Another reason I don't like MSU night football games

A few posts ago, I complained about the fact the MSU/OSU tilt was a night game. Basically, it's a money grab for the Big Ten, NCAA, ABC Sports (and a few others) with no thought or consideration given to the fans forking over $100+ to sit in a freezing cold Michigan November night.

But another problem I have with night MSU football games is of a strictly personal nature. I'm one of those crazy fans who takes at least two hours to decompress from a game, win or lose. I can almost guarantee that no matter what happens in this game, I won't go to bed until at least 2 AM. And even if I do finally get to sleep, it'll be a restless sleep. It's even worse when the Spartans lose.

You'd think that at my age, I'd be over it, but that surely isn't the case.

Ohio State pre-game post

I'm feeling the usual jitters and adrenaline rush I feel before every big MSU game. In fact, the mix of adrenaline and jitters set in as early as last Sunday, when the Spartans' bye week officially ended and the build-up for this game started in earnest.

 

I've been mulling this game over in my head all week, and though I certainly believe Ohio State can win, I just don't see it happening. Sure, the Buckeyes may still be smarting over their Big Ten Championship loss last year, but Michigan State hasn't lost the "chip on our shoulder/us against the world" mentality that has carried them the last few years.

 

Though J.T. Barrett has improved throughout the season, this is the biggest test he has faced in his college career. MSU's defense should be able to put enough pressure on Barrett to at least make a few mistakes. I just can't see a redshirt freshman coming to Spartan Stadium and pulling out a victory.

The Spartans know what's at stake here, and they will be prepared. Most of these players delivered last year in big games, and they've done so also this season in a similar high-stakes game against Nebraska.

 

Now, I'm not saying this game will be a blowout. The Buckeyes have a defense better than last year's, and Joey Bosa--who was so impressive in last year's Big Ten title game--is a beastly player. I expect him to have at least one or two sacks in tonight's game, or at least invite double-teams all night which will free some of his defensive teammates to make plays.

 

Like every other MSU fan, I'm concerned with the kicking game. It's not all Michael Geiger's fault either. From what I've witnessed, the snaps and holds have also been inconsistent. I just hope with two weeks to work on it, the kicking will improve. However, if this game comes down to a last second field goal attempt, I don't know if I can watch.

 

So, in the final analysis, MSU's defense, the Cook/Lippett/Langford triumvirate, and the home crowd should be enough to get the Spartans over the hump. Call it MSU 24, OSU 20.

Ohio State week and other stuff

It's Ohio State week, and the Buckeyes are a team that could be MSU's final major obstacle to a Big Ten East championship. It's definitely not like the old days, when a win over OSU was simply a feather in ones cap and a chance to ruin the Buckeyes' season. Now MSU is in the unfamiliar position of having their own season marred by a loss to Ohio State. The stakes are higher, one of the "pitfalls" of having a competitive football program.

 

J.T. Barrett, after a rocky start, has done a fantastic job stepping in for the injured Braxton Miller. I've heard J.T. Barrett compared to everyone from Cornelius Greene, Ohio State's quarterback in the mid-'70s, to Jimmy Raye, and if you read my blog you already know who Jimmy Raye is. Consensus seems to be that he is at least equal to Braxton Miller as a runner but a better passer. One of MSU's keys to success this Saturday is to force Barrett into freshman mistakes in the biggest college game he's played to date.

 

I don't like night games in college football that much. They make more sense in the South where weather is rarely a factor, but a November night game in Michigan is asking for trouble. Once again, it's a game scheduled solely for television with no regard given to the fans. Yet another example of the NCAA worshipping the almighty buck.

 

And now onto the NCAA football playoff. Four teams is too few for the playoff. I don't want this to turn into the de facto SEC playoff series. Open it up to eight teams and let's finally have a referendum on how good the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, ACC and Pac 12 are. Have the five champions from each of the "Power Five" get automatic bids, with three at-large bids.