Bleeding Green

Coming out of a dark and deflating Halloween night…

This week I’ve watched some of the football recaps and commentaries on BTN regarding a dark night in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I get the feeling that the BTN crew is as mystified by MSU’s strange, volatile, and often flat-footed night in Minneapolis as our fans and the coaching staff were. Then there was that rather full moon overhead, with a thousand ghouls in the bleachers, and suddenly Spartans everywhere are wondering if next year we can possibly get stabilized at the top of the Big Ten.

However, the dark side of things is always a slippery slope, so I’m going to try to look up a bit toward Izzo and hoops, as well as the future of the Dantonio era. And, there’s some very good early-season success on the hockey rink too with a 6-2-0 record and respectable ranking, so I actually do find myself breathing easier again.

Getting back to the grid-iron front, I’ve looked back at our recent trend in recruiting and saw that the Spartan class of 2010 is looking balanced and could still collect as much talent as the 2009 class. This means, building on the change of culture over the past three years, the future really could be very bright. Nonetheless, it’s apparent that we need to pick up some receivers and will continue to look for a four-star running back. I’m really happy with the class and its balance at this point and am confident we’ll have another top-25 class by early 2010. Still, I’m not so pie-in-the-sky that I’d suggest we’re where we need to be on pass defense. "Ouch!" for the season. That’s got to get fixed and fast, just like our first-and-goal "offense."  Double ouch!

On the hoops side of things, of course, we’ve had some injuries and flu, but nothing to take any of our richly talented guys out for long. Naturally, I’m getting ready to flip my Spartans switch over to the Brez’ by Thanksgiving. As with last year, even in an increasingly talented Big Ten, this looks like a very promising season filled with tough, but beatable, competition. It should be a gas to watch.

Finally, on the recruiting front Izzo and staff have taken it to Calipari and Kentucky twice in a week and we’re off to the start of a great 2011 with Bandan Kearney committed to MSU. And, Adreian Payne’s commitment last week should put us in the top five nationally for 2010. So, I’m pulling out my Sparty cap for the gym again and thinking we’ll survive 10/31/09. I’m expecting the Spartans will look like they've come out of the stupor too on Saturday versus WMU and then get ready for a very, very volatile Purdue.

OK, after the darkness, is anyone else starting to catch a silver lining in the big picture here?

Bring Back the Cow!

Yes, I'm serious, I would like to see a big fat Spartan cow at football games at Spartan Stadium. Hear me out on this.

HIstorically, in the early days of Spartan football, it was customary to bring a cow to such spirited events as a victory party or maybe even a good bar mitzvah. Putting one on the ice during a hockey game would have been cool too, I think.

I'm almost finished reading Rexrode's book, which is quite good if I may say so. I''m surprised he doesn't plug it more. I would have liked to have reprinted the portion here, but I don't have Rexrode's permission and he could get mad at me. Anyway, in his book he describes the chaos of East Lansing after a big win against the Evil Empire (AKA U of M). At one point things got so out of hand that the joyous Spartans started setting things on fire, including the barn of some big wig on campus. The big concern came the next day when they couldn't find the cow after the barn had burned to the ground. It turned out that the cow was out with a bunch of other Spartans at the train station greeting the football team coming back from the game in Ann Arbor. I think a keg or two of beer might have been involved.

What a great tradition.

I think they had to let the cow stay at the Brody complex after that. In fact, she can probably still be found there, somewhere in the basement.

Consider the cow as a symbol of our true agrarian roots as the nation's first school of agriculture. Now I'm not saying get rid or Sparty, i just think he would look real good either riding a cow into Spartan Stadium or just running around the field with her.

I think that could have been even better entertainment than some of our football games under previous Coaches.

Come one, who's with me? If not a cow what else? I know we have cows somewhere on campus. I saw them just last week on a Big Ten Tailgate episode. They're just laying around on water beds doing nothing.

I say, let's get the cows busy. The economy needs them to pull their fair share. And besides, it would be way too cool.

Steve in Kentucky

Green Chutes

I figured after a game like that, Spartans everywhere could use a little pick-me-up. First though, let’s dispense the usual negative drivel everyone else is spewing.

Coach Izzo to shave head at Spartan Stadium before game with Iowa!

This is my prediction based on absolutely no inside information and just a small hunch based on some comments that appeared somewhere said by someone.

If this is not the "surprise" that has been hyped, then just what in the heck could it be?

I want to hear Spartan Nation thoughts on my prediction or perhaps other predictions on just what the "big surprise" could be.

GO GREEN!

Steve in Kentucky

Coach Izzo to shave head at Spartan Stadium before game with Iowa!

This is my prediction based on absolutely no inside information and just a small hunch based on some comments that appeared somewhere said by someone.

If this is not the "surprise" that has been hyped, then just what in the heck could it be?

I want to hear Spartan Nation thoughts on my prediction or perhaps other predictions on just what the "big surprise" could be.

GO GREEN!

Steve in Kentucky

Live chat with video: Talkin' Spartans with Barry Kiel & Joe Rexrode

Coming at 2 p.m. Eastern today on LSJ.com & GreenandWhite.com: LSJ.com Assistant Sports Editor, Barry Kiel and MSU beat reporter, Joe Rexrode discuss the upcoming match-up at home against Iowa and last week's win against Northwestern on this week's episode of Talkin' Spartans. 

Live video broadcast will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern, with an interactive live chat running during the show.

Where from here...

…with four home games and two winnable road games remaining?  Looking back I think MSU has the record it earned, but it’s making amends for its porous defense in games 2 through 4. 

Where we've been so far first, and then forward toward the second half of the season: 

Montana State – the mismatch we would have expected,
Central Michigan – I was there for that game and on September 12 CMU was the better team.  Lot’s of problems:  We didn’t have a response on defense, setting up a loss where a one-in-100 perfect onside kick, a leaky Spartan secondary, and stupid MSU penalties all landed their way.   How on Earth does CMU get more discipline out of their sometimes academically-challenged recruits than MSU gets of some really smart kids?  I don’t get it.
Notre Dame - I think MSU is now the better team.  But, on September 19 it was more of a toss-up and our D wasn’t up to Claussen yet.  (Of course, ND is still a bit overrated, but that statement may be redundant somehow.)
Wisconsin – after the Badgers’ performance at OSU, despite the quirky loss on a few big plays, I think MSU would probably lose to Wiscy this year seven out of ten times. 
Michigan – I absolutely think MSU is the better team.  Iowa tried to give Michigan the game, but they tried much harder to give it back.  UM is unimpressive, despite a questionable win over “powerhouse” Indiana and a couple of late Forcier miracles.  The young QB is the key to their early success.  Without him saving them game after game, I doubt the remaining season goes as well as their first four games, especially in view of how teams have now learned to batter him flat at 185 pounds.
Illinois – not very telling, except for a very nice fast start for MSU in the first half.  But, then where did the Spartan finesse and intensity go?  Meanwhile, Illinois is a mess.  I actually wish Ron Zook could turn it around.  Still, more stupid Spartan penalties; simply not acceptable.
Northwestern – has proved nothing.  They weren’t too bad at home against Minnesota, but they’ve had a really hard time with a weak schedule.  I think this time MSU, in contrast with the past couple of E.L. game versus the Wildcats, will not show up flat and ill-prepared.  Erratic preparation under John L was a feast for them, but that’s gone. 
Iowa – anybody’s game.  It comes down to which Spartans and which Hawkeyes show up.  If it’s the Spartans who swarmed over Michigan and Illinois is the first halves of those games, this could become a very interesting season.  If it’s the D and the penalties of the CMU game, I'm going to contemplate tossing them off a local bridge. 
Minnesota – I see another down-to-the-wire shootout.  IF we can control penalties we’re definitely in the game.  If not, ouch!
Western Michigan – not what they were expected to be.  I think we will continue to grow the gap between this year’s Spartans and the non-CMU branch of the MAC.
Purdue – the trend is good looking toward the game in West Lafayette.  Purdue turnovers will likely override even a Spartan penchant for dorky, unwarranted penalties. 
Penn State – beatable, no question, they are beatable.

How do we end up?  With a couple of last-minute miracles against the right teams we’re 9-3.  If penalties continue to nullify our passing game, we’re 7-5.  But, I guess I’ll bet on 8-4 and maybe tying for third place with Iowa in the Big Ten, which assumes they lose at Wisconsin this weekend.  Bowl-wise, maybe it’s the Alamo or even the Insight, since we’re not the best candidate for Orlando/Champs after visiting two years in a row, and OSU, Wisconsin and Iowa may soak up the Rose, Capital One and Outback.  I’m ok with the Insight – a lot of fun and a short flight to Phoenix if I can work it in. 

OK, fellow prognosticators, how do you see this panning out? 

Live chat with video: Talkin' Spartans with Barry Kiel & Joe Rexrode

Coming at 2 p.m. Eastern today on LSJ.com & GreenandWhite.com: LSJ.com Assistant Sports Editor, Barry Kiel and MSU beat reporter, Joe Rexrode discuss the upcoming match-up against Northwestern and last week's game against Illinois on this week's episode of Talkin' Spartans. 

The week 7 live video broadcast will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern, with an interactive live chat running during the show.

Dantonio Gets It!

Early this week when I read that Coach Dantonio had redirected the same old boring UM conversation in an interview with WJR AA alums, ostensibly about MSU, back to the Spartans and away from UM I breathed a deep sigh of relief.  I believe it's time we grew up and decided as a fan community to live or die on our own merits.  Any willingness on our part to vie with UM's narcissistic sports culture will always be an exercise in futility.  There is no real self-respect in a culture of arrogance, therefore, to seek any element of respect there as an outsider grossly misses the point.

It's just a starling contrast.  While back there for the CMU game I was reminded again of what cool people Spartan fans and the campus community generally are.  When I'm around UM alums here, in MI, or I find myself in AA (holding my nose) I'm struck with the opposite response:  everything is about one-upping everyone else, seemingly at all times, in all contexts, and so pointlessly.  It is a sadistic habit of that local culture that is hardly reserved for Spartans.  I've had ND, OSU, ILL, IU, Cal, etc. fans and alums point it out too.  And, they comment about how likable and decent the Spartan fan base is, and how passionate.  

Getting back to Dantonio, he brilliantly stops it in its tracks:  "Pride before the fall," and (paraphrasing), "You're missing the point, dude:  What's all this about UM? I thought you invited me to talk about the Spartans' season."  If we all set out to dismiss all things AA-dysfunctional (i.e., their entire sports culture) just as they stonewall all things not AA-self-absorbed, we will certainly then be on the advantaged end of the playing field.  So, I propose we carefully and consciously put on that same bored look for them that they put forth toward the rest of the world.  That athletics program does nothing to warrant our attention or respect, so can we just bag the attachment and let that SE Michigan nightmare just collapse under its own stench?

Live chat with video: Talkin' Spartans with Barry Kiel & Joe Rexrode

Coming at 4 p.m. Eastern today on LSJ.com & GreenandWhite.com: LSJ.com Assistant Sports Editor, Barry Kiel and MSU beat reporter, Joe Rexrode discuss the upcoming match-up at Illinois and last week's game against Michigan on this week's episode of Talkin' Spartans. 

Live video broadcast will begin at 4 p.m. Eastern, with an interactive live chat running during the show.

Season Springboard or Pinnacle?

As I sat contently after the game enjoying a victory beverage, I had to ponder, where the team goes next? 

All is Well

Stealing a line from Animal House, I think everyone should take a deep breath. Ok, things have not gone quite according to plan. Every Summer I sit down with a college football preview, read up on MSU, this year’s opponents, and make a semi-educated guess at the regular season W/L record. Optimistically, I had it at 9-3, pessimistically 6-5.

Live chat with video: Talkin' Spartans with Barry Kiel & Joe Rexrode

Coming at 2 p.m. Eastern today on LSJ.com & GreenandWhite.com: LSJ.com Assistant Sports Editor, Barry Kiel and MSU beat reporter, Joe Rexrode discuss the upcoming match-up against Michigan, last week's game against Wisconsin and the many surprises so far this season on this week's episode of Talkin' Spartans. br>

Live video broadcast will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern, with an interactive live chat running during the show.

Coach Dantonio: Please start Keith Nichol:

It's not that Ihink Cousins is a bad quarterback, I don't. I think he has the capacity to play real well. I just think we need to try something a little different, and I think that something is Keith Nichol.

I'm going to give you some of my reasons, maybe you want to give me some of yours-either pro or con for starting Nichol in our next big game.

• Nichol executed late in this game against Wisconsin in a way we could have used much earlier in the game.
• Nichol is more mobile, and has the willingness and ability to run the ball. This helps a lot when our offensive line has a leak.
• Nichol overcame a lot of adversity just to get to East Lansing. He got a bunch of criticism when he left for Oklahoma and didn't get a lot of warm fuzzies when he came back. He got to play the part of punching bag all last year while he waited for his eligibility to kick in this year.

I don't care about quarterback controversies, but I would like to see a win next week.

What say you Spartan nation? It's raining buckets here in Kentucky so maybe I'm all wet.

GO GREEN!

Steve, Flatwoods, KY 

Son of a Badger! (Yes I am, and I really hate playing these guys)

Confession: Dad is a Badger, and a Wildcat, actually having graduated from both. But I still really want to beat these guys. I saw MSU beat these guys in the 80's and was amazed that they took to the field afterwords and partied like it was 1999. Maybe we can do that some day in Spartan Stadium, though I'd like to do it after a win....

So here we go roaring into Big Ten season. This game obviously offers many challenges for us Spartans.

First, they have an awesome record at home (104-2 or something, I forget the actual number). I think they must have some ghosts from previous military conflicts (Camp Randall) hanging around helping them cheat or something.

Second, they look a lot like us. They are not an "elite" program, but they seem to always play up to their opponents level and give everybody a good fight. Like a lot of teams in the Big Ten, I think they are under rated. So even if we beat these guys, I don't think we'll get the recognition we should.

Lastly, I am not sure anyone knows what to expect from this team. They always appear appear to be a bit unpredictable. It's times like these I'm glad I'm not a coach for MSU.

Here's my question: What is it going to take to beat the Badgers?

Personally, I say stick with what is working which would be an all out air attack. Obviously we have the skill at Quarterback and with our receivers. Run the ball when you have to, but let Cousins/Nichol and the receiving corps do their thing. It seems to have worked well so far.

What say you my Spartan friends? What would you do if you were the Coach?

GO GREEN!

Steve in Flatwoods, Kentucky