ES Preview: scUM week and a Trivia Quiz

She's gonna play on the OLine today for the scUMbuckets

Michigan State Spartans (3-4, 1-3) vs #4 Michigan Wolverines (7-0, 4-0)

Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI
October 29, 2022.  7:30 pm
TV: ABC
Weather: 50 clear skies. 

Sagarin Ratings:  scUM #4, Michigan State #48

Line Outta Vegas: scUM by 22

TIME FOR SOME TRIVIA

1. Who has won 10 of the last 14 in the MSU-scUM series?
2. Who won 3 of the last 4 in the MSU-scUM series played in Ann Arbor?
3. Which MSU coach is the only coach to be 2-0 in his first two games vs scUM?
4. How much was scUM favored by the last time the MSU played them in Ann Arbor?  Who won?
5. What is Jesus Habaugh's all-time record vs MSU?
6. Who won the last time scUM was favored by 22 in Ann Arbor?
   
   Answers below.

Yes, after the defensive-led performance by Michigan State in its W over Wisky two weeks ago, there is LIFE in them lungs of the Green and White.  Today: two weeks to prepare (for both teams).  The Jesus in khakis vs Tuck, the best-dressed man in college football. What better than to repost the ES' thoughts from two years ago, when #13 Michigan were favored by 22 (sound familiar, WalMart Wolverines?) in Ann Arbor :

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Ha Ha Ha, Harbaugh: You are on your KNEES!

OK, at first the ES was outraged.  Then, sitting next to Big Bob with mimosas and Bell’s Beer at the steady, we began to finally realize the brilliance of Mel Tucker.

This is all part of the master plan.  Let’s calm down, no worries Spartan Nation.  Getting your asses kicked is fun! Clearly we have the next $aban.  The 38 points allowed by MSU with a new coach (Tucker) in his first game was the most since his mentor, $aban, lost 50-10 to Nebraska in 1995. 

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”  

Wow, that exactly is what we saw today in Spartan Stadium.  No passion and execution to succeed was on display by the men in green.  Ahhhh, but then we turn to Sun Tzu and realize the genius of Mr. T as we lead into our annual throwdown against the Yellow Jackets from Ann Arbor. 

Sun Tzu – “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

We certainly deceived the enemy in Ann Arbor today.  It was pure genius; unable to attack, appearing inactive, far away from the action – that was Michigan State football in its greatest deception of the modern era.  Michigan – you have no idea the volume of destruction that is headed your way next Saturday.

Some of the action today was borderline confusing – QB Rocky Lombardi ambling along like a mentally deranged alcoholic on the gridiron, firing passes left and right for no reason.  The offensive line lacking any ability to block or “perceived” lack of ability to strike Rutgers’ iron wall defense. 

Brilliant. 

It is our ruse. Ha Ha Ha.  We got you right where we want you.  Thought you had us figured out, didn’t ya?

Next week, coach Tucker will release Armageddon.  

To quote Sun Tzu again, as is clearly coach Tucker’s strategy: “know yourself and you will win all battles.”  Oh, we Spartans know who we are.  We are proud and mighty, and a 11 point loss at home to mighty Rutgers is exactly the strategy that will bring your savior Jesus Harbaugh to his knees. 

See you next week.  Rest well, little people in Ann Arbor.  The time is ‘nigh. Grab your spears and pitchforks. We’re coming!

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TRIVIA ANSWERS. 

1. Michigan State
2. Michigan State
3. Mel Tucker
4. 22. Michigan State
5. 3-4 vs Michigan State
6. Michigan State

ES sez.... MSU 24, UM 23. 

Thank you, sir. May I have another?

MSU Spartans (4-5/2-4) vs Michigan Wolverines (8-2/4-2)
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
November 16, 2019. 9 am Pacific Time.

Weather:  does it matter?

Sagarin Ratings: MSU #30, scUM #11
Vegas Line: scUM by 13-1/2

Prognostications:

Thank God the ES is visiting his pops in Gig Harbor, Washington State.  Thusly, the game is at 9 am. The whole day to enjoy with family after the ass kicking from scUM!

Tomorrow will be yet another poor showing - this time against the Evil Empire. Make it 5 losses in a row. This coach, Mark Dantonio, is clueless and relies on buffoons to coach the walking wounded. 'Tis clear as day: point to consistent years of poor substitutions and curiously poor clock management. Not to mention poor execution. Unfortunately, Coach Dantonio is using the playbook from John L Smith.  Only God knows why.

Against Michigan, a day at the woodshed will be the icing on the cake for Dantonio’s departure.

It’s the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine.  Thank you sir, may I have another?

• Sloth: Dantonio is fired by Monday morning. F**k that asshole.
• Cam: I probably wasted 100 dollars on a ticket
• Keith: pset....sparty wins. . Because thats what happens when everybody loses hope. Naaaahhhh. Were gonna get killed.
• Chock: scUM 10, MSU 6
• Smig: I predict a bloodbath.
• RGM3: 2-0 Michigan. Another sad day in paradise. Hopefully dantonio tells the players he’s retiring at the end of the season tomorrow in his pregame speech and gets the boys ready for one more Michigan game for him.
• GVSU Gregger: 34-10 Michigan.
• Big Joe and Phantom 309: 30-24 MSU blocks a game winning FG for scUM and runs it back for a TD as time expires.
• Australian Paul:  MSU 21-7
• Mike (ES’ Dad): scUM 28-7
• Queen Kat, Duchess of Kirkcaldy: scUM 21-10

ES sez: scUM 41-10

Michigan State funding drive for Mike Hart statue

Mike Hart will be present for the
dedication ceremony

Following yesterday's 14-10 victory in football against the University of Michigan, Lou Anna Simon,  president of Michigan State University (MSU), announced her willingness to revisit the desire to build a statue in honor of the former running back from Michigan, Mike Hart.  Hart gained infamy from his post-game comments berating MSU after a 2007 victory in head football coach Mark Dantonio's first year. Since that time, Dantonio has used Hart's comments as urgency to successfully lead the Spartans to an 8-3 record against the MSU rival. 

The ES was at today's press conference, at the Administration Building on the East Lansing campus next to the Red Cedar River,  and took these notes:

"We have previously discussed building a statue in honor of Mike Hart," stated president Simon.  "But, because of the lack of private funding, we did not move forward with the project.  However, considering the victory yesterday, coach Dantonio's 8-3 record against that school 60 miles down the road, and more specifically, his comments after the game... well, we decided it was time to revisit this need." (see 3:46:00 at the video she referenced)

President Simon noted several needs for the project, including the dominance of Michigan State over Michigan in running the ball against Michigan during the Dantonio era.  She provided an interesting side to her comments: "Excuse me," she quipped.  "Once again, we dominated the line of scrimmage.  When will the media report this correctly?  MSU has gained nearly 2,000 yards rushing against Michigan since Mark took over.  Just consider - what has the other school has accomplished?"  With the statement, Michigan State released a chart (below) showing MSU having actually gained 1,923 yards rushing compared to Michigan's 988 yards rushing since coach Dantonio began his tenure at Michigan State in 2007.


"It is time for the Spartan Nation to stand up and support this effort," said Simon.  "We love Mike Hart and his contributions to Michigan State University."

Big Green jumps to #5; awaits the Quakers

Michigan State surges in the polls to #5 in the College Football Playoff, with a convincing 17-14 victory at the horseshoe over Ohio State in Columbus.  Now, bring on the Quakers of The Pennsylvania State University.

The ES watched Quackenberg against scUM and thought, not only does the Quaker offensive line have no push or protection, but Quacker really didn't play well under pressure.   Now, the Quakers have great defense, but that will be tough sledding for a full day against a refurbished, and healthy, Spartan O-Line.  I'm looking forward to the stint.  And, the MSU defense has returned to form... playing off the charts.

The rankings...

TEAM	RECORD	CFP	AP POLL	SOS	SOR	GC	RAT	RK
Clemson	11-0	1	1	32	2	1	21.2	6
Alabama	10-1	2	2	5	1	2	24.3	3
Oklahoma	10-1	3	5	34	3	5	26.4	1
Iowa	11-0	4	3	67	5	11	12.9	28
Michigan State	10-1	5	6	50	8	13	16.5	17
Notre Dame	10-1	6	4	29	7	6	19.7	8
Baylor	9-1	7	7	62	9	3	25.1	2
Ohio State	10-1	8	8	58	13	10	22.5	4
Stanford	9-2	9	13	24	12	18	19.3	9

Hypocrit Jim Tressel hangs NCAA to dry, collects millions in dollars and laughs

Muskyburger On Tressel (hit the video link): gotta love Brent. He has much of this right: Tressel a hyprocrit, lying, cheating, and making the NCAA look bad... except Musky misses the part of values, where he says 1) "I would have been proud to send my kid to Ohio State" and 2) "if I was in the same position as him with regards to learning about the situation, I would have done the same thing."

Huh? Glad you ain't my dad, and glad I can teach my own kids different.

Response to #1) This ain't the NFL, Musky, and you know it ain't. So, with shady situations going-on at Ohio State for the last several years (or more), with respect to your kid you will settle on the con man (or any other gent/gal) him/herself conning you into everything is honky-dorey at Championship U? Ummm.... don't you get second or third opinions? You believe everything you hear and experience? As a journalist, you'd fit right in with Mitch Albom and the Fab Five. Eyes open and ears closed. Stupid.

As for #2) you would do the same thing? Huh? Where are your values? It is strict NCAA and institutional philosophy to hand over any perceived knowledge of violations to compliance staff (not that they are lawyers, but...) Ohio State is a membership organization. If they don't like NCAA rules, don't belong. As an NCAA member, you must comply by the organization's rules -- which means to hand over facts and perceived knowledge (yes, this is part of the rules... don't like it? change it!). If it ain't true, nothing to worry about. But, we all know now that The Vest knew the issues but was a moreover a hypocrit, a liar, and a cheat. So, if Tressel knew or smelled of a problem, be should have notified compliance and the man (NCAA). But, he is a bigger liar than he is a man of values, so he decided to lie. How pathetic.

This ain't over. NCAA looks terrible throughout this, with the extra pass to OSU players for the bowl game. Now, they may vacate the game for which they gave the extra pass? Huh? That is just brutally ugly, and Tressel left the NCAA and college sports hanging out to dry. The NCAA and fellow members should want blood on this. As, Musky said, "he should have learned from Nixon"... what is worse than the crime is the cover-up. And, it smells worse than that.

Tressel: You dumb-ass, tell the truth. What will you say on your million-dollar speaker's circuit? Lie and collect millions... you will laugh to the bank.

Jim Tressel is a piece of trash. I'm gonna pick up The Winners Manual... from the library. Tressel and Ohio State University are a piece of garbage. The NCAA won't do it, but they really should give OSU the death penalty. Jim Tressel and Terrel Pryor (a.k.a. Chris Webber) will make millions, and Pryor won't even graduate. Just to make everything look foolish, and professional.