SBNation Michigan St Preview

[anon_is9z1n0h3zblb]

Connelly has them finishing 9-3 and gives them a 39% chance of an upset in Happy Valley. I'll be at that game celebrating my 58th birthday at the Beav with 107K of my closest friends. I expect anyone that sees me to buy me a shot.

Enjoy

https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...n-state-football-2018-preview-schedule-roster

This leaves Wisky, us and OSU. To correct an earlier post, if there is a update published tomorrow we'll be Thursday, else Friday.

 

[michnittlion]

I hope MSU loses to Arizona State and things fall apart from there, plummeting their way to a 6-6 season and a bid to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

FWIW, Big Ten teams are 0-9 all-time in OOC games played at Arizona State. That includes some rather good teams (e.g., Wisconsin 2013 and Iowa 2004) who went out to the Desert and came home w/ a loss.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

I hope MSU loses to Arizona State and things fall apart from there, plummeting their way to a 6-6 season and a bid to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

FWIW, Big Ten teams are 0-9 all-time in OOC games played at Arizona State. That includes some rather good teams (e.g., Wisconsin 2013 and Iowa 2004) who went out to the Desert and came home w/ a loss.

In no way is Michigan State losing to Arizona State good for our chances to make the playoff. I don't care if they go 3-6 in conference play but we need the Big Ten to do well out of conference.

 

[michnittlion]

In no way is Michigan State losing to Arizona State good for our chances to make the playoff. I don't care if they go 3-6 in conference play but we need the Big Ten to do well out of conference.

Screw Michigan State.

MSU @ ASU is the 10th most important OOC game for the conference this year. Purdue's game over Missouri is more important than MSU @ ASU.

If you're worried about B1G OOC play, root more for (1) Michigan over ND, (2) OSU over TCU, (3) Northwestern over ND, (4) Indiana over Virginia, (5) Illinois over South Florida, (6) Maryland over Texas, (7) Nebraska over Colorado, (8) Iowa over ISU, and (9) Purdue over Misosuri.

Again - screw Sparty.

 

[Obliviax]

I hope MSU loses to Arizona State and things fall apart from there, plummeting their way to a 6-6 season and a bid to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

FWIW, Big Ten teams are 0-9 all-time in OOC games played at Arizona State. That includes some rather good teams (e.g., Wisconsin 2013 and Iowa 2004) who went out to the Desert and came home w/ a loss.

I personally see MSU as the team to beat in the B1G East. Good QB, WR and RB with experience. Solid defense top to bottom. tOSU and Michigan have huge question-marks at QB. PSU is very solid at QB and on offense, but lost a ton on defense.

 

[Raffycorn]

I personally see MSU as the team to beat in the B1G East. Good QB, WR and RB with experience. Solid defense top to bottom. tOSU and Michigan have huge question-marks at QB. PSU is very solid at QB and on offense, but lost a ton on defense.

I’m not sure if I agree. Michigan State certainly returns the most, but the talent of the players they return isn’t on the same level as OSU, Michigan, or Penn State - just IMO. I know it’s almost cliche to say considering how the game ended, but I continue to feel that Penn State was far superior to Michigan State in 2017, and I think the same will be true in 2018 absent another monsoon.

 

[brupsu]

I’m not sure if I agree. Michigan State certainly returns the most, but the talent of the players they return isn’t on the same level as OSU, Michigan, or Penn State - just IMO. I know it’s almost cliche to say considering how the game ended, but I continue to feel that Penn State was far superior to Michigan State in 2017, and I think the same will be true in 2018 absent another monsoon.

Agree msu was lucky last year.Psu has the week before this game off.No way msu comes into state college and wins.Any kinks on offense or defense will be worked out by then.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

Screw Michigan State.

MSU @ ASU is the 10th most important OOC game for the conference this year. Purdue's game over Missouri is more important than MSU @ ASU.

If you're worried about B1G OOC play, root more for (1) Michigan over ND, (2) OSU over TCU, (3) Northwestern over ND, (4) Indiana over Virginia, (5) Illinois over South Florida, (6) Maryland over Texas, (7) Nebraska over Colorado, (8) Iowa over ISU, and (9) Purdue over Misosuri.

Again - screw Sparty.

We disagree on the order...MSU beating ASU is much more important than 4, 5, 7 and probably 9. 1,2,3 is absolutely right IMO.

 

[Obliviax]

I’m not sure if I agree. Michigan State certainly returns the most, but the talent of the players they return isn’t on the same level as OSU, Michigan, or Penn State - just IMO. I know it’s almost cliche to say considering how the game ended, but I continue to feel that Penn State was far superior to Michigan State in 2017, and I think the same will be true in 2018 absent another monsoon.

I won't disagree. But I also like experience. UM will play a QB that is new to their system and tOSU plays a new kids (both highly regarded). They are both really new. MSU has a kid that has a full season, a successful season, under his belt. I think we have a great shot at beating them, but I continue to be alarmed at our thinness up the middle on defense. UM and MSU are power teams that can be ideally suited to exploit that. We won't know until we know, but starting a true freshmen at MLB with only two experienced DT's is alarming.

 

[Howie'81]

I won't disagree. But I also like experience. UM will play a QB that is new to their system and tOSU plays a new kids (both highly regarded). They are both really new. MSU has a kid that has a full season, a successful season, under his belt. I think we have a great shot at beating them, but I continue to be alarmed at our thinness up the middle on defense. UM and MSU are power teams that can be ideally suited to exploit that. We won't know until we know, but starting a true freshmen at MLB with only two experienced DT's is alarming.

We're not that thin up the middle talent wise. I've said before. Because of how we've recruited, there are stars on this team we don't even know yet. We'll know them very well by the time MSU comes to town and I will say by that time, we'll be mighty stingy up the middle.

 

[Obliviax]

We're not that thin up the middle talent wise. I've said before. Because of how we've recruited, there are stars on this team we don't even know yet. We'll know them very well by the time MSU comes to town and I will say by that time, we'll be mighty stingy up the middle.

i hope you are right.

Belichek always says "I can only go by what I see". If they aren't playing, there is a reason for it and they are also inexperienced. If they haven't done it, no way anyone can predict that they can or will.

 

[BobPSU92]

High expectations for having their campus burned down the ground and being kicked out of the b1g.

 

[Howie'81]

i hope you are right.

Belichek always says "I can only go by what I see". If they aren't playing, there is a reason for it and they are also inexperienced. If they haven't done it, no way anyone can predict that they can or will.

True, but we've recruited a lot of good players. Statistically, some will be very good. We just don't know which ones yet. I know this is true because teams that recruit well don't slip much due to guys leaving.

 

[BBrown]

i hope you are right.

Belichek always says "I can only go by what I see". If they aren't playing, there is a reason for it and they are also inexperienced. If they haven't done it, no way anyone can predict that they can or will.

My guess is the reason they weren't playing is that they might have still been in HighSchool or being a RS.
And you are absolutely correct, no way anyone can predict that they can do it just like no way anyone can predict they can't.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

My guess is the reason they weren't playing is that they might have still been in HighSchool or being a RS.
And you are absolutely correct, no way anyone can predict that they can do it just like no way anyone can predict they can't.

RS means you aren't good enough to play, right? This isn't 20-25 years ago when the goal was to redshirt kids their first year. Now you want them on the field if they can contribute

 

[Howie'81]

RS means you aren't good enough to play, right? This isn't 20-25 years ago when the goal was to redshirt kids their first year. Now you want them on the field if they can contribute

Many, many examples of redshirt freshmen becoming excellent players.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

Many, many examples of redshirt freshmen becoming excellent players.

Who said there weren't? Times are different now--freshmen aren't expected to redshirt.

 

[Howie'81]

Who said there weren't? Times are different now--freshmen aren't expected to redshirt.

I'd say at least half are, but more will play with the new redshirt rules.

 

[NittanyLion15]

I hate doing it, but I find myself rooting for all B1G Ten teams when they play OOC, especially if we've yet to play them. It's better for State to play teams that are ranked VS teams who lose games they're favored to win.

BTW - Northwestern has won 7 straight and has taken 3 of the last 4 and 2 straight vs Sparty. Don't be surprised if MSU comes into Happy Valley with 2 losses.

If they don't, and they get to 5-0, and IF OSU gets past TCU in Dallas... Beaver Stadium would likely host back to back top 10 matchups. When was the last time that happened?

(Considering we take care of business)