Gameday and early games open thread

Submitted by One Inch Woody… on

College Gameday is at Evanston today for Northwestern v. Ohio State at 8 PM on ABC tonight

It looks like the Northwestern crowd is up and into this game, which should lead to a great atmosphere tonight.

Some highlight-ish games for the noon slate:

MSU v. Iowa - 12 PM on Espn 2

  • Iowa looks to be vastly improved from last year and their defense should be enough to stall the MSU offense. The question is whether Rudock can have time in the pocket to find his tight ends.

Maryland (25) v. FSU (8) on Espn

  • Is Jameis Winston for real? Maryland has not yet played a good team and could be used to wipe the floor. On the other hand, Florida State is seemingly slow to start and struggled defensively against Boston College and Nevada to start that game. 

Illinois v. Nebraska on Espn U

  • Nebraska's defense always seems to turn a corner midseason... is this the game where they do that? If not, it's going to be a long day for the Huskers as Scheelhasse in Cubit's offense seems to have found a groove and the Illinois defense can probably do enough to stall the Huskers.

alum96

October 5th, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^

MSU wins the game.  10 points with Iowa's offense is insurmountable. 

 

That entire drive was due to that horrid tackle on 3rd down when the Iowa DB had the WR stuffed but failed on the tackle.

LSAClassOf2000

October 5th, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^

Iowa sent the blitz and it worked, just not for them - TD for the Spartans. 

The object lesson from that drive for Iowa is that stare-downs do not always work. Sometimes, you just have to hit a dude. 

bronxblue

October 5th, 2013 at 1:01 PM ^

There is a very real chance that Iowa doesn't get a first down his half.  

Also, saying MSU found some playmakers becasue they finally completed a pass over 30 yards (while holding on the blitz) is a bit of a stretch.

In other news, future B1G member Maryland holding its own against FSU.

One Inch Woody…

October 5th, 2013 at 1:01 PM ^

Iowa just needs to start giving up on the run because they aren't going to get anywhere against the Michigan State D-line. They have good receivers and they have adequate pass blocking... they just need to use them.

B-Nut-GoBlue

October 5th, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^

Iowa will move the ball.  Iowa is not terrible.  Iowa will score.  Some of you are too impulsive.

Spartys secondary is backups right now too, that'll help I'm sure.

Annnnd it's a 3-point game.

LSAClassOf2000

October 5th, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^

Iowa gets a 1st down AND a touchdown on that drive. I am assuming there is a section of Greg Davis' playbook which allows for such things to happen then - didn't seem like it for a while. That's the second TD of the game scored as a result of a beaten blitz too. 

LSAClassOf2000

October 5th, 2013 at 1:17 PM ^

With about three minutes to go in the first half, yes. 10-7 MSU with Iowa threatening again...well, if you want to call it that. Also, MSU just tried to decapitate Damon Powell. A real Big Ten barnburner here. 

Bando Calrissian

October 5th, 2013 at 1:19 PM ^

It's amazing to me how year after year, decade after decade, no matter who's coaching or playing at MSU, they're still good for an absolute pile of penalties. It's uncanny. Most undisciplined program ever?

LSAClassOf2000

October 5th, 2013 at 1:21 PM ^

I feel like the Hawkeyes had to traverse multiple murder attempts to get that touchdown. Is it possible that we can make decapitation, knee removal and trying to rip someone's face off penalties in addition to the rest? 

Zok

October 5th, 2013 at 1:25 PM ^

about time. MSU is playing man and loading up the box like they always do. Nice to see Iowa just sling it.

Playing against MSU you are going to have to get yards in big chunks. You can't consistently run against that loaded box with LBs constantly crashing. Hopefully Michigan doesn't get stubborn with the run against MSU. 

 

clarkiefromcanada

October 5th, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^

I can only imagine the current melt down at RCMB. 

Cook is terrible but more concerning is Iowa 11 for 11 in second quarter passing.

Should we reconsider the Sparty meme of Max Bullough's dominance, Denicos Allen's rep and anyone in the secondary of MSU being drafted high?

#spartanfreud