Rose Bowl Open Thread

Submitted by MJ14 on

The Granddaddy of them all! The 100th Rose Bowl. Number 4 Michigan State vs. Number 5 Stanford. Who are you guys taking in this game and why? I like Stanford so I wouldn't mind to see them win. I do think the perception of the Big Ten is somewhat important, but I also don't think the Big Ten being that great matters a whole lot. I'm cheering for neither team though. I am just hoping for a good quality game. 

The line favors Stanford by 5.5 points. Michigan State has the best defense in the country. Stanford has one of the best ground and pound teams in the country. 

F/+ Projection: Stanford 20, Michigan State 11
Win Probability: Stanford 73%
 

 
  Michigan St Stanford
Actual Score 0 0
Most Likely 13 17
Median 13 17
Mean 14.63 19.37
Win Probability 36% 64%

 

MGoBoard

gwkrlghl

January 1st, 2014 at 7:40 PM ^

and I am so confused. This team has improved so much its astonishing. I watched them struggle mightily against both Western and USF (both bottomfeeders) and now they've got a great chance to finish the season at #2 or #3.

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

Spock

January 1st, 2014 at 7:40 PM ^

MSU is going to score on this drive and Stanford won't score again. My prediction is MSU 27, Stanford 17.

EDIT: I'll shut up now.

 

 

 

until my next post...

Joined: 12/10/2013

MGoPoints: 622

alum96

January 1st, 2014 at 7:40 PM ^

This is the stage of the game MSU wears down almost every team this year.  Langford usually gets a 30yard run as the opposite D is worn down.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82260

Earl

January 1st, 2014 at 7:41 PM ^

So let me get this straight, even arguably the best O line in the country can't make Manball work. Hmmm. Must be execution. Certainly can't be scheme.

Joined: 10/27/2012

MGoPoints: 786

ppudge

January 1st, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^

Yes, thank you! Predictable play calling doesn't work like it did in the 70s when you could horde all the good players on the good teams with 105 scholarships. Now, with so many good players spread out, this type of scheme cannot work by itself.

Joined: 10/19/2008

MGoPoints: 11419

gwkrlghl

January 1st, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^

MSU's defense is amazing to watch frankly. They play fearless. I know Stanford is typically manball-y but they've got some good receivers and MSU just presses like crazy. They play with almost reckless confidence...but it's not reckless because they're just that good

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

alum96

January 1st, 2014 at 7:46 PM ^

Very aggressive and they swarm.  And they have speed... despite recruiting mostly in the "slow Midwest".   I like their strategy.  I feel Mattison respects college QBs too much.  Aside from maybe 15 in the country most college QBs are not headed to the NFL.  They crumble under pressure.  But we are content to bend don't break rather than pressure.  Narduzzi and Dantonio seemingly seem to get this - look if a college QB beats us, he beats us.  But we are going to assume most college QBs are just that - decent, nothing special and focus on the run, and let the QBs try to beat our CBs isolated on WRs.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82260