Another Dantonio-Izzo combo
Mark Dantonio talked Big Ten middle class today at his news conference, saying of MSU, Wisconsin, Iowa and the like: "Some of us face the same battles."
Also from Dantonio:
* He's OK with being a big underdog: "That's not all bad. We're the little guy. Everybody wants the little guy to win."
* On Max Bullough: "He will I think solidify himself as a leader here even moreso in the years to come."
* He quickly dismissed a question about the prospect of losing this game and dropping to a lesser bowl, and about whether he feels it's fair to have to beat the same team twice to win the Big Ten: "No, not really, we're confident we can do it."
* MSU will turn up the heat in the indoor facility to prep for the dome.
* Dantonio can't recall playing the same opponent twice in one season -- not since eighth grade, anyway.
* He didn't have much interest in talking Urban Meyer, but he did say if he has half as much success as the last regime had, he'll be doing well.
* On Cousins-Cunningham as a combo: "I'd say the best we've had here at Michigan State."
* Tom Izzo on Florida State: "It'll be the biggest team we play all year, I'm sure. And they're very athletic."
* The Harvard upset of FSU involved poor shooting and "some bad plays by Florida State."
* Derrick Nix will probably start this week, but Izzo looks at it like MSU has six starters.
* Izzo made some comments about fan support -- especially students -- on his radio show Monday, and he reiterated that they need to "ratchet it up." He's speaking more of the poor turnout/retention at the Indiana football game.
"If I'm not coaching right, they sure as hell tell me," he said.
* Izzo would like to get Branden Dawson more involved, and said all the zone recently has hindered that some. He's not "hiding" from his team's shooting struggles but also isn't over-emphasizing them.
* Izzo on the football team being so close to a Rose Bowl: Compared it to a national title or Final Four in basketball. On the weekend in Indy: "We've had some pretty neat things happen in that building. Hopefully there's some good Michigan State karma in that building."
Lest we forget, this week's three questions. Sorry to keep scolding MSU fans, Izzo and I just can't help it.
