Michigan @ MSU 10-20-18

[Gulo Blue]

how many spots down the bad luck list will that drop them?

None. Not a factor.

 

[biggunsbob]

You're discounting the fact that the defense was on the field far too much last year due to the ineptitude of the offense. The OSU game is an excellent example. The defense locked them down with (according to the media)all-world QB JT Barrett looking like Alex Hornibrook for the first half. Then Metellus drops an easy INT (not Brown's fault) and the wheels came off because the offense was 3 and out on nearly every series.

The starts against ND and Northwestern are concerning, but the fact that they were able to make the necessary adjustments to lock both of them down after the slow starts is very encouraging to me. That's something that we have all been bitching about for years.

I'm not arguing that it is okay to blow a 2 score lead, but it's not entirely on the defense.

No your right . It’s everything . It was so frustrating because I was at that game and after he dropped Int the whole feeling in the stadium just changed even though we were still up 14-0. Next play I think they scored ..That is another play that probably changes the game if he catches that Int. The defense was on the field way to long last season. But it was frustrating the the backup came in and won that game . The defense starts are concerning. I worry a lot about running qb and how he likes to blitz on third and long a lot. But he does seem to adjust pretty well.

 

[Spartanmack]

None. Not a factor.

then that model is even more flawed than I thought.

 

[tsume99]

I tend to come up with things to worry about. Right now, I can't shake the worry that we're going to lose a key defender or two to targeting calls.

I'm more worried about injuries to key players, whether incidental or not. I know injuries can happen in any game, but this rivalry can be so physical and ugly I can't help being concerned.

 

[hungry]

Yes, you know the Spartan playbook well.

We all know the #1 defensive philosophy that will be used by MSU against Michigan will be to take out Shea Patterson. They are going to throw everything at him. There will be defenders gunning for him every single play. This is the MSU thing. Hit the QB as many times as possible, perhaps hoping to knock him out of the game and force their opponent to use the back-up.

They will, also, be aiming to maim other key players like PJ and Higdon. Expect a lot of cheapshots.

 

[hungry]

IF Michigan wins, will it count as a road victory over a ranked opponent?

MSU is not ranked in the Coach's poll

IF MSU loses, they will be unranked next week

 

[tsume99]

Yes, you know the Spartan playbook well.

We all know the #1 defensive philosophy that will be used by MSU against Michigan will be to take out Shea Patterson. They are going to throw everything at him. There will be defenders gunning for him every single play. This is the MSU thing. Hit the QB as many times as possible, perhaps hoping to knock him out of the game and force their opponent to use the back-up.

They will, also, be aiming to maim other key players like PJ and Higdon. Expect a lot of cheapshots.

I can see Bush, Winovich, and others on the defense being targets as well.

 

[rumseyhouse77]

I can see Bush, Winovich, and others on the defense being targets as well.

I was thinking along these same lines. It is a part of the Sparty character when they play Michigan. They are not above taking dirty cheap shots. They just can't control their inferiority complex.

 

[hungry]

Does MSU have the #1 defense against the run, because it is easy to pass on them or do they let up a lot of passing yards, because they are the # 1 defense against the run and people just abandon all hope of running?

 

[hungry]

In other news, not at all shocking to any of us:

https://thespun.com/big-ten/michigan-state/star-rb-cleared-for-michigan-michigan-state-game

LJ Scott is good to go tomorrow and will play

Big surprise!!

 

[rumseyhouse77]

In other news, not at all shocking to any of us:

https://thespun.com/big-ten/michigan-state/star-rb-cleared-for-michigan-michigan-state-game

LJ Scott is good to go tomorrow and will play

Big surprise!!

Well, the D faced the leading RB in the nation last Saturday and that seemed to work out well for Michigan.

 

[hungry]

yeah, this might be bullshit, too. It's the same site that said there would be breaking news for Michigan and we got nothing HaHa

guess I won't go to that site anymore

 

[hungry]

Well, the sun is out and it's 44 degrees.

weather says no rain until 3pm...

 

[Spartanmack]

In other news, not at all shocking to any of us:

https://thespun.com/big-ten/michigan-state/star-rb-cleared-for-michigan-michigan-state-game

LJ Scott is good to go tomorrow and will play

Big surprise!!

This is good news for you. LJ Scott is our third best back but unfortunately he'll be getting most of the carries. He runs soft and misses most of his blocks - he's been a massive disappointment this year (when he was healthy) after being OK but overrated last year.

 

[Michchamp]

Didn't LJ Scott just get caught again for driving on a suspended license? I remember thinking he was really dumb, but this time it didn't matter since he was injured anyway.

 

[hungry]

I don't think it was for driving on a suspended license. It was something about a car with no plate and a few other minor things...

Seems he has a lot of trouble in that area, though.

 

[hungry]

Going back the targeting thing: Has MSU had any targeting calls go against them in this series? I know I've seen them throw quite a few punches that somehow never get seen by the refs.

 

[b311j]

The senior was cited by Meridian Township Police on Sept. 29 for making an improper turn, operating a vehicle without a valid plate and driving without proof of insurance, according to 55th District Court records.

 

[rumseyhouse77]

Going back the targeting thing: Has MSU had any targeting calls go against them in this series? I know I've seen them throw quite a few punches that somehow never get seen by the refs.

I hope it is a clean game. Few penalties and no targeting or targeting calls.

 

[UMRules06]

Michigan is the better team right now and SHOULD win the game. MSU is pretty banged up, and it seems like Lewerke isn't playing quite as dynamically as he did a year ago. Having said that it's a rivalry game and anything can happen as we all know. Here are my thoughts/keys to the game:

1. Get the lead early. Michigan has come out sluggish in some games, especially on the road. They cannot afford to do this against MSU. MSU is brimming with confidence against us, and Michigan must take the crowd out of it and get the first good punch in this fight. If they don't, it will only fuel MSU's confidence and make a win that much tougher.

2. Protect the ball. Overall Michigan's been pretty decent at this. We lost this game last year thanks to O'Korn's 5 turnovers, no more no less. Can't do it again.

3. Open up the offense. MSU's strength is stopping the run. Michigan is going to have to get creative at times and go for some big plays in this game. I don't think we're going to be able to get many long 10+ play drives going.

4. On defense take Felton Davis out of the game as much as possible. He's extremely dangerous and should be a top priority. If he has a big game we're in trouble.

5. Assume any and all special teams plays are fakes. Dantonio loves pulling out trick plays in big games. If we are caught by surprise on any of them I will be furious.

6. OLine has to come up huge. Protect Patterson at all costs. When he has time we've seen he's been very very good. If not he can get happy feet and potentially make mistakes or get sacked for a big loss.

Make no mistake it's a dogfight. Every year we take MSU lightly is another year they beat us. We better be ready.

Great effort by Michigan today. Defense was outstanding to say the least. Yes the injuries to MSU and the weather certainly played into that. But 95 yards is 95 yards...

Item #1 happened, item #2 definitely did NOT happen the way we wanted, and it led to MSU's only touchdown. Item #3 happened on the long TD pass. We needed a big play badly at that point in the game.

Very unfortunate injury for Felton Davis. Feel bad for the kid, he is the best receiver on either team in my opinion. Item #5 didn't really come into play, and I thought the Oline did a well enough job for sure.

Great win Go Blue!!!