OT: Analyst says MSU a "dark horse"
Big 10 network analyst Howard Griffith calls MSU a (wait for it... wait for it... ) "dark horse" in the Big 10 this season because (wait for it... wait for it...) they have returning starters on offense.
The only cliche he left out was that Sparty's defense is "on the verge of something big".
August 16th, 2010 at 12:54 PM ^
Do you need a large animal veterinarian to know the difference?
August 16th, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^
Double post.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^
*sexy* dark horse
August 16th, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^
jackass.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:15 PM ^
I suggest to check with the Sheep Teaching and Research Institute at Michigan State University located on Hagadorn Road on your way into campus. This and many other bachelors and graduate degrees are available for low prices every day. Check your penny saver for additional savings if you matriculate now to Michigan State University.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:59 PM ^
This is not OT. It directly relates to Michigan football.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
Let me guess, they pointed to their easy schedule as well? I seem to remember that same argument last year. MSU....rebuilding since 1970
August 16th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
another 30 years of tinkering and they'll have it!
In the mean time - "Wait until next year!"
August 16th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
The BTN said there were some question marks on D, the secondary was going to rely on talented freshmen..and they seemed to have a hard time getting pressure against their own o line in practice. Their O line is a question mark also.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
a Dark Horse for the worst passing D in the big ten for a 2nd year in a row?
August 16th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
Telling
.
Dark indeed
August 16th, 2010 at 1:11 PM ^
Wheel reinvented! Film at eleven!
Love the snark on this thread!
August 16th, 2010 at 1:30 PM ^
MSUs new motto: "A Big Ten darkhorse since 1988."
August 16th, 2010 at 2:19 PM ^
I had them down as "filthy vermin", but I guess I was wrong. It's actually "dark horses". Can you "tip" a dark horse at night while it sleeps? If so, then it probably actually does fit.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^
They are a dark horse every year. An ugly, stupid, dark horse. I'll just take it as that they are unlikely to do anything worthwhile, except maybe lose at home to WMU on Sept. 4. Damn that would be great. At least WMU has a dark horse right on their helmets.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^
..........and the Lions have something brewing in Allen Park.
August 16th, 2010 at 3:22 PM ^
have somthing brewing in your coolers.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^
I've also heard that Coach Dantonio would like to RUN THE BALL DOWN YOUR THROAT. His defenders want to HIT YOU IN THE MOUTH. Coach D is also an handsome fellow.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
August 16th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
*all time record* stand in the way. Might want to clean your green & white glasses first!
Btw...did football start being played at your school,only after your present coach arrived?
August 16th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
And isn't a spartan sympathizer. Check your sarcasm meter, it appears to be malfunctioning
August 16th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
I also were reffering to your pic...not artfully,howeva.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
I also were reffering to your pic...not artfully,howeva.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
He's confusing a horse with a jackass.
In all seriousness, a lot of the preseason metrics between U of M and MSU are similar. Major differences between the two in terms of performance last year is that MSU had a better passing offense and a worse passing defense. I like Michigan's upside this year more than MSU's for three reasons:
1. More experience on the o-line. Using Steel'es figures, U of M has 82 starts, MSU only 43 starts.
2. Michigan has more upside on correcting turnovers (-12 vs. MSU's -6).
3. 8 vs. 6 returning guys on defense.
On Stassen's site of pre-season mags, no one expects Michigan to finish ahead of Sparty, so Howard's just going with the flow.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
Can you imagine where we would be right now if that -12 was 0? Probable wins against MSU, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, and OSU. Hopefully they get this figured out this year.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:33 PM ^
They don't call Michigan Stadium "The Glue Factory" for nothing.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:35 PM ^
spit my sprite through my nose, onto the screen after reading the op.
Interesting,but pointless article.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
Just ask their completely reasonable and objective fan base. Their expectation is based on the following:
1. Finishing a spectacular 6-7 last year.
2. Beating Michigan, a 5-7 team, with a true freshman QB playing with one arm, by 6 points, at home, in overtime.
3. Losing to Penn State by 50 points in the season finale
4. Losing to Texas f#%king Tech in their bowl game
5. Landing a "ehh, I guess its not that bad" recruiting class with one celebrated recruit.
A dark horse to win what, eleven bucks at Keno? Michigan State "is what we thought they were" and what they always are, average, nothing more.
August 16th, 2010 at 5:53 PM ^
We finished 5-7.
We lost. We barely made it to OT.
Penn State killed us, too.
We didn't make a bowl.
Our recruiting class post-Dorsey had 5 4* players. MSU's had 4 4* and 5* Gholston.
Seriously, who cares if Sparty gets preseason love? We don't have much an argument ourselves...
August 17th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
I don't know why you are pointing to Michigan and the Big Ten title...did anyone call us a dark horse? You say we don't have much an argument ourselves....but no one was saying we did. All your post did was show just how ridiculous it would be to put MSU or UM anywhwere near the top of the B10. Great job.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^
That Oline is going to surrender so many sacks this year, it's going to be impossible to go more than 3-5 in the big ten for them.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:56 PM ^
It's not very difficult to go .500 in the B10 when you don't play OSU
August 16th, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^
but sadly, OSU only counted for two loses over the last two years while our record is 3-15. Glass house and the like.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:21 PM ^
MSU will be better than this bitterly partisan board thinks.
If they can go 2-1 in the ND, Wisco at Michigan stretch, they will be right there in the 9-win, new year's day bowl range.
I just there offense and Cousins are going to have a big year. I like Baker and Capers, especially Baker, as second-year runners. They have one of the best LB corps in the league that doesnt call Columbus home.
Their worst and best case scenarios are a lot like Michigan's, but with an easier schedule.
August 16th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^
Just because tRCMB and Spartans in general aren't objective about our schedule doesn't mean we need to stoop to their level of stupidity. That is a good football team with a relatively easy schedule, if they mesh early they'll be fine. Although if they do go 9-3 and to a NYD bowl they'll probably think they're going to the NC title game in 2011. That spot is reserved for us (insert stupid koolaid emoticon plus smiley rolling around here).
August 16th, 2010 at 2:43 PM ^
August 16th, 2010 at 3:05 PM ^
I've said it before - MSU fits the classic profile of an overrated team. They're strong at the offensive skill positions and weak on the line. Ignorant sportscasters (even guys who should know better, like Griffith) always overrate the importance of skill guys. It always starts up front.
August 16th, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^
They do avoid Ohio State this year... just saying.
August 18th, 2010 at 12:00 AM ^
wont matter
August 17th, 2010 at 8:16 AM ^
That's an insult to dark horses everywhere. What did they ever do to anybody?
August 18th, 2010 at 12:00 AM ^
yea right