So That Just Happened....

Submitted by JR's Flow on

I don't know what to think about what just happened in the Sparty Game. What are your thoughts on the this for the conference, Sparty's "Prestige", and Michigan's outlook on this. Discuss.

 

EDIT: Note that MSU had ZERO penalties in the game, that is a big swing. Good coaching, player recognizing that they got luck with how Michigan didn't take advantage of the penalties, or just don't hate Wiscy as much as Michigan?

Blue99

October 23rd, 2011 at 1:48 AM ^

And not negging me for simply having a differing opinion--sincerely, that doesn't seem to happen much on this site. Sure I guess 1/3 is not likely so that make some sense. My bigger point is that we have no business having Rose Bowl expectations right now. I just think that's a bit premature for a still very mediocre team. I understand and appreciate the enthusiasm--I found myself losing some of the cautiousness from my cautious optimism following the secon half of the NW game but last week should've brought us all back to Earth. We are not going to be competitive with the top teams in the B1G right now. Not with our O-Line, inability to run and the kind of QB play we got last week. Yes we can flash brilliance at times and out D is light years ahead of where it was but that makes us a 9 win team, tops. Which is pretty good considering what we've been through the last few years. And the seniors should hold their heads up high for what they will accomplish, but I don't see the possibility that they leave with a B1G ring.

snoopblue

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^

It's RichRod's fault.

The end of the game was luck, but the rest of the game was MSU dominating Wisconsin. Dantonio isn't Daughtery, but man, they are ahead of us right now and it's not even close. Give them credit, but you can have faith in our coaches to get things in this state back to normal soon.

almostkorean

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 AM ^

That's a good point, I didn't realize they're going to lose that much on offense.  Their D still scares me though, I think they return 11 starters?  I know they lose Worthy but they look like a well coached team.  Hopefully we can change our snap count by next season!

Space Coyote

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^

Their backup QB Maxwell appears to be pretty legit.  I don't think QB will take too much of a hit.  Sims is pretty good too, so losing Linthicum doesn't really hurt.  Martin does a lot of things but they have some other speedy WRs.  Cunningham is their real lose, and potentially Worthy.

Still, their O-line (FWIW) is young and should potentially improve, their RB situation is still in very good shape, and their defense should still be strong, meaning as a team they should still be solid next year.  Not saying Michigan can't win next year by any means, but MSU should still field a good squad next year.

BlueCheez

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 AM ^

Everyone here in Wisconsin and about everyone on this board.Been saying it for years.Every season starts the same.Essentially 6 home games, 1 against an opponent in the top 75 and then REALITY.F-U Bielema, you cocky drunken douchebag.Too bad he can't schedule Wofford or the Citadel every week.Overrated every year.

UMxWolverines

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:55 PM ^

It's all about physicallity. Take a look at msu's players. They're huge and physical(sometimes a little too physical) but they can match up with anyone. That's the key to turning things around against them.

Dezzy

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:55 PM ^

Basically, any night game played in the state of Michigan has to end with the home team making some miraclous play with little to no time remaining on the clock.

gobluednicks

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:55 PM ^

mistakes by a wiscy team than i can ever remember.  sparty did good things but i think it was a horrible 2nd quarter that cost wisconsin.

BlockM

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^

Man up, give credit where credit is due. You don't have to like Sparty, they're still little brother through and through, but they happen to have a really good football team right now.

jmblue

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^

Montee Ball's head injury in the 2nd quarter possibly ended up being big.  On the drive he was injured, Wisconsin decided not to go for it on 4th and 1 and kicked a FG - which was blocked.  They then did nothing offensively the rest of the quarter while Ball was out.  When he returned, their offense did, too, but they were down nine points already.

Section 1

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:04 AM ^

On the last play.  To call offensive pass interference, I usually think it has to be pretty egregious, because it is always presumed that the offensive player is going for the ball.  But a Hail Mary jump ball is a little different.

Anyway, what I saw was that as Cousins' pass was coming down, the grouping of 2 MSU WR's (including Cunningham and one other guy who I am not sure of) and 2 or really 3 Wisconsin DB's.  And before the ball gets there but as it is coming down, one of the Wisconsin D-backs gets completely shoved, from behind, so as to fall on the ground on his knees.  He was the one Wisconsin defender in the best position to get his hands on the ball.  And he was shoved to the ground while the ball was coming down to his spot.

As I say, I usually think that it has to be egregious to be offensive pass interference, and it was.

[Edit. - Marcus Cromartie (14) was the Wisconsin DB who was pushed to the ground.  I am quite certain that it was B.J. Cunningham (3) who was the MSU WR who pushed him.  And as the play ends, you actually see Cunningham holding both hands up in the hey, I didn't push him position.]

Section 1

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:41 AM ^

The guy who was in even better position, until he was shoved to the turf by B.J. Cunningham from behind.  And that was Marcus Cromartie.  You should take a better look at the video.

MGoRyan

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:48 AM ^

No offense, but aren't we just whining now? I hate to give them credit, but they did out-play Wisco. Chalk it up to whatever you want, but I'm seriously tired of our excuses. I'm in the camp of "if you don't like it, do something about it". Very tired of our fanbase nitpicking every goddamn moment of each game. That also goes for Brian. Never played a meaningful game of full contact football in his life. Neg me now, but I'm sick of the intelligentsia on this board whining so hard and creating a new post every two goddamn minutes to bring up a new minor play that "should have changed the tide of that game" and shoving it down my throat. Love this place but I need a break from this sadness.

Section 1

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:39 AM ^

All I am suggesting is that the foul was there for the calling; by an official with clear vision and guts.  I think B.J. Cunningham (I do think it was Cunningham but I'd like to see more film) got away with one.  Before the play was whistled dead, I think Cunningham was hoping he'd be able to get away with that one.

Sparty tends to do best in ball games where they "throw out the [rule] book."

wolv92388

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^

obligatory f*ck Brett Bilema callout.

props to MSU for not being called for any penalties (probably at least one missed call).

the 2nd quarter was a "wtf" quarter forever.

hard to expect 2 losses from them moving forward.

don't you wish Gus Johnson at least could have called that play?

Lampuki22

October 22nd, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^

I don't think they enough to overturn that final play
<br>
<br>Sparty jumped on the key 3rd down shovel pass play. It was not called
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<br>Bielma dumb.
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<br>We still have only 1 loss.
<br>
<br>Great game.
<br>
<br>Karma does not exist.
<br>
<br>
<br>

alanmfrench

October 23rd, 2011 at 1:56 AM ^

they did. the ball clearly broke the plane. i saw that on the live play. i'm still no msu fan and still think the ball being the only thing needed to cross the plane for a td is retarded but thems the rules.

FreddieMercuryHayes

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:00 AM ^

It warmed my heart to see Bret's hubris cost them the game. That first time out was OK, buy the second was terrible. Take your momentum into OT idiot. Sometimes there is justice. Now only if that justice catches up to Dantonio.

uminks

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

but they got the lucky bounce, otherwise they would have lost it in OT!  Oh well, most likely not a  B1G championship game this season. But coach Hoke and his players can still have a descent season with 9 or 10 wins. Though it won't be easy. Even next weeks game against Purdue will be a tough one. It will be tough the rest of the way but we'll see what kind of character these coaches and kids have.  I think they will be ready next week and will finish out the season in good shape at 9-3!

MGoKorey

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:05 AM ^

I dont understand the 2nd timeout that Wisc called with 30 seconds left ... at best they get the ball back with 15 seconds on the clock and about 45 yards to get in somewhat FG range. That was retarded.

 

Not putting in Toon who is at least 3 or 4 inches taller than #4 was retarded and it bit them. #4 just grazed the ball and timed it awful ... another 4 inches and that is an INT.

da3mite

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

I agree that Bielema didn't call the best of games. However, I would not be too hard on the guy for calling the timeouts at the end of the game. If the Wisconsin defense would have made a stop like they were set up to do (and did multiple times before the ending drive) Wisconsin could have had the chance to block the punt, have a large return, or have the chance at a game winning drive. Wisconsin had most of the momentum at this point, and if Wisconsin gets the ball back at the end there and drives down the field to win, it is a completely different story about Bielema.

It was a risky call on his part, and it just didn't pan out. I'm not going to neg the guy because he had trust in his defense and his offense. How was he to assume that Sparty would get that bomb TD as well? 

WojoRisin

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

According to my facebook and twitter, MSU must have handed out TONS of diplomas tonight, because every fan of MSU is an alum or current student.

Seriously though, they played a near perfect game and won. I wasn't convinced the evidence was indisputable on that last play, but whatever. Having a Blocked FG, blocked punt, a safety and 2 ints means you probably shouldn't win.

Indiana Blue

October 23rd, 2011 at 12:08 AM ^

they did nothing in the 4th qtr. against us until WE fucked up .... and the same thing happened tonight, nothing until the hail mary and as someone earlier said - it wouldn't have happened until Wisky calls 2 timeouts and leaves time on the clock.  Stupid !   Wisky had all the momentum ...

msu luckier than good ... sorry  -  and ZERO penalties.  The ONLY team in the country today that had NO penalties ... GMAFB

Go Blue!