The Athletic Makes their UM/MSU Picks

Submitted by JMo on October 27th, 2022 at 2:13 PM

How about some more non-Twitter related talk.

The Athletic has put out some picks for this weekend's games. Among them are some picks on a game that has some interest around these parts...

Stewart Mandel

Michigan State at No. 4 Michigan (-22.5), 7:30 p.m., ABC

Mel Tucker is 2-0 against Michigan, and the Spartans have won 10 of the last 14 editions of this rivalry — which seems like a setup for the Wolverines to take out a whole lot of frustration in this one. State’s offense is a shell of last year’s Kenneth Walker III-led version and its defense is 105th nationally. Whereas Michigan is good at everything.

Michigan 42, Michigan State 14
Pick: Michigan -22.5

 

Bruce Feldman

Michigan State at No. 4 Michigan (-22.5), 7:30 p.m., ABC
Even when Michigan has won in this heated rivalry in recent years, MSU has managed to keep it relatively tight and prevent the Wolverines from covering. But my sense is this Michigan team is different from ones in the past and will keep its foot on the gas.

Michigan 45, Michigan State 17
Pick: Michigan -22.5

 

Yet another article with other various The Athletic college football writers

 

Plus a couple other picks of note:

 

Bruce:

Ohio State 38, Penn State 27
Pick: Penn State +15.5

Tennessee 44, Kentucky 31
Pick: Tennessee -12.5

Nebraska 17, Illinois 16
Pick: Nebraska +7.5

 

Stew:

Ohio State 35, Penn State 24
Pick: Penn State +15.5

Tennessee 41, Kentucky 27
Pick: Tennessee -12.5

Kansas State 33, Oklahoma State 30
Pick: Kansas State -1.5

 

As always, some interesting stuff there in the linked articles. Get a sub (or don't) if you'd like to read more.

1VaBlue1

October 27th, 2022 at 2:19 PM ^

Excellent post with the correct summary information.  JMo is a man that knows how to post information linked behind a paywall!

The one pick of note to myself - Feldman picking Nebraska to beat Illinois.  Not sure I can see that one...

 

EDIT:  Forgive me - perhaps JMo is a woman, or a 'they'?  I dunno, and shouldn't have presumed.  I mean, the board seems sensitive today, so...

JMo

October 27th, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^

Haha basically I exist to post clipped Athletic content (but not too much, hell hath no fury like an MGoPoster who thinks you've posted too much from an article) and embed tweets for people. I'm a human public service.

EDIT: I'm Norm McDonald crossed with Burt Reynolds. So, male. :)

Carpetbagger

October 27th, 2022 at 2:33 PM ^

I find out people are the opposite sex of what I assumed all the time. It's just the non-traditional name thing. No big deal. Younger people who grew up with those names don't have that problem.

Today is going to be hard. All those people dusting off their high horses and rusty armor to make themselves feel good, and working up a sweat patting themselves on the back.

LeCheezus

October 27th, 2022 at 8:14 PM ^

I had to go find someone in HR whose name was Erin, who I was certain would be a woman based on the spelling.  I probably didn’t hide my confusion well enough when I said, “Uh, are you Erin?” to the dude I found in the office.  To this day I’ve never seen another “Erin” that wasn’t a woman.

I know, cool story bro.

Wendyk5

October 27th, 2022 at 6:59 PM ^

As a female here (and sometimes it feels like one of the only ones who will openly identify as one) I could care less if you mistakenly called me a man. A few have over the years, even with my avatar name and photo (though I guess I could be the ball player in that photo). It's all cool. I actually come here to be one of the guys. 

RockinLoud

October 27th, 2022 at 2:23 PM ^

Get a sub

Only if it's Wegmans. I live in Publix land, was excited to try when we moved here as people raved about their subs, and, well... I mean they're good, they're pretty good... but they're not even in the same league as Wegmans.

Oooooh! You meant subscription. Got it. Anyway, beat Staee!!!

JMo

October 27th, 2022 at 2:29 PM ^

I don't get the Publix sub fascination either. But, I too, live in Publix land so maybe it's my close proximity to it.

That said, when I'm going through the DMV area... Sheetz subs, that's something I'll go out of my way for.  Haven't tried a Wegmans, where are those?

1VaBlue1

October 27th, 2022 at 2:54 PM ^

There are Wegman's populating the northern reaches of Virginia, now.  At least in the National Capitol Region (NCR for those of you from out of town; aka DMV - District Maryland Virginia).  Furthest south I've seen is the Richmond area.

Alas, I have not tried a sub sammy from Wegman's.  I do like the Publix offering, and Sheetz is also pretty darn darn good, but I'll have to stop at Wegman's for a go.  Also good - Jersey Mike's (but also not in my general area).

Perkis-Size Me

October 27th, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^

So are Brody Miller and Chris Vannini picking MSU just to cover? Or are they picking MSU straight up to win? I don't have an Athletic subscription so not sure I can see. 

If it's to cover, that makes sense. MSU is pouring whatever gas and emotion it has left in the tank into this game, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them cover. But picking them straight up? 

Michigan would have play an exceptionally bad game, and Jayden Reed would have to have a Heisman-esque performance catching nothing but deep fades from Thorne. Something like 200 yards and 4 TDs.

Not saying its impossible for Michigan State to win. I've learned the hard way to never count those guys out. But man....a lot of things would have to go wrong for Michigan to lose this game. Either that, or Mel Tucker has been playing a long con all season and luring Michigan into a false sense of security, making us think his team is bad, only to pull the rug out this Saturday. Although truthfully, that screams more like a petty move from Dantonio than it does Mel Tucker. 

MGolem

October 27th, 2022 at 3:00 PM ^

What an arbitrary number!!!! “10 out of 14” is the most annoying thing I have seen posted anywhere this week and, you know, Kanye is still alive so…

The Homie J

October 27th, 2022 at 4:31 PM ^

This rivalry from 2008-2015 was just brutal.  As awful as losing to Ohio State over and over has been, going 1-7 versus Sparty with such classics as the "-48 yards" game and "Trouble with the Snap" felt like absolute hell. 

It's way past time for those two to have their own painful streaks again.  John L. Smith and John Cooper need some new company.

nerv

October 27th, 2022 at 3:36 PM ^

I understand most of the national media picking Michigan to win and cover rather easily. But they haven't lived through the horrors. They don't so easily access the memories of talent devoid State squads giving Michigan everything they can handle. I wish I could believe Michigan takes this by 30; but ive been scarred too many times.

I still think Michigan walks out of this game victorious. But my wounds are still too fresh to believe anything other than it will be a close hard fought game where the line is not covered.

Perkis-Size Me

October 27th, 2022 at 3:42 PM ^

Me too, pal. This seems like it'll be one of those games that MSU plays Michigan really tough in the first quarter, maybe even goes into the second quarter with a lead, and this board goes into full freakout mode. Michigan has the lead at the half but its something like 17-13, and we're all gearing up for a really rough State of our Threads early next week with tracking all the four letter words in the game threads. 

Michigan then starts to control the line of scrimmage quite a bit more in the second half, mostly gets what it wants, but MSU still finds a way to stay within 10-17 points to make it a more respectable outing for them. 

I would love for a 52-0 beatdown, but my head says something like 38-24. This is MSU's season right here. Its a one-game season. Win this and nothing else matters. They will pour every ounce they have left into this. 

Newton Gimmick

October 27th, 2022 at 3:42 PM ^

MSU is healthier than they were a few weeks ago, especially on D.  I think some national people saw them at their worst a few weeks ago and just wrote them off as atrocious.  They aren't quite that bad -- I don't think they'll be good enough to win unless Michigan plays their worst game of the year, but they always play up and will go for a backdoor cover if they get a chance (and Minter goes prevent)