What a huge win for MSU; and the Nebraska demon--or demonS--have been exorcised.
The game was much higher scoring that I or probably anyone thought, but isn't that usually the way it goes with these games?
I only caught bits and pieces of the game, and not because I was too nervous to watch. I saw the first quarter in its entirety (except for a brief few minutes when i was outside raking leaves and listening to the radio broadcast), but then my wife and I had to attend a work-related dinner at the Fireside Grill, south of Lansing. The good part was that, though there was no television in our large banquet room reserved for all the attendees of this dinner, the restaurant portion of the establishment had several large screen televisions. I was no the only person at this dinner who was interested--or rather, obsessed--with the result of the MSU/Nebraska game. Though we tried to be sociable, three or four of us husbands/boyfriends found ourselves occasionally meandering into the dining room to check the score. Of course, I also had ESPN.com up on my Android Razr so I could sneak a peak at the score. The game ended just a little before dinner wrapped up, and it made the whole experience much better.
By the way, the Fireside Grill is good. If you're in the Lansing area, go check it out. And I'm not getting paid for that endorsement.
So, I missed most of the game, and will have to catch the replay on Big Ten Network, whenever that is. After I have seen the replay, I'll attempt to write a bit more about the game. For now, I plan on just savoring this great Spartan win.
Tonight, I posted the following update status on Facebook, "MSU's "Payback's a B**** Tour 2013" continues. Latest victim: Nebraska. Next week: Northwestern. Go Spartan Dawgs!" I've also threatened to create t-shirts with the slogan, "MSU: Payback's a Bitch Tour 2013," with a list of all the teams the Spartans fell to in close losses last season. Next to the name of the school will be boxes with check marks in them. So far, we have Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska, with Northwestern and Ohio State left. Of course, this t-shirt will only be any good or desirable if MSU beats all of these teams.
Well, I feel a slight headache coming on from staring at this computer screen and the two Bell's Two-Hearted Ales I drank at dinner. Yes, I'm a lightweight in my advanced age.
Until later, Go State!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
The Columbia Lions roar, and the Spartans narrowly escape an upset
I thought that tonight, I'd be able to relax on the couch, glass of wine in hand, and casually enjoy a Spartan basketball blowout of Columbia. Little did I know that MSU would play sloppy, uninspired basketball against an efficient, disciplined, and fearless Columbia Lions squad, and that the two teams would be engaged in a life-and-death struggle that was not decided until the last two minutes of the game. Meanwhile, yours truly felt his blood pressure rising in the second half as he hurled angry, colorful oaths at the television screen.
I suppose the bottom line is that, when it mattered, the Spartans did enough to win. They may have learned some valuable lessons along the way. First, the target on their backs is larger than it usually is and they'd better get used to it. Second, they should never underestimate or disrespect an opponent. I hope that this scare against Columbia will be beneficial in the long run.
I suppose the bottom line is that, when it mattered, the Spartans did enough to win. They may have learned some valuable lessons along the way. First, the target on their backs is larger than it usually is and they'd better get used to it. Second, they should never underestimate or disrespect an opponent. I hope that this scare against Columbia will be beneficial in the long run.
Time to slay the Nebraska demon
It's time to exorcise some demons tomorrow in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Michigan State has never beaten Nebraska in football...ever.
Seven games, seven losses.
Streaks can't last forever, can they? The Spartans, without a doubt, have a better team than the Cornhuskers this year, I'm sure they remember all too well last year's hearbreaking loss, the stakes are higher in this year's game, and I have a feeling that the Spartans come away with a hard-fought win.
But I'm sure you all know me too well at this point to think I'm coming into this game with too much bravado. As a lifelong Spartan fan, I must have contingency plans in the event of defeat. Lincoln is a difficult place to win for opposing teams, and Nebraska seems to be living a charmed life in recent weeks with their miracle win over Northwestern and last week's come-from-behind sniping of the Wolverines.
But Michigan State, just to reiterate, is the better team, and Nebraska's squad is a M*A*S*H* unit. Taylor Martinez is out for the season, the Huskers' offensive line is beat up, and wide receiver Kenny Bell has been banged up in recent weeks. It may come down to Ameer Abdullah to carry the load for Nebraska, and he is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten. If the Spartans can at least contain Abdullah by holding him under 100 yards rushing, and prevent quarterbacks Ron Kellogg or Tommy Armstrong, Jr. from pulling any miracle plays out their hats (helmets?), then MSU should win.
The victory could be more comfortable if MSU's sometimes erratic offense can play well and avoid mistakes. Nebraska's defense can, when they want to, play quite well. But Nebraska's defense tends to be as unpredictable as MSU's offense, and in fairness, the Spartan offense has improved drastically since the first month of the season.
If all goes well for the Spartans, I can see them winning something like 24-14. But I wouldn't be shocked if the game ended up as a 13-10 slog. It's just really hard to predict. Heck, if the Spartan Dawgs dominate on defense and the MSU offense revs up, then MSU could win by three touchdowns. It's a difficult game to gauge.
Whatever happens, I don't think I can stomach the disasterous result of the 2011 game, in which the Spartans looked they we were wearing concrete shoes en route to a 24-3 shellacking. But I don't think this will happen again. MSU's defense is way too good for that to happen, and Nebraska is a damaged team that may be hanging on for dear life. My only reason for not believing MSU will win in a rout is that this game is in Lincoln. The red-clad home crowd at Memorial Stadium will probably keep the Huskers in the game.
I'm looking at this game much as I did MSU's 2010 game against Penn State. As you may recall, the Spartans were playing for a share of the conference title, but in a place where they hadn't won since 1965 (well before any of the players were born and maybe before many of the players' parents were born). It was not a stellar Penn State team, and it was a game in which the Spartans were clearly the better team entering the game, but still there was that lingering doubt (at least from yours truly) that they would succeed in a stadium that had been so unforgiving in the past. As it turned out, the Spartans did win the game, though they blew a big lead in the fourth quarter and the final wasn't decided until MSU recovered a Penn State onside kick. But the Spartans got it done and exorcised the Happy Valley demon.
Tomorrow, it's time for the Nebraska demon to receive the same fate.
Michigan State has never beaten Nebraska in football...ever.
Seven games, seven losses.
Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The fans may be friendly, but the results for Michigan State have been most unpleasant.
Streaks can't last forever, can they? The Spartans, without a doubt, have a better team than the Cornhuskers this year, I'm sure they remember all too well last year's hearbreaking loss, the stakes are higher in this year's game, and I have a feeling that the Spartans come away with a hard-fought win.
But I'm sure you all know me too well at this point to think I'm coming into this game with too much bravado. As a lifelong Spartan fan, I must have contingency plans in the event of defeat. Lincoln is a difficult place to win for opposing teams, and Nebraska seems to be living a charmed life in recent weeks with their miracle win over Northwestern and last week's come-from-behind sniping of the Wolverines.
But Michigan State, just to reiterate, is the better team, and Nebraska's squad is a M*A*S*H* unit. Taylor Martinez is out for the season, the Huskers' offensive line is beat up, and wide receiver Kenny Bell has been banged up in recent weeks. It may come down to Ameer Abdullah to carry the load for Nebraska, and he is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten. If the Spartans can at least contain Abdullah by holding him under 100 yards rushing, and prevent quarterbacks Ron Kellogg or Tommy Armstrong, Jr. from pulling any miracle plays out their hats (helmets?), then MSU should win.
The victory could be more comfortable if MSU's sometimes erratic offense can play well and avoid mistakes. Nebraska's defense can, when they want to, play quite well. But Nebraska's defense tends to be as unpredictable as MSU's offense, and in fairness, the Spartan offense has improved drastically since the first month of the season.
If all goes well for the Spartans, I can see them winning something like 24-14. But I wouldn't be shocked if the game ended up as a 13-10 slog. It's just really hard to predict. Heck, if the Spartan Dawgs dominate on defense and the MSU offense revs up, then MSU could win by three touchdowns. It's a difficult game to gauge.
Whatever happens, I don't think I can stomach the disasterous result of the 2011 game, in which the Spartans looked they we were wearing concrete shoes en route to a 24-3 shellacking. But I don't think this will happen again. MSU's defense is way too good for that to happen, and Nebraska is a damaged team that may be hanging on for dear life. My only reason for not believing MSU will win in a rout is that this game is in Lincoln. The red-clad home crowd at Memorial Stadium will probably keep the Huskers in the game.
I'm looking at this game much as I did MSU's 2010 game against Penn State. As you may recall, the Spartans were playing for a share of the conference title, but in a place where they hadn't won since 1965 (well before any of the players were born and maybe before many of the players' parents were born). It was not a stellar Penn State team, and it was a game in which the Spartans were clearly the better team entering the game, but still there was that lingering doubt (at least from yours truly) that they would succeed in a stadium that had been so unforgiving in the past. As it turned out, the Spartans did win the game, though they blew a big lead in the fourth quarter and the final wasn't decided until MSU recovered a Penn State onside kick. But the Spartans got it done and exorcised the Happy Valley demon.
Tomorrow, it's time for the Nebraska demon to receive the same fate.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
MSU knocks off Kentucky's latest collection of one-and-doners
Not a lot of time to write this morning.
I'm thrilled with last night's Spartan basketball team win over John Calipari's latest collection of Kentucky Wildcat one-and-done mercenaries.
There's no doubt that Kentucky is loaded with talent, but they made so many mistakes and were so terrible at the free throw line, it's amazing they were able to tie the score late in the game, before succumbing to the Spartans' experience and poise down the stretch.
So, we have one big game down this week (MSU's basketball win), with another coming up on Saturday (football game against Nebraska). Here's hoping for a 2-0 record.
***
For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of the rule changes in college basketball. All the touch foul calls last night limited the flow of the game, and I couldn't believe how long it took to play with all the clock stoppages. A college basketball game shouldn't last much more than two hours, but the MSU/Kentucky must have taken at least 2 1/2 hours to play. This is ridiculous and hurts college basketball. It certainly has an adverse effect on the watchability of college hoops and may lead casual fans to the NBA game.
***
I'm coming back to this post a little later in the day. I've heard basketball experts on the radio, Tim McCormick in particular, who believe that the college basketball rule changes will be beneficial in the long run, it'll just take time for players and coaches to adjust. I'm willing to wait it out and see if this is true.
I'm thrilled with last night's Spartan basketball team win over John Calipari's latest collection of Kentucky Wildcat one-and-done mercenaries.
There's no doubt that Kentucky is loaded with talent, but they made so many mistakes and were so terrible at the free throw line, it's amazing they were able to tie the score late in the game, before succumbing to the Spartans' experience and poise down the stretch.
So, we have one big game down this week (MSU's basketball win), with another coming up on Saturday (football game against Nebraska). Here's hoping for a 2-0 record.
***
For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of the rule changes in college basketball. All the touch foul calls last night limited the flow of the game, and I couldn't believe how long it took to play with all the clock stoppages. A college basketball game shouldn't last much more than two hours, but the MSU/Kentucky must have taken at least 2 1/2 hours to play. This is ridiculous and hurts college basketball. It certainly has an adverse effect on the watchability of college hoops and may lead casual fans to the NBA game.
***
I'm coming back to this post a little later in the day. I've heard basketball experts on the radio, Tim McCormick in particular, who believe that the college basketball rule changes will be beneficial in the long run, it'll just take time for players and coaches to adjust. I'm willing to wait it out and see if this is true.
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