adams, Kendall Davis-Clark, and Ashton Henderson. The ES really was impressed at the hard-hitting ability of Hyde when he was inserted into situations last year; he is a solid tackler, and from his safety spot, he can provide great run support when asked.

2009 MSU Spartan Captains are Greg Jones, Blair White, Ross Weaver, and Kirk Cousins. ES wonders if the pick of Cousins will have any impact on the race for starting QB: either helping Cousins, or as a consolation prize for being a backup. It really shouldn't matter.

MSU 'backers gonna kick some butt in '09. Says who? Says EVERYONE.

Here is a fun article in the Grand Rapids Press on the stud-worthiness and depth of Spartan linebackers. Makes you want to take on Joe Pa and Linebacker U tomorrow.

You need to read more about Spartan linebackers: ESPN's Adam Rittenberg here and here ("Position Superlatives"), The Freep's Shannon Shelton talks about the Big Green 'backers going five deep as a starting rotation, Brian Hamilton at the Chicago Tribune is all a-tizzy about Greg Jones, Armchair GM sez the Spartans will ride their linebackers to a New Year's Day bowl, Spartan and Friends ranks MSU #23 and calls Jones "an absolute stud."

You reading this Big Ten slobber-knockers? You coming to East Lansing or defending your turf, you better wear your hardhats... the Big Green is gonna cause some PAIN in '09.

Spartan Media Day Notes - ES Nuggets

The Big Green is underway for fall camp; lots of song and dance, as is typical early. Good news, knock on wood - everyone is healthy, and there is good depth across the offense and defense. A few nuggets the ES found of interest.

Dantonio on RBs, QBs: "The next two weeks, three weeks will tell the difference, tell the story there. But if not, I'm okay with that. I don't think the quarterback situation is a problem. I think our quarterback situation is as strong as it's been since I've been here. We lack game experience, and that's a big deal. "

More from MD on RBs by committee: "But somebody has to come to the forefront there. Somebody has to emerge, and really when you look at it, it's going to be an opportunity probably for two guys to get 150-to-200 carries each or for three guys to get 100 carries each, but whatever the situation dictates, that will play itself out."

From offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, expect more balance: "one of the things we hope to utilize is more balance because we have more veteran players in the bigger picture overall. So we don't have to look at the running back position to carry the load per say. With returning veterans at receiver and tight end, that should do well for us."

This summer, Brett Swenson trained with the best kicker in football history (college and pro), Morten Andersen. He stated "my flexibility is much better and think I'm more efficient in getting to the ball."

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi on LB Greg Jones: "as good as a linebacker as I have coached in 20 years. He has everything. He has a nose for the ball which is probably the most important thing and he has great instincts."

D-line coach Ted Gill on Jerel Worthy: "We spotted Jerel a couple years ago in camp. He has a lot of athletic ability. He can dunk a basketball, and he can change direction very well."

D-lineman Oren Wilson: "I feel like we are underrated. I mean we have a lot to work on, and a lot to prove. We have a lot of depth at every position."

Andrew Hawken has switched to FB from linebacker.

MEET THE SPARTANS

Meet the Spartans is schedule for Aug 18 - all you kids can head on out to Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 5:45-7:15 p.m. at Meridian Mall in Okemos, Mich.