Off week
The Spartans have the weekend off to get get as ready as they can for the next week's showdown at Penn State.
So what games are you going to watch this weekend?
OSU being upset by Illinois will open the door for us to win the conference championship outright with a victory over the Nittany Lions. What are the chances?
Outside of the Big Ten there are a few interesting games, South Carolina versus Florida in the Spurrier bowl, Texas v. Kansas, USC v. Stanford and others.
Which if any of these or other games are you at all interested in?
Go Illini! Stranger things have happened...in the last week actually. Is the game in Columbus or Champaigne? If the Juice gets loose the Illini might pull it off. Though all that would do is make the MSU-PSU game more interesting. Regardless, that's going to be one tough game. I've traveled to two MSU-PSU games in Happy Valley, and both featured miserable weather and embarrasing blowouts of State. Hopefully they can win there this time.
Posted by: Spartan_Legacy | November 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Ga v Auburn for a few reasons. One of which is they (GA) are listed as probable bowl opponents.
ND v Navy to root against my most reviled team.
NU v scUM to root against my 2nd most reviled team.
Posted by: LeeBee | November 13, 2008 at 12:39 PM
OSU/Ill. is in Champaign. But it won't matter. Buckeyes win by 17.
The other good game to watch this week was CMU/N.Ill last night; 33-30 overtime barnburner!
Posted by: max8700 | November 13, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Where is Mark? Where is Mark? Where is Mark? Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark ?
Posted by: davemcg | November 13, 2008 at 04:38 PM
someone please just throw out a fake "Mark went on to better things..." statement so people will stop cluttering up the blog with inquiries. the game of the weekend for me will be MSU vs. Idaho, finally some televised B-Ball. thanks big ten network! i predict a final score of
Sparty 119
Vandals 66
Posted by: rexrode(evil twin) | November 13, 2008 at 05:18 PM
As long as we're dreaming ... how about a dual OSU/PSU loss Saturday? Wouldn't that clinch the B10 for us??
Posted by: Stan | November 13, 2008 at 08:21 PM
No, Stan, it would not. If OSU and PSU both lose and then we lose to PSU next Saturday, all three teams would be 6-2 in the conference (assuming OSU beats the blue weasels). However, we would have lost to both OSU and PSU and would be eliminated. PSU would go to the Rose Bowl in the tie breaker. By the way, glad we're not playing Saturday because the forecast looks really nasty! It will be nice to be hunkered down in front of the tube watching all the games.
Posted by: dmbtierney | November 13, 2008 at 08:40 PM
No, Stan, it would not. If OSU and PSU both lose and then we lose to PSU next Saturday, all three teams would be 6-2 in the conference (assuming OSU beats the blue weasels). However, we would have lost to both OSU and PSU and would be eliminated. PSU would go to the Rose Bowl in the tie breaker. By the way, glad we're not playing Saturday because the forecast looks really nasty! It will be nice to be hunkered down in front of the tube watching all the games.
Posted by: dmbtierney | November 13, 2008 at 08:41 PM
if osu and psu both lose this weekend, they both will have 2 losses in the Big Ten, and then if msu beasts psu on 11/22, yes Sparty would have the B10 title,,,should this happen and MSU wins @ psu,,we would go to the Rose bowl
Posted by: sparty4life1 | November 13, 2008 at 08:59 PM
If PSU and OSU both lose a share of the Big 10 championship would be clinched for our Spartans. A loss to PSU would mean 6-2 for MSU, PSU, and OSU. As stated above, PSU wins the tiebreaker for being 2-0 against MSU and OSU. If we were to beat PSU, we would be 7-1 with the other two at 6-2. This gives us the outright title and a trip to Pasadena.
Posted by: Spartan4Life | November 13, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Now let's be realisitc - both OSU and PSU will win. However, to go to a better bowl we MUST have Dell. Dell, White, and Cunningham make a nice trio of receivers so defenses cannot simply spy White like they have been lately - the cat is out of the bag - White is dependable and can put up numbers. However, if you double cover White then you have single coverage on Dell and Cunningham. Dell will eat them alive so then PSU will have to pick their poison - White or Dell? If they decide to double cover both then they cannot put 8 in the box and Ringer should go for over 120 yards on the day. This is why we must have Dell - so PSU has to gamble with double coverage or eight in the box. Roll the dice.
Posted by: MSUinSC | November 14, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Rooting for Illinois, because I won't be able to cheer for the blue and yellow next week! Can't wait for hoops on Sunday!!!
What a great time to be a Spartan!!! GO GREEN, GO WHITE!
Posted by: Psyc | November 14, 2008 at 05:45 AM
All I want from MSU is a Big win in Happy Valley. No matter how it plays out but it would be even sweeter if OSU and PSU lose this weekend! Hey the Illini still have the players to upset the Buckeyes. Also if my Spartans don't make the Rose Bowl, it would be nice to beat Georgia.
(Inconsistant QB and a Smallish defense.)
Posted by: Big Sean | November 14, 2008 at 05:52 AM
I know virtually nothing about GA outside of Stafford and Knowshon Moreno but I would think we would be able to compete. I will say this to Big Sean tho, Cal has a smallish defense. Old axiom in football "you can't hit what you can't catch." If you haven't noticed, our O linemen are not fleet afoot. They have more success against larger, slower d-lines like UM.
On the same subject, but just an observation, I was impressed with Brandon Graham's play when we played UM. He is fast and came around Jesse Miller (who has had a pretty good year overall) like he was standing still on a couple of plays.
That's why we will struggle in a bowl with a small, quick defense.
Posted by: 1/2 Full | November 14, 2008 at 08:40 AM
After re-reading it, my previous post seems a bit contradictory. I think we could struggle vs an SEC team with a speedy defense, but I like our chances to compete regardless.
Although it would be exciting to garner a BCS bid, the thought of playing a USC or Florida could be really ugly by the end of the game. In the unlikely event we were to get a BCS bid that is NOT the Rose Bowl (<10% chance IMO) the BCS powers that be might do us a favor and match us up against Alabama. Interesting coaching matchup and I think Alabama is the most beatable of the top 7 or 8 teams.
Posted by: 1/2 Full | November 14, 2008 at 08:46 AM
1/2 Full:
I love your optimism, but I don't think you're being very realistic about our bowl opportunities.
Georgia has lost two games (one to #1 Alabama and one to #4 Florida, both of whom are playing inspired football here at season's end). Remember that Georgia was ranked #1 in the country pre-season, and still remains a very strong team. Alabama is a team with an MO similar to State's: a pretty good team inspired by a great coach. They do not have the offensive pyrotechnics of a Big Twelve team or a Florida, but their stifling defense more than makes up for their offensive weaknesses (remember 1992 nat'l championship team). Saban has them very well polished and extremely confident. I would prefer playing USC at this point of the season.
Regardless of our opponent on NYD, I am very proud of this great team. If they continue to play inspired ball, and are healthy, our Spartans can play with anybody. We had our blooper against OSU, and doubt a repeat performance, regardless of the opponent.
GO STATE
Posted by: bama spartan | November 14, 2008 at 09:15 AM
losing the tiebreaker for the rose bowl doesnt mean you dont win a share of the conference title.
Posted by: bradford | November 14, 2008 at 10:00 AM
leebee - You are an idiot. And your team, the Michigan State Spartans, is my most reviled team.
Posted by: mikewright | November 14, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Favorite game: MSU vs. East Lansing Police Department. Second Favorite: MSU attorneys and spokesman vs. press regarding likely incidents.
Posted by: mikewright | November 14, 2008 at 11:37 AM
mikewright: i feel bad for you ... you obviously have some pretty serious issues if you have to come on an opposing teams message board to talk trash.
others ... point taken about the tiebreaker. in all my excitement picturing msu sharing the title, i forgot penn state would win the tiebreaker if they beat us.
also, OREGON STATE, not usc is in line for the rose bowl if they win out. usc is definitely headed to another bcs bowl, but the other osu controls their own destiny having already beaten usc.
i would love to see this team continue to improve and win, but the season is already a complete success imo and i feel like we'll be looking back at this year as the year we turned the corner for years to come ... thank you spartans!
Does anybody know if there are any special 'thank you's' scheduled for the team pre/post penn state/bowl game?
Posted by: Stan | November 14, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Ahhh! the joys of reading troll droppings. mikewright must be a grad of Calvin college, cause we all know UM's football team and basketball squad are squeaky clean and never have run in s with Ann Arbor's or Grand Rapids finest.
As for living in hope of an Illini upset, we SPARTANs on the Emerald Isle get to view OSU Vs UI, USC Vs UF, UA Vs Miss State or Navy Vs ND as live.. unless you have landline broadband.
Enjoy the many choices you that have !
GO GREEN!
Posted by: MayoSpartan | November 14, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Seriously, where is Feather?
Posted by: TDP | November 14, 2008 at 02:09 PM
mikewright:
15% OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN FOOTBALL TEAM HAS BEEN
ARRESTED DURING THE PAST YEAR.
WITH THAT IN MIND, THE JOKES ARE FLOWING ....
>>
>> A lady in Ann Arbor calls 911.
Hysterically, she says,
>> 'Someone's just
>> broken into my house, and I think he's going to rob
>> me!'
>>
>> The police officer says, 'Ma'm, we're really
>> busy at the moment.
Just
>> get the guy's jersey number and we'll get back to
>> you.
>> Q: What is Rich Rodriguez's biggest concern?
>>
>> A: Does the NCAA count bail money as a recruiting
>> violation?
>>
>> Q: What do you call a drug ring in Ann Arbor ?
>>
>> A: A huddle
>>
>> Q: Four Michigan players are in a car, who's driving?
>>
>> A: The police
>>
>> Q: Why can't most of the U of M players get into a huddle on the field?
>>
>> A: It is a parole violation to associate with known felons.
>> The University of Michigan team has adopted a new Honor
>> System:
>>
>> 'Yes, your Honor; No, your Honor'.
>> The Wolverines are hoping for an undefeated season this
>> year....
>>
>> 11 Arrests, 0 convictions.
>> Q: How did the Wolverines spend the first week of Spring
>> Training?
>> A: Studying their Miranda rights
>
Posted by: 513 Sparty | November 14, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Those are great!
Posted by: MSUinSC | November 14, 2008 at 05:54 PM
As a Cal alum and a USC Trojan from birth (my dad played football there in the 1950s), I am going to be watching Cal beat Oregon State and USC beat Stanford.
I will also watch Michigan struggle against Northwestern, while crossing the fingers that Illinois continues its win-one, lose-one pattern for at least one more weekend.
Posted by: Fred | November 14, 2008 at 07:54 PM