Michigan State Spartans hosts Indiana's Little Pink Hoosiers

Michigan State Spartans (5-5/3-4) vs Indiana Hoosiers (3-7/1-6)
November 20, 2022, 12 noon

TV: BTN

Weather:  Cloudy, 27, windy = 17 mph

Sagarin Ratings: MSU #46, UI #93

Line outta Vegas:  MSU by 10

Land of the free... Little Pink Hoosiers for you and me, babe

Methinks with the cold windy weather, this game is going to be a challenge for both teams, and that means defense will steal the show.  While Sparty is having a sub-par year, there is a bowl bid on the line... and Indiana, well nothing's changed, they still have Little Pink Houses for you and me.  

 

This year, Sparty and Indy are once again dancing in the doldrums of mediocrity.

 

The way both teams are playing, it reminds me of how both teams fared in similar sitnts from average George Perlees-esque years, or par Bobby Williams 2002, or underperforming John L Smith (pick the year), or boring Mark Dantonio 2019.  Not really glory years, very ho-hum AVERAGE football.  

Today will be a ho-hum game between an average team and a perpetual wanna be "runt of the litter".  Harumph.  I'm a bit scared on Thorne throwing it through the air lately, some of his mid-range and short passes are just flat and off.  But, he does throw a damn fine long ball.  A few of those will make the difference in the game.  The defense has got to tighten up on the defensive line. This game will be closer than the 10-pt spread...

The ES is in Las Vegas and will tune in on the boob-tube. 

ES sez?:  Bobby Williams 21, Gerry Dinardo 17.

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.  

Enlightened Spartan Preview 2016

The ES has been outta commission for much of the year... but we're back!  Here is the season preview by our master prognosticators, dating back to 2001...

MSU is listed in Stassen's Top 25 of all the preview magazines, at #12 - anywhere from at #4 (College FB Poll) to #24 (Sports Cruncher).  The ES is looking for a great year out of the Big Green... let's see what the prognosticators chime:

ES

• What will MSU's overall record be for 2016: 10-2
• Playoffs or bowl game (which one) for the Spartans?  Rose Bowl
• How far will MSU advance in the Big Ten?  10-2, tied with scUM for 2nd in East
• Will MSU beat sUM, OSU, and Wisky at home? Yes, No, and Yes - 2-1 out of the three
• MVP for the Big Green this year?  Riley Bullough

Furman, W; @ ND, W; Wisconsin, W; @ Indy, W; BYU, W; NW, L; @ MD, W; scUM, W; @ Illinois, W; Rutgers, W; OSU, L; Penn St, W.

GO GREEN! A step down these years is a step up in our history!  Let's see what Coach D can pull off!

CHock

• What will MSU's overall record be for 2016: 9-4
• Playoffs or bowl game (which one) for the Spartans?  Citrus Bowl, lose to Ole Miss 31-28
• How far will MSU advance in the Big Ten?  9-3, tied for 2nd with UM in B1G East
• Will MSU beat sUM, OSU, and Wisky at home?  No, No, Yes
• MVP for the Big Green this year?  Riley Bullough

My take: we dominated the last couple of years because we had absolutely ROCK STAR lines. We basically lost 5 guys off the line (3 on O, 2 on D) to the NFL and while the O line does have some depth, the D line has been completely wiped out. Aside from McDowell, the last time most of the rest of our D line will have been on the field was when they were playing High School ball. Great LBs and an improved secondary will insure we’re not dropping to MAC level, but those very close ones where we need to win in the trenches won’t go our way like they have in the last couple of years.

Furman, W, 38-6; @ ND, 17-24; Wisconsin, W 24-23; @ Indy, W 38-31; BYU, W 28-24; NW, W 28-26; @ MD, W 24-13; scUM, L, 20-24; @ Illinois, W 28-21; Rutgers, W 27-23; OSU, L 28-35; Penn St, W 27-21.

BigBob

• What will MSU's overall record be for 2016? 10-3
• Playoffs or bowl game (which one) for the Spartans? MSU will win its bowl game against some SEC chump 
• How far will MSU advance in the Big Ten (record/final standing/B1G Title)? 7-2, second place in division, no title this year 
• Will MSU beat Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin at home? MSU will lose to Ohio State but beat both Wisconsin and UM at home. Jim Harbaugh will suffer a stroke and die in Spartan Stadium after shitting himself when his team is once again defeated by the Spartans on the last play of the game. Who will be the MVP for the Big Green this year? Malik McDowell

Sloth

• What will MSU's overall record be for 2016: 8-4 
• Playoffs or bowl game (which one) for the Spartans? Who cares, the Big Ten Champeenship is what matters 
• How far will MSU advance in the Big Ten? 2nd in conference 
• Will MSU beat sUM, OSU, and Wisky at home? Yes, No and No 
• MVP for the Big Green this year? My liver 

SpartyMSU

• What will MSU's overall record be for 2016: 12-1. I know originally.. I predicted 2 losses.. but the Green cool-aid is flowing..
• Playoffs or bowl game (which one) for the Spartans? Rematch against Stanford.. it’s the 2014 Rose Bowl all over again., and just like 2 years ago – The Spartans beat Stanford. I am making my plans now… Last trip to Pasadena was awesome
• How far will MSU advance in the Big Ten? Win the East and beat to Iowa OSU stumbles.. 1 more loss than the Spartans. scUM proves they are over rated, get beat early (Shades of App State)..
• Will MSU beat sUM, OSU, and Wisky at home? MSU 27 – scUM 21 (scUM loses early, prove they were over rated – but still advance to Outback Bowl); MSU 23 – TOSU 21 (Buckeyes advance to Cotton Bowl); MSU 31 – Badgers 27 (Badgers head to TaxSlayer Bowl)
• MVP for the Big Green this year? O - Tyler O’Connor; D- Malik McDowell, Riley Bulgur

The cupboard is not bare on the D-Line. True many are young, but, Demetrius Cooper and Malik are forces andill provide leadership. Grad transfer Kevin Williams will be stout, so will Bowers. Spartans will be using RS-Freshman, although they have been around a stellar program and have learned. In order for the MSU Defensive line to remain one of the best in the nation, they must step up and preform. I believe they will. Offensive will be fine.. No concerns. Bottom line, this is a very good team, underrated, and will hit the “Back2Back” goal for 2016. Sparty On !!

Furman, W; @ ND, L; Wisconsin, W; @ Indy, W; BYU, W; NW, W; @ MD, W; scUM, W; @ Illinois, W; Rutgers, W; OSU, L; Penn St, W

ChiSpartan:

• What will MSU's overall record be for 2016? 11-2 
• Playoffs or bowl game (which one) for the Spartans? Rose Bowl 
• How far will MSU advance in the Big Ten (record/final standing/B1G Title)? 8-1 
• Will MSU beat Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin at home? Lose to OSU 
• Who will be the MVP for the Big Green this year? Riley Bullough 

 9/2 FURMAN W; 9/17 at ND L; 9/24 WISKY W; 10/1 at Indy W; 10/8 BYU W; 10/15 NW W; 10/22 at Maryland W; 10/29 scUM W; 11/5 at Illini W; 11/12 RUTGERS W; 11/19 OHIO ST L; 11/26 at Penn St W

Smigdiggler:

The WestCoast Spartan Reporter is the pigskin prognosticating expert who is here to tell you how the season is going to unfold for Big Green.

• What will MSU's overall record be for 2016? 12-1 
•  Playoffs or bowl game (which one) for the Spartans? Playoffs - That is what they play for now! anything else is what Harbaugh would wish for!! 
• How far will MSU advance in the Big Ten (record/final standing/B1G Title)? 9-0 Big Ten Title is only a pitstop on the Green Kool-Aid train ride. 
•  Will MSU beat Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin at home? That shit Cra! I bet you a harbaugh titty twister that they sweep at home this year. 
•  Who will be the MVP for the Big Green this year? LJ Scott Loc of the century!

Cotton Bowl Preview: Michigan State vs Alabama

Here it is! Cotton Bowl Preview! The ES is at the Peanut Barrel and then heads to Dallas to  banter with an Alabama rooter.   Video footage from East Lansing and Dallas as well as guest predictions! Enjoy...   Predictions:

ES:  MSU 20-18.   Joe: MSU 21-10  Shea:  MSU 26-23  Tim:  MSU 27-24.  Howard:  Bama 42-10.

Enlightened Spartan Preview: Mich State vs the Turtles of Maryland

Sagarin Ratings:  MSU #22, Turtles #79

MSU: 8-1/4-1. Maryland:  2-7/0-5
Saturday, November 14, 2015. 12 pm ET.

Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI.

Weather: 51 degrees, clear skies.  C-c-c-cold.  

Line:  MSU favored by 16, wind 9 mph West

TV:  ESPN2

The ES is with April Jones at the Peanut Barrel, still hungover from the bullshit screwjob loss to Nebraska. We preview the Maryland game and have some picks from the locals... including a walkup to the bar with Joe!

RELIVE THE GLORY! ES Review of MSU UM from the Peanut Barrel: Michigan State vs Indiana

RELIVE THE GLORY OF THE MICHIGAN WIN!  

#7 Michigan State vs. Indiana

Sagarin Ratings:  MSU #19, Indiana #77

Saturday, October 24, 2015.  3:30 pm ET.

Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

Weather: 55 degrees, cloudy

Line:  MSU favored by 16

TV:  ABC

Here it is!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUdwLm7w8Qc

\

Enlightened Spartan Preview: #4 Spartans at Rutgers

So, the ES had a meeting on the East Coast and decided to also use that time toward a visit to the birthplace of American college football: Rutgers University (1869).

#4 Michigan State at Rutgers
Sagarin Ratings: MSU #34, Rutgers #89

Saturday, October 10, 2015. 8 pm ET.
High Point Stadium, New Brunswick, NJ.
Weather: 50 degrees.
Line: MSU favored by 17
TV: BTN

Predictions:  April, MSU 27-10;  ES, MSU 35-14; Shea, MSU 32-26

ES Video Preview from the Peanut Barrel: MSU vs WMU

#5 Michigan State at Western Michigan

Sagarin Ratings:  MSU #15, WMU #89

Friday, September 4, 2015.  7 pm ET.

Waldo Sadium, Kalamazoo, MI

Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy, wind 4 mph

Line:  MSU favored by 19

TV:  ESPNU

Here is your ES video preview from the Peanut Barrel, with co-host April Jones: Everything you need to know, from the fan's perspective, about MSU v WMU match ups, bars to hit in Kalamazoo... and predictions, including from Joe Bell himself!  

ES predicts:  MSU 42-13.  April predicts 38-14.  Joe predicts MSU 35-3.  Ronnie predicts MSU 72-14.  Shane predicts MSU 42-14.  Watch the video to see what goes into the predictions... other than beer!

ES Game Day: Spartans to whip Buckeyes

#6/7/8 Michigan State Spartans vs. #11/13/14 Ohio State Buckeyes

November 8, 2014.  8 pm ET.
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
ABC-TV

Line:  Spartans by 3-1/2

Weather:  34 and c-c-c-cold.

Sagarin Ratings: MSU #11, Ohio St #15

Predictions & Previews: 

Land-Grant Holy Land (a very good read):  MSU 31-29

Eleven Warriors: MSU 27-25

ESPN: Bennett, MSU 31-28; Ward, OSU 24-23

CBSSports.com:  MSU 

CFN/Scout: MSU 27-23

Freep/Rexrode:  MSU 34-24

Freep:  Sharp, MSU 24-20; Seidel, MSU 31-28

Det News/Wojo:  MSU 27-22

Columbus Dispatch: MSU 31-24 (breakdown here)

Tom Izzo:  MSU 27-20

Cleveland Plain Dealer:  Landis, OSU 24-21; Wasserman, MSU 26-21; Livingston, OSU 31-27

MLive: no score, but NICE breakdown

The Old Raggedy Man Lou Holtz: OSU

Al.com (Alabama): MSU 38-27

Sports Illustrated:  MSU (unanimous)

ES sez:

Just like last year's Big Ten title game - MSU will score early and often... will falter a bit and allow the Buckeyes to come back.  But far too much firepower from the Spartans this year.  Bottom line: Ohio State has had a very weak schedule to date, both teams have great interior lines... but the Spartans have been more consistent and better along the line and among the playmakers. Ohio State QB JT Barrett ain't seen nothing yet - the Spartan defense will eat him alive tomorrow.  It will be fun!

MSU 34, Ohio State 24.  

ES Game Day: MSU vs UM? It's like beating a dead horse with candy

Poor horsey looks like a prophecy of Devin Gardner or Shane Morris vs MSU

#5/#8 Michigan State Spartans vs. #70 Michigan Wolverines
October 25, 2014.  3:30 pm ET.
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
ABC-TV

Weather:  64 and sunny

Sagarin Ratings: MSU #11, scUM #70
Line: MSU favored by 17

Predictions & Previews:  

• TobBet.eu: Writer's Prediction:  "The Spartans Crush the Wolverines."
• Live2Sport:  MSU, 33-15
• CFN/Scout.com:  MSU, 31-13
• iSportsweb: White, MSU 38-13; Catania, Michigan 17-14; Johnson, MSU 32-16; Nazario, MSU 31-14; Lapthorne, MSU 28-24; Hoeppner, MSU 35-10; Squanda, MSU 38-17; Harns, MSU 44-14; Sargent, MSU 28-7; Draper, MSU 31-20; Lyons, MSU 42-14; worldofisaac, MSU 38-17; Coster, MSU 42-17; Moore, MSU 52-9 
• Freep:  Rexrode, MSU 27-17; Snyder, MSU 35-14; Albom, MSU 45-10; Sharp, MSU 31-10; Seidel, MSU 35-14; Windsor, MSU 29-16
• DetNews.com (vs spread): Charboneau, Changelis, Wojnowski, MSU; Niyo, Michigan
• BTN.com: Lesmerises, MSU 40-13; Yarina, MSU 44-13; Dienhart, MSU 44-9
• ESPN.com:  MSU 24-13
• CBSSports.com:  unanimous, MSU

ES sez:

Hell, if MITCH ALBOM is predicting a 5-touchdown win by the Spartans, then the nation must know the vast canyon of superiority that Michigan State has over that has-been program from Ann Arbor.  How embarrassing. Read my previous write-ups:  the Wolverines have NO CHANCE in this game.  The uglies from AA are completely outmatched physically and statistically.   The ES is glad they had two weeks to prepare, it won't matter.  

Shalique Calhoun is and will be a nightmare for Devin Gardner and Michigan.

This rivalry game is #1 most important on the Spartans' list of most hated teams, and we Big Green Machine will come to play on a beautiful October afternoon, with the prerequisite Dantonio trick plays up his sleeve.  The defense will be on fire, and ready to respond to the national pundits who are questioning that we may give up big-plays despite our No-Fly Zone.   We - the Ferocious Spartan Defense - will force that Michigan team into turnovers into which our ground running game will churn into long-drive, dominating TDs - thank you, Mr. Langford.  

ES Bottom line:  this game will be won in the trenches by the Spartans, big time, on both sides of the ball.  And, it will get ugly over time.   Thank God this beating will be on ABC.  The ES invites the world to watch this capital punishment with popcorn, candy, and a few frosty lagers.  

MSU 46, Michigan 9.  

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.

ES Game Day: Spartans v Corn

#14/16 Michigan State Spartans (8-1, 5-0) at Nebraska Corn (7-2, 4-1)

Time:  3:30 pm ET
Location:  Corntown, Nebraska
Weather:  65 and windy, chance of showers
TV: ABC
Line: MSU by 6

Predictions:

• BTN.com: Merriman, MSU 24-17; Bardo, MSU 24-21; Dienhart, MSU 27-14; Yarina, MSU 20-17 
• Freep:  Rexrode, MSU 19-10; Sharp, NEB 17-16; Seidel, MSU 27-21
• DetNews, Wojo: MSU 19-13
• CBSSports.com, Feldman:  MSU 17-9
• CBSSports.com:  All six pick MSU. 
• ESPN.com:  Bennett, MSU, 17-13; Rittenberg, MSU 20-13
• NewsOK (Oklahoma):  NEB 19-14
• Prediction Tracker:  MSU +4.19; the standard deviation is just 2.69, the lowest of all games this weekend; meaning this game has the greatest number of pundits most confident in the Spartans winning by between 1.5 and 7 points. 
• Rant Sports:  MSU 28-24
• Athlon:  Gall, MSU 27-20; Light, MSU 24-20; Lassan, MSU 27-20; Fox, MSU 21-17
• Freep.com: Rexrode, MSU 24-16; Snyder, MSU 21-17; Sharp,  MSU 15-9; Seidel, MSU 17-14
• Mlive.com: MSU 20-10.
• WhatIfSports:  MSU 23-17

ES sez:

Well, whenever I think of Lincoln, I think of the best song from an album of said name:

I'm going down to Cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that's where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where I will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea

They Might Be Giants - "Cowtown" from Lincoln (1990).

For me, Corntown is Cowtown.  The ES expects Michigan State to catch and gut that cow beneath the sea.  'Tis well documented by the aforementioned pundits, that Nebraska is one-dimensional on offense with a stellar running game, and an average defense.  The Corn offensive line took a serious blow this week, with junior OG Mike Moudy's shoulder injury in practice making him one of three questionable starters on the line, along with another out for the year.

Michigan State's defense has to be licking its chops.  Its strength is its top-ranked, #1 rush defense with a spectacular pass rush and secondary defense; the Spartans are balanced on offense, and have made very few mistakes this year.  One can argue the Spartans are the most improved team to date above and below both land and sea.

The only hitch?  Big Green has never defeated Big Red.  We're 0-7, never won in EL or in Corntown.

There has to be sometime.  This is the year, and the Spartans are a team of destiny. The Corn have not been dominant against good competition, slipping past a Michigan team that the Spartans thoroughly ripped to shreds.  Expect another dominant performance out of Michigan State defense, but expect RB Abdullah from Nebraska to get a TD and near 100 yards.  Still, that won't cut it against this Spartan defense, the most consistent unit in the nation.  Not this year.

Big Green Touchdown Machine 20, Corntown 13.

ES Preview: MSU will shutout Western

Time:  8 pm
Location:  Spartan Stadium, EL
Weather:  76 and sunny. PERFECT.
TV:  Big Ten Network

Predictions:  Det News: Charboneau MSU 34-13, Niyo MSU 38-7, Wojo MSU 23-10; ESPN.com: Bennett MSU 28-6, Rittenberg MSU 31-10; LSJ:  Calloway MSU 31-3, Couch MSU 45-10, Solari MSU 49-3, Rexrode MSU 33-3; CFN/Scout: MSU 41-10. MLive: MSU 48-7

Line: MSU by 28

ES sez:  It's been 240 days since the last Spartan football game, a 17-16 squeaker over TCU.  That's 239 days too long.  GAME DAY IS HERE!!!!

The ES ain't buying the interview of Andrew Maxwell on WILX-TV Thursday nite. In other words, let's be ecstatic from his positive vibes, but I fail to believe it until I see it translating to the playing field.  The ES' lack of confidence also is intended for Maxwell's receivers.  Against WMU, maybe the passing game can show moxie and get the job done.  But we still won't know Maxwell's true colors for a few weeks.  Both Maxwell and Connor Cook will play tonite.

Nevertheless, what I do believe in is the MSU defense, and they won't allow an inch to Western Michigan's offense.

WMU is predicted to be in the middle of the MAC; MSU is predicted to be in the middle of the Big Ten. That's a big advantage to MSU overall.  Give this one easily to Bullough and the Spartan Defense, which will outscore the Spartan Offense: 2 TDs by the defense, 1 TD by the offense.  

ES prediction: MSU 24, WMU 0.

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 !

Region of Doom: Pick Izzo and #3 MSU in the Midwest

It's March Madness... and the ES has been AWOL for travel across the country the last few days. Sorry for the delayed response, Spartan fans. 

But, it was nice to see MSU get a #3 seed in the Midwest, in the "Region of Doom."  When you think about how close MSU was in its two losses to Indiana, its loss at Michigan, and its loss to Ohio State in the tourney... well, the Spartans really had NO bad losses and are good enough to make a deep run. We'll see if Gary Harris' potential shoulder issue hampers Michigan State, but the bracket is a good one... let's take care of business in the first stanza, and potentially oust Duke and Louisville to advance to the Final Four.  That would be a nice capstone to a great season in an outstanding conference.

Nice to see the Spartans end the regular season polls in the top 10, at #9 - they certainly earned it.  And, the ES is enjoying the amount of publicity Tom Izzo and the Spartans are receiving, with Izzo being the dean of B1G coaches and having a great team.  Particularly loving this quote: "I'm looking forward to playing anybody [else]," Izzo said. "I'd play the Lakers tomorrow instead of some of the teams I've played recently."

Previews: a Mid-Major preview of MSU vs Valpo here; the Chicago Tribune preview picks MSU as a 72-58 winner.  A quick preview from Bracketologyexpert.com is here.

Here is the ESPN preview of the Midwest region.  And, Jay Bilas picks MSU to beat Duke, and for Michigan to bow out early.  The ES hates Pitino, and everything about him.  He is a poor ambassador for college basketball.  Thank goodness Kentucky didn't make it - Calipari is just as bad, if not worse.  In this tourney, the ES will be rooting for MSU and rooting against Michigan and Louisville.

Can't wait for tipoff -- for once, MSU gets the early game, this Thursday at 12:15 pm against little ole Valparaiso University... with the game right here in the state of Michigan.  The Palace will be crazy this weekend with Spartan Green and White.

ES has MSU picked in his bracket to the Final Four, and put down $20 in Vegas for the Spartans to win the whole damn thing.  NEVER PICK AGAINST IZZO IN THE TOURNAMENT.  Never.  And, is the Big Ten for real?  We should find out.  It was certainly interesting watching college hoops all year, and certainly Michigan  State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Indiana pass the eyeball test - they've looked GREAT all year long, even as they beat each other up. 

Here's the bracket. 

ES Game Day preview status

ES preview for Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - the ES is traveling, and may or may not be able to get a complete preview up to the ES website in time for the game. However, there may be a blog posting for this. Stay tuned. But, if I were to make an early prediction, it would be based on a battle of defenses and mistake-prone offenses: Michigan State 17, TCU 14.

ES' dead grandma & Charles Rogers on crack catch better than MSU receivers

ES is working on a Game Day preview as we speak; the nuts and bolts will be at the Huffington Post.  In the meantime, the ES was asked to comments on the upcoming matchup between our Spartoonies and the Buckeyes.  Here's a hint, with comments about our struggles vs Eastern:

"EMU didn’t do anything. Rather, the main issue with Michigan State is its receiving corps.  In the past two games – Notre Dame and Eastern Michigan – there have been a DOZEN dropped passes… in each game.  I mean, right in the receiver’s hands.  My dead grandma could catch those passes. Former Spartan receiver Charles Rogers could still catch those passes, even if he was on crack and dragging his seven illegitimate kids behind him.  For the most part, Maxwell HAS hit these guys in stride, beautiful passes (his best game so far was against Notre Dame), only for these lanky wideouts to drop them, doing Maxwell no favors.  These drops have killed drives, not allowed Bell to break out, and asked the defense to step up after giving up poor field position..."

For the full rant, visit Buckeye Battle Cry HERE.

Huffington Post carries ES Game Day of MSU v ND

The Huffington Post carried the ES Game Day preview of the Michigan State Spartans vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. ES says MSU 27, ND 13.

"Gotta love the life of being a Michigan State Spartan... There ain't nothing like taking on the Irish Catholics under the lights, on national television, in front of a prime-time audience, and especially after a recent history of kicking their butt (10 out of the last 15 appearances).

The ES looks forward to the second night game of the year to watch the BEST Spartan defense in a generation. But, is it good enough to make up for a Spartan offense whose passing-game has been, for the most part..." Full blog preview

The Game:

#10 MSU Spartans (2-0) vs #19/20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0).
Saturday, September 15. 8 pm.
Weather @ kickoff: CLEAR and CRISP, 64 degrees.
Line: MSU by 5-1/2.

ES PREVIEW via The Huffington Post.

Nice writeup today by the Freep, proclaiming Spartans as "Best Football in the Big Ten." Another eye-opener from LSJ about MSU's lock-down corners. Interesting take about the Spartans from the Sportsaholic.

Predictions

• ESPN/Fortuna - MSU 17-13; Subway Domer - ND 20-19; CBSDetroit/Fithian - MSU 20-10; ND Observer - MSU 27-20, MSU 28-17, ND 17-16, ND 19-14, MSU 20-13; Det News/Wojo - MSU 20-13; Examiner.com - ND 28-20
  
• ESPN/Rittenberg - MSU 17-10; ESPN/Bennett - MSU 21-17; CFN/Scout.com - MSU 27-17; CBSSports.com/Feldman - MSU 23-14; NBCSports.com - MSU 24-16;

Phil Steele disappoints on #28 Michigan State

Reading Phil Steele's writeup of his #28 Michigan State Spartans was one of the more disappointing reads of the preseason previews; although he is accurate in his assessment by position, he uses a negative connotation about MSU, unlike his love of the scUM mystique.  Just starting with the cover -- a scUM player (Robinson), a Ohio $tate player (Williams), and a Nebraska player (Crick).... even though Steele picks MSU in a tie in the Legends Division with Nebraska. 

But, his analysis of the Spartans sez this by position, fairly accurate:

• QB: "Cousins should be one of the Big Ten's best"
• RB: "This is one of the deeper RB corps in the country"
• OL: "With a deeper overall unit MSU could top last year's production"
• DL: "This looks like the Spartans' deepest and most complete DL since at least '07"
• LB: "With the loss of the top 2, however, this unit will be down a few notches"
• DB: "This group is equal to last year in terms of experience and 6'2' Tony Lippet could be a big upgrade at CB if he stays on defense"
• ST:  "may drop a few notches"

Forecast:  "This year MSU has just 12 returning starters and play five road games vs. bowl teams. Despite that 7-1 mark in Big Ten play they were only +39.9 yards per game.  MSU also benefitted from three net close wins and had just 7 starters lost to injury.  This is probably the strongest team that Dantonio has fielded but the above factors make it tough to match last year's 11 wins."  He ranks Michigan State #28 overall, although he has them in a tie for first in the Legends Division... ????

ES:  My problem with the forecast is the framework provided by Steele is one of the glass being half empty instead of half full:  why is ypg, close wins, and lack of injuries seen as a negative?  This is Dantonio's style, to play tough on defense and give his teams a chance to make plays and win.  Spartan fans will (hopefully) see this year in and year out... and also celebrate the victories to match. 

Notably, in every other BCS conference where he picked a #1 team or a tie at #1 in a conference division, Steele ranked them in the Top 25 (except the Big Least with Pitt) :  SEC (Alabama #1, Georgia #9), ACC (#5 Virginia Tech, #10 Florida St), Pac-12 (#4 Oregon, #17 Southern Cal), Big East (#25 South Florida, #27 Pittsburgh), Big 12 (Oklahoma #2), Big Ten (#12 Nebraska, #15 Ohio St, #23 Wisconsin, #24 Penn St). 

Steele projects Michigan State to play Florida in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day.  He has Cousins as his #6 QB, Baker as his #7 RB, Martin as his #51 WR, Cunningham as his #65 WR, Linthicum as #24 TE, Foreman as his #7 OG, Conroy as #16 PK, Worthy as #2 DT, Norman as #43 LB, Adams as #33 CB, Robinson as #17 FS, and Martin as #15 PR.  Never in my years reading Steele have I seen as many Spartans listed so highly. 

As units go, Steele has MSU QBs at #23, RBs at #6, DL at #25, ST at #6.  Steele blew it not including the Spartan WR corps or the DBs in his top 25 -- clearly they deserve a nod. 

Bottom line: the ES despises being lumped into the same category as Pittsburgh and not being given a nod for its talent... but, this just means that Dantonio has lots of work to do to give Michigan State the respect after so many years of underachieving.  That starts with 2011-12.