Sparty nearly a touchdown dog against Iowa

After watching MSU's O line get dominated for pretty much the whole game against NW, it is hard for me to think MSU can win this game.  I don't see them being able to pass all over Iowa the whole game either if their run game is doing nothing.

Should be interesting to see if MSU's O-Line shows up and protects cousins

I don't want to see Sparty win anymore than the next person, but it would be funny if HYPOTHETICALLY, they were to win out and at least 2 other teams did the same, and Sparty was left out to the MNC game. 

It makes me really ill to think this, but this looks like their magical season to me. Every freaking break they've needed, they've gotten, and they've made plenty of good plays on their own, too. I think they've got the best collection of offensive skill players in the conference, and a decent defense that's opportunistic. If we can put up over 500 yards on that vaunted Iowa defense, I think MSU can too, and score more points while they're at it.

God, I hope I'm wrong.

the spread.  Spartans have a long history of not living up to expectations, so the gamblers are not yet believers.  Thus Vegas has to pay a premium in points to attract MSU money.  For good reason in my view.  Spartans won't win, won't cover.

i foresee sparty going undefeated. it makes me ill to come to that realization but if they can get through iowa then i just don't see them losing. they are way too level-headed this year. they don't seem to get paniced or do classic sparty mistakes. given, if they go undefeated to the MNC game or the rose bowl, i'm fairly certain auburn/oregon/boise will lay the wood to them but that won't stop them from saying "when's the last time scUM went to the rose bowl????" for the next few years...or forever

I see this as a 3-4 point difference, in Sparty's favor, as much as I hate to say it.  This is evenly matched in nearly all aspects, but I see Sparty's run game as the difference maker.  For sure, Sparty's history of fuck-ups is driving this spread. 

When you get two big conference higher profile teams like this, I doubt that perception drives the betting patterns behind these lines.  More likely it is the nuts and bolts matchups.

But it is noteworthy how little Michigan State is mentioned when the national media talks about a team that is considered likely to play for all the marbles.  They get no respect. 

You'll hear that card played by a player or Dantonio this week if they haven't already.  With their ability to generate good fortune, hard to bet against them.

Everything is bouncing Sparty's way.  You have to take them in this game, hedging for a win-win.

Iowa takes it. I still can't stand the idea of State being ranked 5 th in the BCS

Remove the word "nearly", and replace "touchdown" with "female".  Thanks :)

This really seems like a tough game to wager on.  Last week we saw an MSU team come out very flat (really the past two weeks) but escape against inferior competition.  This week, they know this is a big game, so I doubt they won't be ready.  Plus, it is an afternoon game, so the specter of walking into a packed, rabid Kinnick Stadium (?) at night won't be there.  What will either happen is MSU keeps it close and pulls the game out late, or Iowa just destroys them early and they Sparty away the game by 10+.  I really don't see it going any other way, and both scenarios are equally probable.  Seeing how this season has played out, I fully expect  MSU to win this game close and then win out, miss a chance at the BCS title game, then get destroyed in a bowl game against decent competition. 

It gives Saint Dantonio yet another "no respect" card to play. 

I think they are 4-0 agains the spread in big ten play.  The late TD against NU had Sparty covering for me in that game.  They easily covered in the Michigan and Wisconsin games and I think they covered against Illinois.