Roses are Green, Ohio is Blue

Michigan State takes down Ohio State 24-24 and claims the Big Ten title and it's first trip to the Rose Bowl since the `87 season.

And exciting game from start to finish, Michigan State was able to grind out a victory on the ground led by tailback Jeremy Langford, who became the first back to run for over 100 yards against Ohio State this year.
He finished with 128 yards and his 26 yard touchdown run with just over two minutes left sealed the upset win for the Spartans.

Defense still wins championships.  After the offensive shootout of the SEC championship, it was refreshing to see a key defensive stand set up the game sealing touchdown.
It's refreshing to see defense at all in this day and age of college football lets be real here.

The game was ridiculously back and forth.  Why ridiculously?
MSU scored the first 17
OSU the next 24
MSU the final 17.
How silly is that?

Conor Cook was named the game's MVP throwing 3 touchdowns, a pick, and 304 yards, leading his victory to the Rose Bowl.

Pound Green, Pound.  Michigan State pounded the rock and beat OSU by playing their game.  A championship well deserved.

Didn't I tell you guys that MSU would win?  Cuz I picked Ohio.

You're welcome East Lansing, now Sparty on to Pasadena.

Big Ten Title: OSU vs MSU

One team everyone expected.  The other, only the diehard fans expected.

Michigan State and Ohio State square off tomorrow for the rights to a trip to Pasadena.
Same destination, but two different goals.

The undefeated and second ranked Buckeyes look to represent the Big Ten in the National Championship against (most likely Florida State.

Whilst Michigan State looks to earn its first trip back to the Rose Bowl since 1987.

Two teams enter!  Both will leave! But only one can win! (EPIC VOICE OVER)

WHO WILL IT BE?!?!

The opposite of whatever I pick...
So I should pick... Ohio State then right?

Okay for seriousness though, I'm taking the Buckeyes, but in a close one.

Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are a two man wrecking crew.  It's hard to keep them both in check, especially Miller who has become a legit passing threat under Urban Meyer.
The defense isn't spectacular, I mean Michigan put 41 points up on them, but it should be good enough to stop MSU's offense, which is ten times better than it was at the beginning of the season.

If any team (in the Big Ten) is gonna beat Ohio State, it's gonna be MSU.
Michigan State defends better than anyone in the conference and it's not even a debate.  MSU has the top ranked rush defense and are fully capable of neutralizing Ohio State's rushing attack.

A low-scoring affair favors the Spartans.
But if it turns into a shootout, the Buckeyes will take it.

I'm going 31-24, Ohio State wins and stays undefeated.

But I desperately hope I'm wrong.

Thoughts?  Comments, questions, concerns?

Bearded Bracketology: Let the Madness Begin

Selection Sunday.  It's that day that every team works for, whether it's the midmajor teams hoping for a chance or the top teams battle for the top seed and a beneficial regional placement.

It's like that first day of spring.  The grind of the season is over and college basketball starts a new.

This year should shape up to be a dandy of a tournament, with no real top team and a lot of good solid teams in the field.  Anything can happen. (Well, except maybe a 16 seed winning a game. Some day...)

Although most sports bloggers will probably tell you their final four, upsets and list off reasons why they're right.  Truth is, they don't know jack... and guess what? Neither do I.  The tournament is a crap shoot and that's what makes it great.

So in my expert opinion, here's some things to watch for in the 2013 rendition of the NCAA tournament:

• Watch the games.  They're gonna be good.  Even the low seeds will give the higher seeds trouble this year.  Minnesota an 11, Oregon's a 12, South Dakota State has one of the best players in college basketball, and you've probably never heard of him. (Nate Wolters)
• 1 seeds on upset alert.  The top seeds of this tournament aren't ever Final Four locks, this year especially.  Gonzaga hasn't been tested, Indiana went through the grind of B1G ball, Louisville struggled mightily for a stretch and Kansas could face matchups that will give them fits.
• The Big Ten.  The Big Ten has been hailed as the best conference in basketball this season, will it translate to their first national champion since Michigan State in 2000?

In terms of our two local schools, Michigan State got a draw that really could favor them.  They should handle Valpo no problem, but Memphis will be a challenge.  The 30 win team from Conference USA has no shortage of athleticism, but I don't expect this Izzo team to fall flat early.  The Spartans then could potentially face Duke, and Coach K will not want to see this Izzo team in March.  MSU would be a matchup nightmare for the Blue Devils and could definitely get to the Elite 8 over the 2 seeded Duke boys.  

Ultimately, I expect MSU to make to the Sweet 16.  I haven't decided who I am going to officially take in the Duke/MSU matchup, but just for S's and G's, I'm going Sparty.  But Elite 8 is as far as I'll take them.  But I'm usually wrong.

Now Michigan on the other hand, has themselves a tougher draw, but one that could work in their favor.  Should be a fun matchup against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.  Two of the best point guards in the country with Trey Burke and Nate Wolters.  Michigan has the better team so should win... SHOULD.  After that they'll probably have a date with VCU.  That will be a great game to watch; two teams that match up well with each other.  I will take Michigan in that one, but it could go either way.

Michigan to the Sweet 16.  With the high expectations going into the season and the high ranking maintained most of the year, if that's the round the run stopped many fans would see it as a failure.  And the angry, critical part of me wants to agree, but I think we saw how good this Michigan team really is as the season unfolded.  Talented, but not all there and missing that killer instinct.  Michigan has that potential to upset Kansas, but I'll take the Jayhwaks in that matchup and a Sweet 16 exit for the Wolverines.

But the thing that I care most about, is WHERE ARE MY HAWKEYES???? COME ON HAWKEYE NATION GOT JOBBED!!!! HAWKEYE UP HAWKEYE UP!

***** 

I'M NOT DONE YET!

I am hosting an online bracket through ESPN, so if you would like to join in the Bearded Bracketology, let me know and I will hook you up with an invite and the secret password.  It'd be greatly appreciated if you joined in, and plus it's free.  You know you're going to do at least ONE bracket, why not make it a Bearded one?

Also, I would like to do a post about my predictions and the others in this pool.  If you would like to do a quick, one-two paragraph blurb about your final four/winner and local school prediction and have it featured in my blog, let me know and send me a write up.  I think it'd be a cool feature, and you get to show off how much smarter you are than me.

MSU Poised for Tourney Run

It's March.  And as everyone knows, that's Izzo's month.  Last night the Spartans had their first tournament game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Tournament.  And despite all my Hawkeye Up! chants, MSU, after trailing all game, rallied and beat the Hawkeyes 59-56.

Before any of my Spartan fans yell at me, I was pulling for the Hawkeyes because I thought it was comical that they were flirting with a real possibility of making it to the big dance.  And as I told a couple of my friends weeks ago, (and have the texts to prove it) if Iowa were playing Michigan, I would have pulled equally as hard for Hawkeye Nation.  HAWKEYE UP HAWKEYE UP! (yes it'd making fun of Purdue's stupid cheer.  Toot Toot.)

I watched most of the game at a very loud diner, so I could hardly tell what was going on, but here's what I did see.  Iowa held the lead all game, then collapsed like Michigan with a lead; MSU built a pretty decent late lead (8 points I believe correct me if I'm wrong) and then they decided it was time to play like Michigan late in the game, and let Iowa storm back and cut it to one.  Then benefitted from what looked to me like a very questionable foul call, and in very unMichiganlike fashion, made both free throws and sealed the deal.

As sad as I am for Hawkeye Nation for once again not getting that prom invitation from their secret crush, I am not surprised at all, even with Iowa holding a double digit lead for a significant portion of the game.  Because it's March.  And Izzo does March.  I honestly don't know why I see so many Spartan freak outs after losses, wait til March.  Save those couches for March, imagine how big that fire would be.

Adrien Payne is finally playing like the game changer that he is with his size and athleticism.  And Gary Harris is the real deal.  Combine those two with Izzo's insane ability to win in March, and you have a team poised for a Final Four run.

But they aren't perfect, no team in college basketball is this season.  I mean we have Gonzaga as the #1 team... Gonzaga.  Just let that sink in for a moment people... The same school that produced Adam Morrison.

Although Derrick Nix has improved year after year, he still has about as much endurance as I do.  Plus it doesn't help that he's an easy target for cheap foul calls.  And then there's plenty of instances where he earns the foul.  He's also prone to frustration fouls/mistakes, like last night's technical.

And I'm sure I don't need to tell any Spartan fan about the question mark that is Keith Appling.  He's a stud point guard, then he's as dumb as a sack of potatoes, and as useful as one too.  He's the key to how far MSU will go.  The Spartans can't afford inconsistent and shaky play from their point guard, no team can.

Today against Ohio State will be an interesting matchup.  Payne will probably get the bulk of the duties on Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft is probably the most annoying player to ever play basketball.  Ultimately, this game is important for both teams.  Michigan's loss opens the door for these two teams to try to snag a two seed.  If MSU wins, I think they'll be a 2 seed and play at the Palace.  But since my bracketolgy knowledge is about as equivalent as my biology knowledge, I'm probably wrong.

But here's what I do know.  Michigan State has got a balanced team, and strong enough bigs to bang around with any team in the country.  And Tom Izzo is at the helm.  This team is poised for a deep tournament run this March.

Just Another Saturday...

Photo Credit: Yahoo!

So last night was pretty crazy eh?  #1 and #2 go down so now Notre Dame is #1... Personally, I'm really bummed.  I was excited at the prospect of having a non-SEC team win the ship, but as soon as K-State lost no matter what happened a team I hated was going to be crowned national champion.  And now that Bama is back in the hunt it's going to be them

And on the local front, Michigan absolutely destroyed Iowa 42-17 on senior day.  Devin Gardner looked great once again with six total touchdowns.  All Denard did was run and catch swing passes, so he looked great too.  Honestly, when Denard first got here and Tate Forcier looked as good as he did, I thought running and catching passes was Denard's future.  Honestly wish it were... TATE YOU'RE STILL MY BOY.

And for the Spartans?  Well... Same ol' Spartans.  They lost 23-20 and looked very lethargic while doing so.  They out gained Northwestern in every stat except points.  I am still amazed at how awful State's wide receivers are this year.  I have never seen so many dropped passes collectively by an entire core of wide outs.  It's cost them dearly this season, this game included.

Michigan is still in the hunt for a Big Ten title, needing to beat Ohio State next week and Nebraska to lose to Iowa.  Since I don't think either of those will happen, out Big Ten champ will be either a lucky, undeserving Nebraska (we all know they would have lost to Denard AND they lost to Penn State) or the third-best team in the leaders division Wisconsin (puke.)

And for the Spartans, they have to beat the vaunted Golden Gophers of Minnesota just to get a bowl game.  God I love college football.

Bearded Predictions for next week:
Ohio State 24  Michigan 20
Michigan State 17 Minnesota 14

I also have Notre Dame on upset alert because I hate them.

Have a good Sunday y'all, go Lions!

"Shocked by trade" Cliff Lee

Poor Cliff Lee, he just got shafted. The Phillies traded him to Seattle in a three team deal that landed them Roy Halladay. Big deal. But I think I woulda kept those top notch prospects (as much as I hate prospects) and kept Cliff Lee, who dominated in a Philli uniform. But you can never complain when getting the best pitcher in the majors, yes I truly believe Roy is the best pitcher in the majors. But that's not what caught my eye, believe it or not, in this huge, blockbuster deal. What did was an interview with Cliff Lee that I saw last night on baseball tonight. Cliff's reaction to the trade, one you hope you never hear out of a super star and a class act like him. He was shocked, blindsided, and upset that he was traded away. He was told by his agent (who was told by the Phillies) to not believe the rumors. Next day, gone. Both times he got calls from his agent he was on his way to a nice relaxing day of deer hunting, then that bombshell was dropped. Just imagine your employer or whatever saying to you, sorry, but we're shipping you across the country. It would suck right? Cliff honestly believed that after the trade from Cleveland and the run to the world series with Phili that this was the last stop on the journey of Cliff Lee. He wanted to sign a long-term deal. But the Phillies said that Lee was unwilling to ink a long-term deal. That question was brought up to him in the interview. And Lee responded with an appalled tone that was the farthest thing from the truth. It really disheartens me to hear this kinda thing. Cliff deserved better than to be unexpectedly traded for false reasons. He was told not to believe the rumors, and then the organization said it was because they believed they wouldn't have been able to ink a deal. Sure as hell sounded to me like Cliff would have negotiated a contract that would have worked for both sides. But who do you believe? I tend to believe the athlete in situations like this. The organization usually just tries to justify and cover their ass after trades like this, or when disgruntled athletes come out and speak their mind. It's all about damage control.
Shifting over to hockey, the Red Wings won 3-0 over the Tampa Bay Lightning. I know it's Tampa, but I can't help but get excited. Four in a row now, hitting the groove, and so many key players are still out. Zetterberg left the game and never game back after getting absolutely crushed by Matias Ohlund. Skate with your heads up boys. But my point is this: We've won four in a row, we have so many missing pieces, are you "fans" still wanting to jump into the Detroit River? I cannot tell you how many times I heard people telling me, "Oh this is the year" "I have no faith in this squad" "We have no chance at the cup." We are the Detroit Red Wings, the greatest franchise in the NHL, no in all of sports, we always have a cup chance on sheer name alone. I've been saying this all year long, and I will not back down from my opinion. 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red WIngs. I never back down from a prediction until I am wrong. I made this the day after we lost to Pitt, and I'm sticking to it. HERE WE GO RED WINGS, HERE WE GO! ALL THE WAY TO THE STANLEY CUP!

On a side note, I would like to take this chance to thank someone who has been very kind to me and has really helped me make important strives toward my future goal of being a sports broadcaster. This person is Professor Michael Stamm. He's the one that pushed me to do this blog, showed me a good place to set it up, and pushed me into just doing things to get my name out there. It's been an absolute pleasure, nay, a privilege to have him for class. We talked every class day, just about whatever in the world of sports, or whatever was bugging us that morning. Today I just took the final, so had my last class with him, for the year at the very least. If you are a student at MSU, or incoming freshman reading this, I highly recommend Intro to Mass media with him, great class, fun class. Only downside was the 9 am time slot, but what are ya gonna do? So once again, Thanks for everything Professor.


Link to CLiff Lee interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qVYyqFgYF8

Just my thoughts...

Well there really isn't anything in particular that I want to blog about, so I'm just gonna tell you my thoughts on whatever I feel like...
Look at the post below this... College Football... it's so great, except when your team keeps losing, thanks Rich (at least my other team got bowl eligible Go Green), but it's still amazing. Stanford in my blog AGAIN for beating USC at USC. The Men of Troy are 47-2 at home since '05(year may be wrong) but those two losses are from the Stanford Cardinal. Pretty impressive. And my second most hated team lost, that's right Lou Hotlz, the national title bound Fighting Irish lost, again. Oh man is college football great. Ohio State (Numero Uno on my hate list) clinched the Big Ten Title, which means they receive the automatic bid to the Rose Bowl, and they get to be pounded by Stanford (hopefully) or Oregon (probably) And to those who want a playoff, I say no. I love the bowl games, don't take those away form me or else I will be sad.
How many of you out there do fantasy football? I know I do, and I love/hate it, I always lose easy games. I am in the playoff hunt, but a championship is out of the question. But I am going to be honest here, without fantasy football, I would not care about NFL football. It's kinda boring at times and there is no intensity. Not like at the college level. But fantasy football is what keeps me interested in football, because let's face it, the Lions suck. I am forced to watch them every week, I say forced because I am a true fan, I think I discussed this before, yes?. I watch their games, and start anyone who plays against them. Fantasy Football, it's such a craze, and it's so awesome. I bet there are many out there that watch NFL football only because of Fantasy Football, you know who you are.
And finally, I would like to talk about hockey, the greatest sport ever. More specifically the greatest team ever, the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings are starting to hit their groove, and they've got half their team hurt. Everyone who panicked at the beginning of the year and is still panicking, just needs to relax. We are the Detroit Red Wings. We will win the 2010 Stanley Cup and Lord Stanley will be home again. That's a bearded fellow "Chalk it up my friends."

Enjoy your lives, sorry for the length between posts, nothing really inspired me to blog

College Football: The greatest Sport out there

Oh boy do I love college football! Sure my favorite teams are going to struggle to make a bowl, that''s Michigan and Michigan State for those of you that don't know, but it still is such a spectacle. The reason why it's so great is because anything can happen. Upsets happen every weak. Every game has so much riding on it. And the atmosphere for college football is just amazing. Enter the Big House, "Death Valley" in LSU, The Swamp down in Florida, you can't find atmospheres like that anywhere else.
This past Saturday had two major upsets that inspired me to talk about this. Navy beat the all-mighty Notre Dame. And the hottest team in the country, Oregon Ducks, lost to the Stanford Cardinal. What huge games, only in college football my friends. Upsets happen every week, it's why college football is so amazing. Think back at all the upsets and all the great moments in college football, Appalachian State beating Michigan :'( Stanford beating USC at USC the same year. Stanford-Cal and the band, Doug Flutie, Iowa's hail mary against LSU. The list goes on and on. Sure the NFL has it's fair share of great moments, but they don't mean as much when it's just a bunch of college kids. COllege Football, the greatest sport in the world. I love college football, you should too.

Pictured is the game-winning catch in the Stanford-USC game referred to.

Stay true to your colors.

What makes sports great? Is it the athletes, the competition, the thrill? Or is it the fans, the ones that follow the game with a passion, watch every game and cheer for that team as if they're lives depended on the outcome of that particular game. That's what I love about sports: being a fan. The feeling of investing in something larger than myself is something that gives me a sense of being apart of something bigger. Sure I'm just a guy screaming at the team, but I support that team. When a team loses support, the team goes. Fans are crucial. True fandom is tested in times of adversity. When your team sucks, are you gonna still root for them? When you move, are you still gonna watch them? True fans stay with their team no matter what. I am doing that now. I am a Michigan fan, it's in my blood, it's how I was raised. I currently go to MSU. I root for MSU, but I didn't just drop my allegiance to Michigan because I'm a Spartan now, even though everyone would understand if I did. In fact they expect it. But I think it is important to stay true to your team, no matter what. It's why I'm a.... oh jeeze... Lions fan. Stay with your team, don't become a fan of a team because your team sucks and that other team is good.
But on a different note on fans and sports. Sports are crucial to the fans. They are an escape. Whether your escaping from a bad day of school or work by watching your teams on Saturday and Sunday, or something much larger. Look at the way the people of New Orleans rallied behind the Saints. It was incredible, and it was a great story. Sports rally people together in tough times. When 9-11 happened, Everyone in the sports world rallied behind the city of New York. Also using this state as an example, when 9-11 happened, the Red Wings we're opening training camp. I remember they sold out the practice arena in Traverse City. Each and every Wing was blown away. People rally behind sports, and sports are the perfect escape.
Just take a second and think about it... what is an easy way to just get away for a few hours? Watching sports. I know I do it, and I bet you do it too. And for those of you that say "it's just a game," you are completely and utterly wrong. It is much more than that, and I think I've made that clear.

A Bear at Spartan Stadium?!?!?!

So how many of you out there watched the Iowa State game last Saturday? Epic game wasn't it? Iowa yet further proved my belief that they are the most overrated team in the nation. They should have lost to State, Michigan, and Northern Iowa (that's 1aa school.) But that's not what I'm blogging about.

While at Spartan Stadium, I saw this guy in a bear suit doing the pregame ring toss for pizza. Amazingly, he went five for five, throwing the hoola hoop perfectly everytime to his partner on the field. But why was in he a bear suit? It wasn't Halloween, State's not the bruins... so I did a little investigating. And here's what I found out.

In 1909 Michigan State, coached by Coach Chester Brewer, had a live brown bear named Monty, or Brewer's Bruin, as it's mascot. For those of you that missed it, 1909 was exactly 100 years ago. So these gentlemen at the stadium had a purpose for the bear suit. The man in the suit was none other than Brewer's Bruin.

The Bear sat front row by the band, and got some attention. The bear got his airtime while Iowa was driving to win the game. But for those of you that saw him, it wasn't just a drunk fan in a bear suit, they had a reason. They brought back Brewer's Bruin.