Let’s talk about the Spartans
Put me in that category of fans who never takes this game for granted. Since we have a bye, I will be checking out their game vs Illinois pretty closely. The line right now is very surprising in my opinion. Currently MSU -16. That seems really high but it’s tough to know for sure how they will respond to adversity. Their offense is currently putrid, but they have also played 3 consecutive games vs top defenses. Looks like they are missing their center Matt Allen and their top WR Stewart for the Illinioos game, and who knows how long after that. Their top OL is Jarvis and he might be back vs us but was not listed on the Illinois depth chart.
Overall, I feel like they are a similar team to what they were last year. A below average OL, a QB that can make plays if given the chance, and a set of mediocre play makers. On defense they are good at stopping the run but have been suspect in the secondary. With the loss of Bachie, it will be interesting to see if their run stopping will take a big hit. If they blow out Illinois, they probably come into AA with confidence that they have weathered the storm and can salvage the season. If they lose, or win a close one, it might be an indicator they have rolled over and quit on the season.
We should be very solid favorites in this game. If I had a concern it would be that they manage to score some on some scripted stuff, we struggle to run the ball and Shea makes enough mistakes to keep them in the game. Feels like we are due for a blowout though and I’m hoping this is the year where it all comes together vs them.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
That makes it sound like neither one will be ready against us.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:32 PM ^
The article seems to imply that Stewart will miss multiple weeks.
If that is the case, -16 is probably also MSUs expected point total.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:27 PM ^
We haven’t beaten them in back to back years since Lloyd Carr was the coach . Time to change that
November 5th, 2019 at 12:34 PM ^
Or at home since 2012. Good thing Staee got two consecutive home games in 13-14.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:09 PM ^
I'm actually glad that UM didn't get them at home either of those years because we would've still gotten stomped and it would've been even more embarrassing at home.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:42 PM ^
Thanks, Delaney
November 5th, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
We haven't beat them in back-to-back years since Dantonio got there.
FTFY
November 5th, 2019 at 1:39 PM ^
I think we break that trend and beat them in back to back years with a win on the 16th. I think they will have a tough game against Illinois and could even see them loosing to them.
i think Indiana will be a tougher game for us then MSU will be
November 5th, 2019 at 4:36 PM ^
Indiana terrifies me.
November 5th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
I expect we will all cackle with knowing glee as a result of the grim and gratuitous drubbing inflicted by our boys.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:28 PM ^
Even Dantonio's 3-9 team played our Orange Bowl team kind of tough (although it was a three score game late in the game). Unless he's totally lost the team, they will not just roll over and die for us.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:20 PM ^
Hard to roll over and die if you're already dead.
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November 5th, 2019 at 1:27 PM ^
they outperformed expectations in 2016, but outside of a scripted first drive and a couple of garbage time TDs that was basically a 30-3 game
November 5th, 2019 at 3:26 PM ^
I feel like people really undersell how uncomfortable this game got late. Jourdan Lewis made a touchdown saving tackle on 4th down late in the game that prevented it from being a nail biter.
November 5th, 2019 at 4:42 PM ^
Fair but we haven't had a comfortable game vs state since 2006, for the most part even John L. keep it close with Stanton at QB. 2016 was as close as it'll get under Marky D
November 5th, 2019 at 3:26 PM ^
This is their Super Bowl. Be prepared for anything. As much as I hate Mork, the dude can be crafty.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
I think you mean M is -16.....
Minus is next to the favorite.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
No, MSU is -16 versus Illinois.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
My mistake, The M-MSU line is also in 16.5 to 17.5 range, which seemed pretty reasonable.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
It opened at Staee -11.5 and has skyrocketed since. Is Illinois banged up or something?
I'd put money on Illinois to cover that right now if I were a gambler.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:45 PM ^
No idea, my biggest issue is that O/U is 45. That implies MSU 30.5 Illinois 14.5.
If anybody thinks MSU scores 30+, I have some waterfront property to sell.....
November 5th, 2019 at 12:59 PM ^
^^^ Exactly, not a chance in hell with their anemic offense as it stands. I also don't think they'll hold ILL to 14pts. We'll see..
November 5th, 2019 at 1:05 PM ^
I have commented on this in the past and then people have attacked me for being an ignoramus. I suspect that will happen again. Nevertheless:
MSU -16 is absurd. That's exactly why you should expect them to cover. The public will jump on Illinois plus 16. That's what the oddsmakers want.
No, not every game on the board can be judged this way.
Yes, usually the sharp money is what moves lines.
No, this doesn't work 100% of the time because Vegas doesn't actually fix games (or at least can't ensure the fixes).
Yes, sometimes bookmakers actually need a certain side and set the line to get what they want.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:12 PM ^
" Vegas doesn't actually fix games"
You sure? Sure would explain a lot of the officiating we see.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:20 PM ^
If people are willing to call in bomb threats to win bets, it certainly seems plausible that someone could get to a ref.
November 5th, 2019 at 2:19 PM ^
MeanJoe07 has video of John Oneil carrying suitcases full of cash out of a Vegas casino. Honest.
November 5th, 2019 at 4:30 PM ^
Poetry, poetry!
November 5th, 2019 at 1:06 PM ^
Wish I knew a bookie, Staae won't score 16 points
November 5th, 2019 at 2:19 PM ^
FWIW the line is now down to -14.5 at Bovada. At -16 I would bet the poop out of Illini but it looks like it's getting more reasonable now.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
If there was ever a year to blow them out, this is it. Michigan is better than State in every area this year, Michigan is at home, and Michigan has two weeks to prepare.
I'm not worried about Mork Z'ambonio having Staee hyped up. Harbaugh has demonstrated that he will have Michigan just as emotionally ready to go.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:00 PM ^
Actually I think next year is the most likely for a blowout. The cupboard is empty after this year. They’ve still got enough on the roster now to annoyingly hang around and wait for stupid things to happen.
November 5th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
Completely agree that next year is going to be miserable for them. Also wasn't sure what to make of this article from Det News.
They do have a few good younger players (Dobbs, Collins, Barnett,) but I can't help but think of this article as a bit of satire.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:28 PM ^
Staee will have one scripted drive that goes 75 yards for a TD at the beginning of the game.
After that, it's going to be a bloodbath. They won't score again until the 4th quarter, down by 21+.
November 5th, 2019 at 1:43 PM ^
Dantonio will pull out the tricks. Remember he faked a punt inside his own 20 yard line against us in 2012 and still picked up the first down.
Be on look out for the fake every time they punt.
November 5th, 2019 at 2:54 PM ^
The ultimate equalizer, as it was two years ago... turnovers. it is imperative Michigan plays a clean (TO and penalties) game.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:08 AM ^
Struggle to score against Army, struggle at times to even get a first vs Maryland and Illinois.
Fool me once shame on (MS) you. Dantonio is something like 10-1 against the spread vs Michigan. If you dont see a frustrating afternoon ahead on offense I dont know what to tell you. MSU + a clunky UM offense is a recipe for disaster. Im ready for it to be too close for comfort. Fool me 9 times shame on me.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
They're not going to beat Illinois, and we are going to kick the living shit out of them.
That is all.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:34 PM ^
Despite whatever depths to which they may fall, they will always play like the Joe Montana 49ers against Michigan. It's who they are.
November 5th, 2019 at 6:13 PM ^
They gained 94 total yards last year.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^
Go Illini!
thats really all I care to say about Sparty this week.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^
It's his last game vs Michigan. In typical Mork style he tanked the entire season just so he could really play up that underdog win card vs Michigan one last time.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:37 PM ^
I wouldn’t put it past him. I bet Staee has spent most of this week prepping for Michigan.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:39 PM ^
I think they have been preparing since fall camp. He didn't plan to start that early, but when predictions came in about us winning the conference he changed course.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^
Let's send a message to the people of East Landfill
November 5th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
Yeah I am interested to see how they look against Illinois. Definitely not taking Staee for granted. Losing Bachie is a huge blow for their D. Also, Dantini playing musical QBs last week was just odd. Road team has won the last four games. Time to break that streak and get a win at home.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
Congratulations to Joe Bachie on his Butkus nomination. Well earned.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:37 PM ^
I expect a tight game, as usual. This is the only game that will really get Sparty's attention and I expect them to come out fighting. On paper we should kick their ass, but it most often does not seem to go that way.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
No and you can't make me.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
On another note, there are rumors that this will be Dantonio's last season, and next year he will be promoted to AD and replaced by Fickell. This rumor certainly passes the smell test, since Fickell has an eerily similar career path as Dantonio did before arriving at MSU. And Mork seems like the perfect fit to tune that school's Athletic department.
Question is, if we beat them, will he delay his retirement a year to try and go out with a win against scUM.