Spartans in danger of going 3-9

Michigan State is in deep trouble.

All three quarterbacks that played on Saturday sucked: Connor Cook, Andrew Maxwell, and Tyler O'Conner.  I mean, they really played awful (a combined 12 of 24 for 95 yards).  Once again, the defense outscored the offense, scoring 2 TDs to the one TD on an awful 33 yard drive that took 9 plays.  That's a little over 3 yards per play.

It is time to put in Damion Terry.  He had hit his thumb on a player's helmet in practice this week, and was unavailable.  But, they better tape that thing up, otherwise MSU's last victory of the season will be this week vs Youngstown State.

MSU is in danger of going 3-9 this year. The Spartan offense is the worst in college football (only 265 total yards against lowly South Florida).  Which is too bad, as the Spartan defense is the best in the country (holding USF to 155 total yards and 1-13 on third downs).

Shilique Calhoun is the Spartans leading scorer so far through two games, and he is a defensive end. 

That offense makes me want to throw up.  Read the box score and gag.

MSU needs to put in the damn flying wedge offense from 1903 or switch to the wishbone for any hope to win more games than we lose this year.  Why bother putting that thing in the air; it's useless.

Love today's article by Terry Foster: "The Spartans offense has been pathetic for more than a year now. They should erect a statue of Kirk Cousins outside Spartan Stadium."

ES Game Day: Spartans will roll a 3 TD win over USF

Time:  12 pm
Location:  Spartan Stadium, EL
Weather:  79 and partly cloudy. PERFECT.
TV:  ESPNU

Predictions:  Tampa Bay Times:  MSU 37-14.  ESPN: Bennett, MSU 30-10; Rittenberg, MSU 34-3.  Freep: Rexrode, MSU 30-9; Sharp, MSU 31-7; Seidel, MSU 28-3  CFN/Scout: MSU 29-9.

From the Opponent Blog: Read predictions from The Bulls Pen

Line: MSU by 23 1/2

ES sez: Looks like Tyler O'Connor may get some reps leading the Spartan offense.  Why not?  MSU will destroy USF even if my dead grandma was quarterbacking the Big Green.  We know the Spartans will score a few TDs on defense - especially against a team that dropped its opener by 30 points to FCS McNeese State... at home.

Don't know what to make of this contest other than to drown myself or bring a pillow.  This and next week vs Youngstown State are a pair of tune-ups for the ND game.  #1 concern:  Wideouts need to catch the ball.  Period.  If they can't get some confidence this week, we may want to install the wishbone. Seriously.  #2 concern: MSU quarterback.  Who the hell is going to lead this team.  Keyword: LEAD.  Which QB has some gnads, some moxie, some stuff? #3 concern: Will Langford break out for a few long runs?  Can the running game manage 200 yards on the ground - and average 5 yards per carry?

No concern?  The defense will eat USF alive.  And, when the Spartans can't move the ball, at least we have a GREAT punter in Sadler who can extend the field to make it difficult for the Bulls offense.

Prediction:  MSU 31, USF 10.  The MSU offense will score 2 TDs as will the defense.  Tack on a FG for MSU.  Give it at least another 7-8 punts for Sadler.

MSU favored by 23 (or 17 1/2, your choice) over woeful South Florida

After the Spartans woeful performance in its 26-13 victory over Western Michigan (see ES' post-game comments), the early line from Wynn Casino in Vegas has MSU as a 23-point favorite over South Florida. Another consensus from Vegas Insider has a more conservative 17 1/2 pt favorite for the Spartans. Notably, USF was hammered at home by FCS opponent McNeese State, 53-21, last weekend. After an 80 yard TD run early in the first quarter, USF managed only another 53 rushing yards the rest of the game on 20 carries; and McNeese scored the next 40 consecutive points.

Other early Big Ten lines:

• Cincinnati by 10 1/2 at Illinois
• Ohio State by 28 1/2 at home over San Diego State
• Northwestern by 10 1/2 at home over Syracuse
• Indiana by 12 at home over Navy
• Nebraska by 28 1/2 at home over Southern Miss
• Penn State by 25 at home over Eastern Michigan
• Michigan by 3 at home over Notre Dame
• Minnesota by 16 1/2 at New Mexico State
• Tennessee Tech at Wisconsin (no line)
• Missouri State at Iowa (no line)
• Indiana State at Purdue (no line)

Let's wake up. Start Damion Terry now or expect the Little Caesars Bowl. MSU needs risk.

ES is going to give the Doctor one more chance on offense.  We need a playmaker, especially without a dynamic running game. There really is only one option so far:  Damion Terry (see pic). It is time to start Terry for the present and the future. Considering the rather ho-hum performances of Andrew Maxwell and Connor Cook vs Western... well, let's throw this Terry punk into the fire.

As UM coach Brady Hoke said about sophomore Devin Gardner: "I'd rather have that quarterback with confidence to feed him all the time."

Gardner is good, not great; but he is far better than MSU QBs.  Dantonio needs to take the same philosophy and give that chance to Terry.  Screw the redshirt; we need action NOW.  Our defense is too good to let our offense piss away points.

Our defense ranks an A for its strength, our offense a D-minus for its weakness... now is the time to burn that redshirt and get some playmaking ability on offense BEFORE we hit the Big Ten season.

Play Terry. Now. Before it is too late.  THINK ABOUT IT.