No intent to highjack the topic, but, George, you never piss me off. We may disagree at times, but I've always respected your intelligence, your passion, and above all your love for the Irish. My occasional over-the-top reactions are never meant to be personal. More often than not, they reflect my clumsy way of handling my own frustration with situation at hand (for example, our self-destruct mode in the first two games). OK, back to the OSU-MSU topic with my apologies for the brief digression.
Like UF....ND has talent but has not been BCS perfect. UF is bound for that destiny this season I'm afraid but I am very optimistic about this Saturday though.
Not to pick bones here BT.....but if Alabama were in....say....the Big East would you still defend a 49-7 bowl result?
I agree with Mo re MSU. They seems to be a good but not a quality team, this year. Their O'line is in shambles leading to a decline in Cousins and their running backs performances. D'Antonio is an excellent coach but my fervent prayer is that he stays in EL rather than becoming a head coach at a school located in a state south of the State of Michigan and gets his hands on the football talent of that state and Pa. Obviously, he has done a number on M the past three years but I think that worm will turn soon enough. But, the last thing I want to see is Lucifer's best assistant take command of the Great Army of the Devil. After watching LSU and Ala, not sure if there is any team in the B10 that can compete with them. Maybe Wis. and Neb., but the talent differential seems pretty big, especially defensive speed. Maybe my pessimism is a ongoing symptom of PTSD sustained after watching the beatdowns put on M and MSU on New Year's Day.
Bobda basically we are saying the same thing in that the Spartans are better than average but are definitely not-ready-for-primetime players.
Bobda, I don't disagree that youth and injuries across Sparty's offensive front are material issues for Coach D and his staff this year but I am of the view that their accomplishments and resume' are more worthy of praise than scorn and expect him to have his troops ready to play this weekend.....just my opinion. If for whatever reason, Fickell is not retained in the job, personally I would have Coach D at the very top of my list.....
Might as well weigh in here. First, as to last season, the Spartans were a good team that had a great season. They managed to win every close game they were in. Probably the turning point of their season was the OT win vs ND. To quote Kelly, "gutsy call" by Dantonio. Then there was an incredible comeback against Northwestern. They got shafted by the bowl assignments, Wisc. going to the Rose Bowl over them even though they beat them and had identical records. Of course the three way tie did them in. Subsequent events just made the whole mess even worse. Sometimes games just get away from a team. In 1972 ND had a very good team but Johnny Rogers and Nebraska took them to the woodshed and beat them 40-6. A year later ND won the NC beating Alabama and the Bear in the Sugar Bowl. All that being said, MSU is not near the team it was last year. The problem is pretty obvious. While they have good skill players, they can't do what they want to do, run the football. Their O line was a big question before the season started. They had to move a lineman over from defense to patch a big hole at tackle. With a couple of injuries to O linemen they're really in a pinch. 29 rushing vs ND says it all. I don't think that they'll be able to fix the running game this season and if they don't change their offensive philosophy they're in for a long season. I do think they have the edge over the Bucks in some areas, especially QB. However, without a line and running attack, Cousins in not nearly as effective. If they don't go to a control passing game, they're gonna lose.
I was reading articles in the Detroit Free Express this morning and was a bit surprised to see Michigan State is currently rated #1 in defense, even ahead of Alabama. That gives me pause plus with a young QB like Braxton Miller. We will have to be very careful with the football in this one.
After watching Pitt dismantle what I thought was a good USF team......what in the hell do I know. Revised predictions this weekend: MSU 42 OSU 17 Bama 38 UF 14 :?
typical state team don tough and physical we ran up and down the field on um had to slug our way with msu
Agreed Terry, they always give us a good game. Archie used to say MSU was the most physical team in the Big Ten! He was always black and blue form that game.
MSU's issues have not been on the defensive side of the ball.....by most accounts, their defense has played well. Their biggest problems have been along the offensive front. Even the Irish who hung 31 points on them had less than 300 yards of total offense. The probability of our babies on offense putting up 42 is next to zero.....a couple pick sixes and a special teams return perhaps...... I expect our defense to play tough and Coach Fickell to play it close to the "vest" - yes in the same manner - and not put the young QB in bad spots. Should be a low scoring, physical defensive struggle.....I'm with Stu, I'll take the Buckeyes +25.
Still not a lot of info....pretty strange situation. Reports of students wrestling, Berry being disoriented and not really coherent and taken to the hospital. He's still there being evaluated as of recently....no charges have been filed so who knows what's up......
Apparently he was on some kind of new medicine and had a serious reaction per rumors on Friends of Ohio State mailing list. Pure rumors at this point so difficult to tell what is accurate information.
Thank you for that Husker....good luck in Madtown. Bring your big boy pads, strap your hats on tight and be prepared to get smacked in the mouth....just Bo's kinda game! Welcome to the conference my friend....it just seems right.