Same Old Spartans? YES

Mark Dantonio has a lot to respond to this week on behalf of his team, in response to its 38-30 worse-than-the-score-indicates whipping at Wisconsin.

At the beginning of the year, MD said "we'll see how this team can handle success." Well, we have our answer: They can't handle it. After a 9-4 season a year ago, MSU now is taking steps backward every week, with MSU looking its worst this year in the loss to the Badgers.

Not taking anything away from Wisky, which pounded MSU with authority and took advantage of the MSU secondary. MSU pass defense now has a target on its back as an incompetent, clueless, and unemotional secondary without confidence. It is the worst in the Big Ten, and it is costing MSU. Trenton Robinson? He must be benched, he has played AWFUL. But, the rest of the secondary isn't much better; and it doesn't help without any pass rush. Bottom line, Narduzzi (D-coord) is being paid too handsomely for this group to SUCK THIS BAD. MSU defense stinks. It's a shock.

The play of the game? Dantonio taking out Kirk Cousins in the first half and replacing him with Keith Nichol the drive after Cousins took MSU 64 yards in 9 plays for a TD. Moronic; imbicile; and reminiscent of John L Smith - idiotic. Why take out someone that was just getting into rhythm? It cost MSU dearly, with Nichol's subsequent interception leading to another WIS TD. It reminded the ES of MSU botching the FG unit in its upset-bid-but-loss at Ohio State under John L Smith 4 years ago. That spelled doom for the JLS era, and you wonder if the same will occur with Dantonio. What really was upsetting about it was that Dantonio obviously was playing to his script ("we must get him into the game sometime, don't we?") instead of paying attention to what was going on the field. Very JLS and BW-like. And, very, very stupid. He knows better, and the ES holds him accountable.

OK - the rest of the game? It was already lost. After that bumbling, MSU's offense couldn't keep up with Wisconsin, regardless of the free 2 TDs at the end of the game, when the game was out of reach. And, the defense had no answer. My dead grandma could cover a corner better than either Jeremy Ware, Chris Rucker, or Kendall Davis-Clark. At least grandma had some balls and confidence.

Bottom line? MSU is the second-worst team in the Big Ten right now, behind Purdue. This season, the worsening performance on the field (particluarly the lack of competitiveness in the secondary) is eerily reminiscent of BW's 2002 team, the last time Michigan State was picked to finish 3rd in the conference. MSU beat crappy EMU and Rice teams, then lost to a supposedly crappy Cal team, lost a heartbreaker to ND, then beat NW before getting destroyed at Iowa, home to Minny, and Wisky... it was a team that failed to execute. We have the same team this year. Yes, this is the Same Old Spartans.

Dantonio, coaching staff, alumni, students, players, others. You want to prove me wrong? Then go ahead, DO IT ON THE FIELD. Bottom line, like BW and JLS, this team IS getting worse as the season goes on, and MSU is 1-3 right now. Let's get real: Michigan State sucks. This team is lost, has no confidence, and can't even compete. This season is unfortunate and pathetic.

Dantonio should apologize and own up for this pathetic performance - if he is a defensive genius, his IQ is about 55 right now. What a nice thank you for extending his contract this year: "you're welcome." Makes Mark Hollis look like a moron.

Are these the Same Old Spartans? They certainly are playing like it. They're a bunch of bumbling idiots.

YES. S.O.S.

ES Game Day Preview: Michigan State 31, Wisconsin 21

Michigan State (1-2, #78 Sagarin) at Wisconsin (3-0, #16 Sagarin)

Saturday, September 26. 12:00 pm noon EST.
TV: ESPN
Weather: 67, rain.
Latest Line: Wisconsin favored by 3.
Tickets available.

Injuries: Michigan State — C Joel Nitchman (knee), probable; LG Joel Foreman (ankle), questionable; RG J'Michael Deane (leg), doutful. Wisconsin — RG Bill Nagy (heel), probable; C John Moffitt (pectoral muscle), probable; C Travis Frederick (ankle), probable; DE Louiz Nzegwu (shoulder), probable; DE Brendan Kelly (groin), questionable; S Shane Carter (suspension), out; S Aubrey Pleasant (suspension), out.

MSU Roster Shakeup: First off, let's see the o-line shakeup for MSU. On the OLine, last week it was Cironi-Foreman-Stipek-Deane-Moss. This week, it's Cironi-Ruhland-Nitchman-Moss-Young. Addition of Nichman = Yeah; Loss of Deane & Foreman = Boo. And, Moss is moving further inside. On defense, the secondary has moved around a bit (in comes Davis-Clark, up the ladder moves Adams, down goes Rucker), but why Robinson continues to get the nod after his shitty performance vs. ND is beyond the ES.


ES predicts Michigan State 31, Wisconsin 21.

On offense, MSU seemingly has established itself with a capable running game with Caulton Ray and Larry Caper, and a very good passing game behind a Joe Montana-ish type accuracy of Kirk Cousins. Funny, Bleacher Report erroneously mentions Cousins mainly throws to two targets as a Wisconsin advantage by taking season statistics in aggregate, without realizing that Cousins actually DOES spread the ball around quite frequently (seven receivers caught passes at ND). MSU boasts four significant receiving threats in White, Cunningham, Dell, and Gantt. Sorry, B/R didn't do their homework - advantage MSU! The offensive line has been oft-injured, but played well beyond expectations. Wideouts had a great performance at Notre Dame, making great grabs and big plays all game long. The Wisconsin defense statistically seems similar to the Irish, giving up decent amounts through the air and land; but, they've played nobody (see below), so it is tough to tell what they hell they're made of.

On defense, MSU is hemorrhaging in its secondary - by far the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment in the Big Ten so far this year. What was to be a strength is seemingly a glaring weakness of lack of confidence. For the most part, Trenton Robinson has played poorly, as has Chris Rucker and Danny Fortener and Marcus Hyde. They all seem lost with passes zinging all around them, not to mention missed tackles. The rush defense has been good, and has made life tough with hard hitting vs the first three opponents (ND used its direct snap formation to break loose Armando Allen, though he had no major gains). Spartan LBs are playing well, now that Brandon Denson has taken a seat. The Spartan pass rush is largely ineffective so far without a blitz, which mean DBs need to make plays. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema ain't happy with their running game, even though they piled up over 200 yards on the ground last week. Wisconsin backs John Clay and Zach Brown statistically are solid: Clay had four fumbles last week vs. Wofford while Brown was 12-63, but the week before vs Fresno State Clay ran for 143 yards on 21 carries (6.8 avg), including a 72 yard TD. ES figures our D-line will likely keep this somewhat in check, similar to the ND game around 120-130 yards, which will force WIS to go through the air. QB Scott Tolzien has been untested this year, period. His defensive competition has been nil; he should get a faceful and mouthful of Spartans this week, and likely he'll be rattled by an improved and determined Spartan secondary coverage. We ain't Fresno State. The ES expects at least 2 interceptions this week, or more, off of Tolzien. Note: Wisky was just 5-13 on third downs vs Fresno.

Special teams seems to be the Spartans' strength so far. Aaron Bates is kicking deep when asked, and has pinned punts, when asked. Brett Swenon has been very accurate (though MD should have called a timeout on Swenson's rushed, but barely-missed 52 yarder). Punt and kick coverage has been good, though we can kick the ball a bit deeper. Glenn Winston and Keshawn Martin have been excitingly close to busting loose with a TD return. For Wisconsin, their return game is nothing to brag about, averaging just 21 on kick returns and 8 on punt returns vs weak competition thus far. Their kicker, Philip Welch, is just 3-of-6 so far this year, and their net punting ranks 75th in the land. Huge advantage to MSU.

Opponents faced: Both teams whipped opponents out of their division (MSU over Montana State, Wisky over Wofford). Both teams faced a MAC opponent, with MSU losing to MAC-champion contender CMU while Wisky squeaked by MAC-midtier Northern Illinois. MSU lost at a tough annual rival, Notre Dame; it took Wisky 2 OTs at home to beat a Fresno State team blitzed by Boise State. Certainly, it is tough to tell how Wisconsin stacks up, while MSU has already encountered good competition and adversity. This should be a major advantage for the Spartans, and the Badgers can expect to see a can of whoop-ass opened up on Saturday by MSU. We're hungry, and we'll play extremely physical.

Actually, the ES feels comfortable about this game. I see Michigan State as a better matchup this week vs Wisconsin than last week vs ND with our defense facing a more typical offensive set; the balanced offense by Wisconsin should relieve some pressure off the Spartan secondary, and allow it to make plays (and INTs) against the Badgers. Kirk Cousins should rebound from last week, and he showed he has amazing, All-America capability in that arm with a very efficient receiving corps. Cousins should take advantage of a Wisconsin secondary that isn't as talented as the Irish. I don't expect the Spartan run game to be as effective this week, but a 120+ yard team effort is likely, and would be a solid contribution. Wisconsin will play a physical defense, as expected, but not outplay the Spartans as they did last year (and lost). Expect the Spartan defense to play better and for it to make enough plays to be a difference-maker. Michigan State is far above the caliber the Badgers have played so far, and it will show as the game wears on.

Halftime score: MSU 21, Wisconsin 14. Game MVP? Blair White will score 2 TDs from Kirk Cousins and have another 150 yards receiving, with 6+ catches.

Game Day Analysis on Wisconsin: USA Today, College Football News/Scout (WIS 27-23), The Sports Network (MSU 35-24), Big Ten Network (WIS 23-20), Bucky's Fifth Quarter (from WIS-WOF), Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

What do you think? What will be the game's biggest surprise? Comment Below -

ES predicts Big Ten openers in week 4

The ES as the early prognosticator for week 4, the opening week of Big Ten Play:

• Indiana at Michigan (-18). Both teams sit at 3-0 and aren't as good as their record indicates, but Indiana's undefeated welcome to the Big Ten season will receive a slap in the face. scUM wins, though the ES will pray otherwise.
  
• Illinois at Ohio State (-15). Illinois had a week off to focus for their stint at the Horseshoe, but injuries still mount... and their play is worse. These are two teams in different leagues. Give it to the Buckeyes. Illini shall get Zookified.
  
• Minny at Northwestern (-1). This ain't Jim Brown's or Ernie Davis' Syracuse - yet they beat the Wildcats last week. That's enough to give this matchup to the Gophers.
• Iowa at Joe Pa (-11). This game will be much closer than the bookies make it. But, the Old Man will come out ahead, he won't let the Hawkeyes win two years in a row.
  
• ND (-7) at Purdon't. Don't is it - Here's a Purdue squad that was squashed by NIU, and ND is just a tad better. Give it, reluctantly, to the Leprechaun.
• Michigan State at Wisconsin (-3). The Doctor won't go 1-3, and it's time for the Spartan nation to wake up. Wisky has had poor competition so far, and should be 3-0.