ES Preview: MSU vs Wisky

Michigan State Spartans (2-4, 0-3) vs Wisconsin Badgers (3-3. 1-2)
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
October 15, 2022.  4 pm. 

TV: Fox Sports

Weather: 50 and cloudy.  Black and blue. 

Sagarin Ratings:  Wisconsin #20, Michigan State #58

Line Outta Vegas: Wisky by 7

I gave up and didn’t post for the matchup vs Ohio State last week because I knew - as did 60,000 others who DID attend the game but left at halftime, that MSU’s futility is no match for an awesome Buckeye team.  This is not the 1999 team with talent that upset OSU; this is actually the worst MSU team since Muddy Waters was coach at Michigan State.  Why?  This team is LOST, its gone AWOL. 

Michigan State has lost its last 4 games by double digits since God knows when - longer than the 36 years since I first attended MSU for my undergrad degree from 1986-90.  For all you Coach Tuck fans, not even coach D or John L Smith or Bobby Williams or Nick Saban managed such a feat.  It means this team is LOST between the ears. They can fight all they want, but they are not being coached to be in a position to win. For this week, this column focuses on the defense backfield to prove the point. 

I’m tired of the poor coaching of the defensive backs.  It’s terrible.  It reminds me of a conversation I had with Mark Dantonio in his fourth year at Reno’s Sports Bar for the MSU Coaches Show.  I said: “Wow coach!  It looks like these DBs are finally learning to turn around and look at the ball for once.”  Coach D took offense to it since he was also a former DB at South Carolina.  

Coach Tuck should also take offense if he is worth his salt.  And then do something about it. 

The defensive secondary has no help without a pass rush.  OK, injuries are a major factor… but that means Coach Tuck has not solved our depth problem on the defensive line or elsewhere.  He got “lightning in a bottle” last year with Kenneth Walker III - but no lightning this year.  His ”transfer portal” strategy reminds the ES of John L Smith’s JUCO strategy — the difference is John L Smith was more consistently better with it over four years than the one year lightning from coach Tuck.  

Coach… if you can’t tell, Charles Brantley is getting TORCHED in the backfield.  All he does is chase receivers around the field all game, even if he is somewhere within 10 yards of being in position. He plays lost.  Why does he NEVER TURN AROUND when the ball is on its way?  THAT IS COACHING.  It hasn’t changed since game one this year, or since game one last year. If anything, CJ Stroud showed all too well the CBs are easy to pick on.  Brantley sucks.  Brantley & Co. gets smoked nearly every route and then put their hands in the air as if helpless.  HANDS UP IN SURRENDER? Brantley in particular has lost confidence and has taken a step back.

And, Coach, your blitzes never get home because they are either telegraphed, bad timing, or just plain poor execution. Again, this is coaching.  Blitz, and you put the DBs on an island where they are already lost.  It’s a pure shame, just watch the tape. 

I’ll be at the stint vs Wisconsin on Saturday.  But unless you get a pass rush and coach the defensive backs to turn around, it will be another loooonnnng outing, and you can expect Spartan Faithful to again exit in droves at the half. 

Tuck Comin’?  His lack of talent, depth, coaching and scheming shows to me he’s as lost as the players.  Tuck Leavin’.  PROVE ME WRONG. 

ES sez: Wisconsin 38, MSU 21.  

ES MSU Spartan Preview 2022 - 22nd Annual Preview

Spartan Fans - it’s been, yes, 22 years of Enlightened Spartan previews of our Michigan State Spartan gridders - among the oldest of all the college football blog previews in the nation.  From 2001-2022, the ES & friends have provided their predictions not from the sidelines, nor the press box… but from the upper deck of Spartan Stadium!

The Spartans return one helluva dynamic offense, and the addition of Broussard and Berger at RBs to replace Kenneth Walker might just work out.  On the defensive side of the ball, it couldn’t get any worse than last year, with the nation’s worst pass defense on an 11-2 team.  And, we no longer have the unpredictable million-year-senior red-headed stepchild at PK. 

Our first stint is Friday night against Western Michigan, under the lights at 7 pm.  The ES will have that game day preview on Friday.  Another notable game is the away game at UW Huskies.  The ES will be attending that game - his parents live in the Seattle area.  Not sure about a potential upset for 2022 - it could be at Maryland, or at Illinois.  The ES is picking 10 wins from the outset, but wouldn’t be surprised if there was another loss somewhere (home vs Wisky, away at scUM?)... the ES sees a minimum of 8-4 record and an upside of 10-2 regular season.  

ES Sez:  10-2 overall, 7-2 in the Big Ten

Date	Opponent	ES Predicts
Sep. 2	W. MICHIGAN	W, 32-21
Sep. 10	AKRON	W, 52-10
Sep. 17	at Washington	W, 27-21
Sep. 24	MINNESOTA	W, 24-14
Oct. 1	at Maryland	W, 38-30
Oct. 8	OHIO ST.	L, 21-40
Oct. 15	WISCONSIN	W, 32-30
Oct. 29	at Michigan	W, 28-27
Nov. 5	at Illinois	W, 35-21
Nov. 12	RUTGERS	W, 32-17
Nov. 19	INDIANA	W, 28-20
Nov. 26	at Penn St	L, 20-31

Other prognostications... Here are the questions:

1.  How many wins for MSU overall (of 12 games)?

2.  What will be the B1G standings for the Spartoonies at the end of the year?

3.  Can you project a bowl game (and opponent)?

4. What will be the biggest surprise for the Big Green TD Machine in 2022?

5.  Any other thoughts you'd like to add about Green and White in 2022?

• Australian Paul:  12-0
• RGM3: 1. Overall Record: 9-3 2. B1G Record: 6-3 (3rd) 3. Citrus Bowl v South Carolina 4. Breakout Star: Keon Coleman WR 5. Go Green!
• SF Carter: I see a very bright future for MSU football via the recruitment crystal ball. I believe Mel will have a very good season and finish 10-2, second in the East. Not sure about a Bowl Game, but hopefully it will be out west. The surprise: our running game will be better than we all imagined...but very difficult to imagine better than last year...if as good, we may even finish first in the East...but we have a very tough up-front schedule. Go Green! As well, they will win their bowl game and finish 11-2!
• SF Smig: Mediocrities Smignostications are below. 1. 9-3 2. Second in east. 3. We will play Auburn on New Year’s Eve. In the Midas muffler Bowl. 4. Biggest surprise is that our defense will actually improve on third and long.
• Pittsburgh Sloth: I only predict that, after this year, MSU is on a fast track to seriously contending for a Natty in the next 4-6 years, or else we find ourselves wondering where it all went wrong.
• Pontiac Keith: Wow...... just wow..... such unfounded optimism!!!! 'll say 8-4. Big ten is no pushover.....
• Detroit Kelly Mc: I’m thinking 9-3 and RB Collins will have a breakout year.

Enlightened Preview: Michigan State hosts Iowa

Michigan State (2-1, 0-0) vs. Ugly Chickens (3-1, 0-0)

Sagarin Ratings: MSU #37, Ugly Chickens #31

September 28, 2017.  4:00 ET

Spartan Stadium

East Lansing, MI

Weather:  61 and sunny

TV:  Fox

Line: MSU favored by 3

Yes, we are the whipping post for the nation.  Against the Irish, the ES wanted to projectile vomit after the first period.  There's nothing like laying an egg on national television.  That was wonderful. 

It was amusing seeing how Coach Dantonio took a page out of the ES’ playbook from TWO WEEKS AGO and finally encouraged LJ Scott to carry a football around campus all week.  It was, unfortunately, A WEEK LATE… Scott is so talented, he just can’t keep fumbling into the end zone.  

On the coaches show yesterday at Reno’s, with co-defensive coords Harlon Barnett and Mike Tressel, they were singing the praises of Dave Warner (what????) and that “we believe we could have beaten ND without all the mistakes.”  

The new helmet for the Spartans with the coaching staff in stained air

What were they smoking?  What was the final score????  38-18 Irish, right?  Was I in the same stadium?  And, the Spartans had two weeks to prepare for that drubbing?  

MSU O-Coordinator Dave Warner is a buffoon.  His quote after the game ““Change our approach? Maybe. Because what we are doing is not working… We are doing what we have been doing, for years and years around here. Protecting the football. It’s not taking place right now.”  Do something different?  DUH.  No shit, Sherlock. 

Hey, Dave: here’s another idea.  Practice and play the fundamentals instead of using all these reverse read-options.  It looks stupid, and it ain’t working.  If it didn’t work against the Friggin’ Irish, it sure won’t work against Iowa.   Warner has GOT TO BE FIRED.  

Interestingly, the bookies in Vegas are smoking the same thing as Barnett and Tressel - they have made the Big Green three point faves.  Excuse me while I put my mortgage, my car, and my kids college funds on an Iowa team that lost to Penn State on the last play of the game -- although statistically, the Ugly Chickens were thoroughly dominated, doubled up in total yards (579-273 PSU), possession (39:39 - 20:21 PSU), and tripled up in first downs (29-11 PSU).  

Still, that’s the easiest bet the ES has ever made.  

Predictions:

Sloth: 24-7, Chickenhawks.

Ham: Warner has to go. Michigan state won't be able to beat any proper competition with him running the offense. State will continue to be bad until he's gone.

Australian Paul: MSU 41- IOWA 0

Not-even-21-yet Greg: 31-24 Iowa

RGM3: We will NOT have a repeat of last year. MSU will come back with a performance Msu fans need to see. With that I have MSU 31 Iowa 17

Big Joe & Phantom 309: MSU 17- Iowa 14, it'll be a tough slog of a game and I don't anticipate any scoring until the second half
Everything's Big in Texas Deb:  MSU 28-24
G:  Sparty rights the ship, 24-17 MSU
Sluggo: Another shitty year for MSU. Head coach on the chopping block. Pun in there somewhere
Zzzzz-ech:  Iowa 37-20

ES sez:  Sorry, Spartan fans.  After witnessing the debacle against ND, this Spartan team just is not talented enough and is NOT getting any better.  Don’t see how the Big Green TD Machine can pull this one off.  Ugly Chickens 31, Dave Warner 17.

Enlightened Spartan Preview: #12 Michigan State vs #18 Notre Dame Farging Bastages

A thing of beauty in 2008

Sagarin Ratings: MSU #35, ND #15

MSU 1-0/0-0. ND: 1-1
Saturday, September 17, 2016.
7:30 pm ET.
Touchdown Jesus. South Bend, IN. 

Line: ND by 7-1/2 (vegasinsider.com)
TV: NBC
Weather: 74 degrees, showers/partly cloudy.

Depth Chart - MSU - Friggin Irish

I hate Notre Dame.  Just can't stand the arrogance of the program.  Brian Kelly smells like rotten fish, no matter how Irish he is you can't pour enough malt vinegar on him to smell better.  And, it's the 50th anniversary of the 10-10 tie of MSU vs ND in 1966, at the time, the first ever regular season matchup of #1 vs #2 in college football history.  This time, no ties, and we're under the lights.

The Irish were outplayed by Texas and showed their vulnerabilities in the defensive backfield giving up 50 points to a frosh QB.  However, TD Jesus also was able to score 47 at Texas, with 444 total yards - and over 200 on the ground. Their QB, DeShone Kizer, accounted for 292 of those yards, with 5 passing TDs and 1 on the ground (85 total rushing yards on 13 carries).  So, you can expect to see lots of Kizer tonight.

But, has the ND front line improved since week 1?  Likely.  Tyler O'Connor will get a great test today, as he has some years but not much experience.  Will the Spartan defensive line prove itself today and contain Kizer and the Irish?  The addition of Ed Davis and his pass rush skills should help.   Expect far fewer penalties out of the Spartans, who committed 10 (most of them stupid) against Furman.

As Don (from PB) noted - and the ES concurs - a good healthy does of LJ Scott will tame the ND defense: 25 carries should do it.

Enough with the write up - it doesn't matter anyway, because I just CAN'T STAND THE IRISH.  Another victory will never ever get old.

PREDICTION? ES sez... MSU 27, Drunk Leprechaun 24

Rick: MSU 21-17, Joe: MSU 35-31, Carly: MSU 24-21, Shea: MSU 32-18, Brock: MSU 30-19, Don: MSU 24-21, Brad (I met on the street walking to HopCat): MSU 21-14.

Ronnie sez "ND will not score in the second half.  MSU wins 35-17."

LSJ:  Couch (whom the ES met last night at Reno's) ND 30-20; Solari, ND 31-28
Chicago Tribune:  MSU 27-24
Mlive.com: ND, 21-17
Freep:ND, 31-28
Frankie V:ND, 31-21
Athlon:  ND, 27-21
ND Rivals:Somogyi, ND 27-23; Driskell, ND 33-20; Jones, ND 30-24; Boden, ND 34-23; McKinney, ND 27-20
Heavy.com:  ND 23-20

Today's Menu: Maryland Turtle Soup

#12 Michigan State Spartans (7-2, 4-1) at Maryland Terrapins (6-3, 3-2)

November 15, 2014.  8 pm ET.
Byrd Stadium, College Park, MD

Capacity: 51,802
ABC-TV

Line:  Spartans by 12

Weather:  35, no wind.

Sagarin Ratings: MSU #12, Maryland #40

Predictions & Previews: 

Baltimore Sun: Zenitz, MSU 40-20; Stubs, MSU 35-24; Cavanagh, MSU 49-20

Det News: Charboneau, MSU 44-24, Changelis, MSU 31-10; Wojo, MSU 37-20; Niyo, MSU 31-21

LSJ:  Couch, MSU 38-20; Rexrode, MSU 38-20; Solari, MSU 41-10; Calloway, MSU 42-24

CFN/Scout: MSU, 37-17

Odd Shark:  MSU 38.9-26.1

ES sez:

This is kinda a yawner; mind you, Maryland will be fired up for this game, even though its best offensive threat is out for the season.  Ouch if you are a Terp.  The Big Green is coming to DC, and should put a pretty good pounding to the newbies on the block.  Watch for a few fake plays out of the Big Green - we're due for a fake kick... and plenty of reverses.  Statistically, this is a bad matchup:

Maryland Offense vs MSU Defense: Advantage MSU. 

Maryland Pass Offense 228.6 ypg (#69) vs MSU Pass Defense 196.9 ypg (#23) 

Maryland Rush Offense 125.9 ypg (#103) vs MSU Rush Defense 114.6 ypg (#13)  

MSU Offense vs Maryland Defense:  Advantage MSU.

MSU Rush Offense 246.3 ypg (#91) vs Maryland Rush Defense 193.4 ypg (#96)

MSU Pass Offense 271.2 ypg (#34) vs Maryland Pass Defense 238.3 ypg (#81)

Not much more to see or to say on this one.  Michigan State 42, Maryland 17.

ES Game Day: Lightning or Go Home

#11 MSU Spartans (1-1) vs EMU Eagles (1-1)

Sagarin ratings: MSU #8, Eastern #197
September 20.  Noon.  BTN.
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Capacity:  76,500
Latest Line:  Big Green by 45.

Weather:  70 and cloudy at kickoff; 40% chance of rain

Best chance for Eastern to stay in the game:  LIGHTNING.  It won't happen.  Yee haw - Bring on the Cowboys from Wyoming.

ES sez: MSU 62, Eastern 14.  And both the Roadkill and Ugly Chickens will lose.

ES Game Day: Michigan State to Shalique past Oregon

GO YOU GREEN MOTHERS!!!

The Game:
#7 MSU Spartans (1-0) vs
#3 Oregon Ducks (1-0)

Sagarin ratings: Oregon #1, MSU #10
September 6.  6:30 ET.  FOX.
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Capacity:  54,000
Latest Line:  Phil Knight by 12.

UO Claim to fame:  "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

ES history in Eugene: This year, I ain't going to Oregon, so we have a chance.  God, my game memories there are bad, although my other memories are pretty good...

• 1980:  Just a pup, with the parents... Wuz there when MSU was drowning in Muddy Waters, losing to the hapless post-Dan Fouts Ducks, 7-35.  I was young and impressionable, and not impressed.
• 1998:  Took the Amtrak to Eugene from San Francisco, amazed at the new UO practice facility sporting a huge brewpub keg to celebrate its opening.  After cursing out the ill-prepared Nick Saban for being down 45-0 at half, I tore my shirt off and headed into the practice facility to anonymously pour my sorrows away.  Loss: 48-14. 

Reality for today:  DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.  It is the loudest stadium, arena, I have ever been in. I've seen the Rose Bowl, the Final Four in Ford Field, Tears for Fears in Aachen, Jerry Reed in Fremont (MI), and The Who in Detroit... and, I heard the Sonic Boom after officials overturned the play to award our victory by Kirk Cousins' Hail Mary to Keith Nichol over Wisconsin.

But nothing is even close to as loud as Autzen.  Bring yer ear plugs.

Still, DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.   Calhoun and the Spartan No Fly Zone will shock the Oregon coast into submission.   But, the real key to victory?  Don't be shocked when you watch the  vastly improved, efficient, and diverse Spartan offense led by Connor Cook move up and down the field against an average Oregon defense.

ES sez:  Shalique Calhoun 29, Marcus Mariota 28.

Enlightened Spartan Preview with friends: consensus is a VERY GOOD YEAR

The ES presents his 14th annual championship season preview of your 2014 Michigan State Spartans. May the preview begin!  Please find the ES commentary... followed by 6 other predictions of Spartan faithful across the globe!  Read between the lines... WE ARE HEADED FOR THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF.

note: SR is the Sagarin Rating of each team, preseason, for the 2014 schedule.  Notably, Michigan State has a SR of #20.  

Enlightened Spartan preview

8/29. Jacksonville State. 

SR # 96

Win, 52-0.

Spartans should be embarrassed for scheduling such trivial garbage.

9/6.  at Oregon.

SR# 1

Loss, 24–28.

Autzen Stadium is the loudest in North America.  But at least this time the Spartans will make it close.

9/20. Eastern Michigan.

SR# 178

Win, 42–7

The Charlie Batch years seem like a century ago for Eastern.

9/27. Wyoming.

SR# 102

Win, 35–10

Laramie Wyoming is a great town. State should schedule an away game there.

10/4. Nebraska.

SR# 36

Win, 23–18

A battle of great defenses but the home team airs it out in the fourth quarter

10/11. At Purdue

SR# 107

Win, 27–14

Poor Purdue, even Drew Brees is getting old at QB U.

10/18. At Indiana.

SR# 69

Win, 38–28

An Ariel circus with a little bit better defense from the Spartans.  Nice try, but no payback from the Hoosiers.  

10/25.  Michigan

SR# 31

Win, 27-20.

The Other Side feels good about making a score that seems reasonable to the voters, despite once again rushing for negative yardage. Shoelace was the "greatest ever".  Gardner was the "second coming." Whatever. It's the same story, Spartan domination.  

11/8. Ohio State

SR# 10

Win, 9-6.

The most difficult game of the year.  A defensive stalemate.  A FG in OT from Geiger is the difference.

11/15. at Maryland

SR# 59

Win, 28-0.

Welcome to the Big Ten.   The hype about the Terps competitiveness crashes to reality with a wakeup call against the nation's best defense. 

11/22. Rutgers

SR# 87

Win, 42-10.

Rutgers exemplifies 1869.  Their play shows it.  Rutgers is nothing more than a bump in the road, like Eastern Michigan.  Welcome to the B1G.

11/29.  at Penn State.

SR# 41

Win, 24-20.

The most difficult game to call on the schedule.  Penn State with a new coach, but the history of excellence and kicking our butt.  Still, the recovery effort dominates the landscape compared to the well-oiled machine aiming for a title run.  Cook pulls out a late TD to seal a victory.

12/6.  B1G Championship

MSU 31, Wisconsin 17.

Michigan State again matches up against the Wisconsin Badgers, but the juggernaut that is MSU overcomes the new estate in Madison.  Defense, which carries MSU much of the year, wins this championship again.

OTHER PREDICTIONS:  

 Swiss Spartan (Switzerland)

1.  What will be MSU's overall record (Wins-Losses)  13-2 (Losses to Oregon and in the National Championship Final)
2.  What will be MSU's Big Ten record (Wins-Losses) 8-0, 9-0 including the Championship game.
3.  What will MSU finish in the Big Ten East?  6-0
4.  Most disappointing loss or potential for a loss?   Oregon.
5.  Most satisfying victory? (and predict the score)   vs Iowa in the Big Ten Championship game, 35-21.
6.  Best player?  Shilique Calhoun and Mike Sadler.  Shilique will deliver as expected while Mike's 46.5 yard-a-punt average lands him yet another cover photo on Seventeen.
7.  If it were January 2015, what would you say about the performance of the Spartans in 2014?   I'll be sitting by the pool in Pasadena reflecting on another great year and our first back-to-back Rose Bowl visits in school history.

----------

Sloth (Luxemborg)
 
1. 12-2 (losses to Oregon and tOSU)
2. 8-1 (including loss to tOSU and win vs. Wisky in the Big 10 Championship Game)
3. First place in the East
4. Michigan is always the biggest potential for a disappointing loss
5. Michigan is always the most satisfying victory - 37-9
6. Langford has the potential to have a Lo White season this year
7. I wish Notre Dame was on the schedule so we could beat the living shit out of them

----------

Chock (San Francisco)

1.  What will be MSU's overall record (Wins-Losses) 

[chock]:  10 – 4

MSU 31 – JS 17

UO 27 – MSU 24

MSU 38 – EMU 9

MSU 28 – WY 13

NEB 24 – MSU 21

MSU 21 – PUR 17

MSU 42 – IND 31

MSU 21 – scUM 17

MSU 24 – OSU 21

MSU 28 – Maryland 21

MSU 24 – Rutgers 13

PSU 24 – MSU 21

B10 Champ Bowl – MSU 31 vs. Wiscy 28

Bowl – LSU 28 v. MSU 27 at the Cotton Bowl, Jan 1

2.  What will be MSU's Big Ten record (Wins-Losses): 6-2  (7-2 counting the B10 championship game)

3.  What will MSU finish in the Big Ten East? Tied for first

4.  Most disappointing loss or potential for a loss? Maryland will be closer than it should be, we’ll lose in Happy Valley

5.  Most satisfying victory? (and predict the score): Beating UM again 21-17

6.  Best player?   Geiger and Sadler continue to make the best kicking tandum in all of college ball.  Other than that, Taiwan Jones makes a name for himself this year … or at least has to if my predictions will come true

7.  If it were January 2015, what would you say about the performance of the Spartans in 2014?  Pretty decent season and great to be playing on Jan 1 once again!

-------------

West Coast Smig (San Francisco)

Reporting my pigskin prognostications – We were who we thought they were!!

1.  What will be MSU's overall record?   13-1

2.  What will be MSU's Big Ten record?  9-0
3.  What will MSU finish in the Big Ten East?  Champions!

4.  Most disappointing loss or potential for a loss?   MSU will lose to Oregon.    We could also win this game and run the table.  I flipped a coin!
5.  Most satisfying victory?  2 straight wins  vs scUM and OSU

6.  Best player  Darian Hicks   Narduzzi is going to make this guy a star in his defensive backfield  

7.  If it were January 2015, what would you say about the performance of the Spartans in 2014?   I plan to be enjoying this conversation in warm weather looking at a national champiionship game in our future and I will say “They were who we thought they were”

-----------------

Big Bob (East Lansing)

Here are my picks:

1.  What will be MSU's overall record (Wins-Losses) 11-3

2.  What will be MSU's Big Ten record (Wins-Losses) 7-2

3.  What will MSU finish in the Big Ten East? Tied for first with Penn State.

4.  Most disappointing loss or potential for a loss? Losses to L'il Bo Pelini and the JoePa's.

5.  Most satisfying victory? (and predict the score) Ohio State 31-28.  Urban Meyer has another fake heart attack after MSU's OT victory.

6.  Best player?  Shilique Calhoun

7.  If it were January 2015, what would you say about the performance of the Spartans in 2014?  Very impressive.  Next year:  national championship game.

Big Bob

ES Game Day: Spartans will pound Michigan into submission; National consensus picks MSU over Michigan

#24 Michigan State Spartans (7-1, 4-0) host #23 Michigan Wolverines (6-1, 2-1)

Time:  3:30 pm ET
Location:  Spartan Stadium, E.L.
Weather:  47 and sunny with a chance of light showers.
TV: ABC
Line: MSU by 6

Predictions - even though a tight game, all favor Michigan State. Amazing:

• Rod @ PeanutBarrel, MSU 35-30
• Freep.com: Rexrode, MSU 24-16; Snyder, MSU 21-17; Sharp,  MSU 15-9; Seidel, MSU 17-14
• ESPN.com: Bennett, MSU 17-14; Rittenberg, MSU 21-17
• CBSSports.com:  Against the spread, all six pick MSU -4.5
• CBSSports.com: Feldman, MSU 17-10
• CFN/Scout:  MSU, 24-17
• International Business Times (?): MSU 35-30
• BTN Twitter Poll: 73-27% MSU (as of 10/31, 11 pm)
• BTN.com:  Bardo, MSU 24-21; Merriman, MSU 24-17; Yarina, MSU 24-17; Dienhart, MSU 21-13
• Mlive.com: MSU 23-17.  Mlive.com bloggers:  Nick, MSU 16-13; Mike, MSU 27-20
• Rantsports.com: MSU
• Fox Sports CFB via WhatIfSports:  MSU 22-21
• Prediction Tracker:  MSU +4.52
• Athlon:  Gall, MSU 24-21; Light, MSU 24-14; Lassan, MSU 27-24; Fox, MSU 24-17
• NewsOK (Oklahoma): MSU 21-20

ES sez:  The Michigan State Spartans are going to pound the Wolverines into the ground.  The Big Green will plant Wolverine QB Devin Gardner like a potato - shove him into the ground, scrape dirt over him, and stomp on him.  It will be a thing of beauty to watch him run for his life all game long, as that relentless Spartan defensive press from Denicos Allen, Shalique Calhoun, and Marcus Rush breaks him in two like it would a toothpick.  Gardner will be pressed to throw the ball often, and Spartan DBs Isiah Lewis and Trae Waynes will be forced to make plays and solid tackles.  Expect it to happen, as it has all year long.  The Michigan Wolverines will be running right into a brick wall playing against the best Spartan defense in my 45 years of life.

Two defensive concerns for the Spartans:  (1) MSU has started slowly recently, giving up big plays to both Illinois and Purdue, early.  But, the Spartans rebounded in the same drive to minimize the damage; such play would prove costly vs Michigan.  (2) Historically, Michigan vs MSU has been all about UM making (or failing to make) the big play.  This will be significant again if Gardner is given time; the ES doubts Gardner will find much time, but funnier things have happened.   Note: Michigan RB Touissant will be a non-factor for Michigan.  He's just not good enough. 

The only offensive concern:  Connor Cook.  Is he the stellar 15-16 QB vs Illinois, or the mediocre 13-25 QB vs Purdue?   The ES expects him to be somewhere in the middle... which should be enough.  Michigan's defense will bottle up the run early in the game and force Cook to make throws, and for the Spartan wideouts to catch those passes to extend drives.  If MSU can hit a few big passes early, the offensive line should be able to use its running game to handle Michigan similar to what Indiana did to Michigan in piling up 162 rushing yards on the ground.

On special teams, the Spartans are on the verge of a breakout:  not from punter Mike Sadler, who is brilliant in booting 50+ yard punts when necessary (69 long this year), or dropping punts inside the 20 (he has 19 of 42 punts, or 45% downed inside the 20!!!!).   And, the breakout won't be from the kicker we've already found, Michael Geiger, who has hit on 6-of-7, including 3-of-3 outside of 40 yards. Rather, there will be a breakout from Andre Sims (long 33) or Macgarret Kings (long 30), either are due to bust out a punt return for a score. 

Bottom line: Connor Cook is improving; so is Gardner... but Cook merely needs to be serviceable and to minimize his mistakes. Gardner needs to be all-world to give Michigan a chance.  The Spartan offensive line is playing very well, and opening up holes for both Langford and Williams to exploit with a good running game.  MSU coaches need to give Cook the chance to use play action, not mess up good, sustaining drives with "outsmarting-ourselves"-John-L-Smith-like-playcalling, and to mix things up equitably.  Michigan State's defense is the most consistent group outside of the Baylor offense - playing at a near-perfect, high level in every game this season.  This MSU defense has a consistently high caliber of play from the trenches, to the backers, to the backfield.  Brings a tear to mine eye just to watch that gorgeous straitjacket of a defense play every week.

The winner of this game has the most rushing yards for something like 27 of the last 30 games.  If Michigan gets more than 100 yards rushing, shoot me.  But, the Spartans should rush for at least 125 yards. POUND GREEN POUND.  Expect this trend to continue with a significant advantage to Michigan State.  Watch the Spartans score on defense again as well.. why?  Well, why not.  

FYI - Love this article on the history of the life and defensive brilliance of Pat Narduzzi.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GO TO THIS GAME!!!!  THE ES IS ALL JACKED UP!!!!   Doug Toma - I'm thinking of you!

ES sez:  MSU 27, Michigan 17.

ES Game Day: Spartans will derail the Boilers

Michigan State Spartans (5-1, 2-0) host Purdue Boilermakers (1-5, 0-2)

Time:  12 pm ET
Location:  Spartan Stadium, E.L.
Weather:  48 and light rain.
TV: BTN
Line: MSU by 24

Predictions:

• ESPN:  Rittenberg, MSU 31-7;  Bennett, MSU 34-6
• BTN: Bardo, MSU 31-10; Merriman, MSU 31-0; Yarina, MSU 41-3; Dienhart, MSU 45-0
• CFN/Scout: MSU 45-10
• Freep:   Rexrode, MSU 34-3; Sharp, MSU 38-13; Seidel, MSU 38-10
• Hammer and Rails: Crespo, MSU 30-3; Van Gessel, MSU 38-6; T-Mill, MSU 45-0

ES sez:  Love this stat out of the ESPN boys: "Offenses don't stay on the field long when they're playing Michigan State. The Spartans boast the nation's top defense, statistically, when it comes to yards allowed -- but there's a much more interesting stat behind that one. Mark Dantonio's squad has forced opponents to three-and-outs on 40 of 82 possessions, which is also the nation's best. Teams are averaging 6.7 three-and-outs per game when they're forced to go up against Michigan State."

As bad as MSU's offense was earlier this season, Purdue has managed to provide arguably the worst offense in the country.  Going up against the best defense in the country in Michigan State is not a good sign.  Then, when you read Indiana news services pondering if this is "the worst Purdue team ever"... well, don't need to take much more time here. It's not the matter of a victory, but how bad will it be?

Not a shutout, because the Spartans will put in the scrubs late.  Nebraska won 44-7.  Sounds about right.

Make it: MSU 38, Purdue 7.

Official 2013 Enlightened Spartan Preview: 8-5/4-4

WELCOME! Since 2001 - the oldest college FB blog in the Big Ten and among the oldest in the nation - this is the 13th annual Enlightened Spartan Football Preview, featuring your favorite opines: Big Bob, ChiSpartan (now Swiss Spartan), Chock, SpartyMSU, and of course the ES.

To see what the pundits think about Michigan State University football across the nation (a consensus pick at #23 and #3 in the B1G Legends), link to Chris Stassen's website and his excellent history of pre-season magazines.

Below, the ES leads off with his own discussion and predictions before guest opinions. Each of the following questions were asked of guests, and their answers follow.

1.  How many wins by MSU overall, and in the Big Ten?
2.  How many games will State win by less than 5 points?
3.  Who is better at QB?  A. Andrew Maxwell; B. Connor Cook; C. Your Mom.
4.  Will we beat ND in that dump of a town in Indiana? Score?
5.  Will we beat Michigan here in EL? Score?
6.  Is the Spartan defense better this year than last?  Why or why
not?  Name names....
7.  Other than QB, which player is the key to MSU season?
8.  If we win more than lose, name our bowl and who we shall play... why?
9.  Your overall grade (A, B, C, D, F) of Dantonio as head coach since
he took over:  and why?
10. Best spot to tailgate in East Lansing????


ENLIGHTENED SPARTAN

Coach Mark Dantonio (the Doctor, Mr. MD) has a philosophy that is true to his "game of inches" speeches.  He isn't conservative, but is rather a minimalist who plays to the margins.  His emphasis on defense keeps his Spartans in close games. His pro style offense, with a power running game, is highly dependent on playmakers in skill positions for any success.
 
As we have found out, a Cousins-Cunningham-Bell trio put plenty of points on the board and outmaneuvered errors.  Quite simply, with so much talent, the offense could find and cross the margin even if they screwed up.

But, we have also witnessed what happens with a lack of talent.  Anointed starter Andrew Maxwell, an East-West quarterback, lacks confidence, leadership, and can't make the extra play needed to win close games provided by the defense.  It did not help last year that MSU wideouts couldn't separate from defenders, and when they could, they often dropped passes. But, let the ES rate the QBs from the official roster:

1.  Damion Terry
2.  Connor Cook
3.  Your Mom
4.  Andrew Maxwell
5. Tyler O'Connor

Even with wideout errors... we need more risk from Maxwell to make plays.  Our team, and the Dantonio philosophy, depends on it.  It is a game of inches, and Spartan QB's need to get us those inches.  That takes risk and play-making ability.  Unless MSU can find that play-making ability on offense, they will have an average season.  Or, as Swiss Sparty told the ES: "really, our punter can be the MVP like when Greg Montgomery was at State.  Punt that shit so far back that it gives our offense a chance by making their offense travel such a long field against our great defense."  WARNING:  IF YOU PLAY DEFENSE FOR MSU, you may have a lot of long games this fall.

Where Dantonio has played to the margins is where he uses his bag of tricks on offense - in the right situation, at the right time.  The tricks did not work so well in 2012; a lack of confidence and talent put the opportunities to rest.  Will there be the talent in 2013?  God only knows, and hopes.

The ES #1 Prediction?  By the time the Spartans play at Notre Dame, MSU will be trailing by 20 points at halftime.  It will be then that the reality will hit the Doctor, Mr.. MD, straight in the face, and Connor Cook (or Damion Terry) will be named the starter from that point forward for the rest of the year. 

I'm with Sloth last year:  it is worth going to Spartan Stadium just to watch this great defense play.  But expect many games 17-16, 13-12, or lower in scoring.  It will be like watching the Germans and Russians fight in the trenches every single week:  hardnosed, bloody, and a shark-fight over a piece of meat.  In other words: FUN. 

1.  How many wins by MSU overall, and in the Big Ten?
ES: 8-5, 4-4.  (Wins: WMU, USF, YSU, @Iowa, Purdue, Michigan, Minny, Gator Bowl.   Losses: @ND, Indy, @Illinois, @Nebraska, @NW)

2.  How many games will State win by less than 5 points?
ES: Five.

3.  Who is better at QB?  A. Andrew Maxwell; B. Connor Cook; C. Your Mom.
ES: Your Mom.

4.  Will we beat ND in that dump of a town in Indiana? Score?
ES: No.  ND 27-13

5.  Will we beat Michigan here in EL? Score?
ES: Yes.  MSU 17-16.

6.  Is the Spartan defense better this year than last?  Why or why not?  Name names....
ES: Yes.  Because it has never been so deep and so well schooled at every position.  Can't we have them play offense, too?

7.  Other than QB, which player is the key to MSU season?
The receiving corps.  They just need to catch more balls.  Arnett,  Burbridge, and Mumprhey MUST find separation deep, and they are are key and need to hang onto the ball in tight quarters.  But, maybe the TE is just as key - we have no starters returning in this area, and as an outlet (or savior) for the QB when pressured, we need these folks to move the chains.  Look for either  #92 Andrew Gleichert (6-5, 256, Jr) or # 83 Paul Lang (6-5, 247, So) to make an impact here.

8.  If we win more than lose, name our bowl and who we shall play... why?
TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl:  MSU vs. South Carolina. 

9.  Your overall grade (A, B, C, D, F) of Dantonio as head coach since he took over:  and why?
B.  Dantonio needs to get over the hump. 

10. Best spot to tailgate in East Lansing????   Behind Morrill Hall. 

CHOCK

Another fine D will keep us in every game, but our O will be even worse than last year so I put us at a 7-5 overall record and 4-4 in the B1G.  Why will the O be worse?  No one to run the ball, the same receivers that dropped balls left and right last year and a starting QB who has already hit his ceiling (he’s a senior for crisssakes, it’s not like he’s going to take a magical Fr to So season leap).  Reports are our OL should be good.  But for us, that simply means we’ll be able to get 5 people on the field who don’t have cancer, a broken ankle, or some other injury that will force them to “retire” from football at the ripe age of 19.  But the real kicker for why our O will be worse? Absolutely no Tight-End.  When was the last time MSU did not have a decent TE?  Even in the crappiest of seasons for our O (see 2012) we could still count on a good chunk of our first downs coming from our TEs.  The only positive about the O from this year to last: at least our play calling can’t get worse.

Western_Mich, W for MSU by less than 5
So_Florida, W for MSU by less than 5
Youngstown_St, W for MSU by more than 5
at Notre_Dame, L
at Iowa, L
Indiana,  W for MSU by less than 5
Purdue, W for MSU by less than 5
at Illinois, W for MSU by less than 5
Michigan, L
at Nebraska, L
at Northwestern, L
Minnesota, W for MSU by less than 5

2.  How many games will State win by less than 5 points?

chock>>>  all of their wins, except Youngstown St., will be by less than 5 points.  When the offense can barely score more than 5 points in a game, you can’t have a lot of wins by more than 5.

3.  Who is better at QB?  A. Andrew Maxwell; B. Connor Cook; C. Your Mom.

chock>>>  chock nailed it last year when he said that we were going to miss Cousins a lot more than we realized.  We’ll still be missing a top notch QB this year and it will show in the W-L columns.  As the season goes on Connor Cook will earn the majority of reps.  In fact, the only reason Maxwell will see reps late in the year is because Cook will do some bonehead play like taking a sack for a 20 yard loss or fumbling the ball deep in our territory which will force coach to put Maxwell back in.  Our QB situation won’t improve until 2015 and Damion Terry coming off a redshirt Fresh year starts to get some serious reps.

4.  Will we beat ND in that dump of a town in Indiana? Score?

chock>>>  Unfortunately not.  We’ll lose 17-10, our offense will score no TDs (defense gets a pick 6) and we’ll long for the days of Bob Davies and Charlie Wiess.  Brian Kelly is the real deal.

5.  Will we beat Michigan here in EL? Score?

chock>>>  We lose another close one:  13-14.  UM’s D gets TD off a Conner Cook mistake and we can’t overcome that because it’s hard to win when you don’t have an offense.

6.  Is the Spartan defense better this year than last?  Why or why not?  Name names....

chock>>> About the same. Which is to say, they’ll be very good.  Want names as to why they’ll be good?  Here goes:  Jones, Gordon, Worthy, Robinson, Pickleman) … but you’re saying hey, these guys aren’t on the team any more.  They left already.  Right, that’s the beauty of it.  Nardog and Coach D are in the process of building a program based on D.  Athletes, depth, and attitude at each level.  You don’t even need to don’t need to name specific player’s names to prove why the D will be good.  They’re ALL good on D, even in the second and third strings.

7.  Other than QB, which player is the key to MSU season?

chock>>>  The as of yet unidentified starting running back and tight-end.

8.  If we win more than lose, name our bowl and who we shall play... why?

chock>>>  My pick last year (MSU vs. LS coached Arkansas in the Outback Bowl) was actually a fantastic selection.  Too bad our O wasn’t good enough to get us enough wins to make that bowl and I should have guessed a JLS coached team couldn’t get enough wins to get there … although, to my defense, they started the season ranked in the top 10.  Thankfully we don’t have JLS as HC any more.  That said, an interesting thought – how about bringing slappy back to run the offense?

This year’s pick will follow in the same vein:   MSU vs. Brett Bielema’s Arkansas Razorbacks in the Gator Bowl.

9.  Your overall grade (A, B, C, D, F) of Dantonio as head coach since he took over:  and why?

chock>>>  B+.  He gets his A when he wins the B1G Championship.

10. Best spot to tailgate in East Lansing????

chock>>>  Since I’m three time zones away from EL, I’ll be doing my tailgating and game watching at the Pittsburgh’s Pub a block and a half down the street here on the west side of SF.

SWISS SPARTAN (FORMERLY CHI SPARTAN):

1.  How many wins by MSU overall, and in the Big Ten?   7-5

2.  How many games will State win by less than 5 points?   5

3.  Who is better at QB?  A. Andrew Maxwell; B. Connor Cook; C. Your Mom.    Those are the only options?   Ugh.

4.  Will we beat ND in that dump of a town in Indiana? Score?      17-13 MSU

5.  Will we beat Michigan here in EL? Score?   13-10 MSU

6.  Is the Spartan defense better this year than last?  Why or why     

not?  Name names….   About the same, but it's not the names, it is longevity.   Lots of depth.

7.  Other than QB, which player is the key to MSU season?   Mike Sadler.   If he can kick the ball deep, allows our defense to keep them pinned back and have a lower score for our miserable QB.

8.  If we win more than lose, name our bowl and who we shall play... why?    Texas Bowl vs. Kansas State.     Who knows why!

9.  Your overall grade (A, B, C, D, F) of Dantonio as head coach since  

he took over:  and why?   B-.   Won the last two Bowl Games and took us to inaugural Big Ten Championship.    Knocks for no Rose Bowl and believing in Andrew Maxwell.

10. Best spot to tailgate in East Lansing????     Harrison Roadhouse.

BIG BOB:

1. How many wins by MSU overall, and in the Big Ten? 6, 3

2. How many games will State win by less than 5 points?  2

3. Who is better at QB? A. Andrew Maxwell; B. Connor Cook; C. Your Mom.  My mom’s mom; she got game my momma lacks.

4. Will we beat ND in that dump of a town in Indiana? Score?  No.  24-17.

5. Will we beat Michigan here in EL? Score?  No.  17-16

6. Is the Spartan defense better this year than last? Why or why not? Name names....  Yes, Pat Narduzzi, Max Bullough, Marcus Rush, Darqueze Dennard, Pat Narduzzi.  MSU can’t move the ball but it can stop you.  Unfortunately; however, the offense will be worse.

7. Other than QB, which player is the key to MSU season?  Mike Sadler, without question

8. If we win more than lose, name our bowl and who we shall play... why?  The Little Ceasars Pizza bowl in beautiful Deeetroooiiit, Michigan because we will have earned it.     

9. Your overall grade (A, B, C, D, F) of Dantonio as head coach since he took over: and why?  B-, While he embarrassed Brian Kelly badly with the fake field goal against ND he also kept an inept Offensive Coordinator around too long.  His loyalty to a QB that can’t move the team downfield is also disappointing.

10. Best spot to tailgate in East Lansing????  The Peanut Barrel

Thanks! Go BIG GREEN!

SPARTY MSU:

Happy Football Season from SpartyMSU.com…

ES sent over some questions to start us all thinking about the season. From our SpartyMSU fan opinion, from up in row 63, here you go…

The season summary is above.  We are projecting a 9 – 2 seasons, with a 6 and 2 B1G record. The closest game will be with the team from AnnArbor.  The Spartans should win, a close battle, as it always is.. I do think we will see 2 quarterbacks platooning in the game. This will be the 5th  win in the last 6 years for the Spartans, and how well be celebrating in East Lansing… Spade is a spade, we will rejoice, don’t kid yourselves… Some Spartans say, “Oh its just another win, don’t treat it any different”..  but for SpartyMSU, who grew up in AnnArbor.. it will be one more time to put a beat down on the ArrogAnt weenies from AA. Growing up as a Spartan fan in AA.. For all the crap I took for years..  I saw the faith, the truth and the light and went to MSU.. Oh yeah, I will rub it in. I can’t get enough victories over the Blue team.

Q: Who is better at QB?  A. Andrew Maxwell; B. Connor Cook; C. Your Mom

    Quarterback: My heart say Connor Cook or Tyler O'Connor, my wallet says Maxwell gets the     start. So, I will go with Maxwell. Simple, make quick reads, pitch and catch.

Q: Is the Spartan defense better this year than last?  Why or why not?  Name names....

    Spartan Defense: they are better than last year.. oh yeah baby.. They will rock. Max Bullough is a     stud. I would like to see Tyler Hoover make a big statement, been waiting since he was     recruited. Darqueze Dennard will make people think twice throwing his way. The entire unit is     solid. 

Q: Will we beat ND in that dump of a town in Indiana? Score?

    When we travel to South bend, I think we will come away with a win from under     Touchdown Jesus.. Score Prediction: 34 – 20.  The Spartan Defense will be a BEAST this game..      Spartans have an easier set up for the one.. Notre Dame will have already played at Michigan     and at Purdue, so this will be their first home game. Purdue is always an emotional game for     the Irish, and scUM will try to kick the crap out of them in AnnArbor.  2012, Spartans lost by     17  points. In 2013  the Green Machine will put pressure on the inexperience at Irish QB, and the     inept Domer running game. Spartans take the Victory Bus back to East Lansing.

Q: Other than QB, which player is the key to MSU season?

    This is an easy one.. RECIEVERS.. Catch the damn ball. For two years I have sat in the stands     slapping my head, time after time,  like John L. Smith.. I couldn’t believe the drops.. I saw so    many balls sail right threw the catchers hands.. Again, I’m a fan who sits in the stands drinking     my Coke, eating popcorn.. OMG.. Catch the damn ball this year.. PLEASE..


Q: If we win more than lose, name our bowl and who we shall play... why?

    We will probably head to the Capital One Bowl.. That’s right, another Sunny destination.. I realize     its been since 1988 since we went to Pasadena, just don’t see it in the cards this year. I have not     made hotel reservations yet, but will do so soon for Orlando.. I want to drink from the Big Green     fire hose, and say Rose Bowl or Bust.. but, that’s not reality this year..

Q: Who will we play –

beats me.. don’t care..  Some SEC puke.. Go Green !

Q: Your overall grade (A, B, C, D, F) of Dantonio as head coach since he took over:  and why?

    Easy question ES.. Dantonio gets an A+  !
    Why you ask: We were looking for a culture change, someone who was willing to recreate the     foundation of a program which could launch us back into prominence. He has done that. He has     developed a perceived culture that focuses on fundamentals, family, accountability and follow-    through. Again, this is looking at the program from row 63, but this is what I see. Also, the     recruitment is picking up, and I have learned not to rely on the “star” system you see published.     Dantonio has created and formed a solid foundation, its time in the next 3 years to take the next     step, I plan to see a Rose bowl at a minimum. Much in the mold of BBall God and Coach     Mr.     Tom Izzo, I think Dantonio is building long term structure. I’ve waited 40 some years, I can wait a     couple more.

    So to answer the question: Yes, he has exceed my expectations.. and delivered us from the     depths of 1994 through the John L. Smith era.

Q: Best spot to tailgate in East Lansing????

    Best place is with SpartyMSU and my Peeps at Guiltner Hall on Football Saturdays, the grills are     hot, MSU Alum having a great time,  the food menu is delicious, beer is cold, and this year the     MSU dance team will stop by. Harrison Roadhouse for BBall pregame festivities, and then     Dagwoods to power up for MSU Ice Hockey..     Go Green !

Hope to run in to you again this year ES !
Sparty On !