ES Game Day Preview: Buckeyes vs Spartans

#14 Ohio State Cheatin' Buckeyes (4-0) at #20 Michigan State Spartans (3-1)
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
3:30 pm ET.  ABC-TV
Weather: 65 degrees, sunny
Sagarin Rankings: OSU #21, MSU #24
Line:  MSU favored by 3

Predictions:  ESPN Blog Bennett: MSU 19-17, Rittenberg OSU 20-17;  CBSSports/Feldman: MSU 14-10;  NBCSports.com: OSU 24-23; CFN/Scout: MSU 17-13; CBSSports.com Staff Picks: MSU; Columbus Dispatch: OSU 21-17; Detroit Freep: Rexrode MSU 17-13, Sharp OSU 10-6, Seidel MSU 10-7; FanIQ: MSU 20-14. ESPN TV Holtz & May: OSU.

Full ES Preview is on the Huffington Post. 

The ES predicts the same rainbow over Spartan Stadium as last week vs Eastern Michigan (see below):  Receivers catch a few, enough to move the chains, for the first time this year.  Spartan Receivers 16, Buckeye’s Braxtons 10.

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.

Blogging to the masses

Buckeye Battle Cry and the Huffington Post have asked for the ES to chime in on this weekend's Buckeye-Spartan tilt.... this moves the needle to a 9 out of 10 on the Herbstreit Meter. Hopefully we can nail Herbie in his Buckeye Can by Saturday nite....

Spartans-Buckeyes a TOSS UP in Vegas as Game Day comes to town

The early, early line out of Vegas has next Saturday's MSU-Ohio State tilt anywhere from a Pick 'Em to MSU as a 1-1/2 pt favorite.  Ugh.  Other Big Ten matchups are: Penn State by 2-1/2 at Illinois, Iowa by 6 at home vs Minnesota, Northwestern by 14-1/2 pt fave at home over Indiana, Purdue by 18 at home over Marshall, Nebraska is favored by - get this - 11-1/2 at home over Wisconsin.

MAKE SOME NOISE... Get out your whistles & horns, ESPN Game Day is coming to East Lansing.  Lee, Kirk and the boys will be in town for the Spartans vs Buckeyes showdown; I guess MSU has a 2-3 record when Game Day is in EL. 

As for the polls... well, the coaches obviously didn't see the EMU game, as they jumped the Spartans up two notches to #18; MSU is #20 in the AP Poll.

AP Top 25
RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Alabama (59)	4-0	1499
2	Oregon	4-0	1414
3	LSU (1)	4-0	1346
4	Florida State	4-0	1340
5	Georgia	4-0	1245
6	South Carolina	4-0	1147
7	Kansas State	4-0	1067
8	Stanford	3-0	1055
9	West Virginia	3-0	1045
10	Notre Dame	4-0	1003
11	Florida	4-0	864
12	Texas	3-0	856
13	USC	3-1	801
14	Ohio State	4-0	633
15	TCU	3-0	616
16	Oklahoma	2-1	611
17	Clemson	3-1	588
18	Oregon State	2-0	451
19	Louisville	4-0	414
20	Michigan State	3-1	348
21	Mississippi State	4-0	246
22	Nebraska	3-1	179
23	Rutgers	4-0	128
24	Boise State	2-1	114
25	Baylor	3-0	92

• Dropped from rankings: Michigan 18, UCLA 19, Arizona 22

• Others receiving votes: Northwestern 89, UCLA 79, Michigan 44, Ohio 40, Virginia Tech 26, Arizona 17, Iowa State 16, Wisconsin 13, Oklahoma State 12, Texas A&M 11, Texas Tech 10, Cincinnati 10, Tennessee 10, Arizona State 8, Louisiana Tech 7, Purdue 5, Miami (FL) 1

Three recommendations to correct the Spartan passing game... before it's too late

Bennie Fowler just can't catch

So, the ES was saying in jest earlier this week, "shoot we only scored 3 against Notre Dame.  How can we be favored by 32 against Eastern?" 

Umm, truer words were never said.  Michigan State limped out of Spartan Stadium with yet another pathetic receiving display in a 23-7 victory over lowly Eastern Michigan.  If you want to call THAT CRAP we saw on Saturday "receiving."  This MSU team doesn't deserve to be considered top 25 at this point.

Spartans dropped another dozen passes, seven of which we counted in the first half.  Folks, this ain't the Fighting Irish we were playing.  It was the Fighting Eagles.  It got to the point where we fans were pleading not to even throw the ball anymore, because we knew it would be futile.  The boo-birds were deafening at half time.  The receivers have no confidence.  None.

Spartan receivers Tony Lippett and Bennie Fowler should be benched.  Period.  Even Nick Hill dropped a punt and was replaced by LeVeon Bell (now, that was a stupid idea, putting our best offensive weapon at risk in the return game).  So, here are three recommendations for Dantonio if the Spartans are to have a chance the rest of the year.

1. Run a goal line offense the entire game.  Get rid of the receivers, bring in a few extra lineman and tight ends for blocking, and just have Andrew Maxwell hand the ball off to LeVeon Bell.  It will be a messy, ugly rugby scrum of a game, but we'll move the ball.
2. Switch the offense to a wishbone.  Connor Cook has more mobility, and use him as an option quarterback with the Spartans pitching and running the ball on every down, with a very, very,  infrequent, occasional pass to Dion Sims (the only guy on offense who CAN catch, with 6-112 and a TD vs Eastern).   
3. OK, BACK TO REALITY.  Let's have our DBs play double-duty.  Pull Lippett and Fowler, and replace them with Isaiah Lewis, Johnny Adams, or Darquize Dennard.  Seriously, this is a viable option and at least we know our DBs can catch. 

Something has got to be done. The stark reality, and the enormity of the problem with the receivers has hit the coaches.  Dantonio said, ""You have to catch the ball. Throwing and catching. If there's nothing wrong with the route and the ball is there you have to catch it."  Offensive Coordinator Dan Roushar said, "I don't know if it was seven or eight drops in the first half, but that's not going to help us win any games around here...  There is a lack of execution and maybe a lack of confidence."  And, from the man himself, who dropped passes and fumbled, WR Bennie Fowler: "Maxwell is getting the ball out there we just have to continue finishing the play. If we finish those plays then we will get the results we want."

I don't care if you are playing pee-wee football, badminton, kayaking, or playing college football - teams are supposed to get better as the season progresses.  Said Roushar: "“I don’t think we made any progress at all."  

Yeah, umm, time to bench Fowler and Lippett.  Maybe they can watch and learn.  The Spartan offense just can't afford it otherwise.

On the positive side, the Spartan defense played fantastic once again, holding EMU to just 183 yards of total offense, and 46 on the ground.  Indeed, Eastern's best play, a beautiful 23 yard touchdown pass on an acrobatic catch, was something Spartan receivers should play on their DVR over and over again to watch how to catch a football.  Although EMU was leading 7-6 at half, that was their last gasp.

LeVeon Bell ran for 253 yards on 36 carries, and ran around, through, and over EMU all day.  At least we know what we need to do on offense the rest of the year if we are to even have a chance in the Big Ten. 

RANT coming forthwith

ES shall provide a very lengthy rant about the brutal Michigan  State receiving corps, and innovative ideas to fix things here on Sunday... At least we beat EMU, all hail LeVeon Bell!

ES Game Day: Spartans vs Eagles

#20/21 Michigan State Spartans (2-1) vs Eastern Michigan Eagles (0-3)
Sagarin Ratings:  MSU #27, EMU #159
Saturday, September 22. 3:30 pm ET.
Weather @ kickoff: Showers, 58 degrees.
TV:  BTN
Line: MSU by 32.

Predictions: CFN/Scout: MSU 45, EMU 7.  BTN: MSU 48, EMU 3.  Freep: MSU 34-3/MSU 52-10/MSU 38-7.  DetNews:  MSU 45-10.

ES sez:  MSU 45, EMU 0.  See ya next week for the Buckeyes!

ES pre-Game Day preview vs EMU

Well, sorry, but the ES is a bit bored by the match-up against Eastern Michigan, in the cold and rain tomorrow.  The ES will publish a more indepth write up... but MSU only scored 3 points against Notre Dame, and yet the Spartans are favored by 32 against EMU?  Ouch, guess the Eagles/Hurons are pretty bad.

ES sez: MSU 45, EMU 0.

Spartan offense blows chunks, favored by 32 over EMU

Wow, that sucked. Only 3 points out of the Spartan offense vs the Irish? 237 total yards???? Terrible.

Dantonio didn't have the team ready... That wasn't Alabama we played, but we did our best to make the Irish look like the Tide. But, in addition, the receivers just flat didn't execute. We lost count of the dropped passes after 10; it was too bad, because Maxwell actually played well. That's not preparation, it is just poor play. Wide receivers play the game to catch footballs -- that's what they do. It killed all of our drives, and it was consistent all game long. The receivers are a real problem. I don't see #14 Tony Lippett starting the rest of the year. He was the biggest problem, he dropped 7 -- SEVEN -- passes. It was brutal - He SUCKED. It was fitting, the final play by the MSU offense was about a 30 yard sideline pattern to him, and like all game long it went right through his hands.

There's only so much you can ask of a defense and a QB. Laying an egg on national television stinks. Oh well.

MSU is now down to #20/#21 in the polls. Despite the loss, the Spartans are favored by 32 1/2 over Eastern Michigan this week.

And, Rittenberg/Bennett at ESPN still pick MSU to the Rose Bowl, but notes the void of good teams in the Big Ten. The bloggers say: "All Saturday did was make the picture much cloudier, as the team we've been pegging for the Rose Bowl -- Michigan State -- had a dreadful performance against Notre Dame." Further, "Well, since no other team has taken the bull by the horns, we might as well stick with our preseason pick of the Spartans winning the Big Ten..."

Truer words never were said. Hopefully, that crap was an aberration.

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;

ES Game Day: #10 Spartans vs #20 Irish

#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;

ES sez? MSU 27-ND 13. I have been asked and have submitted a writeup about the whipping to the Huffington Post - will link to it when they post; should be no later than breakfast on Saturday morning. Pour yerself a Bloody, and point your URL over here for a skinny on the game. GO GREEN!

Big Ten Network at Peanut Barrell... NOW

UPDATE: So, as the ES wuz eating inside around 1 pm, the BTN was filming on the patio outside. Joe was wearing his best Sunday dress, and instead was covered by WILX, local TV-10. Maybe BTN will be back later, but it is a beautiful day, 70 degrees and sunny here in EL and filming outside makes very good sense....

ES is in the Peanut Barrell right now. Joe, owner, said the Big Ten Network should be here any minute to cover their Tailgate 48 show. They confirmed last night, but called him two weeks ago. Watch for updates and photos, Spartan fans. (The show will be aired next week before EMU game).

LIttle Giants or Major Butt-kicking? Predictions are in...

Early discussion and prognostications are blowing the winds in favor of Michigan State in their annual tilt vs the ND Irish, under the lights, 8 pm in East Lansing on ABC.

• ESPN/Rittenberg - MSU 17-10. "Michigan State's defense has been as advertised, and coordinator Pat Narduzzi told me this week that the unit is nowhere near its potential."
• ESPN/Bennett - MSU 21-17. " The Spartans' D is just better, however, and creates one score off a turnover. Bell does the rest with two touchdowns."
• CFN/Scout.com - MSU 27-17. " This is when Michigan State starts to get the national respect it should’ve received after the Boise State game."
• CBSSports.com/Feldman - MSU 23-14. "Curious to see if Irish remain in the nation's Top 10 in turnover margin after this road trip. Doubt it."
• NBCSports.com - MSU 24-16. "We don’t have much confidence in the Irish offensive line that was able to carve out just 52 rushing yards against Purdue last week."

ES will have his Game Day prediction up tomorrow... it's not who is gonna win, but by how much? Is this a 34-31 heart stopper or is it 31-14 blood fest? Methinks the latter...

Spartans favored by 3 over Notre Dame

The early line out of Vegas has the Michigan State Spartans favored by a FG (3 1/2) over Notre Dame. The rats from Ann Arbor are favored by, gulp, 45 over UMass. Northwestern by 4 at home over Boston College. Purdon't by 23 at home over Eastern Michigan. The Buckeyes by 17 1/2 at home over the University of California Golden Bears. Minny by 3 at home over Western Michigan. Wisky by 14 at home over Utah State. Nebraska by 24 at home over Arkansas State.

Spartans whip Chips, move to #10 and lead a sucky BigTen

Michigan State totally dominated Central Michigan on Saturday, 41-7. The ES was in Seattle visiting his dad for his 70th birthday, so he missed the game in person, but saw the first half on the tele.

That was enough. What a butt-kicking. The Spartan defense again shined, allowing just 245 total yards, 72 on the ground. And, so far this year, the Spartan defense has not allowed a TD - the Chips scored as the game was ending on an INT of backup Connor Cook. Holding any opponent's offense scoreless in their own stadium is damn impressive. Defensive stud Will Gholston had the only sack, but he broke up a pass and hit CMU's Radcliff a few times. The Spartans held CMU to a ridiculous 17-of-38 passing (45%). On offense, the first half was fine - good return game, defense holding CMU allowed for great field position. Andrew Maxwell, however, threw a few bad throws, including one right into the hands of CMU safety Lorenzo White (yes, he is the son of OUR MSU Lorenzo White). Junior, unlike his daddy, dropped it so it was not an INT but should have been. Maxwell still has some work to do -- but he threw some great passes in the second half (as seen on MSU's game video).

At this point, Michigan State's national ranking in defensive categories is sparkling.

• Total Defense: 225.5 ypg (#8)
• Rushing Defense: 54.5 ypg (#11)
• Pass Defense: 171.0 ypg (#27)
  
• Pass Efficiency Defense: 78.17 (#5)
• Scoring Defense: 10.0 ppg (#12)
  

After a very embarrassing weekend for the Big Ten, Michigan State looks at this point to be really the only decent Big Ten team with bowl eligibility. Michigan State moved up to #10 in polls, and as we were saying last night over some vino and appetizers - that's about where we want to be... no need to get on the map any higher yet. Let's just take care of the G*ddam Catholics next week. Should be fun. At this point, only three Big Ten teams ranked - and the ES can't figure out the varmints at #17 after their annihilation to Alabama followed up by a squeaker against a poor, and undermanned, Air Force Academy.

AP Top 25
RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Alabama (48)	2-0	1486
2	USC (8)	2-0	1414
3	LSU (4)	2-0	1404
4	Oregon	2-0	1299
5	Oklahoma	2-0	1160
5	Florida State	2-0	1160
7	Georgia	2-0	1155
8	South Carolina	2-0	1025
9	West Virginia	1-0	1017
10	Michigan State	2-0	995
11	Clemson	2-0	868
12	Ohio State	2-0	772
13	Virginia Tech	2-0	734
14	Texas	2-0	716
15	Kansas State	2-0	714
16	TCU	1-0	542
17	Michigan	1-1	429
18	Florida	2-0	427
19	Louisville	2-0	316
20	Notre Dame	2-0	310
21	Stanford	2-0	260
22	UCLA	2-0	250
23	Tennessee	2-0	177
24	Arizona	2-0	149
25	Brigham Young	2-0	110

• Dropped from rankings: Arkansas 8, Wisconsin 13, Nebraska 16, Oklahoma State 18

• Others receiving votes: Boise State 106, Arkansas 79, Nebraska 79, OREGONST 77, Mississippi State 70, Baylor 54, Wisconsin 44, ULMONROE 23, Ohio 17, Georgia Tech 15, Oklahoma State 13, South Florida 12, ARIZONAST 10, IOWAST 5, NORTHWSTRN 5, UTAHST 1, North Carolina 1

ES Game Day: Michigan State at Central Michigan

#11 MSU Spartans (1-0) at Central Michigan Chippewas (1-0)
September 7, 2012. 3:30 pm
ESPNU
Weather @ kickoff: 65 degrees, sunny, windy (17 MPH)
Line: MSU by 21

Jeff Sagarin has the Spartans ranked #22 (and Boise ranked #6???) and the Chippewas ranked #121; according to Sagarin, MSU should win by 18 in Mt. Pleasant. The ES has an abbreviated Game Day, as he is tied up through the weekend -- and actually cannot go to this exciting matchup. But, the ES took a couple of pics of Kelly/Shorts Stadium, which added 3,500 seats for their "big game." Look at the shots below. That said, some previews:

• CFN/Scout: MSU 41-10
• BTN.com: MSU 41-7, MSU 37-3
• CBSSports.com: MSU 34-16
  
• Detroit Sports Site: MSU 43-13
• Spartan Nation: MSU 48-6
  
• Maddux Sports

ES Prediction: ES thinks that CMU will get into the end zone... once; and so will the Spartan defense. It's tough to think that a Spartan team holding a good, ranked Boise to 13 points will allow that many against CMU; and that a CMU team giving up 27 to SE Missouri St will allow less than 30 by the Spartans. CMU does have the better quarterback... but that's about it.

ES sez: Make it MSU 38, CMU 10.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

Other interesting notes include: 1) the Spartans' plan to add an $18 million addition to the north end zone of Spartan Stadium, just a year after adding $10 million in scoreboards and reconstructing the area. It is amazing what winning will do, just plowing more money into football, even though Munn Ice Arena needs a minimum $15 million in mandatory renovations to the ice rink (federal law regarding large freon units). And, 2) former Spartan coach John L Smith has filed for bankruptcy.

Kelly/Shorts Stadium - click on photos to zoom in.

MSU at #11 in both polls

Just on the outside lookin' in - your Michigan State Spartans are now up to #11 in both polls, the AP and USA Today/coaches polls. MSU is a 24-pt fave at Central Michigan this week.

Here is the AP Poll:

AP Top 25
RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Alabama (45)	1-0	1481
2	USC (11)	1-0	1435
3	LSU (4)	1-0	1382
4	Oregon	1-0	1295
5	Oklahoma	1-0	1170
6	Florida State	1-0	1135
7	Georgia	1-0	1083
8	Arkansas	1-0	992
9	South Carolina	1-0	980
9	West Virginia	1-0	980
11	Michigan State	1-0	915
12	Clemson	1-0	788
13	Wisconsin	1-0	664
14	Ohio State	1-0	634
15	Virginia Tech	1-0	604
16	Nebraska	1-0	603
17	Texas	1-0	584
18	Oklahoma State	1-0	558
19	Michigan	0-1	446
20	TCU	0-0	355
21	Kansas State	1-0	339
22	Notre Dame	1-0	198
23	Louisville	1-0	190
24	Florida	1-0	145
25	Stanford	1-0	131

• Dropped from rankings: Boise State 24

• Others receiving votes: Boise State 79, Tennessee 73, Brigham Young 63, North Carolina 48, Baylor 38, Utah 34, Washington 15, Georgia Tech 14, Ohio 10, TEXSTATE 10, Missouri 7, Texas A&M 5, South Florida 5, UCF 4, Mississippi State 3, Auburn 3, Cincinnati 2

MSU Spartans favored by 24 at CMU

According to the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas (via Vegas Insider), the Michigan State Spartans are a hefty 24-point favorite at Central Michigan this Saturday. Notre Dame is favored by 2 TDs (14-1/2) at home over Purdue; Wisconsin is favored by 8-1/2 traveling to lovely Corvallis, OR, to take on Oregon State; Iowa is favored at home by 4 over Iowa State; Nebraska is a 5-pt fave at UCLA; at home, Northwestern is a 3-pt underdog to upstart Vanderbilt; Arizona State is favored by 1 at home over Illinois; Ohio State is favored by 16-1/2 while hosting Central Florida; Virginia is favored by 9-1/2 at home over Penn State (oh, how the mighty have fallen); Indiana is a once-in-a-decade road favorite, this time at UMass; and, Michigan can lick their wounds at home, returning from their whipping to 'Bama as a 3-TD favorite at home over the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Spartan defense shuts down Boise, 17-13

What a wild night, and winning ugly is still winning. It was the Michigan State Spartan defense that kept the offense in the game, stopping the Boise State offense from capitalizing on four MSU turnovers - and three Andrew Maxwell INTs.

The good: The Spartan defense, though not getting to Boise State QBs, completely shut down the Broncos, holding them to 37 yards rushing and just 206 total yards. The Broncos scored more on defense (7 pts) than on offense (6 pts). Le'Veon Bell bolted into the national spotlight, with an amazing 210 yards rushing on 44 carries -- the Spartans just turned to him time and time again as the game wore on. The dude was a workhorse. Dion Sims at TE bailed out Maxwell on a beautiful catch late in the game to set up the go-ahead TD by Bell. MSU outgained the Broncos 461-206 in total yards, but it was the defense and Bell who stole the show.

The bad: Let's be honest, Maxwell (22-38-248-3) didn't play well. Period. He missed open receivers and the three INTs should have been six if the Bronco defense used enough stick-'em. Some weren't his fault, with the Spartan wideouts dropping plenty of balls... including one right into the hands of Boise LB Jeremy Ioane, who returned it for six points. But, another Maxwell interception was a poor pass that killed a drive deep in Boise territory, and worth at least three points. Maxwell and his WRs needs lots of work; that type of performance won't win championships.

The weird: The new scoreboards were so bright, they were almost blinding. In addition, there were plenty of errors on the stats throughout the game - incorrect downs, yards to go, and total yards (which showed for Boise 37 rushing, 269 passing, and 206 total yards... ummm, do the math). Scoreboards need some work, too. Not sure if the ES likes the new scoreboards at night, kind of ruined the homey atmosphere. They are cool looking, but the stats aren't correct and they are just so damn bright.

The ES predicted 24-13... and it almost was, as the Spartan's should have punched it in from the Boise three yard line instead of kneeling down on the game's final play. There's plenty to work on for the Spartan offense, but the Big Green is 1-0 and certain to move up in the polls, and will leapfrog over Michigan after the rodents get their butts kicked by Alabama today.

Below: here's Le'Veon Bell getting the handoff as he heads into the end zone for the winning Spartan TD.

Watching Michigan getting killed by Alabama

It's beautiful. Simply a thing of beauty, right now, watching the Michigan Loserines get their butts kicked. On national television, at Texas Stadium. It's 21-0 Alabama, and not even the end of the first quarter. The "mighty" Denard Robinson hurt his own shoulder, and can't even last a quarter in one piece. Brady Hoke looks shell-shocked. When will the WalMart Wolverines learn that Denard is just a poor quarterback against good competition; sure, he mops up the sisters of the poor, but against good defenses (Michigan State, for instance), he gets frustrated, has just gotten pounded and hurt. And against Alabama, they're playing the best - this ain't no surprise.

I am laughing so loud it hurts. This is a complete embarrassment for the vermin of Ann Arbor. Let's see how this turns out, how long until the Michigan faithful make for the exits. At this rate, I give it half-way through the third quarter.

ES Game Day: Michigan State vs Boise State

#13 MSU Spartans (0-0) vs #22/24 BSU Broncos (0-0)
Friday, August 31. 8 pm
ESPN
Weather @ kickoff: HOT, 82 degrees
Line: MSU by 7

The skinny on the Broncos? Read up at the Idaho Statesman, this is good stuff:

1) on Mr. Confident, QB Southwick, 2) looking at Boise State's battle in the trenches, 3) Players to watch; 4) and this may be Boise's "Biggest Test Yet"

Predictions, seemingly ALL in MSU favor except The Blue Turf's 38-6 BSU blasphemy:

• Idaho Statesman: No prediction, but nice preview from the enemy.
  
• ESPN Blog: MSU 20-16 (Rittenberg), MSU 17-14 (Bennett)
  
• CBSSports.com: MSU 24-10
  
• CFN/Scout.com: MSU 23-17
  
• NBCSports.com: MSU 31-20
  
• Detroit News: MSU 31-10 (Charboneau), MSU 27-14 (Wojo), MSU 31-28 (Niyo)
• Sporting News: MSU 16-9 (Hayes), 24-10 (Greenburg)
• Freep: MSU 24-16 (Rexrode), MSU 20-17 (Sharp), MSU 28-17 (Seidel)
• MLive: MSU 38-17
• ISportsweb: MSU 30-16

The ES: Well, aren't championships won on defense and in the trenches? The matchups along the front heavily favor veteran Michigan State on both sides of the ball against an experienced, but younger Boise State squad. MSU's defense is deep throughout, and should pressure Boise QBs for most of the game... hurried throws may mean easy picks for MSU lock-down corners Johnny Adams and Dequize Dennard. The Boise running game will have a tough time of it against the Spartan front four and the fantastic MSU trio of linebackers. But, Boise always seems to have a high-flying team. The Boise defense will be better than advertised, and it will be interesting to see how the under-appreciated Andrew Maxwell will direct MSU's passing offense. With huge Dion Sims at TE and a veteran front, it should give Maxwell enough time to spread the ball around and have a balanced offense. The Spartans very much have the advantage in kicking, (Dan Conroy), punting (Mike Sadler), and the return game (Nick Hill).

On paper, a heavy MSU advantage... but Boise has a string of upsets in season-openers on the road at BCS schools. However, their losses at key positions, and especially at QB, RB and across defense, will allow MSU to dictate after a rocky first quarter. Expect an MSU defensive touchdown in this game.

ES sez: MSU 24, Boise State 13.

The Blue Turf predicts Boise 38, MSU 6... and a "Seth pool"

The ES had a lovely Q&A with the Blue Turf, digging into the Xs and Os, and the culture of the schools. What's to know about Boise football on Friday night, and what about Boise State University itself? The ES asks...

To read the ES's response to the Blue Turf, link here. Yes, there are no typos ("Seth pool", you gotta be kidding me) - take that for an Idaho edukation. :)

1 – Why doesn’t Boise State have orange turf? Or, green turf? Or grass (bluegrass from Kentucky, that way you can say it’s blue but really green)? Why the blue? Orange really?

BT: Green we don’t wear green uni’s like MSU does, so we wouldn’t be able to blend in. While I had never played on the Blue Turf in High school I had played on the old green turf and in 1985 it was time for a new turf and then Boise State AD Gene Bleymaier had a brilliant idea for a marketing ploy why not a Blue Field

2 – Michigan State is green and plays on a green field. But, Boise’s blue on a blue field is unique. Have you ever heard of the leather patch and the hidden ball tricks used by Carlisle to defeat Harvard? Why should Boise be any different with blue uniforms to hide their players on a blue field?

BT: LOL we often in Bronco Nation make jokes about people complaining about the uni’s and the field while it might provide for difficulties with video view special consider blue like green is a masking color(if you go any video editing you’d know what I mean by masking for the rest of you look it up I’m trying to keep my answers short.

3 – Is there a QB shuffle in Boise since the departure of Kellen Moore (who incidentally was picked up by our Detroit Lions), and what impact will that have on the matchup vs the Spartans?

BT: Thats a great question the answer is nope Boise State has a history of producing outstanding QB’s and certainly since 2001 and the arrival of Coach Pete it only seems to improve. While I read every day in the freep and other Detroit rags about Kellens arm not being in league with superman’s, I suspect why Kellen has had so many dropped passes by his team mates that have hit them dead in both hands has more to do with their inability to catch a pass with left handed spin on it. As for the next Boise State QB this we know for sure he will be taller he will have a stronger arm and he will have more game time experience then Kellen had when he went into Oregon and done what no school has ever been able to do and that is Beat the Ducks on their home turf. That all being said I would say we might see and even more balanced run pass offense then years passed but I digress dispite having possibly the deepest RB’s core Boise State has ever had the fact is they have two world class sprinters at WR and neither of their names are Miller, Boldewijn nor Moore, stay tune for my secret weapons post game day to learn who they are. SO I suspect that Boise State will remain a 50/50 run pass team as they have been in the past on I also suspect they yardage average will go up as compare to the past.

4 – How can your OL stop the Spartan defensive front (our best in 25 years) from breaking your quarterbacks in half?

BT: HAAHA, Lets see we are returning 8 guys with starting experance some of whom have been playing against top level NFL #1 draft picks as long as 4 years ago in BCS bowl games ( you guys know what a BCS Bowl game is right I know you’ve never been to one) over those years Boise States Line has given up a grand total of 5—6 & 7 sacks keep in mind that’s is with the slow footed short Kellen Moore back there so I suspect they will handle Sparty’s Line just fine special when Gohlston is in while he might be very tall his upper body strength is obviously week and his first step is very much lacking as it also appears he not only takes plays off but has a bad temper I believe due in part because he’s such a poor player and gets owned a lot. I know 40 times and size and all but folks watch the tape the kid is not good against average OT’s

5 – The ES had a helluva time trying to find results from the first year Boise played football (in 1933)… what gives? Why not put all of the results in the media guide, regardless of your competitive level – y’all hiding something? Seems as if everything before 1968 is embarrassing or unimportant…

BT: HAHA common cry of Boise State haters special from fans that are about to witness a quality program first hand is schedule , It should be noted first that while the MeatChickens and the Heathen of Notre Dame site 1 and 2 with life time win % Boise State is only hundredths behind in 3rd.

6 – If the ES were to go to the MSU @ Boise game in 2022… what bar that exists now that hopefully will exist, and at age 54, will enlighten the ES to the bubbles of Boise?

BT: Well it should be known I live right here in Michigan, that being said there are many Bars that have been around since even back in my playing days , All depends what you are looking for.

7 – OK. Boise State and the Transcontinental Football Conference. The WAC one year, the Mountain West the next, and now the worst of all - The Big Least. Why join that sorry conference?… trying to stir up a football rivalry with Rutgers? I guess not enough interested fans in the Great Northwest? If Boise's intentions were for anything other than opportunism and BC$ money…then join in all sports, not split between a 1,500-mile weekly trip to the Big Least in football, then stepping down a notch to the Left Coast with Big West games in all other sports. In other words, Boise is hiring the football players to be sent out East for more money, and more difficult studying experiences, to help fund the experiences of non-football players? It all smells, well, like potatoes. What say you Boise nation?

I believe this link is the best way to answer that question.

8 – What crowd can the Spartans expect from the Boise nation (how many Boise fans are traveling to East Lansing) when it opens the season along the Red Cedar River?

BT: A mixed one a knowledgeable one and I know that MSU has given Boise additional tickets since the first 2,500 sold out in like 1 hour. While Boise as a school sold all it’s a lot meant to every major travel game east ward and to the BCS bowl(see meatchickens had to pay to play in sugar 2012 sugar bowl) I would suspect about 4,000 will be coming from Idaho another 4-6 thousand from the Midwest. Example though Toledo came on the heels of the Georgia game we still had over 2,500 there and of those there 80% where from either Michigan or Ohio. See video of example




I understand most people from Michigan don’t travel outside the state much other than to corn country but what you will quickly learn is some basic economic facts. 1. Idaho has more Millionaires per capita than any state in the Union, Boise has been home to more Fortune 500 companies then any other city to include New York and the state of Delaware for over 15 years, also ranked the #1 city these last 10 years running as the best major city over 100k to raise your family and start a new business in by Forbes . So what am I getting at well they will be better educated than most all sparty fans certainly have way more cash in their bank account, they have very high standards and great morale character so all in all not people you guys are use to seeing. Some drink like fishes others don’t drink at all and all will be packing they have no illusion about the Seth pool they are coming to. They’ve seen hard core pawn they know you are broke both financially and morally.

9 – What is the best burger in Boise?

BT: Well the last time I had a burger in Boise was 13 years ago and the place has only gotten more famous since then, I recently seen them on a great eat food channel show , hands down in Boise it would be Big Juds they serve up a 3lber if you can eat it in 30 minutes it’s on the house. That Being said the best burger I have every eaten in my life comes out of Pocatello Idaho from a little family place that’s been there for ever called Nicks Burgers hands down cream even the best you can get at Red Coat tavern on Woodard in Royal Oak.

10 – Who is a famous, non-athlete alum from Boise State, and do you count them as an alum if they graduated or attended prior to 1968?

BT: There are many great ones and all would come long before Boise State was even a college many who help make the school today and without which you couldn’t eat your dinner, nor have that lovely smart phone you use. As someone from Michigan I am always quite amazed at the ignorance and lack of knowing just what a shit whole state you live in because well you’ve never experienced anything outside of your Mercury poisoned rivers and lakes who’s only real native fish is nothing more than a large minnow! Yet you dare call it a trout LOL , with all the acid rain that’s been falling on your heads since birth I have no wonder hy Michigan has been such a failed state for so long :D

11 – Which playmaker on the Bronco offense is most likely to burn the Spartan defense?

BT: WOW I really don’t want to answer that question because we are keeping that a secret, I will say this in camp William Rhodes has been a holy terror and if this young man see the field which I believe he will he can take it to the house every time he touches the ball.

12 – Who on the Bronco defense should the Spartan offense be most concerned about?

BT: Bacon! Gavin! Taylor, Hightower, Smith Ricky I could go on. I guess Taylor though Bacon can ruin a person whole day That’s a hard question really we have so many play makers on D despite what the espn writers tell you we are loaded on D.

13 – The past two seasons, Michigan State is 14-0 at home, and 22-6 overall. What is Boise’s key to being the first team to defeat the Spartans in East Lansing since 2009?

BT: Just be Boise State, come in likes it’s just another business trip and take care of business because that’s what they do.

14 – Ummm, final score prediction?

BT: I’ve thought about this much over the last 2 months. When you look for comparison games it would seem for Boise State this game match more to the 2008 game against the Ducks,(that was the last time the ducks lost at home by the way) Though in the end the scare appeared close it was only really close in the first 7 minutes after that Boise State blew them out and after knocking out their and his back up Oregon was force to burn they’re studs red shirt, the kid who blew up Wisconsin last year in the Rose bowl you can blame Boise State for why he has another year . Kellen being a first year QB and all and playing a ton of freshmen Iloka, Winn, Taylor, Cory DJ Haper, yep that’s right DJ Harper and Jamar Taylor both played in that 08 game and both will be starting August 31 as well. At the same time many want to look to the 09 game against the Ducks and eventual pac champs, low scoring defensive domination game, many see the game that way because of the lack of depth for MSU at WR and an inexperienced QB for both teams. So over the last 2 week I have dove into a ton of MSU tape as much as I could get my hands on, and after hearing from the BSU players I know, reports I see leaking out and the current injury prone MSU OL a QB who’s last meaningful pass was a pick 6 for a loss in his last high school football game in the state playoff game none the less in which that pick six was the difference and his inability to convert a 2 point conversion losing 26-19 , I also watch he foot work very poor kid seems like a klutzs in the back field add in he’s from Midland of all place then there is zero experience at WR and one RB sorry unless someone brain farts for Boise which could happen I just don’t see sparty getting in the end zone with the first team anyway. Now on the other side Boise is so loaded with play makers and the play book to make it happen I see either a kick return (opening kick that is) or a punt return going to the house in this one possibly early I see a couple pass plays going the distance a couple nice runs as well so on the conservative side 38-6 if I was a liberal 54-13. I should add Boise State is real keen on building up games with all their special uni’s most of which they have yet to wear and I have to believe with coach selecting just the normal away White jersey’s with the Blue helmet and orange pants he see the same thing I do when looking at the tape this game other then it’s BSU’s first trip to East Lansing is nothing special.

Enlightened Spartan 2012 Preview for Michigan State Football

OK, so here is the ES season preview below. The ES and The Blue Turf (Boise State) are working on a salvo of banters about our teams and campuses. That should be posted by tomorrow morning (Aug 30). In the meantime, the ES chimes in, along with ChiSpartan, Chock, Big Bob, and Swiss Sloth. Enjoy the predictions; the ES Game Day preview will be up Friday morning.

2012 Enlightened Spartan Season Preview

MSU 12-2 overall, 10-2 regular season. Rose Bowl champions, defeating Oregon.

With all due respect, this is the greatest season ticket package in Michigan State season history: Boise St, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern. Another word: WOW.

BOISE STATE. W. This ain’t Atlanta, this is Spartan Stadium, and a feroucious defense feasts on the Boise backfield. MSU offense scores one TD, the defense scores two en route to a sounding defeat of the Bronco potato-heads.

@ Central Michigan. W. Unlike the Ann Arbor stick-my-nose-in-the-air rodents down the road, the Spartans share the wealth and give CMU a home game to pad its departmental budget. The Chips need the padding, as they are mauled in a big loss at home.

NOTRE DAME. W. The Irish are overrated again, but a very tough s chedule inspires the Catholics to a tough fight for their lives, early on the road in a night game. Doesn’t matter as Sparty’s defense shuts down ND in a low-scoring contest, making it 11 of the last 16 for Michigan State. Another TD for the Spartan D.

EASTERN MICHIGAN. W. The question: against whom will the Spartans score the most points? CMU, EMU, Indiana, or Minnesota.

OHIO STATE. L. Spartans shocked at home, suffer first home defeat since 2009 and giving Urban Meyer the first feather in his cap.

@ Indiana. W. See the intro “@ Indiana”? Enough said.

IOWA. W. ‘Tis interesting the decline of the Hawkeyes and the rise of the Spartans, no? Spartan defense should manhandle the Hawkeye front – a reversal of roles from a decade ago. Rising = Dantonio; Falling = Ferentz.

@ Michigan. W. Denard who? The hype is squashed for the third straight year. Last two years, Spartans viciously ended any Heisman talk, knocking Robinson into another world, with unHeisman-like stats (rush: 39-128 yards-3.3 avg; pass: 26-53-338-4 INTs)…... Defense wins championships, watch Robinson’s cage get rattled again. Spartan defense scores a pair of TDs to shut down Michigan Heisman talk. Again.

@ Wisconsin. L. Michigan State suffers loss number two, on the road, in a tight, heated rivalry that is the 21^st century version of the B1G Ten glory that used to be Woody & Bo. The two squads will meet later…

NEBRASKA. W. Spartans defeat the Huskers for the first time. ES suffers a heart attack upon learning the win actually isn’t a replay of the 55 point shellacking the Spartans suffered to Nebraska in 1996.

NORTHWESTERN. W. Even though the Cats have had a great rivalry in recent years, they’ve been lucky not to schedule Michigan State on its current stretch. Read that: current stretch. This is a Wildcat offense and defense that, on its best day, just isn’t in the same league, even if in the same conference.

@ Minn. W. The days of old Metropolitan Stadium return in a -10 degree blizzard in Minneapolis. Bud Grant would love the weather, but not the result.

B1G CHAMPIONSHIP. W. Michigan State turns the table, avenges its loss to Wisconsin earlier in the season and in last year’s B1G title game with a Rose Bowl-clinching victory. Montee Ball runs for 210 yards for the game; but, on the last play, fumbles into the arms of Johnny Adams, who runs it back 98 yards for the winning score.

ROSE BOWL. W. Michigan State beats Oregon in the fourth meeting of the two teams witnessed by the ES. With a month to prepare, Andrew Maxwell gets his moxy and Spartan receivers have a field day… as do Duck receivers. But, this is the Spartans’ year.

NOT ON SCHEDULE: Purdue, Penn State, Illinois.

EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Swiss Sloth:

1. Total # wins: 8
2. Bowl: Outback bowl v auburn
3. Toughest game: Michigan cuz it’s on the road
4. How much would you bet on MSU to win the Big Ten if in Vegas? 0, but I never bet on anything
5. Score for MSU vs Boise? 24-14 for the good guys!!!
6. Season total TDs vs INTs for Maxwell? 18 td’s, 15 int’s

ChiSpartan:

1. Total # of MSU wins: 11
2. Bowl game for MSU (vs who?): Rose Bowl vs Oregon
3. Toughest game for MSU on schedule: Wisconsin
4. How much would you bet on MSU to win Big Ten in Vegas? 5,000,000 Vietamese Dong
5. Score of MSU vs Boise game 24-10
6. Total # of TDs vs INTs for Maxwell : 20 TDs and 7 Ints

Chock (with welcome commentary!):

1. total # of MSU wins: 8 wins for an 8-4 record not counting the bowl game. I think 9-3 is a good, educated guess and I even think that 10-2 is definitely achievable. But we will lose at least one because of inexperience by our rookie QB. Cousins was really, really good and we’ll miss that.
2. bowl game for MSU (vs who?): Capital One bowl vs. Arkansas and MSU fans relish the return of John L Smith with a second straight bowl victory after Smith’s team crumbles around him at the end of the season
3. toughest game for MSU on schedule: @ Wisconsin
4. How much would you bet on MSU to win Big Ten in Vegas? $100 … although I’m much rather spend my Vegas dollars betting on the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament
5. Score of MSU vs Boise game: MSU 27 – Boise State 24
6. Total # of TDs vs INTs for Maxwell: 24 - 11

BTW, you didn’t ask, but Nebraska wins the Legends and Wiscy wins the Leaders. Nebraska beats Wiscy in the B1G Championship game and goes the Rose Bowl and shits the bed vs. USC. Kill, William, Kill, and Pound, Green, Pound!!! Go State…

Big Bob:

1. total # of MSU wins - 11
2. bowl game for MSU (vs who?) - Rose v Oregon
3. toughest game for MSU on schedule - at Wisconsin
4. How much would you bet on MSU to win Big Ten in Vegas? - $123.45
5. Score of MSU vs Boise game - 20-17. MSU
6. Total # of TDs vs INTs for Maxwell - 24TDs, 13INTs

Smigdiggler (with more commentary!):

MSU WestCoast Correspondent - Smigdiggler Sees positive things from the Spartans this year. with the favorable home schedule with a tough spot right in the middle of the season with UM followed by Wisky on the road, back to back.
1. total # of MSU wins 10
2. bowl game for MSU (vs who?) I want rose bowl, but due to some kind of BCS logic they will be relegated to the Capital One bowl. What's in your wallet?
3. toughest game for MSU on schedule - At Wisky a week after beating the tar out of those scUM bastards in the big sh!t house
4. How much would you bet on MSU to win Big Ten in Vegas? $100.00
5. Score of MSU vs Boise game This will be higher than most people think. MSU-28 BS-21
6. Total # of TDs vs INTs for Maxwell - Going Big - 27/9

Video: Spartan Band practice march to stadium

Wanna get fired up... well... So here was ES and Big Bob heading onto MSU campus to hurl the pigskin, just three days before the season opener. And, the Spartan marching band shuts down the streets in its practice entry to the Stadium... "Go State, Beat the Broncos." Beautiful, 300+ strong band all jacked up - with a nice crowd watching.

Gets da ES all fired up for football on Friday!

2012 FB rules: 15-yard penalty to jump over someone to block a kick!

The NCAA was very light on rule changes this year. Most significant is placing the ball at the 25 after kickoff/safety touchbacks (not punts, fumbles, or INTs). The rule changes are:

• Kickoffs will be moved up to the 35 yard line from the 30.
• The kicking team will only have a five yard running head start on kickoffs.
• Touchbacks will move from the 20 yard line to the 25 yard line only on kickoffs and free kicks after a safety.
  
• On onside kicks, teams can't kick it into the ground first.
  
• Players cannot leap over other players when blocking punts (see photo: that's a no-no #99). That's a 15-yard penalty.
  
• Players who lose their helmets during a play (except when caused by fouls) will have to leave the field for one play.
• Offensive players in the tackle box at the snap who are not in motion are allowed to block below the waist legally without restriction. All other players are restricted from blocking below the waist with some exceptions (i.e. blocking straight-on).

Herbstreit picks Spartans to win Big Ten

So ESPN leads off with the Little Sister down the road, the cheating Buckeyes, and the horror story at Penn State. With Herbie picking MICHIGAN STATE as the Big Ten Champs.

Nice

Watch the ESPN Big Ten preview, and see Kirk Herbstreit endorse Sparty for a BCS game.

One week til kickoff! Current odds... MSU a TD fave over Boise

Here is what the oddsmakers out of Vegas have today for week 1 of college football:

Michigan State favored by 7 pts over Boise State; Minnesota favored by 8 1/2 at UNLV; Penn State favored by 6 at home over Ohio; Illinois favored by 9 1/2 at home over Illinois, Nebraska favored at home by 19 1/2 over Southern Miss; Iowa favored by 9 1/2 at Northern Illinois; Alabama favored by nearly 2 TDs (12 1/2) over Michigan at Texas Stadium;

WOW - Spartan Stadium scoreboard all lit up!

Well... this afternoon (Sunday), the ES was again heading over to hurl the ball around, this time at Munn Field (before the students return and take it over)... and wouldn't you know it but the folks over at Spartan Stadium were testing out the scoreboard.  So, the ES took some pics.  Check it out - and just hope their ain't a power outage:  all of the sponsorships, stats/time/score, and video are all interconnected on one HUGE flat screen.  Very slick.  Click on all these photos to see a large version.

Testing, 1-2-3... It's all on huge digital screen.  Wow

Can you believe how big the screen is??? Wow.

From the bike path near the Red Cedar.  The screen is HUGE. Zoom in!

How big is this?  Check out the two workers on top right

Let us learn more about Boise Potato Heads

Who is and what is Boise State University football?  Let us learn more about their history, the football team began immediately in 1933 in the first year as a junior college, being founded upon the earlier St. Margaret's School, an Episcopal school founded in 1892 in nearby Christ Chapel.  

What to follow -(fyi, check out the Recent News link below on the Broncs losing their starting Center and Wideout)

• Blogs:  One Bronco Nation Under God (SB Nation), The Blue Turf
• Follow the News:  Bronco Beat (Idaho Statesman),  Idaho Press Tribune
• Official BSU Football website: http://www.boisestatefootball.com/
• Recent News: Is Boise State as Vulnerable as Ever? (RGJ.com – Reno), Boise State football loses center for season, wide receiver for four games (Idaho Statesman)

About BSU Stadium: 37,000 (and they want to be BCS?), just a wee-bitty smaller than the Big Green Gridiron Palace, only 48% the size of Spartan Stadium.

Football history (ahem!): Boise State University’s first football season was in 1933, with a 1-2-1 record.  At that time, BSU was Boise Junior College by the Episcopal Church. Boise played junior college football until 1968, when it vaulted into independent status, then joining the Big Sky in 1970. Boise Junior College played in the Potato Bowl in Bakersfield, California in 1949, 1951,1954,1957 and again in 1965. In 1950 Boise Junior College played Long Beach City College in the biggest Junior college bowl in the country, the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Let us compare the football schedules for 1933 between Boise JUCO potato-men and the Michigan State Spartans:

Boise State (1-2-1) schedule in 1933 (link here):

St. Joseph Academy, L 0-7

College of Idaho reserves, W 25-6

Albion Normal Teachers, L 6-7

St. Joseph Academy, T 0-0

Michigan State (4-2-2) schedule in 1933 (link here):

Grinnell, W 14-0

Michigan, L 6-20

Illinois Wesleyan, W 20-12

Marquette, W 6-0

Syracuse, W 27-3

Kansas State, T 0-0

Carnegie Mellon, T 0-0
Detroit Mercy, L 0-14

The future?  The Spartans will travel to Boise in 2022, with the Broncos returning to East Lansing in 2023.

SI ranks MSU #8, Boise State #23: Analyzing the matchups

Bronco Nation beware: William Gholston is a beast

Sports Illustrated's Top 25 has the Michigan State Spartans listed at #8, and the Boise State Broncos at #23.   Let's look at their analysis, and what this all means on a matchup basis.

On offense, Michigan State's biggest weakness entering the season was a lack of experience at QB, and lack of experience at wide receiver.  The offensive line is the most experienced, with three returning starters (Blake Treadwell is out for at least the first one to two games with “a stress fracture or hairline fracture in his tibia”).  The running backs are deep, with All Big Ten Le'Veon Bell, former starter Larry Caper, and the swift and speedy Nick Bell. The Spartans return 9 of 11 on defense, the best linebacking corps in the nation, a pair of lock-down corners, and a deep and talented line in the trenches led by a pair of ferocious pass rushing ends: All Big Ten Marcus "Whatttta" Rush and All America William "I'm gonna get you sucka" Gholston. For more, read http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/ncaa/michigan-state-preview/index.html

Boise State also returns an inexperienced quarterback, but a deep receiving corps and a more than capable RB in DJ Harper.  As noted by SI, "Not only did 12 players sign NFL contracts, but offensive coordinator Brent Pease left to become the offensive coordinator at Florida. There are all of seven returning starters; Boise State lost nine of its top ten tacklers, its leading passer, rusher, receiver, and even its punter." Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/ncaa/boise-state-broncos-preview/index.html#ixzz23fzLHuDv

So what does this all mean?  It's a home, night game for the Spartans - which means with its new scoreboards the crowd will be fueled and loud. On offense, MSU has an advantage with its running game with a solid line against and inexperienced Boise defensive front.  While the Spartans may not have an experienced QB-WR tandem, a healthy dose of Le'Veon Bell and maybe some tosses from QB Andrew Maxwell to TE Deon Sims can loosen up that Boise defense.  On defense, MSU has a strong advantage with its depth across the board.  Expect the Spartan defensive front and LB corps should be able to plug holes and shut down the run game while pressuring the inexperienced Boise QB, probably redshirt junior Joe Southwick, who has appeared in 16 games.  Southwick can throw to talented wideouts... if he has the time.  The Spartan secondary is among the best in the nation, and with that vaunted Spartan pass rush the secondary will minimize the Bronco damage.

MSU has an advantage in its punting and kicking game, and in its return game with Nick Hill.  The Spartans are favored by 7, and when you look at it on paper you can see why.  If the Spartan defense comes with its A-game, the ES doesn't see Boise scoring more than 2 TDs.