So Spartan fans, how does it feel to have a legitimate Big Ten contender? Something I took for granted being a Michigan fan, so take it all in Spartans, it may not last long.
But seriously folks, anything less than a share of the Big Ten title will be disappointing. Sure, before the season, you would take finishing top 3 or 4 and a nice bowl game. But this team is a contender, and if the Spartan's aren't contending at the end of the year, Spartan fans should be disappointed.
Let's break this down. State has a terrific offense. It doesn't blow you away, but it gets the job done the way an offense should. They have a balanced attack, they can pound it out, they can throw the ball, and they can mix it up. They have the makings of a legitimate offense. It doesn't have the flashy names and flashy players like other top teams, but this offense gets the job done and is perfectly balanced.
And the defense has been rock solid. State is the first team all year to contain Denard (86 rushing yards) and force him to make mistakes (3 interceptions.) the secondary is weak, and got weaker when Chris L Rucker decided to drive after drinking. But the front seven, led by Greg Jones, is one of the best in the Big Ten. They specialize in stoping the ground game. The key on defense is stopping the passing game; the secondary must step up.
But what is key for the Spartans is what's left on their schedule. There is one tough game left and that's Iowa on the road. Illinois will be tricky but it is a winnable game. MSU has a real chance at running the table with this remaining schedule. State doesn't have to play the Buckeyes, easily the best team in the Big Ten, which is key for MSU's chances at winning the Big Ten and going to the Rose Bowl.
Michigan State has a real legitimate shot at winning at least a share of the Big Ten title, and Spartan fans should expect for them to at least contend at the end of the year. Anything less at this point is a disappointment.
Posts
fortunately for them they dont play osu. and the iowa game at home is very winable. if osu doesnt make the bcs game they'll be in the rose bowl, pushing state to the capital one bowl(assuming they finish second), right?
ReplyDeleteNo, If OSU and MSU tie and OSU does not BCS MSU goes. There's no way that OSU will not go to the BCS if they go undefeated and win the BIg Ten. It may be the Capital One bol if MSU finishes second and OSU doesn't go to the National Title, but that scenario seems unlikely because it would require a lot from the rest of the Big Ten
ReplyDeleteState could probably earn an at large bid, but will probably get jipped because of their lack of respect/acknowledgment, as they have not had a winning program recently. I could rant about the stupidity of preseason polls all day, but the capital one bowl will be where they will end up, and may be where they deserve to end up. Only time will tell, starting with this overachieving Illinois team (OMG, Zook is overacheiving!?)
ReplyDeleteZook is a criminal, and Sully if they get at least a share of the Big Ten then theyre Rose Bowl bound
ReplyDeleterose bowl vs stanford possible oregon? does not bode well
ReplyDeleteIt will be a tough match up, but once you get to the bowl you never know... but yeah to be honest I'd take Oregon over State by a lot and Stanford over State in a close one
ReplyDelete