Notre Damage

Tomorrow marks another meeting between MSU and Notre Dame. Dating back to thee days when MSU was fighting UM to get into the Big Ten, there was Notre Dame, playing MSU and loaning it the exposure it needed to get past the wolverines and their efforts to keep MSU out of the 10. It didnt work douche bags. We're in and we're gonna muck everything up, count on it. All was fine until Ara "king of the douche bags" Parmesian played for a tie game. Puss. Anyway, CHarlie Weiss wants his boys to know that MSU has won about 136 in a row at South Bend, second only to USC. I hate them. USC. I long for the day when they suffer and writhe in losses and mediocrity. The leatherish skin on Pete Carrolls face tells me that skin cancer might fix our USC problem sooner than later.Charlie wEISS says there is plenty of evidence that MSU has no problem runnin' up in them guts at South Bend.He's right.It still doesnt mean we will win. I think my team has some discipline and youth problems to work out. A sense of identity, what ever that f'in means. I think the coaching staff is going to have to make adjustments DURING the freakin game. They didnt against CMU, and with a VERY questionable late SIDELINE B.S, juggling the ball TD, CMU gets the chance they need to upset us and voila'....I give MSU a 50/50 chance tomorrow. I dont think ND should be favored, but Vegas does. I want to disappoint them, REALLY bad.Toledo and OSU will be closer than anyone thinks it will be. I bet its less than 9 points, I dont know what the line is. Colorado stinks, and Toldeo put 54 or something like that on 'em.Charlie Weiss . That guy said after the flag incident, "we will never lose another game to Michigan State on my watch." That was 3 losses ago.Im worried about the offense. The defense will come around and be ready to play, assuming we dont have MORE injured guys, or get something out of the ones "good enough" to play on.Its late ,and my whole week sucked, so I'll end this with a picture of me at my raunchy best at the Montana State tailgate, about to be served an upside down margarita by my best friend Jamie( dont ask me why his hand is on my head),as I explain the wonderous world of hot, girl on girl action. Good luck Spartans, and GO BIG TEN!

Spartans find a way......CMU 29, MSU 27

Well, the Central Michigan Chippewas did a number on my boys. The Spartan defense failed to put any pressure on LeFevour late in the game , and our secondary allowed 400 bizillion yards or something like that. I really felt that as long as the chips defense was out there, they would surley buckle, but I think conservative play calling and PENALTIES not only gave the chips A LOT of extra chances to complete plays and make first downs , they also prevented us from extending drives. If there was a game to make mistakes and such, coachable stuff that can be eliminated or improved, thsi was an example of it. I have to say, even AFTER review, I think the last TD by CMU was bunk. I dont htink the guy was ever in bounds when he caught the pass. Obviously the officials felt differently,but the BTN broadcast caught an angle that sure looked like CMU's receiver was out of bounds. Different game if that call goes the other way. It doesnt take away from the fact that MSU needed to put LeFevour on his butt a whole lot more.I dont think the defensive strategy was up to par really. I didnt see any blitz packages that I felt were going to be effective against CMU. We didnt attack the weakness, and really I didnt see any change of plans at the half way mark. Im not on suicide watch, or condemning the staff or players.It was a disappointment against a school with a pretty good team. How CMU managed to lose to Arizona, I will chalk up to jet lag or something, because Im confident, we could blow away Arizona. Anyway, the coaching staff has their hands full with this weeks opponent, the dreaded Notre Dame. This is rival number two of two. Notre Dame looked pretty good against UM this week in a shoot out that scored the most points out of ALL the games between the Wolverinoes and the Irish douche squad. I thought Nicholl looked really good,and Cousins did ok. We need to find some running game, and it doesnt start with sweep left, sweep right bullcrap like I saw on Saturday. We need to run up the guts and off tackles MUCH MORE.Pull em into the middle then let the horses run up the sidelines to catch passes. the tightends looked great and a game ball to BJ Cunningham for making some great catches.

On a another note, KUDOS to Ohio State. Although they should have won by a large margin, I thought they made a good showing anyway. I saw lots of Bucks scrap it out with abandon for all safety, and you have to credit the crowd at the Shoe for leaving it all there, and firing every shot in the gun. Thad Gibson is a stud, and I want him. We will make plans to kidnap him for MSU fiendish plans. Pete Carrol is a lucky douche, and USC will NOT be Nat.Champ. The freshman QB for USC should thank his lucky stars hes been groomed for the job, because anyone else would have fallen apart Saturday under the scrutiny of the OSU home crowd. I only wish we could have that kind of energy every game at MSU. I do my part, and the crowd follows L.O.S.T's examples, but it doesnt start until we get there. Well, back to drawing board for MSU.

This is a test........

Do not adjust your monitor, this is only a test. A test of the emergency "you got your ass whupped" signal. If you had in fact got whupped, important instructions would follow.

Thats right Spartans, Montana State put up token Resistance Saturday to a Spartan offense that put up field goals, made touchdowns and executed pretty good. Caulton Ray looked like some game experience would be a very positive thing for him, because he showed glimpses of the punisher he could be. The offensive and defensive lines did an adequate job all around. During the 4 th quarter, both lines looked a little gassed at times, but maybe its my imagination. 44-3 was the final score. White had a TD and got popped in the back of the helmet.A Little slow getting up on that hit, but he looked to shake it off relatively quick. I thought that the teams overall effort stayed at a high level for MOST of the game. I dont think anyone took his foot of the gas and coasted any. I hope not, but if so, I really hope Coach D drives that out of all the players.Both Cousins AND Nicholl looked good. I like the two headed giant quarterback idea. Damn shame that Bradford guy in BOOMER SOONER land got dumped on his shoulder. UM sent out a D lineman clubber type loser to do that to Drew Stanton after we amassed a 16 point lead or something like that about 5 years ago. Ancient history, but it looked exactly the same. Oklahomo should be worried if Bradford doesnt get back in there right away. Colt Mcoy is frothing at the bit right now. Probably not, but lets just say he is. All the team sin the 10 won this weekend, except ILLINOIS. Those losers were fighting amongst themselves on world wide TV practically, whilst they were hearing the test signal I was telling you about in the opening.Missouri spanked em. The Buckeyes almost fell into the soup, but once again, the defense rides to the rescue and seals the deal for OSU. They better find an offense and quick if they plan to avoid getting abused by The University of Spoiled Children.Northwestern exploded and so did PennState( whoa....shocker). Minnesota won in OT against 'Cuse and Iowa looked an awful lot like I was imagining ( Paki Omeara should NOT carry the ball). Indiana outlasted EKU 19-13......its gonnabe a long season for IU. Hope Labor Day was just nifty as hell for everyone, VICTORY FOR MSU.Next challenge-Central Michigan.

2009 Big Ten Preview

#1 Penn State, Michigan State, Wisconsin (11-1)

Penn State has one of the weakest and most pathetic schedules I have ever seen. Its just wonderful and robustly constructed to HAND PennState a title in the 10. 6 of 7 at home with OSU coming to the Beave? Joe Paterno is rubbing his hands together with glee. With a slew of returning talent including Royster and Clark ( Royster, the one Buck Owens replaced on Hee-Haw) and a VERY good linebacking crew, PSU should dominate. Royster is my preseason Super Stud type player, and I think he will rack em up, big time. A long term, solid coaching staff with an agenda custom fit for the Lions talent pool should make them the cream of the 10, regardless of the puff in the schedule. The hopes of the league rest in injuries and the weak schedule combined with a smattering of media hype to the head syndrome to derail the PSU train to Pasadena. Joe Pa, with his Namenda patch and his stool softener, will probably make this his swan song. I mean how much longer can this guy go on? Forever I guess, and what of it. Just cause something is old, dont mean it aint good.Besides Paterno 2 is calling the plays, and thats worked out just fine for Ole PSU. Wins for PSU will come easy at first, then graduate to harder contests, sorta. Akron,Syracuse,Temple,Iowa,Illinois,EAST Illinois, Minnesota,UM,North Western,Ohio State and Indiana will all succumb to the Lions.

Michigan State, at the seasons end with the Land Grant Trophy at stake AND an outright Big Ten title, shall be the only stumbling block for PSU. Revenge for last years smack in the mouth will be sweet, and MSU defeated a BETTER PennState team 2 years ago at East Lansing.

Wisconsin shall bounce back. I dont buy into Bielema falling apart from the lofty 12-1 campaign his freshman year as coach. I know, I know...they have a QB problem, and they have a secondary problem, and they have ..blah,blah,blah. Dont matter. Wisco has a history of falling apart after big game let downs such as the loss at home to an excellent OSU team last year, AND a season opening loss to Michigan ( thats gotta be like sucking on a urinal cake ). I think all the losses, including GIVING away a win at MSU was all the burden of the coaching staff. A late play call at the end of the OSU game cost them a close one. Poor play calling against UM cost them a 20 point lead and a win at that dump in Ann Arbor. Not one , but TWO timeouts and 35 yards in penalties cost them a 25-24 loss at MSU. All that served to spiral the Badgers downward. I think coaching staff problems are easier to fix than player issues. For the most part, players dont make mortgage payments from college football games and coaches do. Wisconsin will get its act together, I promise. The QB issue will remain a problem for them, as the team searches for an identity outside of the John Clay running attack. Wins for the Badgers will come from North Illinois, Fresno State, Wofford(look out for the Woff)MICHIGAN STATE, Minnesota, Iowa,Purdue,Indiana,UM,Northwestern, and Hawaii.

The Badgers one loss will come at the hands of Ohio State. OSU's defense can squash a one dimension down hill team like Wisco, and Bucky falls hard at the Shoe.

Finally , MSU. With the QB thing settled for now, MSU has control of its own destiny. Will it be glory, or , well , disappointment. Anything short of a repeat of last years record would be a let down for sure. Sure we all know Javon is gone,and the interior D line is depleted more, but so is Mr.Average Brian Hoyer. I feel with Cousins and Nicholl ( a hell of an athlete) and a LONG term coaching staff, MSU is in perfect position to return to the title scene. Granted MSU dropped all the big games last year, but I call it growing pains. MSU has a top notch defensive back field with three solid linebackers, two outstanding corners and a 6 man rotation at safety that ALL have multiple game experience, and 3 years or so in the defensive structure. The learning period is over, and now the players can react and attack. MSU has an ABUNDANCE of receiver threats including TWO returning tightends who had TD catches, 3 experienced wideouts and two redshirt wideouts who are wildly athletic and talented. The question is, can the d line put on pressure and stop the run, and who will carry the ball now the UBER-back is gone? MSU has 3 freshman RB's and two RB's that have experience , but will probably be doing special teams duty. MSU returns Bates as punter, an excellent punter , and Brett Swenson( the howitzer) to kick field goals. Special teams and Defense are the two best things about MSU, with the receiver corps a close third. Depth at most every position is a luxury that the Spartans havent enjoyed in A LONG TIME. Cautious Optimism is the way of the Spartan, so, lets just wait and see. I expect good things.....

Wins will come at the expense of Montana State, Central Michigan, Notre Dame (scumbags) Michigan ( Douche bags) Illinois ( possibly a loss if MSU doesnt watch it) Northwestern in a blood bath, Iowa (no revenge for Captain Kirk) Minnesota on Halloween, Western Michigan (why do we have to play them?) Purdont, AND the most tasty one PENN STATE.

Michigan States only scar will come from the pesky Badgers. Its hard for MSU to win at Camp Randall and I think this year will be no exception. Look for Wisco to smack the Spartans good.

Overall I feel that Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State all have tools and the drive to win the title outright, but there are many questions for each team and a LOT of football to be played. It time fans.. gear up and get primed. We only get 13 days of football a year, so make every down and every snap one that counts.

Prepare Spartan warriors, its time to defend the homeland again. The hordes have once again mustered the courage and the ignorance to threaten us. If its blood they want, let them spill it in abundance!

2009 Big Ten Footbal Preview

#4 Ohio State (10-2 )

Madness.I know, pure madness, but thats what you get by the time you work your way up to the top positions in the 10. OSU is a young squad , with slim hopes of another National Championship bid, so in reality the pressure is off. This is good news. The other good news is, the Bucknuts return about 10 from last year, including Thaddeus Gibson and "Mudbone" Pryor at QB. Gone are Laurintis and "Beanie". What is it with the nifty nicknames? (compensator?) I think Robiske and Hartline are the bigger losses, because OSU was what, 9th , in the Big Ten in scoring offense? The only reason they managed 9th, in my opinion , is because MSU threw their legs in the air and forked over 45 F%*@ING points!! Anyway, Herron should be adequate in tandem with Pryor even though Tressel says that OSU will not utilize Pryor as a running threat (lies)and operate a much more "traditional" offense. With a prototypical strong defense, as OSU ALWAYS has, and some decent weapons, the Buckeyes shall be in control of their destiny. The drive for ANOTHER title in the 10 will not happen...maybe.Pryor has visibly improved his passing ability, and it wasnt bad to begin with, so moving the ball, with the obvious elimination of turnovers, should be do-able. Defense shall once again be the hallmark of this team, and I look for them to win field position battles and grind opponents to submission. OSU is right there, as they always are, and Coach Jim will have them running just fine. Going on what I believe, OSU will gain victory against Navy, USC ( yes, you heard me right, and remember, I HATE THE LOUSY STINKING PAC-10) Toledo, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, The Great Satan,Minnesota, New Mexi-who cares State and they will solidly bitch slap UM.

Defeat will come from a road trip to Penn State, a team with just as good a defense and a better offense, and Iowa in my upset special of the Century, but not really.

......sure would be nice to have another shot at 'em for a little revenge for turning me into a surly drunken, embarrassed Spartan..but..see ya down the road Bucks, good luck.

2009 Big Ten Football Preview

#5 Iowa Hawkeyes (9-3)

Its difficult for me to write about the Hawks considering I still have partial wood from watching Adam Decker STUFF Shon Greene to win at Spartan Stadium last year. That match up with the Hawks ranks among my Top 10 MSU wins of all time. That being said, this is NOT 2008, and the Hawks have got a better squad than last year..with out Greene. Some may disagree, but I think Captain Kirk has all the tools to move up into the upper echelon of the 10. Iowa demonstrated sound football by losing a number of VERY close games last year and building impressive victories, including pinning a L on the Nittany Lions in the definitive trap game at Iowa last fall. Im giving the Iowa defense all the credit WAY ahead of time and taking a HUGE GAMBLE in saying that the Hawks will go 9-3. Call it instinct and 9 good players returning on defense for the Hawks. All is not well in Hawkeye land and here's why.

1)Jayme Murphy's football career is over after back surgery.

2)Jewel Hampton, the best returning running back, will miss the entire season

due to knee surgery.

The running game will present a problem for the Hawks and a lack of a running game will make Rick Stanzi's year a bust. However, if the Hawks have really turned the corner, they will find ways to win all the close ones from last year. Senior leadership is a given and with the injuries being public knowledge now, I think Iowa will sneak up on more than one team this year. This campaign will also define the true coaching strength and weakness of Captain Kirk. Can he make more out of less? Can the Hawks muster the stamina to make DEFENSE their hallmark and keep the scores low enough for Ricki to be effective? We shall see. I like the Hawks, and I like playing the Hawks, even if the fans at Kinnick are amongst the rudest and most inbred in the 10. Iowa's win over LSU some years ago clearly demonstrates that Hawkeye will to find a way that makes them tops on the PESKY TEAM list second only to The Great Satan, the ultimate in spoiler teams. I see wins over Northern Iowa ( a VERY good team if you didn't know ) ,Iowa State, Arizona ( purely because I despise the PAC-10 ), Arkansas State, Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern, Minnesota and the long shot of the year, a win in the Shoe. Yes you heard it here first, Iowa will win at Ohio Stadium giving Ohio State one of its two conference losses.

The Hawks have NO HOPE of winning at PennState, Michigan State ( a 7pm game ), and Wisconsin. These will not happen. As long as PennState and Wisco hold up their end of the deal.

If Iowa doesn't muster the balls to make my predictions come true, merely put Northwestern in their place and life will once again show that my football knowledge is , well, crap. Either way, its all relative to your station in life. Mine is green and white.

2009 Big Ten Preview

#6 (tie) Illinois,Minnesota,Northwestern 6-6

I know, I know, 'whats this madness' you say? Illinois is widely regarded as being a much better team than it was last year. Better players, less distractions, etc,etc. Iam not buying it. I think all the problems and all the good points at Illinois stem from the same source, the coaching staff. Now dont get me wrong, Zook is who Zook is, and he deserves to be at this level of coaching, I dont see any debate about that, but from observing the team, I think there is a lack of leadership/control of the team that Zook is expecting from his upper classman and I just dont see it there. Juice Williams will more than carry the load, but I feel that defense schemes have caught up and overtaken the "dual threat" quarterback offenses. One man does not a team make. Penn State has one of the premiere dual threat QB's in the country, but Clark also has Evan Royster and a good defense to get the ball in his hands.Illinois does not have the same depth or level of talent to compete with the likes of Penn State.Expect Illinois to beat up Illinois State,Purdue,Michigan,Northwestern,Cincinnati,and Fresno State. The smacks will come from Missouri,Ohio State,Penn State,Michigan State,INDIANA ( yes, I said Indiana ) and Minnesota.

Of course, I could be wrong about it all, but I dont care.Really, I dont. Northwestern is the one team I feel that could do two things this year. 1) Go 6-6, by losing 6 games by a combined 18 points or less, or go 9-3 by showing the heart of the seniors and their great coach. Im opting for 6-6. For all the smarts and all the heart, they will not escape with wins on the road at Michigan State ( the best chance of a road win ) Iowa or Illinois. Cory Wooton is a fit and furious team leader and Mike Kafka has shown what he can accomplish with the right circumstances. I will not short change the Cats on the talent side of the football, but LIKE MSU, Im gonna have to see prolonged success to believe it, and I feel that Northwestern is still a year or two off. A good showing and a bowl game this year would certainly cement things for Pat Fitzgerald ( one of my all time favorite player in the 10 ) and bring in the recruits necessary to compete for league titles. The Cats have talent, you can see it when they practice, but do they believe it. Count on one thing, Northwestern will play every game all the way to the sound of the gun. Any team that expects to coast on the Cats in the 4th quarter will have a rude awakening. Wins will come from Towson,Eastern Michigan, Syracuse,Purdue,Miami (OH) and Indiana.
Losses from Minnesota,MichiganState,PennState,Iowa,Illinois and Wisco.

Finally, the Gophers. The Weber/Decker combo is a good one, but much like the "juice", I feel most of the summer coaching by Minnesota's opponents was done to squash this tandem. The Gophers dont offer much up on offense to keep a pretty darn good defense off the field enough to give them a rest. Any team in the 10 from top to bottom will fall to any other team if your defense stays out there ALL THE TIME. You have to make good pushes on offense to recharge the D. Its a must. Minnesota, as good as thier passing combo is, let me put it this way, passing doesnt chew up clock and if you dont have the horses to punch the ball in on the goal line, your not going to win a lot. The sun doesnt rise and set on the passing game alone, especially in the 10.You've got to pound the rock, at least a little bit. A team must have SOME threat to score in the running game, and I just dont feel it with the Gophers. They are a relatively light team size wise as well and thats not good for punishing with a RB. Wins will come at the hands of Syracuse (on the road even!) Air Force, Northwestern ( revenge ), Purdue,Illinois, and the coup de grace versus South Dakota State.The 'Phers could take out the Hawks by seasons end, because Iowa will think they just "need to show up" to win,but I wouldnt bet on it. Losses could be steep in point total and will be delivered by California,Wisconsin ( in a blood bath), Penn State(see Wisco),Ohio State, Michigan State on Halloween,and Iowa. I really like Tim Brewster and I feel he would be a wrecking ball if he had the weapons.Lots of up and coming RB's in the stable, so the 'Phers are rising, but not this year.