It's OK to give MSU credit and vice versa

Fuck Dantonio.

I don't ever want MSU or OSU to win and don't care who they are playing.  I don't root for either.

I would be shocked if Iowa had anything to say about the winner of the division - I believe things come down to NEB, MSU, and MICH

More so than Nebraska. Notwithstanding the Notre Dame loss, this should be the most evenly-matched game left on our schedule.

You have a appropriate user name.

I also agree with you, however I put a little less credence in MSU's performance vs OSU.  I think it all hinges more on Cousins and his mistakes.  MSU didn't look good against FCS Youngstown State, got stomped by ND, and didn't look impressive against OSU.  I think OSU is around the same talent level as a Penn State or Iowa.  I think what hurts MSU in perception is that this OSU team is also missing their starting LT, RB, and WR.

MSU doesn't pass the "eye test" to me thus far, however the talent is there if they can bring it all together. 

I see MSU finishing the year at 8-4 to 9-3 and at best, second in the Legends, but likely third.

That is all.

Obviously we don't want to give you credit because OSU didnt have all their players, but in reality it doesn't matter. Props to the Spartans for getting a tough road win. I agree with most of your points but I am not convinced by your argument that the MSU offense will be fine. I would be concerned that you moved the ball into OSU territory with relative ease but only scored 10 pts. Was that a result of OSU starting to play once they were on their side of the field or something else? October 15 will be a very interesting game

I agree with basically everything here.  But, for a better read on MGoBoard's barometer (assuming of course that it is representative of M fans generally), particularly as to their opinions towards MSU, take a look at this thread still on the front page:

http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/b1g-rankem

You'll find many posters here placing MSU higher than likely either of us would, some as high as second and ahead of their beloved M.  I really admire such objectivity (though I wouldn't rank us as high as second). 

So while many of them talk about our O-line or our overrated defense, you'll see that many view MSU, as a whole, in a very favorable light.

It was a good win for MSU. Your D looked pretty good, but it was a bit hard to fully assess just how good they were due to the complete ineptness of Ohio's passing game and that three of Ohio's starters were still in their punishment phase.

As far as the Legends go (I hate that name), I think it is up for grabs.  Nebraska looked to have weaknesses in their D, particularly a piss poor secondary and Taylor Martinez is very erratic. Winning the division is up for grabs.

Rational, it looks like Cousins is just not looking like he did last year.  What's up with that?  Is he nicked up?

I dont tihnk your O Line showed improvement... they got to cousins but he threw enough quick hits and loft balls to Cunningham to keep it honest. the stat to focus on there is the fact that you rushed for about 100 yards combined between the ND and the OSU game... Olines that are solid are rushing for at least 150 a day.  Plus, cousins is throwing like 40 times a game

And with respect to your defense, you gave up about the same amount of yards as a decent Miami team. It isnt hard to smash a team when you literally cannot pass. 

The 9 sacks are the ability of your D coordinator to bring at least 5 literally any down that was remotely pass.

I know I put MSU where I did (fifth overall in conference, third in our division) because I think your defense will dispense of most teams without a good/great offense. As good as your defense has looked, it will give up points to a good offense (M/Iowa 2009 and 2010 are both good examples) and nobody knows whether you can keep pace. My guess would be no, so I have them a tier down from M/UNL.

Some interesting thoughts.  I applaud your work here. I am guessing it will get beat around by the fans. Doesn't mean it stinks though.

As an MSU grad, I don't recall seeing the likes of you on campus.  A place where the hatred for Michigan is so rabid, we convened in our dorm in 97 to watch a taped version of that day's game so our audible cheering wouldn't coincide with the live game.  We felt it was the safe way to do it.

To me the State game is a barometer of how far along Michigan actually is. They have a Big Boy defense that will limit big plays and punish Denard when he's tackled. They are sound. On offense, they will run at you and won't stop if you can't stop it. They represent a great example of the problems Big Ten teams represent for our defense the last couple years.  How will Michigan hold up?  

It also would be great to beat Dantonio. He's done a good job of making the game really matter to me. I think he's a sort of a phoney, but he's a quality coach. He does a great job of fanning the rivalry.

As much as I think State has elevated themselves to relevence as a rival, most average Michigan fans I talk to don't. They see this as a blip caused by a coaching experiment that wasn't well considered and ultimately failed.  I don't know if that matters to State fans, but the Michigan fans I talk to won't give them credit as being anything unless it keeps going like this for a decade.

That was just a piss poor game to watch.  This is what I learned:

1. OSU problems are MUCH bigger than I originally expected.  At first I thought they were just going to struggle because of the Tat 5 missing the first 5 games.  Then it dawned on me that there is just a lack of talent on this team.  OSU's receivers can't get open against ANYONE.  Brewster is regressing on the offensive line.  Kenny Guyton could actually be better than Bauserman.  Miller, though possessing a high ceiling, just lacks either focus or testicular fortitude or maybe even football knowhow.

2. MSU's defense is pretty stinking good.  Even though they played a pitiful OSU team, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the B1G.

3. Dantonio makes some questionable playcalls.  I am still shaking my head as to why he chose to have Cousins throw a fade into the corner when I'm pretty sure Bell could have walked in from 2 yards out if given 2 opportunities.

This season is literally up for grabs...until the B1G Championship where Wisky will probably beat their Indianapolis opponent to a bloody pulp.  Montee Ball might be the best back I have seen in this conference in a long time.

You said "boob."

MSU has a good defense, but we all know OSU's offense is struggling mightily.  Ohio State is not that great this year, if this were any year from 2002-2010 I would be significantly impressed with MSU's victory.  Dantonio's first win against his former employer (while at MSU) is nontheless great, but a "program-defining" win as some are claiming?  Hardly.

Bauserman is terrible, Miller hasn't been terribly impressive, etc.  The Buckeyes do receive a boost to their offense this week as their suspended tat 5 (4?) players return from their suspension.  I think them being off the field also aided MSU.

It's always good to beat Ohio State though, so kudos for that.

3. Denard is still electric. The key to UM's B1G Ten season will be whether he can avoid costly interceptions in the passing game that plagued him last year and make enough passing plays to keep defenses honest.