Enlightened Spartan Predictions for 2018 Season

IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON!  

Time to welcome Utah State to town for the 2018 season's opening shit-kicker!!!! As such, let's forecast the season from some of the most loyal of the ES' Spartan Nation.  They've chimed in with a response to several questions about the Spartans this year...

GO BIG GREEN!

ES sez:

Final Record, Ranking:  11-2, #6

Chance to win B1G Championship: 33%

Team liked the least: Michigan

Beer to be served at opening tailgate:  Maybe some PBR on ice?

Kat.

Final Record, Ranking: 10-2, #7

Chance to win B1G Championship:  50%

Team liked the least:  Michigan

Beer to be served at opening tailgate:  Two Hearted

Sloth.

Final Record: 9-3
Final B1G Record: 7-2
Chance to win B1G Championship:  33%

Team liked the least:  This is the most stupidest question ever asked.

Beer to be served at opening tailgate: If Hirko is bringing the beer, it will be lukewarm and served with a heaping side of VH II.

J Rand.

Final Record,  Ranking: 15-0, #1 - National Champions

Chance to win B1G Championship:  100%

Team liked the least:  Illinois

Beer to be served at opening tailgate:  Cheap

Keith.

Final Record, Ranking: 11-2, #7

Chance to win B1G Championship:  20%

Team liked the least:  Ohio State

Beer to be served at opening tailgate: Oberon

Big Bob. 

Final Record,  Ranking: 11-2, #10

Final B1G Record: 7-2

Chance to win B1G Championship:  50%

Team liked the least:  Michigan

Beer to be served at opening tailgate: Two Hearted

Kzoo Michelle.

Final Record,  Ranking: 10-3, #14

Final B1G Record: 8-1

Chance to win B1G Championship:  50%

Team liked the least:  Michigan

Beer to be served at opening tailgate: Oberon

RGM3.

Final Record,  Ranking: 10-2, Outback Bowl
Final B1G Record: 7-2

Chance to win B1G Championship:  42.69%

Team liked the least:  mother fucking Michigan

Beer to be served at opening tailgate: Two Hearted

Big Joe and Phantom 309.
Final Record, Ranking:  11-1, #6
Team liked the least: Ohio State
Beer to be served at opening tailgate: cheap and cold

PEANUT BARREL

And, over the summer, the ES popped into the Peanut Barrel to ask both Joe and Skuz about their predictions and thoughts... it seemed unanimous among the experts at the PB that the over/under for Spartan wins was 9... with a likelihood of 10-2.

Best points of pavement-grading win by Spartans over Frigging Irish

My, oh my, there are few things better in life than watching the Michigan State Spartans destroy the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.  Under the arms of Touchdown Jesus.  Yes.

That's an Irish road we paved-graded
last Saturday

There was the ES at the altar, the Peanut Barrell, as he watched Madre London run straight through a gaping hole in the Irish defense, 73 yards to paydirt.  Jumping in the air with the rest of the Spartan brethren, screaming "run it down their troats."  Up 36-7, up by 29 points. In South Bend.  Jesus?  Yes. Or, for that matter, LJ Scott running 5 yards here, 6 yards there, etc..  Tyler O'Conner, as predicted, will be just fine.  An impressive, 19-for-26 with 241 yards in the air, 2 TDs, including several downfield 25+ yarders to RJ Shelton (8-80), Madaris(2-40) and incredible play by Corley (4-88).  Third down conversions?  MSU 9-of-18 (50%).  Wow.  Get the pavement grader ready this year.  We're back. 

Guinness can get you to 100, but it
won't help you beat the Spartans

Now, let's talk smack.  The Irish came into the game with their typical swagger, 80,000 under the open arms of God, expecting to revamp their failed crappy play at Texas (who lost at Cal 50-44 by the way). Well, Brian Kelly has his Irish boys consuming the Guinness instead of paying attention to the O-Line gap blocks that left wide open holes for the Big Green all day.  

Defensively, the Spartans played GREAT ALL DAY until they took the foot off the gas.  When you got a pig cornered, put a leg on the throat and stick the knife in real good - let the blood squirt all over.  Prevent defense NEVER works, surprised to see it out of Coach D. He should know better.  Still MSU amassed a huge lead on the road that was difficult to Fk-up. 

MSU's defense and offense combination was dominant enough for a 37-23 time advantage.  A 260-57 rushing advantage.  Dominant.

Although giving up 401 yards, most of those were after the Spartans were kicking ass by 29+ points.  The defensive line controlled scrimmage, and the LBs were lights out.  The secondary is rounding into shape, and the ES digs Darian Hicks and Chris Frey.  

Damn, we're fine. We've moved up to #8, and rightfully so.  MSU kicked ass! Bring on Wisky. 

Team Statistics (Final) 
2016 Michigan State Football 
#12 Michigan State vs #18 Notre Dame (Sep 17, 2016 at Notre Dame, Ind.)

Team Totals	MSU	ND
FIRST DOWNS	22	19
Rushing	9	3
Passing	12	14
Penalty	1	2
NET YARDS RUSHING	260	57
Rushing Attempts	52	25
Average Per Rush	5.0	2.3
Rushing Touchdowns	3	2
Yards Gained Rushing	277	74
Yards Lost Rushing	17	17
NET YARDS PASSING	241	344
Completions-Attempts-Int	19-26-1	20-37-1
Average Per Attempt	9.3	9.3
Average Per Completion	12.7	17.2
Passing Touchdowns	2	2
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS	501	401
Total offense plays	78	62
Average Gain Per Play	6.4	6.5
Fumbles: Number-Lost	0-0	2-2
Penalties: Number-Yards	3-45	4-51
PUNTS-YARDS	7-266	6-302
Average Yards Per Punt	38.0	50.3
Net Yards Per Punt	37.0	50.3
Inside 20	2	3
50+ Yards	0	3
Touchbacks	0	0
Fair catch	1	3
KICKOFFS-YARDS	6-383	5-276
Average Yards Per Kickoff	63.8	55.2
Net Yards Per Kickoff	45.5	36.8
Touchbacks	2	2
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD	0-0-0	3-7-0
Average Per Return	0.0	2.3
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD	3-42-0	3-60-0
Average Per Return	14.0	20.0
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD	1-0-0	1-30-0
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD	0-0-0	0-0-0
Miscellaneous Yards	0	0
Possession Time	37:57	22:03
1st Quarter	8:46	6:14
2nd Quarter	9:15	5:45
3rd Quarter	9:52	5:08
4th Quarter	10:04	4:56
Third-Down Conversions	9 of 18	4 of 11
Fourth-Down Conversions	1 of 1	1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances	3-3	4-4
Touchdowns	3-3	4-4
Field goals	0-3	0-4
Sacks By: Number-Yards	2-11	0-0
PAT Kicks	4-4	4-4
Field Goals	0-0	0-0
Points off turnovers	15	0

College Football Playoff Scenarios for Michigan State

Let's not look past a very tough Penn State game this week; although Quackenbush doesn't look so hot (his offensive line is offensive) yet, the Nittany defense is tough.

But, MSU handles Penn State... so, OK, here are some predictions for Michigan State in the College Football Playoff.  Note that the Orange Bowl (Miami) gets seeds 1-4; Cotton Bowl (Dallas) gets seeds 2-3. 

Probable scenarios assuming MSU wins Big Ten title vs. undefeated Iowa, Clemson beats South Carolina, and Alabama defeats Auburn.

1. Everyone wins out. MSU gets #4 seed. Book your rooms in Miami.
2. Clemson loses ACC title.  The rest win out.  MSU gets #3 seed.  Book Dallas.
3. Alabama loses SEC title.  The rest win out.  MSU gets #3 seed. Book Dallas.
4. Clemson loses ACC title. Alabama loses SEC title.  MSU gets #2 seed. Book Dallas... or, MSU gets #1 seed pending tight win by Oklahoma; then, Book Miami. 
5. Oklahoma loses to Ok St.  The rest win out.  MSU gets #3 seed.  Book Dallas.
6. Clemson loses ACC title.  Oklahoma loses to OK St.  MSU gets #2 seed.  Book Dallas.
7. Alabama loses SEC title.  Oklahoma loses to OK St.  MSU gets #2 seed.  Book Dallas.
8. Clemson loses ACC title. Alabama loses SEC title.  Oklahoma loses to Ok St.   MSU gets #1 seed.  Book Miami.

If MSU wins vs Penn State but loses Big Ten Title?  It would likely play #9 Stanford in the Rose Bowl.  Book Pasadena.

If MSU loses to Penn State?  It would get the #3 Big Ten spot, the Capitol One Bowl.  Book Orlando.

Here are your top 7 playoff contenders:

#1 Clemson (11-0/7-0)

vs 3-8/1-7 South Carolina.
vs #14  10-1/7-0 North Carolina.

#2 Alabama (10-1/6-1)

vs 6-5/2-5 Auburn.

vs #12 10-1/7-1 Florida.

#3 Oklahoma (10-1/7-1)

vs #11 10-1/7-1 Oklahoma State. 

end of season.

#4 Iowa

vs 5-6/3-4 Nebraska.  

vs (projected) #5 11-1/7-1 Michigan State.

#5 Michigan State (10-1/6-1)

vs 7-4/4-3 Penn State.

vs #4 12-0/8-0 or 11-1/7-1 Iowa. 

#6 Notre Dame (10-1)

vs #9 9-2/6-2 Stanford.

end of season.

#7 Baylor (9-1/6-1)

vs #19  9-2/6-2  Texas Christian.

vs 4-6/3-4 Texas. 

Enlightened Spartan Preview: #7 Mich State vs #12 scUMichigan

GO BIG GREEN TD MACHINE!

#7 Michigan State at #12 scUMichigan

Saturday, October 17, 2015. 3:30 pm ET.
Shithole Stadium, Ann Arbor.
Weather: 42 degrees, Cloudy.
Line: scUM favored by 7-1/2
TV: ESPN

5 Lessons from MSU v Rutgers; scUM favored by TD over MSU

The #12 scUM football team is favored by a TD (6-1/2) over the #7 Big Green as we invade the Godforsaken garbage of Ann Arbor this weekend... and ESPN Game Day wants to pile it on to preview this matchup.  It's a 3:30 kick.

Five things we learned about MSU at Rutgers (the ES went to New Jersey for the game):

1.  Injuries continue to mount.  Dear God, the ES has never seen a team with so many injuries - particularly on the offensive line and defensive backfield.  On the OL, seeing Jack Allen getting carted off the field was devastating... as we've seen losses to Jack Conklin, Kodi Keiler, and Josiah Price.  Madre London hurt his ankle and left the game, but MSU burned the redshirt off Delton Williams with a few carries, and LJ Scott (9-42, 4.7 ypc) ran his tail off again behind a banged up line.  We saw Connor Cook get knocked around more than in any game since he's started for MSU... but... 

2.   Cook (23-38 for 357) played well again AFTER his bad interception that he telegraphed to the Rutgers defense late in the first half.  While he never should have thrown it, in typical Cook fashion he came back in the second half, and on the last drive of the game, made some very, very solid throws in tough situations.  Cook's fave target, Aaron Burbridge (9-146), played amazing except for the easy drop as he walked into the end zone early in the game.  The ES hung out with Connor's dad before and after the game and complimented Connor's play for the most part, despite the few brain farts.

3.  Michigan State's secondary is in trouble.  We've lost Copeland and Williamson for the season, and both are certainly not of the caliber of Dennard and Waynes.  So, relying on Colquon and Edmonson at corners is questionable, but the depth is gone.  The ES sez:  if your leading tacklers are DBs, you are in trouble - against Rutgers, Cox and Nicholson led with 8 & 5.  Tisk, tisk.  There is a guy who the ES met with CHock before the season started - Josh Butler - and he was an impressive young man who may now have his redshirt burned because his talent is so highly valued by Coach D and we are banged up.  But, this is a raw place to throw in raw talent... Why????

4.  We need a better DL play, including a more consistent pass rush.   The Spartans aren't pushing enough up front.  Three sacks for 28 yards, and another three QB hurries just aren't enough and not typical of this Spartan Green D.  Malik McDowell is a beast - he ran over the Rutgers C late in the game but RU called time-out right before the play.  Lawrence Thomas had a sack but also is hit or miss throughout the game.  Shalique Calhoun (1/2 sack, 2 QB hurries) played well... but not dominating.  What's going on?  This area is NOT injured and needs to play better, especially this week vs Michigan to give the secondary a chance.

5.  Special teams suck.  This is the worst special teams of the Dantonio era.   At High Points Stadium, the Spartan faithful were concerned of MSU "Geigering It."  Never heard such negative vibes on our special teams.  One FG blocked, the other hit the right upright and Praise God went through for a trey.  These ain't long kicks - 35, 30 yards.   Big Green had a 11-yard shank punt.  Terrible.  Just lack of execution and focus.  We do this, we lose.

BUT WE WIN GAMES.  Of all the injuries, etc, we keep winning.  Look at the third down conversions:  MSU 11 of 17, Rutgers 3 of 12.  It says quite a bit of the resilience and ability to finish.  This ain't the John L Smith era.   Look at some of the key stats below... interesting.  

                                    MSU       RU

FIRST DOWNS...................       22       15
NET YARDS RUSHING.............      132      141
  Rushing Attempts............       38       32
  Average Per Rush............      3.5      4.4
NET YARDS PASSING.............      357      208
  Completions-Attempts-Int....  23-38-1  15-26-0
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS...........      489      349
  Total offense plays.........       76       58
  Average Gain Per Play.......      6.4      6.0
Penalties: Number-Yards.......      1-5     3-20
Average Yards Per Punt........     24.7     34.4
Third-Down Conversions........ 11 of 17  3 of 12
Fourth-Down Conversions.......   1 of 1   2 of 3
Sacks By: Number-Yards........     3-28      1-6

Five things we learned from Michigan State vs Purdue

Five things we learned about the Spartans' in its 24-21 yawner over Purdon't:

1.  The Spartans dropped in the polls, to #4, lost all the first place votes... and justifiably so.  This was a team that made mistakes on offense, on defense, on special teams, and poor coaching... against a Purdue team many feel is the worst in the Big Ten.  

2. Michigan State really struggled to complete drives in the second half.  Its possessions included:

7 plays, 14 yards, 4:27, punter drops long snap.

9 plays, 57 yards, 5:02, missed chip shot FG.

8 plays, 65 yards. 4:11, FG.

6 plays, 19 yards, 3:41, punt. 

Not good.  This team needed to finish plays.  Blame the coaches for some of this.  The weather turned NASTY to 40-degrees sleet and coach D started punting from midfield (why?) and setting up field goals on 4th and short.  EVERYONE WHO WAS LEFT in the stadium was yelling NO!!!!!  because we could feel our own soaked shorts freeze.  Just run the ball in bad weather.  The FG miss by Geiger was as much a victim of bad weather than bad kicking.  Punter Jake Hartbarger having the snap sail through his hands was stupid in the sleet and wind. Blown opportunities. 

3.  Andy Provenzano and The Weather Channel were way off their predictions of when the bad weather was to arrive.  The weather gods decided to piss ice on Spartan Stadium 5 hours earlier than Andy and his boys predicted.  It spoiled an OK-weather day for Homecoming.  About the worst weather in the 25 years the ES has spent in Spartan Stadium.  And, yes, the ES left in the middle of the 4th quarter because he was unprepared and soaked to the bone in frozen wetness.  

4.  LJ Scott is the real deal.  If there was a player of the game for MSU, it was LJ Scott at RB.  He amassed 146 yards on 18 carries (8.1 ypc) and had an incredible 30-yd TD run through busted tacks and keeping his balance.  

5.  Injuries continue to mount.  In the sleet and hail, sophomore Dennis Finley at LT broke his leg in two places.  There was certainly concern from us in the stands, we were shivering in the stands but really worried about the dude's injury as he was carted off the field. As stated via msuspartans.com: "MSU made arrangements to shore up its depleted line by moving All-America center Jack Allen to left tackle, switching his younger brother, Brian, from left guard to center and putting red-shirt freshman David Beedle in at left guard. Brandon Clemons and Miguel Machado also filled in."  We need to heal Jack Conklin and Kodi Keiler... BAD.

MSU ranked #3 by coaches

Michigan State moves up to #3 in the coach's poll.  One of the greatest games I've ever seen was watching Nick $aban crash and burn at home in Tuscaloosa as Ole Miss kicked his Alabama ass.  That was one of the greatest performances I've ever seen, and I laughed all night long.

Issue here - MSU and Ole Miss have had quality competition.  Noone else has.  Should be MSU#1, Ole Miss #2.

Coaches Poll

RK	TEAM	REC	PTS	TREND
1	Ohio State(61)	3-0	1594	—
2	TCU	3-0	1482	1
3	Michigan State(3)	3-0	1477	1
4	Baylor	2-0	1364	1
5	Ole Miss	3-0	1292	6
6	Georgia	3-0	1262	2
7	Florida State	3-0	1119	1
8	Notre Dame	3-0	1109	2
9	LSU	2-0	1085	5
10	Clemson	3-0	1022	1
11	UCLA	3-0	968	1
12	Alabama	2-1	883	10
13	Oregon	2-1	855	—
14	Oklahoma	3-0	790	3
15	Texas A&M	3-0	745	3
16	Arizona	3-0	605	3
17	Utah	3-0	501	4
18	USC	2-1	461	11
19	Northwestern	3-0	347	5
20	Georgia Tech	2-1	338	4
21	Wisconsin	2-1	274	2
22	Oklahoma State	3-0	242	3
23	Missouri	3-0	234	3
24	Stanford	2-1	133	—
25	Auburn	2-1	79	10
Complete Rankings

Dropped from rankings: BYU 22

Others receiving votes: West Virginia 75, BYU 74, Miami (FL) 58, Tennessee 49, Kansas State 47, Mississippi State 46, Texas Tech 36, Arizona State 31, Florida 24, California 20, NC State 15, Temple 15, Iowa 13, Memphis 8, Boise State 8, Minnesota 6, Virginia Tech 4, Houston 4, Northern Illinois 3, Toledo 2, Boston College 1