Wojo predicts Sparty victory
Wojo predicts 38-33 Sparty, based in "desperation". The article is really about the nature of the rivalry and has an insightful portion getting into why Sparty hates us here:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091001/OPINION03/910010345/1004/In-sta…
October 1st, 2009 at 8:32 AM ^
Yeah and everyone predicted Notre Dame would beat us, and USC would beat Washington and Miami would beat Va Tech and Cal would beat Oregon...That's why they play the games.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:32 AM ^
who care what he thinks. Last time I checked games are won on the field not in predictions by journalists.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:38 AM ^
more often. I eagerly await your next submission.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:05 PM ^
was very insightful
October 1st, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
but is the standard of posting links to an interesting article that you must list an insight yourself? If so I've misinterpreted what happens here. And Wojo is someone that the mgocommunity generally respects, so I felt it was of some moderate interest. And a response to that post that says "who cares what a journalist thinks?" IMO is kind of dickish and asking for some sarcasm in return. Apparently many disagree however.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:36 PM ^
and insulting my intelligence isn't dickish in return? go fuck yourself
October 1st, 2009 at 3:45 PM ^
I apologized for being dickish, and explained why I did it. I did not make any further insults. You chose to do so with this reply. Man, the example you set is inspiring.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:03 PM ^
Let's just drop this. We were both dicks in our replies. Deal?
October 1st, 2009 at 4:36 PM ^
I sincerely drop it and regret keeping it going.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:38 PM ^
me too, that was a moronic series of posts
October 1st, 2009 at 12:38 PM ^
What did I say was not based on logic? Seriously people come up with your own thoughts and arguments rather than letting sports and/or pundits form them for you. The biggest thing I see from my students as a GSI at Michigan is that only a small minority can actually critically think. Thanks for being an ass.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:48 PM ^
so we should not post opinions from another person or pundit that we think may be of interest to the community because that action shows we are not thinking for ourselves?? John McEnroe is wondering whether you can possibly be serious. Have you noticed a little section at right in this blog called mgolicious that does exactly that? Or many posts here that are given for general information? Have you been placing your appeal for improved critical thinking skills on all of these posts?? Holy shit.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:35 PM ^
You did not understand one sentence that I wrote in my reply above. You took the entire reply out of context. I am not surprised since reading comprehension in the states is poor at best (just look at American student test scores for proof).
What I meant to say, is that there seems to be an over importance of predictions of future events in this country from pundits both in the athletic realm and political realm. If you can correctly, predict a future event, good for that person. However, that still doesn't change the fact that predictions of future events are worth as much as the toilet paper I wipe my butt with after I indulge in a sack full of white castles. holy shit, you are a moron.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:42 PM ^
If you "meant to say" that "there is an over importance of predictions of future events in this country" I can now understand why you didn't--because it doesn't make any sense. This lack of reasoning and paucity of logic makes me weep for future Michigan students, if you have any influence on them. I'm glad I graduated already.
Luckily I can comprehend enough of your scribbling to decipher your point. Which is that there are too many predictions in this country. Ok. Send a memo to Brian when he's ready to type this week's prediction, and then send more along to the columnists who are paid to do so as well, like Wojo. How dare someone further this absurd growth industry of over-predicting by posting another one? Stop me before I contribute to this predicting plague again!
October 1st, 2009 at 4:08 PM ^
Yes, it does make sense. We put too much importance what somebody else thinks in this country without forming our own damn opinions. There is a reason morons like Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, O'Reilly, Michael Moore, Rosenberg, Olbermann have jobs. There are too many idiots in this country that can barely add two and two. Judging from your opinion in this matter, it appears you may be a fan of pundits yourself.
I would love to compare general intelligences with you. I am arrogant enough to know that I would come up on top.
I am glad you are not one of my students. It is obvious you would be among the mouth breathers barely passing.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:25 PM ^
I know when I'm beaten.. Apologies to you and the blog. (backs away slowly)
October 1st, 2009 at 8:38 AM ^
Silly Wojo. Interesting week for him to experiment with extending the humor in his tongue-in-cheek picks column to cover the actual pick.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:41 AM ^
of what is great about RR's approach to rivalries. He is not speaking out about respect, and domination. He has a controlled rage that no one really sees. We will be focused on us, and we will play our game. Our O will do well, and our D will continue to bend but not break.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:28 AM ^
He has a "controlled rage that no one really sees"--how do YOU know about it?
Link?
October 1st, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^
tmiller senses his anger and also suspects RR may have an unknown twin sister
October 1st, 2009 at 8:43 AM ^
I'm sure Rich and the coaching staff have much of the game plan geared to pick up those pesky blitzing acts of desperation. If Tate is healthy, and our boys are hitting on all cylinders, improving each week as they ought to, Wojo can put his desperation in his pipe and smoke it.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:53 AM ^
But I can think of something better he can do with his pipe.....or should I say a good place for him to stick it.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:08 AM ^
From what I've heard from "my insider" (ya ya I know) is that we have been practicing some special formations and trick plays for weeks now. Hopefully we see them get called successfully this weekend. That is all I'm going to say.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:56 AM ^
If it's coming from an M-student (preferably from West Quad, right?), it's believable.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:29 PM ^
We call those "jap plays"
October 1st, 2009 at 8:51 AM ^
however, I think it goes the other way. Wojo's articles are for entertainment purposes, but I think his last sentence is dead on. Sparty is going to pull out all the stops and play extremely desperate. Blue's got to match the intensity hold them to field goals.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:55 AM ^
but gave you a plus 1 for your tasty avatar
October 1st, 2009 at 8:57 AM ^
And a +1 to you Sir.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:26 AM ^
who knew Glen Mason's Hot Wife was into chicks?
October 1st, 2009 at 9:29 AM ^
I did.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:43 PM ^
If only Glen Mason's Hot Wife's House's Walls could talk...
October 1st, 2009 at 10:45 AM ^
I like desperate sparty.. they always make stupid mistakes when they're desperate. See: all their 4th quarter collapses against us..
October 1st, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^
That is all.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:55 AM ^
Would that final score shock me? No, not at all. I'm not sure anyone can accurately predict this game. We don't know how healthy Forcier will be. We don't know how well MSU will play when faced with this rivalry. Their last rivalry-ish game against ND went very well until the last minute. We don't know how our defense will play against the Spartan's A-game if they bring it.
There are plenty of things that could lead me to believe his prediction could be right. I just don't know how much stock I can put into it with all the unknowns.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:34 AM ^
Freshman QB's first road game plus a defense that's been a sieve could easily result in a Spartan victory. I have no problem with the prediction. Let's just hope he's wrong.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:02 AM ^
I thought that article was pretty amusing. Good mix of jabs at both sides.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:25 AM ^
I thought that was a pretty lame article. Not really interesting and brought nothing to light that hasn't already been beaten to death. Now I know why I hold this sight in such high esteem.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:36 AM ^
WOJO is a Michigan and Alum, and he is always pretty fair to us. I expect the game to be close.
My favorite quote from a UofM player before a UM-MSU game, was something like this: "We need to win this game, or we will hear about it for the next 5 years."
A lot of my family went to State, and no matter how many times we win I always hear but we we beat you in the 1990 game.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:41 AM ^
Haha. "Now, Michigan and Michigan State play defense as if the objective is to chase a ball-carrier for 25 yards while yelling 'Ready or not, here I come!'" That is hilarious.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:47 AM ^
Nice little article. I do think that MSU will show up desperate for this game, but they have done so before and still been embarrassed. The score wouldn't surprise me, and the reverse would not be a shock. But right now, it looks like UM is on the uptick, while MSU is settling back into their mediocre tradition from the temporary high they've experienced the last two years.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:30 AM ^
....That RR can play a pretty mean game of Rock, Paper, Scissors too, which might include fire.........
October 1st, 2009 at 10:31 AM ^
Wojo's Thursday college football columns are always great. Don't get riled up by the predictions. They are all tongue-in-cheek.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:36 AM ^
38 Sparty points? I don't see that happening considering:
1) Field Position with Stonum returns and Mesko punts - should force Sparty to move the ball 60-90 yards each scoring drive
2) Running game - They don't have one (yet). D can focus on the passing game / increased blitzes
3) UM's ability/necessity to put together 5-minute-plus drives; UM will run a lot, setting up the pass when needed. Establish the run, let Tate "rest" his arm until needed. Keep the ball out of Cousin's hands (did I just say a key to winning is keeping the ball out of THIS GUY's hands... wow).
4) Rivalry game - Defense knows it needs to step up. I say they come through for the first time in 3 weeks
5) Williams is back
I think MSU scores between 20-28 points. Hopefully we score at least 29.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:39 AM ^
UM runs a fast paced rhythm offense at almost all times. They do not tend to worry about running the clock down or keeping the ball out of the other team's hands.
Rather, I think RR tends to want to increase the total number of offensive possessions in the game on the theory that a higher number of possessions is better for his offense than the other team's.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:37 AM ^
Wojo's final score prediction is reasonable based on key factors like State's desparate need to win, home field advantage, Michigan's defensive issues, and freshmen QBs. Personally I'd rather think about what Michigan needs to do to win. FWIW, if they prevent State from crossing mid field on their first couple drives and Denard (yes I think Forcier is too hurt to play) hits his first few passes Michigan will win. If Michigan goes up by 10 to 14 points in the first half on some big plays and State makes some of their typical mistakes the Spartan (not so) faithful will rain boos down on the field.
Since Denard has only thrown 11 passes total he hasn't had a chance to get in a rhythm. But he has demonstated an ability to throw with pace (hitting Koger on the seam route) and finesse (nice touch pass to Odoms who juggled it OB) so he has the skill. I also like that he has thrown picks and made mistakes but has shaken them off and remained confident. If he establishes confidence in his early passes State is screwed. Final thought, if it is a shoot out I'll take RR's play calling over Dantanios any day. He'll manage the clock better (no clock jokes please) and having a 4 - 0 record will allow him to play loose. Go Blue and Hail to the Victors (no matter the final score)
October 1st, 2009 at 11:18 AM ^
Who splashes fruit?
October 1st, 2009 at 11:26 AM ^
I personally think we will win. Sure I'm biased, but I have my reasons. The only sticking point is that we don't know how the young team will do on the road, but one of our 3 wins last year was on the road vs. Minn and we lost to ND because of turnovers. Still, we have a freshman QB...who's shown that he has nerves of steel.
MSU just isn't that good this year, although they're better than their 1-3 record suggests. They'll play with desperation, but Michigan has its own revenge factor. I hope that holes on D are fixed.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:20 PM ^
Wojo has some valid reasons to pick MSU to win. However, based on the point spread, he also picked WMU, ND, and I think EMU. Having him pick MSU won't make me jump off a bridge on the way home.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
At least wojo's article is as depressing as drew sharps "excited about the U-M vs MSU game this weekend, don't be"
October 1st, 2009 at 12:46 PM ^
Sharp is definately a "glass is half empty" kinda guy.