MSU -17 fave at Rutgers

Michigan State is favored by 17 at Rutgers. This will be fun! Jeff Sagarin has moved Michigan State down to #34 in the country, while Rutgers is at #89.

Spartans favored by 2 1/2 over Louisville in Elite Eight

Odds for the Elite Eight via Vegas Insider:

Kentucky -11 over Notre Dame
Arizona -1 over Wisconsin
Duke - 2 1/2 over Gonzaga

and... Michigan State -2 1/2 over Louisville

MSU pounds Youngstown State; heads to Notre Dame a TD underdog

Wow, where did that offense come from?   Amazing performance by a dominant Spartan team the certainly outmanned, and pushed around a overwhelmed FCS team in Youngstown State, 55-17. 

Michigan State held the Penguins to 172 total yards... well under the 700-plus performance by YSU last week.  The Spartan defense gave up just 51 yards rushing.

But, more impressively, MSU put up 547 total yards in a very good performance. And, it was a balanced attack: 277 yards rushing, 270 through the air.  The Spartan offense answered the ES and other critics with 10-of-15 (67%) on third downs, and Connor Cook actually looked like a Big Ten quarterback with some well thrown passes, 15-of-22 for 202 yards and 4 TDs.   By day's end, 10 Spartans caught passes, including three to TE Josiah Price.   It looks like MSU found its #1 receiver in Macgarrett Kings, who was sporting the old BJ Cunningham #3 jersey.  Hell, even Bennie Fowler caught two passes.  It was all good for MSU at the right time.  That Spartan offense needed to wake up.

Over at VegasInsider, MSU is an early 6 point underdog to Notre Dame next week.  The Spartan offense needs to build on the confidence from the win yesterday as the squad head into its first rough test of the sason on the road.

With several losses in the top 25, expect the Spartans to inch in this week, probably at #24.  Will Michigan drop?  They should, and they should have lost to Akron.  

Stoners in Vegas make MSU a 27-pt fave over Youngstown State.

According to Vegas Insider, Michigan State is favored by 27 over Youngstown State.  Did I read that correctly?  That's crazy.

Michigan State's offense doesn't have 27 points through the first two games.   The Spartan offense can't put up more than 14 points in a game if they're lucky.  

Take the points and take Youngstown State.  Are they high in Vegas? Give YSU maybe 7 points.  ES is concerned this will be another "Appalachian State" FCS upset.  MSU's offense is in crisis.  The play calling is poor, the receivers can't catch if they could separate from defenders, and the running game is barely sustainable.  Oh yeah, the QBs are making poor decisions on top of an inability to hit the receivers that aren't open. Plenty of blame to go around, but Dantonio had the last nine months to make an improvement in what everyone knew was going to be a challenge.  Instead of  better or the same... this is an offense that looks far, far worse. 

Now to the stats.

How can we measure good?

MSU is ranked #3 in Third Down Conversion Defense. MSU is ranked #19 in Fourth Down Conversion Defense. MSU is ranked #30 in First Down Defense. MSU is ranked #22 in Fumbles Recovered. MSU is #4 in Team Sacks.  MSU is #2 in Pass Efficiency Defense.  MSU is #4 in Total Defense. MSU is #11 in Turnovers Gained.

How can we measure bad?

MSU is ranked #104th in Third Down Conversion.  MSU is ranked #80 in First Downs.  MSU is ranked #117 in Passing Offense. MSU is ranked #122 in Passing Yards per Completion.  MSU is ranked #79 in Red Zone Offense.  MSU is ranked #62 in Rushing Yards per Game. MSU is ranked #86 in Scoring Offense - which is an anomaly, because the NCAA counts defensive touchdowns as "Scoring Offense."  MSU is ranked #111 in Team Offense. 

Oh, and in case you didn't know it... Youngstown State had 718 yards and 67 points last week.

This is miserable. I have a simple request:  Either, 1) figure the offense out so State is at least miserable (and not pathetic) or, 2) somebody spin the cylinder and pass the gun across the table.

Spartans favored by 8 at Minny? Craziness

OK, so the ES has taken a bit of a respite.  It's tough to get fired up for a vastly underperforming football team on the road at Minnesota.  And, seeing as Michigan State is favored by 8 at Minnesota... well, the Spartans need to make a believer out of the ES this year.  Right now, I'd take Minny straight up.  The game kicks off at 3:30 pm ET on BTN this Saturday.

Michigan State favored by "about 40" over Youngstown State; B1G Ten odds

Michigan State vs Youngstown State? No Line of course, because the Big Green decided to schedule DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.   So, the ES asks YOU (guess at right) by how many points will Michigan State defeat the Penguins. Considering the lines below (Wisky -35, OSU -32) over D1A mid-majors, the ES figures it probably is about a 35 to 45 point spread with the Spartans as Favorite.

Other Big Ten Squads?

Wisky is favored by 35 at home over UNLV; Illinois by 20 at home over Arkansas State; Purdue favored by 18 at home over Middle Tennessee; Boston College favored by 3 home vs Northwestern; Southern Cal favored by 21 at home over Minny; Ohio State favored by 32 at home over Akron; Michigan favored by 14 at home over WMU; Indiana favored by 6 1/2 at Ball State;

Not listed?  Iowa home vs. Tennessee Tech; Penn State home vs Indiana State; Nebraska home vs Chattanooga; 

FYI - Notre Dame favored by 10 1/2 at home over South Florida

And, current odds to win the 2012 BCS Title Game?  Michigan State is only a 40-1 bet.  Bet it!  What is B.S. is the oddsmakers have Notre Dame 20-1... uheam!

What the hell is the most interesting thing about YSU, other than Pengiuns can't survive there?  Um, Major Healey (aka "I Dream of Jeanie") was the grandfather of former YSU baseball shortstop Jackie Healey...

#7 Michigan State vs Northwestern

BCS #7 Michigan State is a TD (7-point) favorite at #26 Northwestern this weekend. The ES' brother will be at the game, rooting on the Spartoonies. NW has had two weeks to prepare...

FYI - Fuck Evanston. We will kick their sorry purple ass by at least 20 points.

Odds to win NCAA Title: MSU at 17-to-5.

Current odds to win the NCAA Tournament:

1.4-1. Duke opened 8/1. Now 7/5.
2.0-1. West Virginia opened 10/1. Now 2/1/
2.5-1. Butler opened 50/1. Now 5/2.
3.4.-1. Michigan State opened 50/1. Now 17/5.

Penn State favored by 3.5 at Michigan State

The latest out of Las Vegas has the bookies placing Joe Pa as a 3.5 point favorite at Michigan State this Saturday. Ohio State is favored by 13 at scUM; Iowa by 13 at home over Minny; Purdue by 2.5 at Indiana...

Here is the most recent USA Today poll....

RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Florida (48)	10-0	1460
2	Texas (4)	10-0	1397
3	Alabama (7)	10-0	1388
4	TCU	10-0	1277
5	Cincinnati	10-0	1219
6	Boise State	10-0	1183
7	Georgia Tech	10-1	1127
8	Ohio State	9-2	1019
9	Pittsburgh	9-1	997
10	LSU	8-2	956
11	Oregon	8-2	875
12	Penn State	9-2	772
13	Oklahoma State	8-2	750
14	Wisconsin	8-2	630
15	Iowa	9-2	584
16	Virginia Tech	7-3	558
17	Stanford	7-3	516
18	Brigham Young	8-2	404
19	Clemson	7-3	274
20	Oregon State	7-3	256
21	USC	7-3	239
22	Houston	8-2	229
23	Utah	8-2	212
24	Miami (FL)	7-3	156
25	Nebraska	7-3	107
25	North Carolina	7-3	107

Dropped from rankings: Arizona 19, West Virginia 23, South Florida 24, Auburn 25
Others receiving votes: Arizona 87, Navy 76, Rutgers 74, California 55, Mississippi 46, West Virginia 46, CENTRL MICHIGAN 27, Temple 17, Oklahoma 15, Boston College 14, Auburn 8, Texas Tech 7, Nevada 6, Northwestern 3, Georgia 2,

Michigan State - Purdue EVEN; Bowl Projections

The early line from Las Vegas LVSC Open has Michigan State vs Purdue as an even spread; Illinois is favored by 5.5 over Northwestern; Ohio State is favored by 13 over Iowa; Wisky is favored by 8 over Michigan; Joe Pa is favored by 17.5 over Indiana.

Interesting bowl projections over at ESPN, with Mark Schlabach having MSU at the Insight Bowl vs Texas Tech and Bruce Feldman with the Big Green in the Alamo Bowl vs Kansas State; Adam Rittenberg also picks MSU in the Alamo Bowl vs the Big 12. This, of course, assumes a win over Purdue before our annual stint against Joe Pa.

USA Today's recent poll has Wisky up to #20, Iowa down to #15, Ohio State up to #8, and Joe Pa down to #17. Notre Dame got the axe, not even getting one vote after their loss to Navy. Can we say OVERRATED and the ES TOLD YOU SO.

RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Florida (48)	9-0	1460
2	Texas (4)	9-0	1399
3	Alabama (7)	9-0	1389
4	TCU	9-0	1262
5	Cincinnati	9-0	1224
6	Boise State	9-0	1200
7	Georgia Tech	9-1	1118
8	Ohio State	8-2	944
9	Pittsburgh	8-1	940
10	USC	7-2	847
11	LSU	7-2	838
12	Houston	8-1	766
13	Iowa	9-1	757
14	Utah	8-1	688
15	Miami (FL)	7-2	685
16	Oregon	7-2	665
17	Penn State	8-2	552
18	Oklahoma State	7-2	530
19	Arizona	6-2	472
20	Wisconsin	7-2	341
21	Virginia Tech	6-3	268
22	Brigham Young	7-2	216
23	West Virginia	7-2	121
24	South Florida	6-2	106
25	Auburn	7-3	80

Dropped from rankings: Oklahoma 20, Notre Dame 21, California 23
Others receiving votes: Clemson 71, Stanford 54, Oregon State 39, Texas Tech 36, Nebraska 31, Navy 28, Temple 8, CENTRL MICHIGAN 8, North Carolina 7, Boston College 7, Oklahoma 6, Rutgers 3, Tennessee 3, Mississippi 2, Fresno State 1, Kansas State 1

Michigan State favored by 17.5 over Western Michigan

Michigan State, fresh off its biggest disappointment this season in a loss at Minnesota, is an 17.5 point favorite over Western Michigan this weekend. Iowa is favored by 18 at home over Northwestern. Minnesota is favored by 4.5 at home over Illinois. Wisky is favored by 5 at Indy. Joe Pa is favored by 4 at home over Ohio State. And, scUM is favored by a TD at home over Purdue.

Here is the latest BCS and AP Poll rankings:

Bowl Championship Series

RK	TEAM	RECORD
1	Florida	8-0
2	Texas	8-0
3	Alabama	8-0
4	Iowa	9-0
5	Cincinnati	8-0
6	TCU	8-0
7	Boise State	8-0
8	Oregon	7-1
9	LSU	7-1
10	Georgia Tech	8-1
11	Penn State	8-1
12	USC	6-2
13	Pittsburgh	7-1
14	Utah	7-1
15	Houston	7-1
16	Ohio State	7-2
17	Miami (FL)	6-2
18	Arizona	5-2
19	Oklahoma State	6-2
20	California	6-2
21	Wisconsin	6-2
22	Notre Dame	6-2
23	Virginia Tech	5-3
24	Oklahoma	5-3
25	South Florida	6-2

Associated Press Poll:

RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Florida (38)	8-0	1448
2	Texas (13)	8-0	1408
3	Alabama (8)	8-0	1390
4	Cincinnati	8-0	1212
5	Boise State	8-0	1211
6	TCU	8-0	1147
7	Oregon	7-1	1130
8	Iowa	9-0	1127
9	LSU	7-1	1036
10	Georgia Tech	8-1	949
11	Penn State	8-1	886
12	USC	6-2	741
13	Houston	7-1	707
14	Pittsburgh	7-1	690
15	Ohio State	7-2	636
16	Miami (FL)	6-2	602
17	Utah	7-1	552
18	Oklahoma State	6-2	361
19	Notre Dame	6-2	352
20	Oklahoma	5-3	348
21	Arizona	5-2	322
22	Virginia Tech	5-3	185
23	California	6-2	181
24	Wisconsin	6-2	172
25	Brigham Young	6-2	130

Dropped from rankings: West Virginia 20, South Carolina 21, Mississippi 24
Others receiving votes: South Florida 115, Clemson 35, Auburn 30, Texas Tech 24, West Virginia 15, Rutgers 11, Boston College 6, CENTRL MICHIGAN 4, Oregon State 4, Tennessee 3, Idaho 2, Richmond 1, South Carolina 1, Temple 1,

Michigan State favored by 12 over Northwestern

Fresh off the Spartans' ruining the Illini homecoming, 24-14, the Big Green returns to East Lansing for its own homecoming this week as a 12-point favorite over Northwestern. Ohio State is favored by 14 at Purdue; Iowa favored by 2 at Wisky; Joe Pa by 15 at home over Minny; Illinois by 2.5 at Indiana. FYI, Southern Cal is favored by 8 at Notre Dame. And, Michigan faces 1-3 Delaware State, ranked #187 by Jeff Sagarin. Speaking of Sagarin, here is his rankings of the Big Ten, including schedule strength:

#8. Ohio State, SS = 37
#9. Iowa, SS = 30
#21. Wisconsin, SS = 31
#28. Joe Pa, SS = 113
#37. scUM, SS = 47
#44. Michigan State, SS = 26
#54. Minnesota, SS = 46
#86. Indiana, SS = 61
#91. Purdue, SS = 23
#95. Northwestern, SS = 139
#112. Illinois, SS = 25

Here is your latest AP Poll for week 7, through October 11, 2009

RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Florida (50)	5-0	1490
2	Alabama (10)	6-0	1430
3	Texas	5-0	1395
4	Virginia Tech	5-1	1283
5	Boise State	5-0	1199
6	USC	4-1	1161
7	Ohio State	5-1	1048
8	Cincinnati	5-0	1038
9	Miami (FL)	4-1	970
10	LSU	5-1	947
11	Iowa	6-0	919
12	TCU	5-0	917
13	Oregon	5-1	776
14	Penn State	5-1	597
15	Nebraska	4-1	576
16	Oklahoma State	4-1	559
17	Kansas	5-0	551
18	Brigham Young	5-1	490
19	Georgia Tech	5-1	453
20	Oklahoma	3-2	432
21	South Florida	5-0	330
22	South Carolina	5-1	319
23	Houston	4-1	192
24	Utah	4-1	76
25	Notre Dame	4-1	75

Dropped from rankings: Auburn 17, Mississippi 20, Missouri 24

Others receiving votes: Pittsburgh 58, Auburn 55, West Virginia 46, Mississippi 28, Wisconsin 27, Missouri 25, Arkansas 16, Central Michigan 6, Arizona 5, Michigan 5, Oregon State 2, Navy 1, Idaho 1, Stanford 1, Texas Tech 1

INJURY UPDATE: It's a bummer, but Glenn Winston is done for the year with a torn knee ligament (ACL). That's a big blow to MSU's kick return game; Winston was also the most physical of the MSU running backs this year.

Reversal: MSU now favored by 1 over scUM

Funny what a day might do... the betting lines out of Las Vegas have shifted to Michigan State's favor over the Michigan Yellow Bellies this week - Caesars/Harrah's has MSU favored by 1; the Las Vegas Hilton has the Big Green favored by 1.5; all the rest have it an even/pick 'em spread.

When were the Spartans last favored in the series while scUM was the only ranked team of the two? Has it EVER happened? Obviously, the bookies are giving the Spartans the nod via their home field as an advantage, scUM with the weaker schedule, and the "sore shoulder" status of scUM QB Tate Forcier....

scUM favored by 1 over Michigan State

Early movements out of Leroy's Casino in Las Vegas point to scUM as a slim, 1-point favorite over your Same Old Spartans. Purdue is favored by 8 at home over Northwestern; Minnesota is favored by 3 at home over Wisconsin; JoePa is favored by 4 at Illinois: Ohio State is favored by 17.5 at Indiana; Iowa by 21.5 at home over Arkansas State.... and, Notre Dame is favored by 13.5 at home over Washington.

Your national AP poll this week:

RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Florida (55)	4-0	1490
2	Texas (1)	4-0	1420
3	Alabama (4)	4-0	1400
4	LSU	4-0	1225
5	Boise State	4-0	1203
6	Virginia Tech	3-1	1190
7	USC	3-1	998
8	Oklahoma	2-1	979
9	Ohio State	3-1	957
10	Cincinnati	4-0	946
11	TCU	3-0	896
12	Houston	3-0	844
13	Iowa	4-0	788
14	Oklahoma State	3-1	591
15	Penn State	3-1	470
16	Oregon	3-1	462
17	Miami (FL)	2-1	452
18	Kansas	4-0	418
18	Georgia	3-1	418
20	Brigham Young	3-1	349
21	Mississippi	2-1	340
22	Michigan	4-0	271
23	Nebraska	3-1	256
24	California	3-1	206
25	Georgia Tech	3-1	185

Dropped from rankings: Florida State 18, North Carolina 22

Others receiving votes: Missouri 175, Auburn 171, South Carolina 154, South Florida 145, UCLA 41, Utah 25, Wisconsin 20, Notre Dame 7, Arizona State 4, Stanford 2, North Carolina 2,