ThadMattasagoblin

August 20th, 2017 at 9:03 PM ^

I have a friend who is an official for MSU's training camp. He said that their team is terrible. The offensive line can't block anyone and Lewerke is only slighly better than Tyler O Connor.

Stringer Bell

August 20th, 2017 at 9:28 PM ^

Their noncon is a joke. Bowling Green is one of the worst teams in the MAC, Western will take a step back without Fleck, and Notre Dame is bad. Then they get Iowa at home which could go either way and Minnesota who probably won't be that good this year, in addition to NW who will beat them. If they don't get to 6 wins Dantonio should step down.

Aged Wolverine 68

August 21st, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^

No matter how bad ND is, they always get some good athletes.

 

Between normal attrition, guys that got booted and not great recruiting, MSU stands to be in a real pickle this season. I respect what Dant has done. I dont like him, but no denying Sparty has had best run, during my lifetime, with him as coach. I think there has been too much turmoil with that program to have a major turn around this season. I am with those thinking 5 or 6 wins.

 

Even with a mediocre performance, and Kelly turning purple in the face, I would be putting my money on the Irish if I were to bet. Despite it being a home night game for Sparty, you would have to believe they are smelling MSU blood in the water.

 

Ah well, I guess that is why they play the game. 

 

Squash34

August 21st, 2017 at 3:36 AM ^

That is not really the type of holding that state has done to Michigan's line the last two years though. They are bear hugging guys at the point if attack, right in front of the refs with no flags.
If you have your hand on the inside and not pulling jersy as they guy gets passed it will never be called, nor should we really expect it. But, bear hugs or tackling a defender should be called.

kevin holt

August 21st, 2017 at 8:28 AM ^

Yeah the "holding on every play" thing is more that the position is impossible within the holding rule (which should honestly be amended to address that, THEN called more consistently). Of course OL are grasping with their hands on every play. But when Gary beats you cleanly and you basically tackle him from behind, that SHOULD be called at least once or fuckin twice a game at least.

MichiganExile

August 20th, 2017 at 9:52 PM ^

It's hilarious to me that Dantonio's name has been butchered so often around here and in the media that I can't even tell if someone is screwing his name up on purpose, genuinely made a mistake, or actually thinks his name is something else. 

reshp1

August 20th, 2017 at 11:52 PM ^

How? They were a tire fire except McDowell last year. They even brought in great transfers to patch the holes and it didn't work. Their recruiting class sucked so no help coming there. Maybe Mork worked his magic or they got their roid program running in overdrive, but I'll believe it when I actually see a competent DL in the field for them.

Bodogblog

August 21st, 2017 at 12:42 AM ^

You could be right. But the general consensus is McDowell played for himself (freelanced) then checked out before going down with an injury. Raquen Williams and Panasiuk started the last few games for them and did quite well. RS and true freshmen respecticely, it makes sense that they improve. Though I'm not sold on Panasiuk being anything more than a hard to move object: he plays low with great leverage but I'm not sure if he has the athleticism to do that and make plays. Beyond them there is RS freshman Naquan Jones, who was a 4* that looked good in their spring game. That's not much, granted, but their insiders seem to love him.

ThePonyConquerer

August 20th, 2017 at 9:11 PM ^

Isn't this the same player that said he just wasn't "interested" in football anymore.



Or did he just say that to get away from MSU.