Race for the Legends Division title

[wlvrnstlr4life]

I think ML is right. Still a lot of football to play against some tough competition. It is great to know that Michigan has a chance to win everyone of those games.

As far as Denard not turning the ball over...well honestly it does seem like he is making some progress in his mechanics.

That's the thing, there is NO progress with his mechanics. He's still throwing off his back foot, up for grabs, every game. He has the most interceptions in the Big 10 by far. we are 8 games in and he looks no different than day 1. How can this be? Does he not listen to the coaches?

 

[rumseyhouse77]

Looking at MSU's road record, they appear to be a much weaker team on the road than at home. I think they will lose to either Iowa or NW. I am rooting that they lose to both. That will leave UM and Neb at the top of the division. We have the tougher remaining schedule. Have to take it one game at a time. I am glad that we have Nebraska in the Big House, which may make the difference. I think that game will be for the winner of the division and it is going to be hard fought. I think we can beat Iowa this weekend. I expect they will be demoralized by their loss to Minny last Saturday (GO GOPHERS!). But I am thinking it will be a game similar to the NW game. I am not worried about the Illini or OSU. I think we beat both. Though the OSU game is not going to be easy. They are not going to let their winning streak over UM go without a fight. Look for a dirty game, similar to the MSU game, where they go after DR and try to knock him out of the game by whatever means necessary (intentional late hits, etc). That will be their defensive game plan. The O will have to step up and protect DR better than they did in the MSU game, but still avoid personal fouls. There may be a brawl before the end of the game.

The Iowa game is the first peice of the puzzle to get to the Big 10 championship. GO BLUE! BEAT IOWA! GO GOPHERS! BEAT MSU! GO CATS! BEAT THE HUSKERS!

 

[hungry]

I bought this up with dgt, an old msu fan that used to post on the espn boards and he said that he IS worried about MSU at NW, even though that is a long time from now. THing is, he thinks that if they are poised to clinch a spot in the B1G game, then there is no way they go in there and lose that game.

Of course, you never know.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Monster [/color]]

Rematch?

Ah. I assumed they play eachother in that dumb "Land Grant Trophy" match each year for the season finale, similar to how we will play ohio every year. I was WRONG.

I assumed that, even though I posted the schedule... whoa. I need to get my head straight.

That was always an artificially created rivalry from the beginning. A couple of surprising MSU upsets brought some attention to it, but it was an artificial rivalry from the start, nevertheless...

 

[Michchamp]

TinselWolverine[/color]]

Ah. I assumed they play eachother in that dumb "Land Grant Trophy" match each year for the season finale, similar to how we will play ohio every year. I was WRONG.

I assumed that, even though I posted the schedule... whoa. I need to get my head straight.

That was always an artificially created rivalry from the beginning. A couple of surprising MSU upsets brought some attention to it, but it was an artificial rivalry from the start, nevertheless...

that's why I called it dumb.

 

[Michchamp]

I bought this up with dgt, an old msu fan that used to post on the espn boards and he said that he IS worried about MSU at NW, even though that is a long time from now. THing is, he thinks that if they are poised to clinch a spot in the B1G game, then there is no way they go in there and lose that game.

Of course, you never know.

I'm surprised he'd be so sure. you'd think it could go either way:

MSU playing to clinch a title means they'll be motivated, and will win.

OR maybe it could mean Northwestern will be motivated to play spoiler and redeem what's been a disappointing season for Persa et al.

On paper, it looks like MSU should win all four remaining games pretty easily. But knowing how undisciplined and penalized they can be, I have a feeling they are going to drop one more.

 

[hungry]

I bought this up with dgt, an old msu fan that used to post on the espn boards and he said that he IS worried about MSU at NW, even though that is a long time from now. THing is, he thinks that if they are poised to clinch a spot in the B1G game, then there is no way they go in there and lose that game.

Of course, you never know.

I'm surprised he'd be so sure. you'd think it could go either way:

MSU playing to clinch a title means they'll be motivated, and will win.

OR maybe it could mean Northwestern will be motivated to play spoiler and redeem what's been a disappointing season for Persa et al.

On paper, it looks like MSU should win all four remaining games pretty easily. But knowing how undisciplined and penalized they can be, I have a feeling they are going to drop one more.

He still thinks both Michigan and MSU are going to lose @Iowa even though they lost @Mn

I have no fucking idea what is going to happen. Its a crazy year in the big 10.

 

[Michchamp]

OK, according to the Freep, the tiebreakers formula I found on ESPN is wrong. Link: http://www.freep.com/article/20111107/SPORTS07/111070396/Extra-points-Tiebreaking-scenarios-Big-Ten-title-game-race

Let me know if you need me to explain them to you.

 

[Michchamp]

WELL... things have certainly changed a bit.<table border="1"><tr><td>Team</td><td>Record</td><td>remaining sched</td></tr><tr><td>MSU</td><td>4-1</td><td>@Iowa, IU, @NU</td></tr><tr><td>MICHIGAN</td><td>3-2</td><td>@Ill, Neb, ohio</td></tr><tr><td>Iowa</td><td>3-2</td><td>MSU, @Pur, @Neb</td></tr><tr><td>Nebraska</td><td>3-2</td><td>@PennSt, @MICH, Iowa</td></tr></table>

I still think MSU has the easiest route. However, it was extremely strange they struggled as bad as they did with Minnesota.

This could go down to the wire, unless MSU beats Iowa.

 

[biggunsbob]

MSU is clearly in the drivers seat... They more then likely walk to the Big ten title game.

 

[dubbsco]

If I'm doing the math right, we need Iowa to beat MSU, then lose one, and MSU has to lose twice, and Michigan has to win out.

 

[greenandwhite95]

biggunsbob[/color]]MSU is clearly in the drivers seat... They more then likely walk to the Big ten title game.

This is MSU football Bob, we play like crap on the road and find ways to lose games we should win. On paper, we should be in the drivers seat, if only it was that easy. We havent beat Iowa @ Iowa in a very long time. Scary game on Saturday. We better show up and hope we have a different officiating crew than you guys had.

 

[Michchamp]

<table border="1"><tr><td>Team</td><td>Record</td><td>remaining sched</td></tr><tr><td>MSU</td><td>5-1</td><td>IU, @NU</td></tr><tr><td>MICHIGAN</td><td>4-2</td><td>Neb, ohio</td></tr><tr><td>Nebraska</td><td>4-2</td><td>@MICH, Iowa</td></tr><tr><td>Iowa</td><td>3-3</td><td>@Pur, @Neb</td></tr></table>
there could be a four-way tie if MSU loses out, we lose to Nebraska & beat Ohio, and Iowa wins out.

we can't advance if we end up in a 2 way tie with State, and State owns the head-to-head advantage in most cases, except Nebraska.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Well, obviously, it's Sparty's to lose now.

Hate to say it, but Sparty is pretty good, in what has turned out to be a surprisingly balanced and competitive league.

Now, surely Northwestern is capable of handing Sparty a surprise, like the surprises we've seen in the league all season.

So we'll all find out together.

Go Blue!!!

 

[Michchamp]

tinsel, that's the best sig picture so far.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Thanks. Thought you'd like it.