Lynn Henning Picks Sparty

Submitted by Hoke_Floats on
So, here's the score, even as a head still shakes over a spread I utterly can't believe: Michigan State 45, Michigan 28.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101007/OPINION03/10070446/1361/Spartans-a-good-bet-to-roll-past-Wolverines-again#ixzz11h2uEgdS
I like our chances.  He is such a spartan homer its not even funny.

 

He uses the Wisky game to prove how awesome sparty is, but the fraudgers played no one tough (on the road at least) before MSU

 

Why not use ND as a yard stick?  B/C that would prove the game would be close with the edge going to UofM for winning 1st on the road (thats why)

Yooper

October 7th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^

First he rails against the Vegas spread as a big deal.  Everyone knows that the spread is set only for the purpose of attracting money on both sides.  There is likely a Michigan premium at play.  More fans, more loyalty, more Michigan grads with jobs, means more money on Michigan.  They need to raise the point spread to attract money on the MSU side. 

But then, he contradicts himself with his "these guys are smarter than me, what do they know that I don't know."  No conviction in his "analysis".   

The final paragraph is simply unintelligible.

detrocks

October 7th, 2010 at 1:23 PM ^

And that's what they pay him to write about, so I'm defintely not surprised that he doesn't know anything about college football either.  

Kramer

October 7th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^

Sorry if this is too long, but I thought I'd post my email response to Mr. Henning.  Previously I had emailed him about his MSU v. ND article and how he'd claimed MSU had a "serious edge in personnel" over ND.  He never responded (as I'm sure he wont to this one).

 

"Mr. Henning,

I’m writing you with another question regarding your latest article.  In it you just can’t imagine how Michigan is a 5 point favorite over your beloved MSU and state that the line should be 2 or 3 touchdowns in MSU’s favor.  In the article you make some statements as to why this will be the case, but I’d like to know how you completely ignore the most obvious comparison point that can be made between the two teams:  Notre Dame.  Both teams have played and beaten ND this year, one doing so by 4 points on the road(UofM) and the other doing it by 3 points at home in overtime (MSU).  Standard betting line protocol says to give the home team in any matchup 3 points.  If I was to tell an unbiased person this and only this information, and said that MSU was playing at UofM this Saturday, any reasonable person would conclude that at the very least, the teams are even based on their play against a common opponent, and say that UofM should be favored by 3 due to home field.  Do you have an argument against this?  Or do you just use the information that allows you to see everything in green and white? 

Another serious question is this:  Do you actively try to be a homer for MSU, as in is that your “job” at the Detroit News?  Or are you trying to be a fair and balanced sports journalist?  Because if you are trying to be a MSU supporter, than I’d have no problem with your articles.   But if you’re attempting to be a true sports journalist (at least when it comes to college football), then I fail to see how you get your articles published.

-Name Redacted

P.S. Thanks for the response I didn’t get to the below email.   MSU winning at home in overtime on a trick play definitely shows their “serious edge in personnel” over ND.  I can admit when I’m wrong…"

Humpty

October 7th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^

1) The transitive property doesn't really work in football.

 

2) Crist was out for most of the first half, and UM went from 7-7 to 21-7 during that time.  It probably would have been a UM loss if Crist played the entire game.

GVBlue86

October 7th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^

While your points may be right, this is a waste of time. This is merely a silly opinion article where he is just sharing his thoughts (right or wrong). If he were to predict UM in a blowout we would not think twice (even though we should know it will not be a blowout either way). He's an MSU homer, who cares.

Griff88

October 7th, 2010 at 1:56 PM ^

The world of Henning and other Spartan homers, will come crashing down soon enough. Just make a note of his email, and you can make him eat crow after Saturday.

BiSB

October 7th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^

He picked Notre Dame over Michigan. He said that 6-6 was more or less Michigan's ceiling this year, and that the non-conference schedule would trip Michigan up.  I could be wrong, but I think he picked UConn over Michigan. 

You're on a roll, Lynn.  Love your work. 

steelymax

October 7th, 2010 at 2:20 PM ^

He did pick ND over UM, and then picked Sparty to beat ND easily... and by that he meant a trick play in OT.

He did go out on a limb to pick Sparty over Wisky last week which, in turn, validated his homerism. Here's hoping Michigan invalidates it on Saturday.

M-Wolverine

October 7th, 2010 at 2:03 PM ^

If he's right, boy all these "mock the predictor" is going to seem dumb.  If MSU wins, even by a little, he may technically be wrong, but he'll still have the last laugh.

But if he's wrong, then send him a nice email, give him a good natured jab, and be done with it. Because lately he's gone beyond reporting a view, and actively campaigning.  I bet Izzo is wondering why he can't get the same love as Dantonio from these parts.

Humpty

October 7th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^

Finally a reasonable prediction.  And Lynn Henning hates MSU, just check out his exchange with Izzo at his press conference announcing he was staying at MSU.

Firstbase

October 7th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^

...but he forgets that football is a game of emotion -- channeled emotion. Michigan will have it's hands full, make no mistake, but I think playing at home negates his argument and gives M the emotional edge, which wipes out his unbelievable margin and may even get M a nice win against a talented team.

dvlfnfv5

October 7th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^

I thought this was gonna be a committment post. Accordingly, I was prepared to hate on this guy (girl?). Nonetheless, may the hating continue.

Logan88

October 7th, 2010 at 6:38 PM ^

I am not familiar with this guy (I don't live in Michigan). Is he an MSU grad? A Spartan Slappy? This is an incredible fail of a prediction.

P.S. Never, ever take the word of a man with a woman's name. Lynn? Seriously, Lynn?