Hoosier daddy? Probably the Spartans.

I'm excited about finally heading to Spartan Stadium tomorrow for my first LIVE game of the season, in what is the home finale.  I hope to get to the stadium in time for the senior day ceremony at 11:45 AM.  This special Spartan senior class deserves a standing ovation for all they've accomplished.

As far as the game itself goes, on paper it looks to be a blowout--but I thought that way about last year's final home game against Purdue and the Minnesota game two weeks ago.  If the Spartans are lackadaisical, it could end up being closer than expected.  But I have to believe that the MSU players know what is at stake, and will give it a solid and spirited effort. 

From what I've read about Indiana, they seem overmatched in this game.  Their quarterback, freshman Tre Roberson, is considered an outstanding talent with speed and a good arm.  But the key is that he is a FRESHMAN, and he doesn't have enough talent surrounding him at this point.  Plus, IU's coach Kevin Wilson completely cleaned house when he took over, and the Hoosiers are an extremely thin and young team.  Perhaps, if they play hard and get some turnovers, they can hang with MSU for the first half.  But I don't see them being able to last much more than that.  IU's defense is their weakest link, and I can see the Spartans running up and down the field on them.  Final score: MSU 41, IU 14.  (But we've seen how terrible my predictions have been, so maybe I should just shut up).

The Duke post mortem

Just a quick note about last night's game:

The rat got his cheese last night, and took it away from our Spartans.  Coach K is now the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history.  (Okay, I don't really think Mike Krzyzewski is a rat--I have grudging respect for him-- but do think this photo is hilarious.  I am not a Duke fan and view them as the New York Yankees of college hoops--the team you love to hate).

The Spartans played quite well in the first half, and were only down by one at the intermission.  Unfortunately, the team's youth showed through in the second half and they struggled mightily until making a run late in the game.  I love what I saw from Travis Trice, and was encouraged with the way Keith Appling almost single-handedly got MSU back in the game in the last six minutes.  Was not thrilled by Derrick Nix's brutal game.

In any case, since I didn't expect MSU to win the game, I was able to (for the most part) calmly watch the game without getting too emotional.

This team is still raw, but they should continue to improve and may still surprise some people.

Coach K's Coronation night...but not if the Spartans have anything to do with it

I am fully prepared for a Coach K lovefest tonight from the Four Letter Network, with Michigan State treated merely as a minor obstacle in Coach K's coronation as the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history.  I'm just thankful that Dick Vitale isn't the color guy tonight, because the butt kissing would be completely unbearable.  Even with Bob Knight doing the color commentary, I am fully prepared to mute the television.

I expect ESPN to treat tonight's game as if it was a Harlem Globetrotters/Washington Generals game, with MSU receiving slightly more attention than the Generals get when they play the Trotters.

Call me crazy, or just a hopeless homer, but I have a good feeling the Spartans will bring it strong tonight.  It wouldn't shock me if MSU pulled the upset.

Now a little about football.  In my previous post, I wrote that MSU fans were in the awkward position of "rooting for Michigan" this weekend.  Who am I kidding?  I know that virtually no MSU fan in his or her right mind will be rooting for Michigan, even if it does help the Spartans.  The way I see it, regardless of whether Michigan beats Nebraska, it's a win for MSU (provided the Spartans hold their end of the bargain and polish off Indiana).  If Michigan loses, well, Spartan Nation always rejoices in Michigan's demise--so it's merely business as usual.  If Michigan wins (and MSU also wins, of course) then the Legends Division title is ours.  I certainly won't be actively pulling for Michigan, but will merely be indifferent regarding the outcome of their game.

Random college football musings

Michigan State football now has the highest two-year win total since the 1965-66 seasons.  Those Duffy Daugherty-led teams had a two season record of 19-1-1.  The 2010-11 Dantonio squads have needed more games to win their 19th, and currently stand at 19-4, with at least three games remaining in the season.  Not to get too ahead of ourselves, but if MSU wins the rest of their regular season games, wins the Big Ten Championship game, and then tops it all off with a bowl victory, they will have a two year record of 23-4.  Not too shabby.

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Yesterday in Big Ten action:

Michigan State 37, Iowa 21. This was a huge win for the Spartans in so many ways.  MSU finally gets that "can't win in Iowa" monkey off their collective backs.  (If I'd known back in '89 that the Spartans wouldn't win in Iowa again for another 22 years, I'd have made a point to actually remember the game).  Plus, the additional monkey of "can't win an important road game" is removed.  It was also a big win within the Legends Division, knocking Iowa out of contention and making State's road to the title game quite clear: beat Indiana and Northwestern and the Spartans are in.  Kirk Cousins has to be feeling great, vindicating himself after his poor play last year in Iowa City.

Great to see the Spartans get the running game going, and another great performance from Le'Veon Bell.  Also impressive the way the Spartans were able to contain Marcus Coker.

Nebraska 17, Penn State 14. From all appearances, it was an emotional day in State College.  I worried that it would be an ugly scene, but the highlights I've seen indicate it was the opposite.  Perhaps continuing on with football is part of the healing process for the Penn State community. 

Penn State deserves credit for fighting back and putting themselves in a position to win that game.

With road games against Ohio State and Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions may struggle to win another game the rest of the regular season. Spartan Nation will be in the uncomfortable position of rooting for Michigan against Nebraska next Saturday: a Wolverine win combined with a Spartan win over Indiana will clinch the Legends Division for MSU.

Michigan 31, Illinois 14.  Solid road win for Michigan, but could Illinois have possibly looked more inept?  Could the Zooker be on the way out?

Wisconsin 42, Minnesota 13.  I'm surprised the Gophers didn't put up more of a fight in this game, especially considering it was at home.  Do they not have anything left in the tank after playing well against Iowa and MSU?

Northwestern 28, Rice 6.  The Wildcats feast on perennial bottom feeder Rice in a non-conference matchup.  Did the 'Cats and Owls compare GPAs after the game and possibly challenge each other to a game of Trivial Pursuit or a chess tournament?  Kidding aside, the 'Cats are a dangerous team and could give the Spartans fits on November 26.

Purdue 26, Ohio State 23.  This one shouldn't have surprised me too much, as the Boilermakers have given the Buckeyes all they can handle and more in West Lafayette.  Luke Fickell probably killed any realistic chance he had at taking "interim" off his title.