Will Refs Fairly Call MSU Penalties?
Despite its weak offensive output, MSU has only one loss this year, mainly due to its aggressive, physical defense. However, MSU's aggressive, physical defense has led them to becoming the 117th worse NCAA team (out of 125) for penalty yardage [70 yards/gm].
At ND, MSU's aggressiveness on defense led to numerous key defensive penalties which gave away the game to the Irish.
After the ND game, MSU AD Mark Hollis made an inquiry to Big Ten officials regarding the penalty calls against the Spartans. Mark Dantonio was quoted by the Detroit Free Press as questioning whether the penalty calls against his DB's reflected a change in standards for pass defenders. Many media members questioned the calls against MSU. In MSU's most recent home game vs. Purdue, MSU was only called for 2 penalties for 14 yards.
I think the key determinant in Michigan's upcoming game at Michigan State will be whether the refs fairly call MSU penalties, especially for pass interference/defensive holding and roughing the passer. If Big Ten officials continue to experience a "backlash" effect and exhibit reluctance to fairly call MSU penalties in East Lansing, it will doom Michigan's chances for a big road win. In addition, excessively rough play by MSU (as has occurred in past match-ups) could also result in injuries to Michigan's key players.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:58 PM ^
quit worrying about the officiating and play the game.
It would be fun but I don't think many of us are equipped to do so nor would coaches and the players accept our sorry asses. Really though, we're fans, we're supposed to worry about this sh*t; I'm quite sure the players aren't worrying about this notion so you're correct in that regard.
States reputation and history for penalties probably hurts them in the long run.
And here, does it really, though? They've been doing it for how long and they've been a fairly successful team the past 5+ years so how has it negatively affected them? Anyway, when they foul so much that officials can't throw flags EVERY time, it's benefiting them right there and then, and that's what matters.
October 25th, 2013 at 9:28 AM ^
I think it could be a factor, but I can't imagine it being the key factor.
October 24th, 2013 at 11:01 PM ^
But ask away...
October 25th, 2013 at 1:25 AM ^
would you ever think UM is going to get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to officiating in East Lansing?
October 25th, 2013 at 1:41 AM ^
It all will come down to match ups. If we can limit turnovers and win 1st down we have a great shot. Whether we get the calls it not won't matter. It's gonna be a game determined by guys making plays on big downs.
October 25th, 2013 at 7:43 AM ^
October 25th, 2013 at 3:51 AM ^
October 25th, 2013 at 7:28 AM ^
I think the key determinant in Michigan's upcoming game at Michigan State will be whether the refs fairly call MSU penalties, especially for pass interference/defensive holding and roughing the passer.This is the "key determinant"? And here I thought it would be Al Borges coming up with an effective gameplan for what I am sure is going to be an extremely aggressive MSU defensive attack. If we ever decide to create a Hall of "Shame" for bad/stupid threads, I'd like to nominate this one.
October 25th, 2013 at 8:17 AM ^
October 25th, 2013 at 8:31 AM ^
Couldn't resist jumping down the rabbit hole to see if this was an honest question.
Alas, feeding the troll once again.
October 25th, 2013 at 10:23 AM ^
we wish we had MSU's defensive backfield--and, if so, we'd be concerned that the refs were going to call nickel-and-dime pass interferences on us. Geezus, adjust and play the game the way it is being called.
October 25th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
I wish if a thread got enough downvotes it would just disappear.
October 25th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^
this has been going on all year. The receivers are constantly being tackled before the ball gets there. I saw a picture of a receiver being tackled just before the ball got there just showing pics of the game. The only reason it was shown was because it was a picture of Gallon scoring yet another TD in the Indiana game if my memory serves me right. If they catch the ball PI is generally not called if they drop it because of the defender getting there too soon it gets called most of the time but cetainly not all the time. Go Blue
October 25th, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^
October 25th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
Can you give Brian an incentive to get the Defensive UFR up sooner so we can read about football while you are at it?
October 25th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
Thanks Mr. Ross, your efforts are appreciated.
That said, the "aggressive" State coaches will no doubt be more than willing to take a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call in order to injure Devin Gardner, just as Rush did in the 2011 game, hitting Robinson and then slamming him to the ground, all while the play was long dead (or earlier, of course, when Gholston nearly snapped Robinson's neck and paralyzed him, or earlier....). Sure, Rush managed to get called for it, but in return Michigan's best player was no longer on the field.
Also, could you see about funneling some money to this blog to help protect us against Sparty trollers? Some of them are pretty crafty.
October 25th, 2013 at 2:01 PM ^
just because Steve has endowed his alma mater beyond the means of any sparty troll is no reason to go casting aspertions about his character. Quit being such a kid. Honestly I get this sort of behavior from my little brother, which I kind of expect but you sir are not my little brother.
... ahh... what has Mike Hart done but exposed the raw underside of a deep rooted CFB truth.
October 25th, 2013 at 4:16 PM ^
I don't know about thre refs, but State's schedule deserves a penalty. No OSU. No Wisc. No PSU. D-II Youngstown State.