Michigan State, where do I start? It's not like any Big Ten fan can't rattle off some historic moments of "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory". We've almost come to expect it. 4th quarter and down by only a couple points to Notre Dame in South Bend. Just marching down the field. Kirk Cousins is on fire. Michigan State is in the end zone, Cousins fires and misses a wide open receiver in the back of the end zone. Don't panic, still time left and a down or two. Next play, Cousins steps back, fired, picked off. Oh Sparty, why do you toy with our emotions? Why do you try to trick us in to believing you cna pull it off when we all know you're going to screw it up in the last minutes.
This seemed to be a continuing theme in the 2009 series. Much like Purdue, who I covered on Tuesday, Sparty lost it's good share of close games. Six of Michigan's State's Seven losses were by 8 or less points, or basically one touchdown and a 2 point conversion. So close you can taste victory. Close enough that when you fail it hurt worse than the blow out loss to Penn State at home.
2009 was a tough year and there was lots of squandered chances. Even though stud running back Javon Ringer(from Dayton btw, couldn't make grades at OSU) left for the NFL after a season of carrying the ball about 1000 times a game, hopes were still high in East Lansing. Kirk Cousins was the future, and the receiving corps was something to behold. In 2009, Cousins lived up to the hype for the most part. As a sophomore, Cousins threw for 2,680 yards and 19 touchdowns. Along with those 19 TDs came 9 interceptions though, mostly at the exact wrong moment. For MSU to be successful in 2010 Cousins, like many other signal callers int he Big Ten, has to improve. He must relish the moment when the game is on the line, and must make the right decisions.
As Cousins goes, so go the Spartans. Two of the team's top three receivers return in the forms of BJ Cunningham and Mark Dell as well as the teams leader in all-purpose yards, Keshawn Martin. Keyshawn was 3rd int he Big Ten and 11th nationally in kickoff returns. Cousins must be feeling GOOD to have those kinds of weapons at his disposal. I know I would. The question remains; will he have time to throw to them?
The 2010 does return three fifths of its' talent from 2009. However both tackles are brand new. Red-shirt freshman Chris McDonald and Sophomore Jared McGaha(appeared in 13 career games, mostly on special teams) will have their hands full against conference opponents that are chock full of defensive line talent. Hopefully whoever is protecting Cousins blindside is a fast learner, otherwise we could be seeing the back up very early.
On defense? Do you have to ask?! 2010 preseason defensive MVP returns along with fellow senior LB Eric Gordon. Sophomore Chris Norman looks to fill in as the weak side "will" linebacker for the 2010 squad. Also new to the projected starting defensive lineup is CB Johnny Adams (2 starts as a freshman) and DE Tyler Hoover. 3 new starter on a defense loaded with veteran talent, not too shabby.
Poised to make a run in these snazzy new duds.
Also: note the further "Oregonification" of college football.
Let's take a look at the Green and White's 2010 schedule and my predicted(and probably incorrect) results, shall we?
Western Michigan (W): Last year Sparty lost to CMU, but Dan LeFevoure doesn't play for this directional school.
Florida Atlantic (W): I'd bet Ian's house on this game.
Notre Dame (W): Sparty NEARLY squeaked this game out last year against a Notre Dame team that had a lot more talent than they do this season. Cousins avenges this loss, but no flags are planted at the 50.(even though I like the swagger)
Bye we... just kidding Northern Colorado (W): win.
Wisconsin (L): Tolzein doesn't make mistakes(that often), and John Clay is a damn good running back. Bucky Badger in a close one.
You get to keep this bearded fellow!!
Western Michigan (W): Last year Sparty lost to CMU, but Dan LeFevoure doesn't play for this directional school.
Florida Atlantic (W): I'd bet Ian's house on this game.
Notre Dame (W): Sparty NEARLY squeaked this game out last year against a Notre Dame team that had a lot more talent than they do this season. Cousins avenges this loss, but no flags are planted at the 50.(even though I like the swagger)
Bye we... just kidding Northern Colorado (W): win.
Wisconsin (L): Tolzein doesn't make mistakes(that often), and John Clay is a damn good running back. Bucky Badger in a close one.
@ Michigan (W): All signs point to our buddy Velcro Robinson taking over the starting spot from Fivecier. With that said, his accuracy, and just throwing in general leaves a lot to be desired. 3-3-5 defense is weak, Sparty wins!
You get to keep this bearded fellow!!
Illinois (W): Nothing needs to be said.
@Northwestern (W): Chad made a sad face :(
@Iowa (L): Iowa has one of those defensive lines that I was talking about. Big, tough, physical guys that can get to the QB and force mistakes. Ameristanzi and Cousins interception it out, and Ameristanzi wins it. Well, the defensive line wins it.
Minnesota (W): Football shaped locker rooms do not win games, Ahli. Brewster tweets something dumb after this game. Write it down.
BYE WEEK: Finally an athletic department that gets it.
Purdue (W): Purdue is improved over last year, but MSU has better talent from what I can tell thus far. The Boiler secondary will have some game experience under their belts at this point, but MSU has a QB that can gun it. That will pay off.
@Penn State (L): This was a tough one for me. I went back and forth on this game, but went with my first choice in PSU. this game will pit strength versus strength. PSU's only weapon is Evan Royster and the run game, and they'll have to try to smash through Greg Jones and the MSU run defense. Royster doesn't gain over 70 yards, but I think PSU wins. I wouldn't mind being wrong here.
Final Prediction: 9-3 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten. is 9-3 a disappointment? I'm not sure. could they win 10 games? Absolutely. As I see it now, Sparty has improved, but I still wonder if they've come far enough. The good news? You're goin bowlin!! The Toyo...Konica Minolta Gator Bowl!
@Northwestern (W): Chad made a sad face :(
@Iowa (L): Iowa has one of those defensive lines that I was talking about. Big, tough, physical guys that can get to the QB and force mistakes. Ameristanzi and Cousins interception it out, and Ameristanzi wins it. Well, the defensive line wins it.
Minnesota (W): Football shaped locker rooms do not win games, Ahli. Brewster tweets something dumb after this game. Write it down.
BYE WEEK: Finally an athletic department that gets it.
Purdue (W): Purdue is improved over last year, but MSU has better talent from what I can tell thus far. The Boiler secondary will have some game experience under their belts at this point, but MSU has a QB that can gun it. That will pay off.
@Penn State (L): This was a tough one for me. I went back and forth on this game, but went with my first choice in PSU. this game will pit strength versus strength. PSU's only weapon is Evan Royster and the run game, and they'll have to try to smash through Greg Jones and the MSU run defense. Royster doesn't gain over 70 yards, but I think PSU wins. I wouldn't mind being wrong here.
Final Prediction: 9-3 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten. is 9-3 a disappointment? I'm not sure. could they win 10 games? Absolutely. As I see it now, Sparty has improved, but I still wonder if they've come far enough. The good news? You're goin bowlin!! The Toyo...Konica Minolta Gator Bowl!
Weeee, COPIERS!!!
