Another Underdog Prediction: USA Today: MSU 38 UM 35
CBS.Sportline, however, has 3 of 5 "experts" picking UM.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
It isnt news to have the leading heisman contender's team win against a no name opponent...had to go the other way to get attention. Emphasis on 'no name opponent'.
October 7th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
**No-name, yet ranked higher, opponent, who has beat you the last 2 years.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
My neighbor's dog barked to me this morning that MSU would win by 7.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^
Is the dog drinking green Kool-aid or antifreeze?
October 7th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^
It's the west side of the state, everyone over here are Sparty slappies it seems. Including dogs.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^
game estimates are really just the MSM hedging their bets.
"Well, really, we have no freaking clue who will win this game, but since MSU is ranked a little higher, and since Michigan was not as good as MSU last year, we'll pick MSU because, uhh... it's more reasonable? Sorta, I guess?"
Seriously, a pick of 1-3 points either way is the person picking saying, "I have no clue." Brian is going to be seriously PO'ed when he gets to, "The rules of sports writing compel me to pick", tomorrow.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
Yahoo/Rivals "experts" also pick Michigan.
Feel better?
October 7th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
Not when you put experts in quotations! How can I take comfort in their predictions when you question their expertise?! Next you'll probably tell me that the guy who picked Sparty is an ACTUAL expert!
October 7th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^
I like the underdog status. It puts a chip on the team's shoulder. Like Blazefire said, it's just the fearless MSM hedging their bets. You can't pick a clear-cut favorite in this game.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
Keep 'em coming. This team knows it's in for a dogfight. I'm confident in this teams abilities in a tossup game. No team is hungrier and no team is as focused as ours this year.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
What about Alabama, Oregon, etc?
October 7th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^
Let's just end it. Predictions don't mean anything, it doesn't matter what people say. They're wrong all the time. They've got a good run offense and decent pass attack against our terrible defense. We've got a better running game and a good pass attack against their competent defense. Also We've got home field advantage. And Denard. The game could go either way, so we need not waste our time with all these predictions.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:54 AM ^
I agree...predictions are for mindless folk who don't have anything better to do than guess the score of a game that hasn't happened....that's why I anticipate Michigan 62, MSU 35!!!! Go Blue.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
I predict that MGoBlog isn't the place for someone who doesn't think talking about the "what-ifs" of MIchigan Football is fun and worth its weight in entertainment value.
October 7th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^
Oh I like to hear predictions, don't get me wrong. But I don't freak out when someone thinks that we'll lose/win. I'm just saying that what they predict doesn't actually determine the outcome or make it less/more likely that we'll win.
I should have said "freaking out over these predictions."
October 7th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^
I anticipate losing my voice by Saturday evening, along with 113,000 of my best friends. I like the home field edge in this game. However, their special teams compared to ours neutralizes this advantage some. I am expecting our offense to play great (not good) and win this game for us. Go Blue!
October 7th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^
Down here in SEC country all the bar regulars where I work are predicting a dogfight. They have been following Michigan and have seen what State is capable of.
<br>
<br>Anyone who is picking a blow out is a moron.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^
...is obviously related to our defensive struggles, hence it is justifiable.
However, if we win, this validates our ranking and will begin to quell the critics who say we haven't won against a quality opponent yet.
Man, I hope we win, but it will be an uphill battle IMHO.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:54 AM ^
In the 4th quarter is what it may come down to. Which D can dig down deep, get a stop and force a FG or an attempted 4th down try....says my magic 8-ball
October 7th, 2010 at 3:27 PM ^
You know we can't kick field goals...
October 7th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^
Does anyone believe this could be a blowout favoring Michigan? I have a sneaking suspicion that Michigan is going to blow out Spartie. For some reason, I just feel like the defense is going to get a few stops early and Spartie is going to get Denarded and demoralized. Anyone have that same feeling?
October 7th, 2010 at 11:00 AM ^
but getting Carvin Johnson and Brandon Herron back certainly makes me feel better about the defensive potential.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
I thought I saw him out there.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
Yes, he played the entire first half but was replaced by T. Gordon. RR's said in his presser that Carvin was tentative due to his first real action back from his injury. I imagine they will split time this week
Herron hopefully will let Roh move down to the line for more pass rushing opportunities than last week
October 7th, 2010 at 11:08 AM ^
...but it sure would be fun to see! Something like:
Michigan 49
MSU 17
October 7th, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
I feel we could we score TDs on our first 3-5 possessions...that would be very demoralizing if we can hold them to 7 or so in the same period. Thats a big IF.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
a few quick TDs by Denard and Sparty could get off their game plan and start making bad calls and plays resulting in turnovers.
Last game, the fumble on the 1 is really a two-touchdown swing. If Denard punched it in there, it would have been 49-28 - more of a blowout than a close call!
October 7th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
god i am sick of all the predictions. lets just play the effing game already.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:08 AM ^
Well, I also am leaning towards taking the points in this game. Michigan just does not have the defense that screams 'trust us, we can cover as chalk'
I'd take them all day as underdogs with Shoelace, however.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
Sounds like you are suggesting taking Michigan to win outright and avoiding the spread?
October 7th, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^
Sorry for the late response
I really do feel good about Michigan's chances of winning this one. It is a true coin flip game. But, man, i just cant lay points as chalk with defenses like this.
The question is what will be the more anxious bet. Just laying the -5....or risking more cash on the MICH moneyline? Moneyline plays can be pricey and a bitch to overcome on the day if you lose.
I also am thinking of taking the points as an emotional hedge.
No way is this a reverse jinx. No siree. Never.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
I think we should all just relax and be ready for a good game.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
I don't see why we care about predictions at this stage. I'd be happy if they pick us to lose every game and we win every game, it's that much sweeter. There's a lot of pressure on us going into this game and if everyone thinks that Sparty is the better team and should beat us, good for Sparty, that'll be some pressure that they will have to deal with and they will likely play worse as a result.